Headingley isn't your ordinary suburb in
Leeds. The Victorian houses provide a touch of the old world, the kind of dreamy destination you'd expect in the far north of England. Meanwhile, the many hotspots here include indie shops, foreign restaurants, and the beloved Cottage Road Cinema, among many others. It's easy to just write off this fairly peaceful suburb as a provincial town in the countryside, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Though many other parts of Leeds may be livelier and have a lot more to offer, Headingley is still an exciting neighborhood you shouldn't overlook!
Where is Headingley in Leeds?
Headingley is a suburb of Leeds. It's located about two miles northwest of the City Centre, which isn't too far, but it's still a fair distance away from the
central neighborhoods of Leeds. Fortunately, Headingley itself has more than enough commercial establishments that it's comparable to the more urban City Centre. It's undoubtedly not as busy and doesn't have as many hotspots, but there's still a lot to look forward to here. And this is relatively surprising considering that Headingley is technically a small town in Yorkshire. You normally wouldn't expect this sort of cosmopolitan vibe in the countryside.
Is it Safe in Headingley, Leeds?
Without a doubt! Don't think that just because Headingley is one of the more urban suburbs in Leeds, that it's also as rowdy as the City Centre. This is still a suburb through and through, largely residential and one of the safest parts of the big city. Headingley boasts some of the lowest
crime rates in Leeds, and the entire city's aren't even that high to begin with. The current general crime rate is about 50.48%, which is just moderate. For one of the biggest cities in the UK, this is already pretty noteworthy.
What's The Vibe in Headingley, Leeds?
As already mentioned, Headingley stands out for its nice balance between a quiet suburb and a fairly urban district. Most of it is residential, largely similar to a small town in the English countryside, but it also has several commercial areas. And those same areas boast trendy culinary scenes and even a lively nightlife district. All in all, Headingley has the best of both worlds. Families
moving to Leeds can settle down here and live a relatively quiet life, while young adults and singletons can still have their share of fun in the more urban parts of the area.
Is it Expensive in Headingley, Leeds?
No, it's not! Despite how popular and fairly urban it is, Headingley is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Leeds. It's not necessarily cheap here, but there are undoubtedly more expensive parts of the city. Let's not forget that Headingley is still a suburb and is largely residential. The
living costs in Leeds are already pretty mid-range to begin with, so it makes sense that the city's suburbs are also mostly affordable. If you eat out here, for instance, it'll only cost you about £11.00 to £30.00 per meal among inexpensive to mid-range restaurants. Not too bad, right?
What to See in Headingley, Leeds
Headingley may not have the grand landmarks that the City Centre or even the Civic Quarter in Leeds are known for, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to see here. The Headingley Stadium is already a sight to see! Not only is it a fairly iconic spot in the entire city, but it's practically a pilgrimage spot for any sports fan in the city. Home to both the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, this is a definite must-see! There's also the Headingley War Memorial, which isn't as famous, but it's still worth seeing in person.
What to Do in Headingley, Leeds
Even though it's a suburb, you can still do in Headingley what you'd normally do in more urban areas like the City Centre. Here, you can go shopping, eat out, and party at night. Headingley has enough hotspots to let you enjoy a fairly cosmopolitan lifestyle in this neighborhood, which isn't something you can say about any other suburb. Don't forget that there's also the Headingley Stadium, so watching sports is practically the main pastime here. If you're into rugby or cricket, you'll find yourself going here as much as you can!
The Best Restaurants in Headingley, Leeds
Typically, you'd think that a suburb in Leeds, itself already a city in the English countryside, would only have local pubs that serve traditional English cuisine. There's definitely a lot of them here, sure, but that's not all there is to Headingley's culinary scene. Again, the neighborhood stands out for being almost as cosmopolitan as the City Centre of Leeds. There are just as many upscale restaurants, chic bistros, cool cafes, and more here, not to mention foreign cuisines too! There's the Santorini Bar & Grill on Otley Road, for example, which serves Greek and Turkish dishes and delicacies. While Kuala Lumpur Café Headingley on Bennett Road is one of the very few Malaysian
restaurants in Leeds.
Make sure to check out some of Headingley’s best hotspots listed below:
- Casa Alba on Otley Road
- Fat Hippo Headingley on Otley Road
- Salvo's on Otley Road
- Santorini Bar & Grill on Otley Road
- De Baga Restaurant on Otley Road
- Bukhara on Otley Road
- TADA on Otley Road
- The Swine Bistro on Otley Road
- Residence Cafe Bar Headingley on North Lane
- Kuala Lumpur Café Headingley on Bennett Road
What to Know About Renting in Headingley, Leeds
As mentioned previously, Headingley is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Leeds, particularly when it comes to rent, too. The average rent here is about £693.00 to £1,472.00 per month, specifically for the smaller to mid-sized luxury apartments in Leeds. If you want to get a bigger place, you'll have to pay more. Fortunately, Headingley's rental real estate market is also diverse enough that it's not that hard to spot a property that's just the right size and the right price. It's no wonder more and more people are settling down here instead of in the City Centre.
Headingley is more than just a suburb in Leeds. It looks and feels more like a classic English town, with a healthy mix of the old and new. From its stone buildings to its trendy hotspots, there is a lot to explore in this part of the city.
