Leeds nostalgia: 11 of the best photos take you back to Woodhouse in 1966

By Andrew Hutchinson

Published 25th Oct 2023, 04:45 BST

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These photos take you to the heart of Woodhouse in the mid-1960s.

The Fenton pub, Blenheim School and the Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft are just three of the local landmarks in focus. They form part of a gallery charting life around Woodhouse in 1966. Life on Woodhouse Lane is also featured in this trip down memory lane which sure to evoke memories for a generation of residents who called LS2 home back in the day. The images are published courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service, which collects and looks after the unique documentary heritage of the region dating from the 12th century to the present day - more than 800 years of local history. It also runs Catablogue, an online blog dedicated to preserving the past, serving the present and protecting the future. READ MORE: 33 closed Leeds pubs which will stir fond memories for drinkers LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. To the left is listed as the National Deposit (Approved) Friendly Society with the Photocraft Studios at number 157a, the entrance is down a flight of steps. Number 159 is a pharmacy, business of Walter Thomas Castelow who took over these premises in 1904 and until his death in 1974 was the oldest working pharmacist in Leeds, still practising at the age of 97. The Fenton Hotel at number 161 was built in 1853, at the time of this view the landlord was Herbert H Baxter.

1. Woodhouse in 1966

Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. To the left is listed as the National Deposit (Approved) Friendly Society with the Photocraft Studios at number 157a, the entrance is down a flight of steps. Number 159 is a pharmacy, business of Walter Thomas Castelow who took over these premises in 1904 and until his death in 1974 was the oldest working pharmacist in Leeds, still practising at the age of 97. The Fenton Hotel at number 161 was built in 1853, at the time of this view the landlord was Herbert H Baxter. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Commercial properties on Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. Number 151 to the left at the corner with Fenton Street is Norman Ratcliffe, dentist. Moving right, number 153 is Robert Marriner's chemists. Number 155 is listed as Samuel Walsh, tailor and number 157 on the rightas National Deposit (Approved) Friendly Society. A sign along the bottom of the window states 'Oxford Committee for Famine Relief'. The parked van belongs to Bray's Bakery Ltd based on Hunslet Road.

2. Woodhouse in 1966

Commercial properties on Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. Number 151 to the left at the corner with Fenton Street is Norman Ratcliffe, dentist. Moving right, number 153 is Robert Marriner's chemists. Number 155 is listed as Samuel Walsh, tailor and number 157 on the rightas National Deposit (Approved) Friendly Society. A sign along the bottom of the window states 'Oxford Committee for Famine Relief'. The parked van belongs to Bray's Bakery Ltd based on Hunslet Road. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. On the left edge of this view, part of the premises of Walter Thomas Castelow's pharmacy at number 159 can be seen. This is now a bar called Strawberry Fields. Moving right, number 161 is a Tetley's Public House, the Fenton Hotel with Herbert H Baxter as the landlord. It was built in 1853 and is still open today. Number 163 is a bakery and coffee bar owned by Craven Dairies.

3. Woodhouse in 1966

Woodhouse Lane in March 1966. On the left edge of this view, part of the premises of Walter Thomas Castelow's pharmacy at number 159 can be seen. This is now a bar called Strawberry Fields. Moving right, number 161 is a Tetley's Public House, the Fenton Hotel with Herbert H Baxter as the landlord. It was built in 1853 and is still open today. Number 163 is a bakery and coffee bar owned by Craven Dairies. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Blenheim Walk showing Blenheim School. This had previously been the Leeds School for the Deaf and Blind. The site is now taken up by Leeds College of Art and Design. The junction with St. Mark's Road is on the left. Pictured in July 1966.

4. Woodhouse in 1966

Blenheim Walk showing Blenheim School. This had previously been the Leeds School for the Deaf and Blind. The site is now taken up by Leeds College of Art and Design. The junction with St. Mark's Road is on the left. Pictured in July 1966. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

The Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft on Vernon Road in March 1966 which had been Leeds Church Middle Class School from around the 1870s/80s to the early 20th century. In the 1980s the building became an annexe of Leeds Polytechnic. The school is seen here from the corner of Vernon Road (foreground) and Willow Terrace Road, while Finsbury Road is at the far end of the school.

5. Woodhouse in 1966

The Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft on Vernon Road in March 1966 which had been Leeds Church Middle Class School from around the 1870s/80s to the early 20th century. In the 1980s the building became an annexe of Leeds Polytechnic. The school is seen here from the corner of Vernon Road (foreground) and Willow Terrace Road, while Finsbury Road is at the far end of the school. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service

Cavendish Road Presbyterian Church pictured in March 1966.
It opened in 1879 and after its closure in the late 1940s/early 1950s, was later converted to the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall leaving the original entrance intact. The inaugural concert was held in 1976.

6. Woodhouse in 1966

Cavendish Road Presbyterian Church pictured in March 1966. It opened in 1879 and after its closure in the late 1940s/early 1950s, was later converted to the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall leaving the original entrance intact. The inaugural concert was held in 1976. Photo: West Yorkshire Archive Service