Our favourite locations of the Leeds owl trail

Written by Kahla Mayhew

Favourite locations of the Leeds Owl Trail
One of the Leeds owls at Millennium Square

The Leeds owl trail is one of the things that make the city such an individual and quirky location to explore. Sprung from the avian emblem on the Leeds Coat of Arms, it consists of owls – as its name may suggest to any budding detectives amongst us – in various guises, across ten locations in the city centre.

The owls can be on pillars, carvings or even stained glass windows, and following the trail can prove pleasantly diverting if you have some time to spare.

Civic Owls, Millennium Square

Two of the gold statues set on pillars outside the civic hall were created in 1933 during the great depression, to provide ‘a beacon of hope’ to the citizens of Leeds. In 2000, two more were added as part of the millennium celebrations, making a total of four. In the clichéd spirit of killing two birds with one stone, whilst you’re on the square you can find the Leeds museum owls carved into the absolutely glorious old Leeds Institute in 1865.

If you have time to check out the inside of the museum as well, don’t hesitate – entry is free and it’s worth taking the time to check out the stunning architecture from the inside if nothing else. There are plenty of places to eat and drink on Millennium square as well, from bars like Revolution and HaHa! to the Casa Mia Italian restaurant and the Spice Quarter.

Municipal Owls

Head off Millennium Square down Calverley Street and you will come to the municipal owls lining the railings outside Leeds central library. These owls are smaller than those by the civic hall but in my opinion have more character through greater detailing of the sculptures. The owls give the impression that they are standing guard over what used to be the municipal offices, and are looking extremely well considering that, having been made in 1876 they have had to survive being melted down during two World Wars!

Whilst you’re in the vicinity, I recommend that you go into the library and find your way to the tiled hall. Connecting the library and Leeds City Art Gallery, the hall was only recently rediscovered under plasterboard and fake walls and is a feast for the eyes, as well as being transformed into a fabulous café.

The Quebec Owl

If you continue down towards the train station you will reach city square and Quebec Street. The only stained glass owl on the trail, the Quebec owl is situated in the former Leeds and County Liberal Club, now the prestigious Quebecs Hotel.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Leeds and Quebecs is a little beyond your budget, there are plenty of other Leeds hotels in the area from the Park Plaza or Queen’s Hotel to the more budget-friendly Comfort Inn. There are also some nice places to eat round the City Square, such as Leeds Bar and Grill, or fish restaurant Loch Fyne.

Corn Exchange Owls

Made from painted metal, the corn exchange owls are amongst the oldest on the trail, coming into being in the 1860s to set off Cuthbert Brodrick’s masterpiece of construction. These owls have witnessed great changes within their building over the years, from the bustle of trading corn to the bustle of trendy shopping right through to its most recent incarnation as an Italian restaurant which covers the whole ground floor.

The corn exchange is right in the shopping sector of Leeds, so there are plenty of places to go once you have checked out the owls, including several independent shops that really give Leeds a sense of individuality.

The Leeds Bridge Owls

A rise in traffic led to the creation of the cast iron Leeds Bridge in 1873, and with it a painted replica of the Leeds Coat of Arms. Apparently, this location was the first to be caught on camera, by Louis le Prince in 1888. More removed from the other owls, if you make it out to the Leeds Bridge I recommend that you keep going a little further and check out the Adelphi pub, which does cask ales, three kinds of cider and six speciality world beers on draught. Delicious after a hard day’s bird watching!

Find our more about the locations of the Leeds Owl Trail or download the free map.

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