SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

There is the bunker in Adel Woods which has long been refered to as an air raid shelter - we used to go in it as kids years ago before it was concreted at the entrance!However, I have been informed since that it was something to do with the Leeds Perm Bank!Contrary to other posts on here there IS a tunnel at Kirkstall Abbey - it runs from the Abbey, underneath the Aire and up to the brewery at the bottom of Broad Lane in Bramley (now the student halls) - how do I know this, I hear you ask?Well, my dad (recently departed, so I cannot pinpoint the exact whereabouts of the entrance at the Abbey) worked for Irwins Builders who carried out substaancial work at the brewery - whilst there they discovered the tunnel and actually went quite far into it!They did want to go all the way to the Abbey, but the site foreman ordered them back as it was deemed unsafe (obviously because of the river above it) and were ordered to fill it in - shame!Furthermore, I know where there is a tunnel in Moortown that is meant to be part of King alfreds Castle (or Tunnel How Hill as it was called!) - the tunnel is still there but blocked...Other tunnels/bunkers include the bunker on Otley Rd at the DWP site and a couple of random bunkers/tunnels in the Scotland Wood part of Adel Woods.

I'd still like to know why a medeival abbey was connected by a tunnel to a Victorian brewery. Under a river. Keeping it drained must have been quite a feat.

Hmmm. Does phill have a comment or 4 on this?

Apparently, the Monks at the Abbey were keen brewers themselves.......I cannot confirm if there was some sort of brewery on the site of the old brewery prior to the Victorian era.As for the waterproofing and keeping it drained, I'm sure you can appreciate that there are hundreds of tunnels built prior to the Victorian that are still accessable and are not flooded.I'm pretty sure that the tunnel was far enough underneath the river not to be effected by this and that the riverbed/mud would act as a natural seal......any thoughts on this are appreciated.My Dad had a very keen interest in the history of our great city and I don't think this is something that has been made up - as I say, he worked for Irwins builders (crooked fcukers - even filled in Roman Well unearthed in York of apparent historial significance aas did not want the job holding up), so maybe they have records of the tunnel being found and subsequently filled in!!On a seperate note, can anybody confirm that there is a tunnel from the old Town & Country Club that leads all the way to Headingley - I heard something about this but am sceptical?Apparently, this was used to transport animals such as lions and tigers to the T&C as it was some sort of circus in a prior life???

Possibly, but my view would be build a bridge, a boat or build your brewery on the right side of the river. Even now building a tunnel under a flood plain is a challenge. I'm not saying there isn't something there but I'd guess it would be related to previous building and uses of the brewery site.

'On a seperate note, can anybody confirm that there is a tunnel from the old Town & Country Club that leads all the way to Headingley - I heard something about this but am sceptical?Apparently, this was used to transport animals such as lions and tigers to the T&C as it was some sort of circus in a prior life??? 'Have a look back, you'll find answers to this, and lots more besides - volumes have been posted during th last 18 months! Try this one:http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... age=0Happy reading    

Hi i need to find interesting old structures or derelict buildings to photograph in leeds....where abouts are these bunkers and are you able to photograph them?Thankssteph

steph_leeds wrote: Hi i need to find interesting old structures or derelict buildings to photograph in leeds....where abouts are these bunkers and are you able to photograph them?Thankssteph Theres a very interesting "abandoned village" in adel somewhere(so ive heard)that could be interesting

thanks very much i shall give it a go....im trying to get some good images for a university project. its stressing me out trying to find interesting images.

Brandy wrote: steph_leeds wrote: Hi i need to find interesting old structures or derelict buildings to photograph in leeds....where abouts are these bunkers and are you able to photograph them?Thankssteph Theres a very interesting "abandoned village" in adel somewhere(so ive heard)that could be interesting Aye up you, might be nearly christmas but am still watchin ya knows