Is There Another Old Station Below Leeds Station?

[@trainsinkansas576]

I live in Meriden, Kansas have never been to England but love watching and what an education I'm getting.

[@johnycabs]

The history all over Britain let Lone just England, is sublime, it's unfortunate you have to LOOK for it, scotland is by far better, history around every turn, and I say that as an Englishman... I would love to show many americans the REAL parts of british history, just to open there eyes. Our history predates your country!! And there are other countries who's history predates british history. The world is vast, and our history should be preserved as much as possible

[@roeg9320]

@@johnycabs Scotland has more history by land but England has more history

[@steveswales8446]

The story that you've missed is that the Monks Pit Lock, connecting the canal through to the River Aire, was a bit of a con. It was constructed by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company only after they became aware of the proposed route of the railway. Its existence forced the railway company to pay a toll for every train that crossed the Monks Pit branch of the canal. (I used to have long conversations with Len Davies, who took on a long lease for the whole Dark Arches area from British Railways in the early 1980s, and who was responsible for its successful development.)

[@AdventureMe]

I never knew that, Great story.

[@PureJoyTarot]

I can't understand why I am watching this at 01.34 in morning, but this is captivating.. I been in Leeds 22 years, and often thought about its history, so I am fascinated...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Hope it's not as addictive as the second part coming on Sunday.

[@fatabelly]

I often watch weird and wonderful stuff in the early hours, so you're not on your own lol

[@NOWThatsRichy]

@@fatabelly Dont worry, I'm exactly the same!

[@Peter-nv3wu]

Don't worry Pure Joy, it's past 3am and I am still here and I don't live in Leeds or anywhere close lol.

[@robertbrice2108]

Fascinating stuff, thank you for this. As a local it’s interesting to find out about the history of places you’ve known all your life.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more to come.

[@martinjones4529]

im a local too

[@fatabelly]

@@martinjones4529 "oooooh are you local?? This is a local shop for local people!... there's nothing for you here!!" "Edward!... Edward!!... He tried to touch my petal" 😂

[@jess.bus.photosx6388]

I live in pontefract but go to Leeds all the time and never knew this existed underneath

[@shauntodd7123]

Leeds Town Centre is amazing round the station. Absolutly amazing video.

[@kmkwilliams9654]

Another great video, and the production quality just gets better and better. Keep them coming! @2:37. The river has always turned at this point. When you say it used to go straight on, that was after 1086 when the Conqueror's Lord of the Manor built a goit to take the river water to his mill. To get extra pressure from the goit water, he raised the river height to encourage the water to go the easier route down the goit. He did this by building the Dam, or bondsman dam, reflecting that the men within the manor were bonded to the Lord for some days of work. The goit ran under the Queens Hotel. @4:48. The Queens we see today is the second version.@8:35. The canal basin (smaller) was a dry dock for the making and repair of boats. The larger one nearest the "Candle" tower block used to go through to the river so that coal barges could travel up to the power station. The link was filled with mass concrete. The arches were used for many types of activity and storage, including beers for the Queens Hotel, and car parts back in the day. Another use was for storing the ingredients of soap by Joseph Watson (who lived at Donisthorpe Hall, Moortown) and ran the Whitehall Soap Works, (which were behind you at the start of the video) later Elida Gibbs and eventually Unilever. See www.Leodis.net for the time when these soap ingredients caught fire and destroyed several platforms. Fire engines came from York and Derby and the fire raged for days. One fireman lost his life and a vast procession attended his funeral. The station was rebuilt in 6 days, working 24/7 by Leeds builder Nicholson using timbers brought on special trains from Hull. @10:00 Before the Wellington Station arrived there was a bridge across the river to Aire Street, which reverted to a footbridge once the station was built. Where the new station south entrance is was a ford called Sandford Street, well into the Victorian era, and a public baths. There was no station down under, having reviewed many plans of the Dark Arches over the years, some from Network Rail archives including drawings for the building of the Dark Arches.

