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Your visit to Kirkstall Art Trail
This page covers travel to Kirkstall, venue accessibility, toilets, refreshments, and other information for planning a visit.
All venues are open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July, with two exceptions: Kirkstall Abbey closes at 4pm on both days, and St Stephen’s Church opens at midday (12pm) on Sunday. Check individual venue pages for full details.
Visiting Kirkstall Art Trail is free, but there may be a small charge for some activities. You’ll find these marked on the 2026 Art Trail map.
You can buy work directly from exhibitors. Most artists accept card payments, but bringing cash is recommended.
Find out ‘What’s on’ during the Art Trail on the 2026 event programme page.
Getting to Kirkstall
Our location
Kirkstall is a north-west suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is situated on a hill, heading down the valley towards the River Aire. Some of the roads are therefore quite steep, and they are cobbled in places.
Kirkstall is easily accessible by public transport, and using it or, where possible, more active forms of travel is encouraged. Parking in the area is limited, so if travelling by car is necessary, car-sharing is strongly encouraged.
By bus
Bus numbers 33, 34, 49, 50 and A1 Flyer all stop in Kirkstall. You can plan your journey on the WY Metro website. Look out for the ‘Kirkstall Line’, which is a dark green colour.
By train
There are 2 train stations in Kirkstall, you can plan your journey by train using the WY Metro website. Headingley is the closest, with Kirkstall Forge about 30 minutes walk to the Art Trail.
By bike
There are bicycle stands at several locations around Kirkstall, including Hollybush, Kirkstall Abbey, Kirkstall Leisure Centre and Lilac Grove. Full details, including exact locations and access times, are listed on the Kirkstall Art Trail amenities page.
By car
- Parking in Kirkstall is limited. If travelling by car, car-sharing is strongly encouraged.
- Blue Badge parking, general car parks, and bicycle stands are listed on the Kirkstall Art Trail amenities map and listings, including opening times, restrictions, and number of spaces.
- Check Parkopedia for parking information and One.network for road closures, updated every 15 minutes.
Maps
Kirkstall Art Trail has two interactive maps to help plan a visit in more detail: the annual Art Trail map and the amenities map.
The 2026 Art Trail map shows the locations of every venue, activity, mural, and the information point.
This map has the following points of interest, with pop-up contents summarised below:
- venue – address, exhibiting artists, and a link to the individual venue page.
- activity – where, when, and what for the activity, and a link to the activity directory.
- Mural Trail – address, name of artwork, artist, and a link to the Mural Trail page.
- information point – full address and what3words.
A guide to navigating the map is available on the guide to interactive maps page.
The Kirkstall Art Trail amenities map and listings cover toilets, bus stops, Blue Badge parking, general car parks, bicycle stands, and places to eat and drink, each with full details such as opening times, restrictions, and access information.
A printed Art Trail map (PDF) can also be downloaded, and copies will be available on the day.
Wheelchair-friendly route
Due to the nature of Kirkstall Art Trail’s venues, which include private homes and historic buildings, not all venues are accessible by wheelchair. A wheelchair-friendly route connects eleven accessible venues across the Art Trail, covering almost 70% of exhibiting artists. The route is divided into two sections, so you can do the full route or just one part. Visit the 2026 wheelchair-friendly route page for venue notes and an interactive map.
Venues and access guides
Each participating venue has its own page. The venue number on the page matches the one on the map. At the bottom of each page, you’ll find detailed information about the venue. These access guides will help you plan your visit.
Descriptors come under the following headings:
- Full address
- Routes – some venues may have maps and directions to help visitors find them.
- Venue description – includes the venue type and a description of access into the venue, such as steps, ground level and surface, width of doors, and grab rails.
- Dogs – if the venue allows dogs. Assistance and guide dog owners have full rights of access to public places, spaces, and services. Keep all dogs on a lead at all times as a courtesy to all venues. Where provided, there may be extra relevant information.
- Toilets – if there are toilets, whether they’re accessible, and if there are baby-changing units.
- Food and drink – if there are any refreshments available. Where provided, there may be extra relevant information.
Select individual venues from the 2026 venue directory to find out more.
If the access guide has no content, Kirkstall Art Trail will update it once the venue’s information is received.
