Otley Run
Encyclopedia
The Otley Run is a pub crawl
in Leeds
, West Yorkshire
. The route follows the A660
, also known as Otley Road at the point the pub crawl commonly begins. The Otley Run is a popular social gathering for student clubs and societies from The University of Leeds, Leeds College of Art, Leeds Trinity University College
and Leeds Metropolitan University
and is also a common activity for birthdays and other celebrations among graduates and city residents. Participants often wear fancy dress and coordinate their costumes to a particular theme.
and Weetwood, and many of the University's student flats
. With the closure of Weetwood, Cavendish, and Tetley Hall student residences and the opening of others beyond of city centre, the modern route has moved south of the original, usually starting at Woodies in Far Headingley
instead. The chosen route may also extend beyond the University bars to city centre club nights . Inclusion of pubs away from the main road has always been regarded as optional, with followers of the extended list (known alternatively as the Headingley
Mile ) often starting early to allow time to visit as many venues as possible.
Pub crawl
A pub crawl is the act of one or more people drinking in multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally walking or busing to each one between drinking.-Origin of the term:...
in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
. The route follows the A660
A660 road
The A660 is a major road in West Yorkshire, England that runs from Leeds to Burley-in-Wharfedale where it meets the A65. The A660 is approximately long, and crosses the watershed from Airedale to lower Wharfedale...
, also known as Otley Road at the point the pub crawl commonly begins. The Otley Run is a popular social gathering for student clubs and societies from The University of Leeds, Leeds College of Art, Leeds Trinity University College
Leeds Trinity University College
Leeds Trinity University College is an independent higher education institution which offers foundation and undergraduate degrees, as well as postgraduate qualifications...
and Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds Metropolitan University is a British University with three campuses. Two are situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England while the third is situated in Bhopal, India...
and is also a common activity for birthdays and other celebrations among graduates and city residents. Participants often wear fancy dress and coordinate their costumes to a particular theme.
History of the route
Initially, the route covered only Tetley pubs and started in Otley , passing the University's main playing fields at Bodington HallBodington Hall
Bodington Hall is a site owned by the University of Leeds, which contains the university's main playing fields and its largest hall of residence. It is also used for conferences. Known as Bod within the university, it is located between Lawnswood and Adel, approximately 4 mi north of the main...
and Weetwood, and many of the University's student flats
University of Leeds accommodation
-Bodington Hall:The largest student residence, mainly for first years, are located out by the Leeds Outer Ring Road. 650 students live in catered residences, 500 in self-catering rooms.-Charles Morris Hall:...
. With the closure of Weetwood, Cavendish, and Tetley Hall student residences and the opening of others beyond of city centre, the modern route has moved south of the original, usually starting at Woodies in Far Headingley
Far Headingley
Far Headingley is an area of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England approximately 3 miles north of the city centre. The parish of Far Headingley was created in 1868....
instead. The chosen route may also extend beyond the University bars to city centre club nights . Inclusion of pubs away from the main road has always been regarded as optional, with followers of the extended list (known alternatively as the Headingley
Headingley
Headingley is a suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road...
Mile ) often starting early to allow time to visit as many venues as possible.
The route
Depending on the route taken, the Otley Run can include over 20 drinking establishments, namely:- Woodies Ale House, Far Headingley
- The Three Horseshoes, Far Headingley
- The New Inn, Far Headingley
- Voodoo Bar & Cocktail Lounge, Headingley
- Headingley Taps, Headingley
- The Arc, Headingley
- trio Bar and Grill, Headingley
- The Box, Headingley
- The Skyrack, Headingley
- The Original Oak, Headingley
- The Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner
- The Library, Woodhouse Lane (formerly Feast and Firkin)
- The Packhorse, Woodhouse Lane
- The Eldon, Woodhouse Lane
- The Old Bar Leeds University UnionLeeds University UnionLeeds University Union is the representative body for the students at the University of Leeds, England. LUU is a charity for over 32,000 students. LUU is led by students, although many of the decisions are made by staff. There are shops, bars and clubs in the Union building...
- The Terrace Leeds University Union
- The Fenton, Woodhouse Lane
- Strawberry Fields,(Strawbs) Woodhouse Lane
- The Dry Dock, Woodhouse Lane
Rules and variations
People attempting the Otley Run may do so casually or choose to follow a specific set of rules . Some examples of rules include:- Drinking a pint in each pub
- Half pints or a single unit for women
- A "golden" Otley run starts at the Sun Inn in the town of OtleyOtley-Transport:The main roads through the town are the A660 to the south east, which connects Otley to Bramhope, Adel and Leeds city centre, and the A65 to the west, which goes to Ilkley and Skipton. The A6038 heads to Guiseley, Shipley and Bradford, connecting with the A65...
- An alcohol-free alternative, with charity collection
- A different drink in each pub/bar
- Fancy Dress
- Three-legged runs with pairs of people having a 'wingman' to support them
- A pint of water and a shot of alka seltzer in each pub
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