[@joannebrown6163]

Love how so much of the old buildings have been preserved, even when hidden. They have even put coloured lighting in those old tunnels, so people can still see them. Nice to see :)

[@scarboroughlover1547]

I've lived in Leeds and I still do and I had no idea that there was two over stations, but I've been though the Wellington station where the car park is and I think it was just the hole station, Leeds is a historic city and I didn't even know, and now I know the river that goes under the station (the one that was blocked off under Wellington) is sealed off. So thank you adventureMe for showing me a historic look under Leeds city train station

[@AdventureMe]

No problem. More to come this Sunday about the blocked off River underneath and where it goes.

[@68bee]

I'd like to share a little story with you. i've got a friend who was a Fire Inspector and on occasion he would do inspections in Leeds City centre. Several times while in various cellars he saw bricked up doorways and locked doors to which nobody had a key or knew what was behind it.... Steps down to underground Mills ?? Who knows ...

[@AdventureMe]

I bet there's all sorts down there we don't know about.

[@sanctusgrey109]

My brother work on Leeds Market, and he said there were streets under the Market. not in use now, but they were other shops down there also,

[@jimmycapstick6988]

@@sanctusgrey109 there are no shops under Leeds markets but the streets referenced are there in the form of cobbled roads where wagons, carts and barrows would have travelled. They have been paved over the years with yorkshire stone and more recently concrete and resin. There are some underground toilets and a well was discovered in 2015 which would have been in the Vicar's croft as it was.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Its like the old caves used as bomb shelters from ww2 and also used as a tannery under the Nottingham shopping centre. They built over it but preserved the history and its possible to visit them.

[@itsonlyme9938]

Looking at those arches the amount of labour used to build and the amount of bricks used is truly amazing.

[@Geoffreytomlinson24]

The amount of work that took place across the country in bygone days is mindblowing considering the lack of mech aids .Great view again Chap.

[@CoyoteMTB77]

Fascinating history and also goes to show how the Victorians built stuff to last as them foundations are strong. So many people are clueless as to how much epic victorian engineering is below our feet sometimes 👍

[@danielclay3670]

I worked at Granary Wharf in the late 90's as a car park attendant (Weekend job) at the time it was a shopping centre and weekend market. I had access to pretty much everywhere under there. There is a network of long narrow tunnels not accessible or visible to the public, but there is definitely not any railway platforms. I do have a vague memory of being able to access the Queens Hotel from under there though.

[@AdventureMe]

I'd love to see it. And no platforms as I suspected.

[@davejones7651]

I had a boat building business under the dark arches (well just outside really). The building was a single story shed which was originally "Rider's Boatyard" next to the dry dock you showed on your video with car parking on the other side. My company was "Wharf Marine" and I was building the 'Fisherman 17'. Wharf Marine went to the wall in the early 1980's when Margaret Thatcher's recession took a lot of small companies out of the picture.

[@AdventureMe]

I have a picture of that area in the 80's, it looks weird without all the tall buildings we see now.

[@annwalker1998]

i started work in 1966 the electrical firm i worked for had a job refurbishing the station . the men that worked on it told me there were tunnels under the platforms and they worked in them . just around the corner from the station elida gibbs had a factory on whitehall road there was a substation under the substation in the yard one of the yeb employees took me and the forman down a ladder and at the bottom were large tunnels made of brick , he said he had been in them regular one went under the town hall another went off to armley and another went to lawnswood , but he didnt know what they were originally used for they were quite large tunnels , i know as a kid they used to have 3 wheeled vehicles going from the central station to the yard at the side of the queens hotel to take parcels between the stations .

[@AdventureMe]

Very Interesting, thanks Ann.

[@repletereplete8002]

My friends organised a large festival and several other events in 2006 in the dark arches. Me and my friend were in charge of decorating the place and we had the run of the site for a week and it's an absolute warren of tunnels, corridors and some huge rooms. One of which's vaulted brick ceiling is as you mentioned scorched from the fire.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the info.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for another fine video. Cheers Darren! Cheers mate.

[@june4mbs510]

I'm a Leeds lass.. now living in South Yorkshire... but loved this nostalgic look at Leeds... my home town. Thanks for the memories!!! Great video and so knowledgable. I really enjoyed this.

[@AdventureMe]

No problem 👍

[@roastedicons1234]

My dad worked down in the dark arches there used to be were you clocked in the units is were the joiners and plumbers used to work and bricklayers used work for the main station above

[@AJ-hi9fd]

I’ve used Leeds station a lot and knew nothing about this. Very interesting, thank you 😊

[@AdventureMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@biggstavros5876]

I have just come across your videos. Thank you so much for all your very hard work and keeping old Britain alive. Much appreciated.

