“Weetwood Hall Hotel is a contemporary hotel whose origins lie in an historic 17th Century Jacobean Manor House. It is set in nine acres of woodland and gardens and can be found tucked away just off the Otley Road by the Lawnswood roundabout.” Steven Kershaw, the General Manager, is determined that local people should regard the Leeds University owned hotel as their own.
“We have just refurbished our award-winning real ale bar called The Stables. It is located in a listed building with an outside garden where you can eat locally sourced English food and try out our great range of Yorkshire ales. We offer one of the best value afternoon teas in the area. Our Convive restaurant has totally changed its menu and we now serve modern, contemporary English cuisine.”
“As a major conference centre, we offer local residents rooms for local community events, host local business clubs, have quiz nights, and support local charities. We host Leeds Rhinos Masters for the over 35s who relish continuing to practice their passion for rugby.”
Stephen is originally from Halifax and has over 30 years in the trade working all over the world. “That experience has given me a real insight into what our customers like and need. I have worked in Asia, Russia, across Europe and love the huge diversity of people and cultures I have met and been part of over the years.”
“We are very proud of being environmentally friendly and doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint. This includes seeking out local suppliers, local purchasing, and by using environmentally friendly products. We also offer vegetarian and vegan food. We are a busy 4* hotel with 130 staff, 114 bedrooms, and 34 conference rooms and constantly strive to improve all we do.”
“I absolutely love being so near the centre of Headingley and go there every weekend. It is my escape from work. I visit Vinyl Whistle to look for records, try out the independent shops and restaurants, and eat in De Baga in the evening if I can. I have seen such positive changes in the high street and am glad I live so close.”
The Weetwood Hall Hotel building itself has a long and fascinating history. The Hall’s origins lie back in the middle ages, when the site was a farm on the vast estates of Kirkstall Abbey. When the Abbey was dissolved in the 16th century, the Weetwood lands were bought by the Foxcroft family, who built the stunning Jacobean Manor House with its stone mullioned windows in 1625, the oldest building around Headingley, and now a listed building. Over the centuries, many different families have put their individual stamp on the Hall. Taken over by the War Office in the First World War, it became a convalescent hospital for officers.
In 1919 Leeds University acquired it and the Manor House became a hall of residence for 30 women students who were training to be teachers. It was extended in the 1920s with a large new main block which is still fondly known as “1926”. Leeds University closed the halls of residence in the 1980s and in 1993 it became its own very fine hotel and conference centre with wooded grounds which you can visit today.
Steven Kershaw, General Manager
Weetwood Hall Hotel, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5PS
Tel: 0113 230 6000
www.weetwood.co.uk
