My one and only running destination in Leeds.

Kirkstall abbey is a ruin of a Cistercian monastery in Kirkstall, a bit outside Leeds city centre on the bank of the river Aire. As it was less than an hour’s walk away from Headingly where I stayed during my studies in Leeds, UK, I decided to check it out one day.

The abbey was founded in the 12th century and disbanded in the 16th century, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VII. It was opened to the public in the 19th century and the gatehouse was converted to a small museum. Some events are sometimes held there, but I visited in the late afternoon, so I basically just saw the ruins.

Impressions of Kirkstall abbey

Since Kirkstall abbey was just far enough to constitute a good walk, I decided to go for a run. Now, here’s a fun fact about me: I don’t run. I hate running. I never run if I can help it and I find absolutely no joy in it whatsoever. But, every once in a while, I get this itchy feeling in my feet and a crazy thought in my brain, figuring I could give a try again; how it would surely be fun to run a bit with music in my ears. Well, I did it, it wasn’t fun and I am not running again for the next few years. But the abbey ruins were lovely, although the fading evening light did not make for the best photos.