[@AdventureMe]

You are very welcome

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Nice video Darren, they've certainly tidied up that area since I worked in and around Leeds back in the seventies. Those arches were seedy places and I bet there are some further hidden places under there.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes they are. Apparently worse in the victorian period.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

@@AdventureMe someone said there was a news report from calendar or look north around 15 years ago where a guy fromnetwork rail took the reporter and camera crew into the dark arches i think past that gate with the spikes and there are corridors and tunnels you can't see. At one point you can just look over a opening in the brick wall and see the Aire going by but it's at our level not beneath us. If you could get permission to go down there and do a proper survey of the entire area that would be brilliant. Im subscribed.

[@kay110]

Very interesting again Darren. I used to work part time in one the original three shops built into the dark arches on Bishopgate street in the early 1970's. In those days the rear arches were not really used for much and contained debris which is probably from the fire you mentioned. You could get access from the original car park that was there prior to the renovations. Someone has also mentioned a secret 'beach' - well I can confirm in the 70's that there was lots of sand under there, but not necessarily a beach as such! In those days it was very dark, spooky and dirty - very much different from today!

[@AdventureMe]

I can imagine, apparently much worse in the victorian period.

[@richcampoverde]

I remember it being dark and a smell of sewage hung in the air

[@kay110]

@@richcampoverde Yes it was bad and did smell. Mind you, the whole area down there in the 70's was a dump and infested with wildlife! They certainly spent some money and turned it into the much nicer place it is now.

[@richcampoverde]

@@kay110 that end of leeds was prostitute central at one point but yes it looks far better now and long may it stay that way

[@wyrksi]

Excellent video. Thanks for all your research and work that you put into these videos.

[@AdventureMe]

My pleasure!

[@dayvw]

Once again, an enjoyable video on the place's we all take for granted. Every video I watch I always keep an eye out for the things you've pointed out!

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you very much!

[@pamelabarnes1971]

Hi as child I used to go with my mum to the old Wellington station I was fascinated by the steam trains we didn't bother with the other station much I loved all the ironwork and bustle of it all she told me tales of when they caught trains to Fleetwood so as to connect to the Manx ferry there our family had Manx origins and relatives there back to the station you could walk thro Wellington vvia a small junction into the other station in the sixties we would go through the side entrance by the the then News Theatre to the right of Queens Hotel and as you got in maybe 5yds or so there were 2 staircases either side of the walkway one was for gentlemen the other was for ladies if you went down them in the ladies was a large rest room and just off it another area with pot slipper baths and changing area it cost then £ 1 I believe if you provided your own towels etc for a good bath after long journies by steam train the public were also allowed to use these facilities too the men's area sported a barbers and smoking room according to my uncles as well as bathing facilities I was told a tunnel linked the two separated by a locked iron gate halfway along

[@brianmacdonald2803]

Great vid,city planners making a mess of Leeds in early 1800 and still doing so today.

[@werdnarotcorp8991]

I certainly remember the arches by Leeds City station but I never ventured anywhere close. However I do remember Leeds Central station as it was the place you went to get a local train to East Ardsley/Thorpe and then Wakefield before Beaching closed everything. There were buses from East Ardsley/Thorpe to Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell but up till the early 60s you got to Leeds on the train. It wasn't till the 70s that buses started to go to Leeds from East Ardsley/Thorpe. In the meantime you had to walk to Robin Hood to get a bus to Leeds from Thorpe.

[@pippitstrueman453]

Beeching didn't close rail through Garforth/East Garforth and beyond .. .. don't think that we were on his map. Pushing for the building of roads (his friend was a road builder) viable or not viable rails were pulled up and stations closed.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the info.

[@uncleraul9144]

It's quicker to walk to Outwood and get a train than it is to get the 118 into Leeds. Progress.

[@robrob3588]

the station you are looking for is under city square, it was an underground rail system like the london tube but was abandoned, apparently they built the booking hall and platform but got no further. the rooms under the dark arches and all that are just that -rooms underneath for various services/businesses etc, however there is rumoured a tunnel that runs from under the arches to city square and or the town hall. we will never know tho cos we are all mushrooms - kept in the dark and fed crap

[@stevebagnall1553]

A big improvement on the old Dark Arches. Was a good beat to patrol on cold wet nights when I was stationed at Millgarrh nick. Always dry and warm.

