Join us for the official opening of the restored Bear Pit! After nearly 60 years, Leeds Civic Trust has successfully restored this historic structure and we’d love for you to celebrate with us.
Saturday 29 March, 12:30.The Bear Pit, Cardigan Road, Headingley
The event will begin at 12:30pm with speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the unveiling of a new information board, detailing the history and restoration of the bear pit. Afterwards, there will be two small guided tours offering insights into the work done to restore the Bear Pit, along with a chance to get involved in planting some wildflowers in our new bear pit garden!
REGISTRATION IS FREE BUT ESSENTIAL. Click here to register your attendance.
If you would like to join a guided tour or Hyde Park Picture House pre-event, you must register seperately below.
Guided Tours:
Join volunteer and Bear Pit expert Graham Castle to learn about the history of the Bear Pit and the recent restoration work.
Tour one: 13:30
Tour two: 14:15
To book onto the guided tours please click here
Pre-Event: Hyde Park Picture House 10:30am
To celebrate the launch of the newly restored Bear Pit, our friends at Hyde Park Picture House are bringing some of our favourite bears to the big screen! Arrive at 10:30am for a special self-led bear hunt around the Picture House followed by an introduction from Leeds Civic Trust Director, Martin Hamilton prior to the film showing of Paddington in Peru.
For further information and to book your tickets click here
Drop-in Consultation Workshop at Left Bank Leeds:
We also invite you to join us at Left Bank Leeds between 13:00 PM and 15:00 PM for a drop-in consultation workshop. This is your chance to have your say on the future of the Bear Pit space. What would you like to see happen here? How can the community make the most of this historic site? We want your input! The Left Bank will also be open for refreshments and toilet facilities.
Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something special in our community! We look forward to seeing you there!
Useful Information
Date: 29 March 2025
Time: 12:30 – 14:30
Location: The Bear Pit, Cardigan Road, Headingley, Leeds
Tickets: Free but essential, click here to book tickets
Donations: This is a free event, but if you would like to donate to Leeds Civic Trust and support our work, please click here.
Getting to the Bear Pit:
- Please note parking is limited near the Bear Pit and we encourage the use of public transport and ask that you be considerate when parking vehicles nearby.
- Buses that stop close to the Bear Pit are 19, 19A and the 56.
- Burley Park train station is a 5 minute walk away from the Bear Pit.
- The Bear Pit has wheelchair access to the main viewing area however there is no wheel chair access to the internal area of the bear pit that will be open for the guided tours.
- Please note there are no public toilets at the Bear Pit, but attendees are welcome to use the facilities at Left Bank which is a 5 minute walk.
