It’s hard to believe that these Leeds buildings have been abandoned…
With new a host of new developments in the pipeline for Leeds, it might surprise you to hear that so many buildings have been left empty. From disused mills that have been ravaged by the ages to closed off subways and historic wartime bomb shelters, it’s unbelievable that these buildings have been neglected for so long.
If you have a passion for the stories behind Leeds’ architecture, check out our other articles on the city’s most interesting buildings and most haunted buildings.
Scarcroft Mill
Credit: Rich licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.
Covered in flora, Scarcroft Mill is an abandoned building that’s easy to access but hard to find. Built in 1810, it’s an intriguing relic of history that’s been abandoned for over a century, and you’ll find it near the mysterious Pompocali Earthworks. It’s tough to find, having been taken over by the forces of nature, with as much greenery in and around it as there is stonework – but once you’re there, you’ll find a true relic of the ages that’s a sight to behold, although there isn’t much left these days.
What? Overgrown ruins of a 19th-century mill.
Find it: Scarcroft Mill, access through woods from Milner Lane, Thorner, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS14 3AG.
Imperial Works
Credit: Tom Blackwell licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.
So this one is on the outskirts of the city, in Menston, near Ilkley, but it’s too cool not to get a mention. The Imperial Works was last used by G.L. Murphy’s Machinery, which shut in the mid 1970s and it’s barely been touched since. The roof has caved in in places, but the chimney, which has ‘machinery’ painted down the side, still stands. Inside, there are still bits of machinery, metal and furniture dotted around the building. It’s a remarkable relic that almost acts as a time capsule.
What? A derelict former machinery manufacturer
Find it: Imperial Works, Otley Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 6AA.
Ambassador House
There are few more iconic examples of abandoned buildings than Ambassador House, or South Point as it’s also known, which lies just next to the A61 flyover. It was formerly the home of Leeds City Council’s Environmental Health Services, and we’re sure they wouldn’t be too impressed with the state of the building today. It’s a shell of its former self, and all the windows are broken, so while you can’t go inside, you can still get some great shots.
What? A prominent, broken-windowed shell of a building.
Where? Ambassador House, South Accommodation Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 8LH.
Bramham House
Credit: Gordon Hatton licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.
Built in 1806 by Rev. Robert Bownas, Bramham House has had a turbulent history, which has seen it repossessed multiple times. It was the seat of the Fox family of Bramham, before being repurposed to pay off debts, and finally fell into the hands of West Riding County Council in 1947. They turned it into a children’s home for kids with family and educational problems. That closed down in the early 80s and it’s been left to rot ever since. It’s not in the best condition, but there are stunning features hidden behind the graffiti that shows off its incredible architecture and design.
What? A historic former children’s home that has been left to ruins.
Find it: Bramham House, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 6ND.
Cross Road Farm
Credit: David Rodgers licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.
The University of Leeds owns Cross Road Farm and it looks like they don’t want an awful lot to do with it. Tucked away by the A1/A64 link road, it was still in use just a few years ago, but now it’s deserted and back on the market. Although it’s not the most historic building on the list, it’s become popular with photographers because of its isolated position and rather pretty traditional farmhouse design.
What? A crumbling farmhouse once owned by Leeds University.
Find it: Cross Road Farm, Bramham, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS24 9NN.
Westgate Warehouses
Credit: Tom Blackwell licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use
You’ll have to go off the beaten path for this one. You’ll find these warehouses next to Otley’s bustling Westgate, and they’re a fine example of old Victorian architecture. They were home to the lauded Jeffries Haulage Company headquarters for decades, but they left the site in the early 2000s and fire gutted some of the buildings in 2009. They’re still standing now, however, and provide a lasting reminder of a widely known and respected Otley business.
What? Victorian warehouses that have been left unused and ravaged by fire.
Find it: Westgate, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 3HD.
Newton Park Union Church
This abandoned building has quite a history. It was originally built in 1887 on the site of a former chapel as the Newton Park Union Church. By the 1950s, it had become a Royal Airforce Association Club, and the back part of the building was used as a synagogue at the same time. It was then a Gurdwara, a Sikh temple, from 1963 until they built a new home across the road. Remarkably, much of the front of the building is still in great shape, however a trip around the back will reveal that the walls are crumbling.
What? A gorgeous but vacant Grade II-listed church.
Find it: Newton Park Union Church, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 4HP.