[@jamiehoward5538]

Dark arches used to be awesome when it had the little market thing going on. Fond memories of going down there on a Saturday or Sunday morning

[@83NJL]

I remember going to the shops in the arches about 30 years ago. Various craft shops and restaurants. There was even a water bed shop. Great memories. It's a shame all the independent shops disappeared. Long after that i saw a few bands there too. Think the venue (one of the disused arches) was called The Blank Canvas.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I remember that one.

[@richard-hawley]

A hop skip and jump away out front used to be one of my favourite places to browse. M&B Radio used to have all kinds of surplus equipment from reel to reel video machines to radar displays. Used to buy all kinds of armature and CB radio parts there. Happy days.

[@PedroBorges9]

I just discovered your channel and I'm loving the videos. It's really nice to see lesser known and obscure bits of Leeds. It makes me love the city even more. Thanks for the content, I'll do some exploring of my own to see these places in person. Keep it up, fantastic work.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Pedro, much more to come.

[@butchknapman3939]

Darren yet again another excellent video a wealth of information. the hours you put into making your videos research filming and editing is greatly appreciated, slowly I will catch up with all your videos

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Take your time. I have plenty.

[@johnbailes7118]

I used to work at the old Whitehall Rd power station. There was loads of underground tunnels throughout the city that carried electrical services to surrounding substations. We walked through them regularly

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks John

[@jasonwestmoreland]

Fantastic video again, loving the history, I run round there all the time

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Jason. Enjoy the running.

[@holbecksb]

Brilliant coverage

[@Pooknottin]

Nice one. Thanks for this. It's nice to know more about good old Leeds.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnnyboy3949]

Someone needs to go into the old subway that was there until they did built the bridge to the platforms in the 90s. I remember going through it once or twice as a kid in the very late 90s. Like 99/2000 and would love to see a video or pics of it. As far as I can tell the subway is still there just entrances are covered.

[@davidfotherby9862]

I work at Leeds station and have been in the stairs are there and everything plus lots of crazy scary stuff down there things moving on own

[@AdventureMe]

I'd love to go in there. Been many years since I saw it.

[@rosemarywarner6759]

Me too, I went to school in Leeds in the 90s while they were doing the building work and that subway wasn't the nicest place to be for a teen travelling alone!

[@johnnyboy3949]

@@davidfotherby9862 you need to film it down there and upload it for us!

[@johnnyboy3949]

@@rosemarywarner6759 all I can remember was it was dark and it felt and smelled like a sewer! Haha

[@1Goldsteam]

I recall in the mid 1960's trainspotting there before the rebuild in the last years of Steam. The old wellington platforms seemed to be mainly used for parcel trains. In recent years the dark arches has been a must visit for fellow Photography enthusiasts with so much coloured lighting in and around the archways. Great video, awesome place then and now.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, it's a fascinating place.

[@andrewbaxendale2381]

That was really interesting, brilliant. Walked round there so much and never thought to really look at what was there. Really enjoyed that!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it Andrew. More to come.

[@aidanbowe3866]

Just loving your videos Darren. You're so natural in presenting and so informative. Maybe this could be your new career? Keep them coming. Hope lockdown doesn't stop your adventures

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Aidan, not quite there yet. Well according to rishy washy, I need to retrain and find a new job. So here I am.

[@aidanbowe3866]

@@AdventureMe Ha ha. Rishy Washy is a good description.

[@davescholefield3574]

Absolutely fascinating, looking forward to watching some of your other videos.

[@AdventureMe]

Awesome, thank you! Plenty more to come, and lots already on here if you fancy trawling through my channel.

[@noeldonnelly7476]

I was taken down under the station, into the arches, by my father in the early 1960s ( he worked there) and saw the canal lock. It was a dark and sinister place then with most of the arches empty and dark. It is interesting to see how it has now all been opened up.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you saw it Noel, not many have.

