Hyde Park Corner highlights

University of Leeds
4 min readAug 17, 2022

Hyde Park Corner in Leeds (not to be confused with the other Hyde Park Corner in London) is the area just north of the University of Leeds campus. It’s on the boundary line between Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse, and fittingly, there is a vibrant community of cafes and shops where Woodhouse Lane, Headingley Lane and Hyde Park Road meet.

Here’s a list of our favourite spots.

Oranaise

Oranaise — serving tasty North African food since 2002 | www.oranaise-cafe.co.uk

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a birthday or simply catch up with friends, Oranaise is the place to go. Relax in the atmosphere of a cosy North African-style bazaar with authentic Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, including tasty tagines, barbecues, tapas and mezze — there’s something for everyone. They also have an entirely separate vegan menu to choose delicious dishes from, extending to the massive selection of beautiful homemade cakes — a bonus!

1 The Crescent, Leeds LS6 2NW

Hyde Park Book Club

Hyde Park Book Club — formerly a petrol station | www.hydeparkbookclub.co.uk

Converted from an old, disused petrol station in 2015, Hyde Park Book Club is a bustling creative hub with live music and arts space spread across two floors. The venue was created by entrepreneur and Leeds PhD student Jack Simpson, who wanted to cultivate creativity between generations, and between students and locals. There is always something going on, from spoken word nights to film screenings to rap cyphers and exhibitions. The drinks accompany a tasty vegan-centric menu, including brunch, dinner and dessert. It also serves as a café-bar, so whether you need a morning coffee or a margarita in the evening, Hyde Park Book Club will give you a warm welcome.

27–29 Headingley Lane, LS6 1BL

Vintage Boutique

Vintage Boutique, a treasure trove across two floors | www.facebook.com/VintageBoutiqueUK.Leeds

Perfectly situated to tempt the passer-by, Vintage Boutique is one of the largest vintage stores in the area. From vintage sportswear to vinyl records, guitars and antique furniture, it’s easy to quickly pass the time as you browse everything the store offers. Some stuff might be a bit beyond the average student’s budget, but a rare find makes rifling through the racks worth it. With two huge floors of retro clothes, furniture and items to thread through- you’re bound to find a unique gift for a friend or something nice for yourself.

14 Headingley Lane, LS6 2AS

Coffee on the Crescent

Coffee on the Crescent, a popular coffee spot on Hyde Park Corner | www.facebook.com/CoffeeOnTheCrescentLeeds

Coffee on The Crescent has quickly become the prime spot for coffee on Hyde Park Corner. They serve up the highest quality coffees from around the globe, complemented by a delicious selection of locally sourced treats and snacks.

There’s always time for coffee.

On quieter days, it’s the ideal space to hole up with your headphones on and get some work done. The shop also celebrates community talent by displaying and selling work by local authors, artists and card makers — there’s also a colourful selection of reusable cups available to purchase if you need your cuppa to go. Keep an eye on their social media for coffee masterclasses, deals and competitions.

2 The Crescent, LS6 2NW

Hyde Park skatepark

Skateboarder shows off some moves at Hyde Park.

There will usually be lots of friendly, welcoming faces at this park- whether you’re a beginner skater or a more experienced one. The surrounding greenery of Woodhouse Moor makes it a perfect place to relax on sunnier days. With tons of open space, basketball courts and a variety of ramps, there is plenty of room to do your own thing. More recently, the skate park has seen an upsurge of female skaters, who are always down to help newcomers who may feel nervous! It’s never too late to try something new.

Access from Hyde Park Road/Moor View, Leeds LS6 1AE

Do you agree? What’s your favourite spot to head to in Hyde Park Corner?

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