If you are lucky enough to have scored a ticket to the inaugural Roundhay Festival, your game plan for the day is likely already locked in.
But entering a major festival arena shouldn’t mean spending your entire day stuck in a ‘bubble’; in fact, the journey to the gates is the perfect excuse to explore the very best of Leeds’ thriving scene.
Roundhay Park sits roughly three miles north of Leeds City Centre, and depending on how you choose to travel, your route will cut through some of the most culturally rich, creative, and vibrant neighbourhoods the city has to offer.
To help you turn your transit into an absolute crawl of local gems (and practical points too), we have mapped out an area-by-area guide on the main routes to and around the festival site - including the car parking and ‘park and stride’ options.
Whether you are stepping off the train platforms to catch the official Sovereign Street shuttle buses, navigating the direct driving routes, or taking a scenic, traffic-free cruise on a Beryl e-bike through the northern valleys, these local hubs are ready to welcome you.
Flip through our gallery below to map out your perfect pre-festival itinerary, complete with these local spots to check out in Leeds City Centre, Meanwood, Chapel Allerton, and Oakwood & Roundhay.
1. Boots (Leeds Train Station)
It may not be boutique, but for those essential items before getting on a shuttle bus, including sunscreen, Boots, the moment you come into the station concourse, is a vital place to stock up at. | Google Maps
2. Sainbury's Local (Leeds Train Station)
Equally as important to get supplies ahead of the shuttle bus, Sainsbury's Local is just to the left of the main concourse, providing options from beverages and food to batteries and other sundries you may require. | Google Maps
3. Laynes Espresso (New Station Street)
Located right under the station exit as you head toward Boar Lane. This legendary independent coffee institution is non-negotiable if you want to swerve corporate chains and start your morning with a world-class speciality flat white and a freshly baked morning pastry. | Local Library
4. Friends of Ham (New Station Street)
As you curve down toward Swinegate, this beloved local bar and charcuterie hub is ideal if you’ve arrived in the city early and want to grab an exceptional premium craft beer or a quick independent bite in a relaxed atmosphere before joining the festival queues. | Google Street View
5. Little Bao Boy (3 Sovereign Street)
Operating directly out of the North Brewing Co. Tap Room, this sits literally seconds away from the official festival shuttle bus queues on Sovereign Street. It is the ultimate final city-centre stop to fuel up on legendary, handmade, freshly steamed chili pork or crispy panko tofu bao buns on the move. | Local Library
6. Crash Records (The Headrow)
A brief pedal or walk into the city heart brings you to this absolute cornerstone of the Leeds music landscape, which has been championing physical releases, local independent pressings, and regional gig tickets since 1985. | Steve Riding