[@derrycanning5762]

Hi, this is the first video I've seen from yourself and loved it! I go to a nail bar down in Granary Wharf and now know that I park in the old section of the arches, and have had several of my questions answered about the canal locks. Every time I walk through the dark arches I've always thought it was a bit sketchy so the suggestion about knocking shops is understandable! I've sent the video to my dad who is a bus driver in Leeds- he loves exploring hidden gems on his breaks so this will channel be ace for him. He always talks about the old bus stations too, particularly the old red bus station which is now a bar. Would love to hear more about the bus stations, and any weird incidents or fires that happened there!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Derry. Glad you enjoyed it. More to come. Did you see part 2?

[@miscellaneous_pod]

Very well done mate, excellent content, very well executed, informative, innovative and loads of hard work put into making this, keep it up as always.

[@AdventureMe]

Much appreciated!

[@elysium2750]

Great video. I used to go in the 90s on a sat/sun . The arches were open and lots of stalls. Hippy market and other stuff. It had a strange atmosphere down there but being a psychic I loved it. It’s a shame they blocker them up.

[@AdventureMe]

Sounds great!

[@nikkicranford6874]

Fascinating! Love all the history facts. Don’t know if you’ve done any video of other towns, but would definitely like see more. Thank you x

[@AdventureMe]

I certainly have. And more to come.

[@fenso6664]

There’s still a bricked up archway on Whitehall road that was once an entrance to Leeds Central station just before you turn left onto wellington street as your heading towards the back side of the new station. Also one of the new buildings is brilliantly named “hoist house” which I think is a pointer to the wagon hoist that still stands grade II listed today

[@AdventureMe]

Cheers Ashley. I'll be back to do a central station video.

[@sanctusgrey109]

I use to work at the Royal Mail, before they knock it down, and there was a separate train track that no other trains would travel on, we called it the Queens train, only ever one train was on that track, that use to take mail underground straight to London, some said it went straight to the palace, but I'm not sure about that, it just travelled once a day early hours in the morning, always at the same time, It was a long time ago, but the train didn't look like the other trains, I don't remember much, but I always remember that, only a few people were allowed down to that part, one of the guys showed me, I just remember it being so very dark, and secret. You had to get a separate lift from the other lifts, to go way down to the platform, past the basement, and I was told not to talk about it, but the Royal Mail isn't there anymore, so I guess it ok.

[@rontanser9369]

I found your Tour of Leeds station very interesting

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ron.

[@gpdonovan]

Love these vids, of Leeds history. Reminds me a bit of the London Joolz Guides. Keep them coming please!

[@rikkilamb951]

The subway that was constructed in the 60s under the platforms is still visible on the right in one of the 'dark arches' before the new entrance. It's mostly sealed up apart from access via manhole covers on the platforms.

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah I remember those

[@rayhargate]

Back in the 90’s I worked for a concrete pumping company, one of the jobs we did went over two separate Saturday nights 2 machines pumping 1000 cubic meters of foam concrete into a void under the tracks, the pumps were sat in the Carpark to the right of the grey multi-story Carpark to the right of Witherspoon's, the contractors were AMCO Construction a company who specialises in mining work

[@AdventureMe]

I wonder if this was to fill the old goit tunnels from the river aire and under the old wellington station. Which coincidently is my next video.

[@chloetrory9482]

If there was ever a second station under there I can say that there isn’t one now. I work in the station, there’s just a basement that a load of storage is kept in

[@malwa99]

Thanks for the video. There's alot to learn about Leeds and historical changes. Keep going with the research.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ronny. More to come.

[@adrianhudson9473]

Wonder if a lot of the rumours of the station being on two levels are because of confusion with the old Central station that was on two levels with a freight yard underneath the passenger level. The remains of the truck lift that moved trucks between the two levels still stands in Wellington Place as well as the viaduct across the river that brought the trains into the station. Great videos with lots of history

[@bryan3550]

What an Amazing area! Seems bizarre to have built generations of stations in such a challenging spot. Is it right in the CBD?

[@fridasiton]

Excellent video to watch on a lazy and early Sunday morning. So much interesting information relayed in a very clear and entertaining manner. Thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching, more to come.

[@giantstv4010]

There was a pedestrian subway tunnel under the platforms up until the early 2000’s. As far as I’m aware that was all closed off prior to the completion of the station return in 2002

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I remember using that subway, it's still there but blocked off now.

