A view along Croydon Place with Domestic Street Bridge, Staincross Place and Staincross Street on the left. A tobacconists can be seen in the background. A woman and a streetlamp are visible. Pictured in November 1949.placeholder image
A view along Croydon Place with Domestic Street Bridge, Staincross Place and Staincross Street on the left. A tobacconists can be seen in the background. A woman and a streetlamp are visible. Pictured in November 1949. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

15 harmonious photos take you back to Holbeck and Hunslet in the 1940s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 3rd Aug 2025, 16:30 BST

These harmonious photos chart a decade in the life of two neighbouring Leeds suburbs.

Holbeck and Hunslet - separated by just four miles - are the focus of this trip down memory lane which rewinds to the 1940s. The 15 photos showcase well-travelled streets and feature local landmarks and foster a sense of grime and dirt at the heart of the community. The images are a mix from West Yorkshire Archive Service and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

Balm Beck as it flows east towards Lawns Lane from Balm Road. There are houses to the left of the photo which dates from November 1946.

7. Hunslet

Balm Beck as it flows east towards Lawns Lane from Balm Road. There are houses to the left of the photo which dates from November 1946. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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South Brook Street baths and washrooms, a low brick building. On the right is Simms Motor Units Ltd (their clock is just visible). Many of the corners of the walls, kerbs and posts have blackout markings on them. Tram lines are visible in the cobbled road. Pictured in October 1942.

8. Hunslet

South Brook Street baths and washrooms, a low brick building. On the right is Simms Motor Units Ltd (their clock is just visible). Many of the corners of the walls, kerbs and posts have blackout markings on them. Tram lines are visible in the cobbled road. Pictured in October 1942. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Looking north across Balm Road to Barmouth Road and Terrace in November 1943. Four rows of back-to-back houses are to the centre, each having the end house demolished, revealing the interior walls, floors, fireplaces and chimney flues.o the right, a low wall behind which can be seen part of Barmouth Place. Behind the left hand pole is a fire hydrant painted white for war use. The houses on Barmouth Road have entrances to the outside toilets between them.

9. Hunslet

Looking north across Balm Road to Barmouth Road and Terrace in November 1943. Four rows of back-to-back houses are to the centre, each having the end house demolished, revealing the interior walls, floors, fireplaces and chimney flues.o the right, a low wall behind which can be seen part of Barmouth Place. Behind the left hand pole is a fire hydrant painted white for war use. The houses on Barmouth Road have entrances to the outside toilets between them. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Looking north up Balm Road, with Barmouth Terrace in the centre. The end houses on all the rows of back-to-back houses have been demolished. On the right, the inside of the houses is revealed, showing chimney flues with bricked up fireplaces, interior walls, floor levels and exposed roof timbers. Pictured in November 1943.

10. Hunslet

Looking north up Balm Road, with Barmouth Terrace in the centre. The end houses on all the rows of back-to-back houses have been demolished. On the right, the inside of the houses is revealed, showing chimney flues with bricked up fireplaces, interior walls, floor levels and exposed roof timbers. Pictured in November 1943. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view from November 1943 looks across Balm Road, to Barmouth Street and Terrace, the end houses of which have been demolished.

11. Hunslet

This view from November 1943 looks across Balm Road, to Barmouth Street and Terrace, the end houses of which have been demolished. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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A view of Balm Road looking south onto Tate Place in November 1943. The cobbled road has tram lines and is bordered by poles supporting the overhead power cables for the trams.Beyond the road, a low stone wall leads to large stone gate posts allowing entry to the graveyard of St Mary's Church with wooden benches.

12. Hunslet

A view of Balm Road looking south onto Tate Place in November 1943. The cobbled road has tram lines and is bordered by poles supporting the overhead power cables for the trams.Beyond the road, a low stone wall leads to large stone gate posts allowing entry to the graveyard of St Mary's Church with wooden benches. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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