Middleton Railway - the world's oldest continuously working railway (1758 to present)

We turn left out on to Leeds Road for a short distance then we head upwards to Wrose through Windhill and West Royd. We go across Five Lane Ends and skirt Eccleshill and Fagley before going down the cycle path on Gain Lane past Morrisons HQ and the Hovis bakery. After a short section on the cycle path on Bradford Road we turn towards Pudsey but skirt the centre before
heading through Troydale and crossing Tong Road. We make our way to Gildersome, crossing both A58 and A62 at light controlled junctions. Crossing M621, and not for the first time, we head into Morley. We cannot go through the centre because of one-way routing but make our way through this improving suburb (Estate Agent Speak) to Tingley where we cross M62 this time and after a short period on the main A650 we turn towards Middleton. At the top of Middleton we enter the park and traffic free paths. Passing the Visitor Centre we go past Park Halt which is the terminus of the railway. Bridle paths take us along side the railway track and past John Charles Centre for Sport and Academy. Crossing M621 again we reach the Middleton Railway after 19.4 miles. Duly refreshed we have a short section on quiet roads and dedicated cycle track to join Aire-Calder Navigation into Central Leeds. We go past Royal Armouries and Asda HQ to join Leeds-Liverpool Canal just below Leeds Station and then all the way back to Shipley. There will be an option to take the train back from Leeds if wanted.

Visit to Middleton Railway in South Leeds, the oldest working railway in the world. Locos will be running on this day and there is free entrance to the museum. We will return by another transport medium, the Leeds - Liverpool Canal dating back to 1774.

The outward route is primarily on quiet urban routes with a couple of short traffic free sections. Once in Middleton Park it is all traffic free to the railway. We head towards Aire-Calder Navigation from Middleton on a mixture of quiet roads and dedicated cycle lanes. We go through Leeds to join up with the Leeds - Liverpool Canal on cycle paths, some shared with roads, others traffic free. Once on the canal it is all traffic free back to our end point in Shipley

There is a café at the railway with toilet facilities, a shop, covered bike parking and free museum. The café is roomy but basic with hot and cold drinks plus biscuits and crisps. If you want/need something more substantial I suggest you bring it with you.

Please wear a helmet and appropriate clothing. Bring a spare inner tube, just in case. Please also ensure that your own and emergency contact details are up to date on the Lets Ride website.

We never leave anyone behind