[@jpjapers]

The side opposite the dark arches goes much much deeper down under ground for some reason. Almost as if it was excavated. I saw the big door open once at the end of mill hill and it was easily 30-40' lower than street level. Theres also a view online of the old rooms under the station where the water and electric still works.

[@missyogiebear]

Brilliant and very interesting video 😀 Thanks 😊 Nice to see Mr Stead in your video… he taught me drama at Norton College in the mid 90s and he was the favourite local radio DJ back then… known as Mr Ready Steady Go! lol

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come

[@Chad-ski]

A few years ago, a few years before they started to build the new rear city station entrance, drama students did a weird event in the arches and the Council opened and lit up all of the dark arches. There was lots of access. Asking people what the individual arches had been used for I was told they had been butchers?

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks John.

[@katiecupcake7317]

I went to that too! It was cool.

[@blueskyes071]

Bits I can add; Kings Mill Goit is more than a rumour, it definitely existed. However, it was bricked up c1890. Prior to this time, for a while at least, where the weir is as the river drops under the station, was a dam, which I believe was called Bondsman Dam. This allowed that section of river to feed the goit, but also at least two mills which were opposite the point where the river drops down.

[@AdventureMe]

Have a look on my channel at Hidden Secrets of Leeds Station. I finally got inside the kings mill goit and the tunnels under station. This is quite old now.

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

A cracking video, really enjoyed this one. You really look into the history of what you are discovering which makes it even more interesting. 👌

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you. Glad you noticed the effort I put it lol

[@ALWResearchTeam]

Brilliant video, watching a second time on the big tv 📺. Really interesting to think that the lock is buried under the station and the bars and restaurants that used to be underneath.

[@AdventureMe]

I know, i'd love to get inside there.

[@andyblackpool]

We used to go to a wicked club night down there in the early 2000's. Walk'd though those tunnels completely off me tits many a time. Oh what memories 😎

[@paultidd9332]

Federation!! Run by Terry George, who own Fibre on Lower Briggate.

[@OGGalleryCrew92]

@@paultidd9332Yer the Gay club fed, is That the gay guy who bought and ownes the Viaduct in 2006 and ownes Club Mission when it had a refit and all that row leading up to the station were the big steps are behind the cockpit club, And the other bars at the other side of the road near were the vintage clothes shop was run by Heidi who also worked at the old warehouse club night vauge and speed queen back in late 90's and early 2000's !

[@fairysox221]

The subterranean railway I think you are looking for runs from the original post office building on wellington street to what used to be Lewis's Department store built in 1932, The railway connected the post office to a secret government bunker underneath the department store according to workers of the store who noticed strange activity in the lifts, some of which had 13 locked level switches below the lowest basement level...

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the info. I was referring to an article in the YEP, they said there was a station underneath the main one.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

Leeds Central station isn't the same as Leeds (City) Station, which is the one in your video. It was a massive station, combining passenger and goods facilities on two levels. It closed in 1967, but a small portion, plus the approach viaduct, can still be seen. It was on an entirely separate site, but still in Leeds.

[@AdventureMe]

I know. I've done both of them. Did it not clarify this in the video?

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

Thank you really enjoyed that very interesting Please keep them coming 🙂

[@HTV55838]

Fascinating history. You have just got another subscriber!!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

Early in 1983, when I was 15/16, I followed the canal from Kirkstall right under the Dark Arches. Back then it really was dark; pitch black, in places! My little adventure ended when, stumbling blindly along a tunnel, I fell down a hole. To this day, I don't know what the hole was, what purpose it served (if any), or even where it was. Sensible me would have turned round and traced my way back to the light of the outside world. The sound of water was all around me, thanks I suppose to the acoustics of the tunnels. That was very disorienting! As it was, I landed fairly well, completely by accident, and managed to climb out, although I was bruised from the experience. I don't know how far I fell, because obviously I couldn't see, but it took ages to climb out again. Even now, aged 53, I wonder if I'd have been found if I'd fallen less fortuitously than I did... Anyway, thank you for this video. Leeds is a beautiful city, and the development on the waterfront creates a wonderful contrast of the old and new in harmony. Your video shows this to great effect.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Raphael, that sounds like a scary experience. Any idea where that was?