Artists and activities
Each of Kirkstall Art Trail’s artists, poets, performers, and workshop facilitators has their own profile. Descriptors come under the following headings:
- the artist’s name
- the artist’s chosen art forms – for example, painting, photography, or sculpture
- the artist’s bio, in their own words
- a link to their website and social media, if they have any
Each venue page lists the exhibiting artists’ profiles in alphabetical order.
You can find a list of all the artists taking part in this year’s Art Trail in the 2026 artist directory.
Activities are listed by type: workshops, demonstrations, performances, and other activities that fall outside these categories. Each activity has the following information:
- what the activity is
- where the activity is
- when the activity is – some activities are day and time specific
- whether the activity is drop-in or needs booking
- how much the activity costs – most of the activities are free, but some participatory activities may have a small charge
- whether the activity has an age restriction – most activities are suitable for children
- a description of what the activity is
A list of all this year’s activities can be found in the 2026 activity directory.
Finding venues
During the weekend, you’ll be able to spot Kirkstall Art Trail venues by their yellow branding – yellow bunting, arrows, and venue signage.
Branded signs at each venue will:
- be headed with the Kirkstall Art Trail logo and name, in the Art Trail’s brand colours, on a white background
- have a large number in the middle of the sign over a yellow background. This is the venue number, matching the number on the map
- have a footer with online contact details and a QR code, on a white background
- have a QR code unique to the venue. When scanned, it opens the web page for that venue, with the access guide and artist details
Toilets
Toilets open to the public in Kirkstall are located at Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre, Abbey House Museum, Hollybush, St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Church Hall, and Kirkstall Educational Cricket Ground.
Most of these venues have accessible toilets, and there is also a Changing Places toilet at Abbey House Museum. More information is available on the Changing Places Toilets website.
Full facilities at each location, including accessible and gender inclusive toilets, baby changing, and opening hours, are listed on the Kirkstall Art Trail amenities map and listings. Use the map’s filter to show toilets only, or search the list directly.
Individual venues in private residences typically have no toilet access.
Refreshments
There are several places to eat and drink within Kirkstall. Kirkstall Abbey and Hollybush both have cafés on site, and Kirkstall Educational Cricket Ground has a bar.
Individual venues are not expected to offer refreshments to visitors, unless offering refreshments is part of their normal business.
A fuller list of places to eat and drink, whether Art Trail venues, supporters, or recommended local spots, is available on the Kirkstall Art Trail amenities page, including accessibility, dietary options, and opening arrangements for each.
Getting help and assistance
The Information Point will be located in the foyer at St Stephen’s Church Hall and will be open 11am to 5pm on both days of the Art Trail.
Outside these hours, contact us.
Volunteers at the Information Point are on hand to help with general queries, directions to venues, and any concerns during your visit.
You’ll find St Stephen’s Church Hall on Norman Street, Leeds LS5 3JN. You can also locate the venue using what3words: ///path.double.pine. A full visitor access guide is available to view.
Wellness spaces
Kirkstall Art Trail can get noisy and busy with crowds. If you want to avoid this, arriving at 11am, when the Art Trail is at its quietest, is recommended.
If you or somebody in your party needs a safe or quiet space, some venues can help.
The venues below can offer a safe or quiet space, and/or have staff trained in disability awareness.
- You can talk to any of the staff at Kirkstall Abbey, found at the desk in the visitor centre. Staff can offer assistance, and a quiet space if required.
- There are also trained staff at Abbey House Museum, opposite the Abbey. Find out more about Leeds Museums and Galleries access commitment.
- There is a dedicated quiet space in the garden at Hollybush Conservation Centre, set away from the main buildings.
- St Stephen’s Well Community Garden is a quiet place to escape the crowds, right next door to St Stephen’s Church on Station Parade.
Important information
The information on this website is accurate at the time of posting, however Kirkstall Art Trail cannot accept liability for third-party content.
- Kirkstall Art Trail holds public liability insurance covering visitors at all venues.
- Visitors attend at their own risk and are responsible for personal belongings.
- Children should be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
- KAT cannot accept liability for personal loss or theft.
Photography notice
- Photographs are taken throughout the weekend to publicise the Art Trail.
- Images may be used in press releases, printed publicity, the website, social media, and shared with funders.
- Images are stored in line with the privacy policy.
- A consent notice is displayed at every venue.
- To opt out of being photographed, or to request an image be reviewed or deleted, contact us.
If you have questions about accessibility or feedback to help us improve, please contact us using the subject line ‘accessibility’.