The Friends of Middleton Park are hosting a free guided walk in Middleton Park on Sunday (16 November 2025) exploring the tramway that ran through the woods.
One hundred years ago, on 10 November 1925 the Ministry of Transport inspector checked over the new tramway from Leeds to Middleton. Two days later the tramway opened without ceremony when the first tram of the day ran to the Middleton Arms from Leeds at 5:15am.
The route was extended to become a circular route through Belle Isle, though less than a decade after the route was completed it was closed on 28 March 1959.
The section through Middleton Park is one of the most fondly remembered pieces of local tramway history and survives as a path through the park. To mark the route’s centenary we will walk the old tram route and talk about its history.
Our route will be step free but will be gravel rather than tarmac paths in places and is under leaves this time of year and possibly slippery, so sensible footwear is recommended. The walk will take about one and a half to two hours and will be led by Kris Ward of Middleton Railway and Friends of Middleton Park.
Join us at 1pm this Sunday (16 November) at the Visitor Centre in the park, there’s no need to book. The Visitor Centre is accessed off Town Street, LS10 3SH.
This post was written by Jim Jackson
Photo: a tram
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