[@raphaelmerriman4901]

@@AdventureMe None at all. It was almost 40 years ago! I was lost, if I'm being honest... went in thinking it would be fun to explore (don't get me wrong, exploring IS fun... just not alone in pitch darkness), and somewhere along the way had the encounter with the hole. It was so dark, the only reason I know it was hole was because I felt the walls all around me, otherwise I might think I fell off the edge into the river. With the dark arches now being lit up and inhabited, I expect the actual part I was in has changed (at least the hole being filled in!). And yes... very scary!

[@neilbain8736]

Great video. Lovely bit of nicely researched local history. I've seen old maps of the stations on top of the canal and always wondered just what had been going on there. I've stopped off many times too- usually cycling from York. Interesting night life too. I was in Manchester and a mate was in Nottingham so we met in Leeds of an evening.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@neilbain8736]

@John Byars Leeds leads lead us here :)

[@bugmanuk]

Bloody great video mate! Cheers, Newcastle

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate.

[@davidchance1869]

I used to go fishing there in 1967. I remember walking under the arches to the old lock before they were bricked up. Fishing was free then and I said to my mates at the time “we should buy this land” (it was derelict at the time). I meant to sell fishing tickets never realising what it would become. Opportunity missed there!

[@russellwaite5874]

I remember quite some years ago, before they used some of the tunnels for parking etc, I wondered through a very dark tunnel with lots of nooks and crannies they seemed to go all over the place, mostly towards and under the queens hotel. Not used by the public normally, I think various companies had some sort of parking agreement. Now I think they're mostly lock-ups.

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah such a cavern under there

[@ibraheemmonks8866]

Great video, maybe its worth using a voiceover for the clips next to the roads so the sound is much clearer, just a tip!

[@AdventureMe]

It won't be a problem in future, I have a much better mic now. Thanks for watching.

[@funkmasterdub]

Wonderful as always. You should have a TV series and go round the country doing this as it's not only brilliant and really well researched but its fascinating to boot. Thank you very much.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@nalinithakker9149]

Very nice video. It's nice to now history. I live in Leeds so like to now more thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching.

[@florence2000]

I always understood there were some platforms underneath which haven't been used in a long time and are shut off now. I'm sure I have seen photos of them. Maybe that is what people refer to

[@AdventureMe]

I think it is, but nobody has ever seen them. I don't think it's possible, as the lines are much higher and always have been. It can't be any lower or it would hit the river.

[@paulholdcroft]

Great informative video. I go through this station regularly so it's nice to hear a bit of its history. Tnx 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@dawnc2385]

When I was a kid, my mum used to take me to market style shops under the station in the arches. There were only a few left.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, and now they are all outside.

[@ianrumgay9595]

Fascinating stuff .I remember between 1981 and 83 the arches being used for rough sleeping the police would turn a blind eye at least it would gave been a bit warmer and dryer there during the winter months . Knocking shops 🤔 Allways thought fascinating how the newly refurbished office block is actually built on a railway bridge over the main road , some real engineering all around the station .Look forward to the next video .🚂

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Ian. Yes knocking shops galore!

[@tharkthax3960]

Brilliant. Been to that station many times and never knew any of this.

[@hobomalobo]

I quite enjoy visiting Leeds and walking around all this area in particular. In fact I was up there at the start of September 2020, probably 4 weeks or so before this was released, so its nice to see it again on whats aclearly a lovely sunny day pre second lockdown. Great video

[@AdventureMe]

This was filmed weeks before. Probably early September.

[@roastedicons1234]

The british rail as it was called then employed a lot of people in them units under the station

[@wilfwatson9601]

The Queens hotel is built on top of brick built vaults. I asked if I could see the underground car park. Was amazed at the height and length of the vaults, you could park lorries down there never mind cars.

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx. Very interested in this kinda stuff. Appreciate your presentation and posting. This happy bunny has subscribed :-)

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the sub!

[@DM-jf7pt]

Leeds lad myself , used to work down there on the big round building and hotel next to it many years ago before all the shops were put in , there's loads of hidden stuff around the city , you could get into the underground near the royal armouries aswell

[@AdventureMe]

Yes, hopefully much more for me to discover on the channel.

