The Prince of Wales Hotel at the corner with Wordsworth Street to the left and Gibbs Street on the right. Pictured in November 1959.placeholder image
The Prince of Wales Hotel at the corner with Wordsworth Street to the left and Gibbs Street on the right. Pictured in November 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service

Nostalgic photos take you back to Burley in the 1950s

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 3rd May 2026, 04:30 BST

These nostalgic photos are sure to resonate with a generation of folk who called Burley home back in the day.

They turn back the clock to the 1950s and bring into focus pubs and corner shops as well as local landmarks including Burley Picture House. Row upon row of terraced houses also fall under the spotlight with familiar streets such as Atack Street, Burley Grove, Greystone Street, Bateson Row, Bell's Square and Wordsworth Street all featured. The photos 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: Leeds in the 1990s - 28 photo gems take you back to Burley and Hyde Park LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

A group of boys pictured on Atack Street, looking from the corner with Greystone Street, in December 1959.

7. Burley in the 1950s

A group of boys pictured on Atack Street, looking from the corner with Greystone Street, in December 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Looking across from Wordsworth Street to Bateson Street in December 1959. On the left the back of the Morning Star public house is in view.

8. Burley in the 1950s

Looking across from Wordsworth Street to Bateson Street in December 1959. On the left the back of the Morning Star public house is in view. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Bell's Square in December 1959.

9. Burley in the 1950s

Bell's Square in December 1959. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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Beechwood Avenue, off Beechwood Crescent pictured in December 1954.

10. Burley in the 1950s

Beechwood Avenue, off Beechwood Crescent pictured in December 1954. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This photo from November 1959 is looking across Wordsworth Street to the area which lay behind property on Burley Road.

11. Burley in the 1950s

This photo from November 1959 is looking across Wordsworth Street to the area which lay behind property on Burley Road. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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This view from November 1959 looks across Wordsworth Street, at the corner with Cross Greystone Street is F. Pawson, joiner and undertaker. This is number 1 Wordsworth Street, with 1a then 3 to the right. On the left Lower Greystone Street can be seen behind. An Austin Cambridge car is parked outside number 2 Cross Greystone Street.

12. Burley in the 1950s

This view from November 1959 looks across Wordsworth Street, at the corner with Cross Greystone Street is F. Pawson, joiner and undertaker. This is number 1 Wordsworth Street, with 1a then 3 to the right. On the left Lower Greystone Street can be seen behind. An Austin Cambridge car is parked outside number 2 Cross Greystone Street. | West Yorkshire Archive Service Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

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