Your Guide To Living In East Ardsley
East Ardsley is a large village situated between Leeds and Wakefield. It is close to both the M1 and M62 making the village an ideal place to live for families and young professionals, especially those who need to commute to Leeds or Wakefield on a regular basis. So without further ado, here’s our guide to spending 24 hours in East Ardsley.
09:00 and it's breakfast time!
For the first stop of the day we recommend a visit to Fortythree Boutique Coffee shop, which is just a short 14-minute drive away from our new homes in East Ardsley. It is an independent coffee shop with a relaxed atmosphere, serving only the best coffee and organic tea in town. The breakfast menu has everything you could need to set you up for the day. You could even treat yourself to a freshly baked sweet treat to takeaway and eat during your travels around Wakefield and Leeds.
10:00 and your chance to explore the great outdoors
Just a 9-minute drive west of Woodlea in East Ardsley you’ll find Ardsley Reservoir. The site covers 120 acres of natural beauty and offers far fetching views out over Emley Moor. The trail is perfect for hiking, running, or if you like a slower pace, a leisurely stroll in the sun with the dog and the baby. If you’re a little more adventurous, fishing boats are available to hire and with a chance to catch a Northern Pike, Carp, or Perch, we would highly recommend giving it a go!
If you fancy something a little different though, then the National Coal Mining Museum and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park are both just a short drive away as well and offer equally stunning scenery as well as the chance to partake in plenty of family friendly activity from heading down the pit to picnicking and photography.
One thing’s for sure, if you live in East Ardsley, you certainly won’t be short of day trips we can tell you that!
13:30 and it's time for a spot of lunch
There's nothing like a walk or shopping trip, followed by some grub and a drink, so it’s time to head over to the Wetherby Whaler to fill up on good ol’ British fish and chips. This 160-seater restaurant is open 7 days a week, has free parking facilities and menus to cater for gluten free and vegetarian. Fun fact, did you know the Wetherby Whaler serves around 750,000 portions of haddock in their restaurants per year?!
15:00 and it's time to get arty!
New to the area is a fantastic award-winning contemporary art museum. The Hepworth Gallery is in the heart of Yorkshire, set within Wakefield's historic waterfront over looking the River Calder. Did we mention it's only 5 miles away from our development?! Throughout the year, regular fairs and markets are held to support artisits and makers. There's also award winning learning programmes that engage and inspire families, communities and educational institutions. If that wasn't enough, The Hepworth Wakefield Garden has one of the UK’s largest free public gardens!
17:00 mean it's time for a rest and a lovely dinner
After a day of enjoying the simpler things in life, we think it’s time to liven things up a little, and head across into the neighbouring city of Leeds and start the evening with a few cocktails followed by an authentic Italian at BIBIS ITALIANISSIMO. From the moment you walk through the doors, the art deco influence features heavily; from the etchings on the ceilings to the super stylish bathrooms, Bibis simply oozes opulence. Bibis Showtime brings you the best in live music from tribute bands to Swing, Jazz and Motown too, meaning you’re guaranteed to have a showstopping evening!
23:00 and after a busy day that means bedtime
It’s time to wind down and relax after a busy day, and what better place to spend the evening than at The Mews Hotel in Ossett. A 16-minute drive from Leeds or a 9-minute drive from Woodlea, this 4-star hotel is set in a charming mews courtyard, which dates back to 1746. The Mews Hotel boasts fourteen comfortable rooms ranging from luxurious superior doubles down to fabulous single rooms. All the rooms come with en-suite facilities, access to WIFI and a superb breakfast.
If East Ardsley sounds like somewhere you'd like to spend more than just 24 hours in though, then why not explore our brand-new homes here and make it the place you spend all your time?
Other blogs about Leeds you might like...
Spring Garden Tips
Find out how to get your garden ready for spring with simple maintenance tips, seasonal planting ideas, and must-have gardening essentials in our latest blog.
Leeds Life: What's On In Spring 2026?
In our latest blog, discover the best of Leeds 2026! From Gorillaz and Jason Derulo to Disney on Ice and West End hits, explore a massive year of music, art and sport.
The Best Free & Budget Things To Do In Leeds
Discover the best free and budget-friendly things to do in Leeds in our latest blog.