[@rachelprocter754]

Hi lovely, there is a hub, rather than a station, underneath the Viaduct arches. There is a teensy little entrance at the side of what is now the bar Fibre. It's closed off, but it was an offshoot of the station. I only know about this because my husband worked at the train station many years ago and he was shown the entrance as part of his induction. It's one of the most amazing 'hidden in plain sight' areas of Leeds! It was closed down decades ago! My husband seems to think it might have been closed down post WWII. The entrance is there, but I bet you haven't quite 'noticed' it... ;)

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for that Rachel, what do you mean by hub?

[@MrSimmyMartin]

There are definitely bricked up offices and subways at the station. Some from 60s and some from most recent redesign.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes there are, but still used for access and for station use only.

[@rickyperks3895]

I’ve worked inside queens hotel there a rear exit on to river Aire can see it flowing past as stand on platform smell the damp all around and on front left side of queens where taxis go under arch way the windows you see behind are rooms not in use but can still be accessed via rooms going threw the back of cupboard in rooms

[@AdventureMe]

Sounds fascinating, I need to ask them for a visit.

[@chrisanderson29192]

In the service entrance under the queens in the bus stop at the side on the station on Bishopgate street, there are access to at least two tunnels. One tunnel leads to the car park under the arches, opposite Dark Neville st in Neville st tunnel. The other is said to lead all the way up to the town hall. I was shown, what I was told the entrance to the town hall tunnel all be it border up. Be good to see more info on this.

[@furstyferret]

Fantastic video, thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks David. Glad you enjoyed. Part 2 this Sunday.

[@dervxerox]

I remember the hippy stalls they had under the dark arches back in the 90's and I remember being told a couple at the back were so haunted, it was becoming a problem. I'm a bit of a sceptic but it fascinated me.

[@AdventureMe]

I remember them too.

[@elliottsilverman7931]

It gives me the creeps a bit

[@stuarttaylor6493]

I used to work at Whitehall Road Power Station and remember the cut between the river and the canal at Monks Basin being filled in. There were also a number of cable tunnels that ran from the power station into the centre of Leeds City. The power station was on the riverside where you started the video.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Stuart.

[@carolingtonb1749]

My ex's dad always said when he was a teen him and his mates used to go down the walkway next to the river under the darkarches and there was tunnels everywhere. He never mentioned anything about an old station though.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it used to be open, not anymore though.

[@RobertJohnKerrUK]

Nice one Darren..... Top Notch content....Very interesting...... Like the soap factory story ....

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Robert, our video is out Halloween week. It's a good one.

[@servicekid7453]

Brilliant video! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@alanduncan6914]

From Sheffield very interesting video but a leeds fan

[@AdventureMe]

Legend!

[@michaelcox2028]

There are plenty of rooms under the station now part of the Queens Hotel , you can see the weir under the station by walking though the boiler house and up a ladder which is part of the emergency exit and walk along the side of the river to come out into the Queens car park, I also believe that coke was delivered via a shoot from the railway above to feed the old boilers. I do remember stokers being employed there when I started in the kitchen there in the 1960s. I later worked in the maintenance department and the old air conditioning fans where still working drawing in air from above to circulate around the hotel passing though filters and in summer over an ice bath and in winter feed from the boilers with heat.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for the memories Michael. I will be in touch with them about access once we are all clear to venture out.

[@michaelcox2028]

@@AdventureMe I retired 8 years ago, could have shown you round, but I do believe they do tours occasionally. The Queens car park is big under the station, it was cleared out in the 80/90s as a selling point for the Hotel.

[@missyb6741]

My uncle worked for postal service. Loading unloading letters and parcels. From what he told me there was a platform under the pedestrian station but he never said anything about shops. He passed away last year so cant ask him anymore 😢.

[@missyb6741]

In 1950s

[@AdventureMe]

I'd be interested to know. Nobody has ever seen it or has any evidence.

[@missyb6741]

I'll ask my cousin. He's older than me and spent more time with my uncle so maybe he knows more....watch this space x

[@JohnLeeming23]

Slight confusion there between Leeds Central and Leeds City. Central station was just down the road, but was closed in the 1960s and combined with a rebuilt City station, now simply called Leeds station.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes I incorrectly said the wrong name. But I did correct it on screen.