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Main Instructor:

Click to View: WALX Preston Instructor Page

Hosted By:

Susan Spall

Walk Description:

 

Join us for an 8km walk as we near the end of our theme for 2026.

Visiting Kirkstall Abbey, it seems to stand in the background to Fountains Abbey, but it is a lovely surprise. 

We will walk along the Leeds and Liverpool canal from Leeds to Kirkstall where we will then look round the Abbey as it sits along the River Aire. Not a huge site but interesting especially as we will have already looked round Barnoldswick and Fountains. 

Packed lunch somewhere along the way and there is a cafe onsite. Using the bus to get us back to the railway station in Leeds. 

Kirkstall Abbey – henry de Lacy (died 1177) Baron of Pontefract and of Clitheroe promised to dedicate an abbey to the Virgin Mary should he survive a serious illness. He recovered and agreed to give the Abbot of Fountains Abbey, land at Barnoldswick in the West Riding of Yorkshire (now Lancashire) on which to find a daughter abbey. The abbot with 12 Cistercian monks went to Barnoldswick in 1147 and demolishing the existing church attempted to build the abbey on Henry de Lacys Land. They stayed for 6 years and found the place inhospitable, so they started to find a more suitable place for the abbey and found the heavily wooded Aire valley occupied by hermits. The monks displaced the hermits some of whom joined the abbey, the rest being paid to move.  

 

Walk speed guide:

Gentle stroll - Gear 1 - Nice pace that you can do for extended periods. 2-2.5mph (these generally are our Wellness walks)   Easy walk - Gear 2 - Faster pace gained through technique. Expect Gear 2 at times throughout the walk with occasional photo stops. 2.5mph (Most of our 1-hour Explorer walks)   Moderate walk - Gear 2/3 - Faster again using technique and with less recovery. Very little stopping. 2.5mph-3mph+ (these are generally Total Body Walx, but also explore this pace on our Explorer and Adventure walks)   Strenuous walk - gear 3/4  (these are generally Total Body Walx, but also explore this pace on our Explorer and Adventure walks).

You are asked to contact your WALX Guide by phone, leaving a voicemail or sending an sms text to the number listed below, if you are likely to be delayed as we do start classes promptly.

Whilst we do understand that sometimes it is not possible to make a class, please be aware that we do operate a no refund policy if you give us less than 2 hours’ notice.

All activities are undertaken at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for any injuries or accidents incurred. We undertake to deliver all classes with qualified staff and have made every effort to risk assess all WALX. On occasions it is necessary to make dynamic risk assessment decisions when there is a localised incident such as trees fallen en route, flooding, traffic changes, etc.

Please ensure your PARQ is up to date and notify us in writing if you have any change to your medical records, or physical or mental wellbeing. This should include any surgery, falls, knocks, or accidents. Thank you.

Contact details (only contact to notify if late or cancelling)

Matt 07530 813225

 

Location Notes:

New Station Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire