7, Harrogate – Wetherby – Leeds

Journey Overview

This is the slightly longer way to Leeds than on the 36, but it’s a languid scenic journey that’s just as enthralling. The elegance of super Spa town is left behind as the bus meanders out, traversing the luscious green lawns and green spaces, the view getting more expansive as Woodlands Corner leads to Wetherby, which is more built up but with market town charm and vibrancy – the coaching inns providing a stop off for travellers for centuries.

Close to the River Wharfe, Boston Spa Church soon appears and the village of Horner has a sense of tranquillity, but the landscape becomes more urban, somewhat cluttered as with a sense of heightening anticipation. This is a real feature of the approach by bus to Leeds as so quickly the view can change from the window as Harehills Lane gives way to the bright lights and imposing Leeds City Centre skyline as the bus makes its way next to the Victorian Market at Leeds Bus Station at the end of this terrific journey.

A Fab Day Out!

Start the day in Harrogate with breakfast at Bettys Café Tea Rooms on Parliament Street, an early anchor point that sets the tone for the day. Arriving mid-morning, the ritual of tea, pastries or a full breakfast feels calm and deliberate, especially before the town becomes busier. After breakfast, take time to walk through Valley Gardens, just a short stroll away. The paths wind gently through planted beds and open lawns, offering a sense of order and space that reflects Harrogate’s spa-town origins. From there, wander back through the Montpellier Quarter, where independent shops and elegant streets reinforce the town’s relaxed confidence.

By mid-morning, board the 7 bus heading towards Leeds. Leaving Harrogate, the scenery shifts quickly. Stone villas and residential streets give way to open stretches of road, hedgerows and glimpses of farmland as the bus moves south. The journey feels like a gradual loosening, with wider skies and fewer buildings as you approach Wetherby.

Get off in Wetherby and spend time exploring on foot. The town centre is compact and welcoming, shaped by its role as a historic crossing point on the River Wharfe. Walk down towards the river and follow the waterside paths, where flat routes offer calm views of the water, bridges and surrounding greenery. Back in the town centre, browse small shops and pause for a late lunch in one of the cafés or traditional pubs clustered around the main streets. Eating here feels unhurried, with the town operating at a slower pace than either Harrogate or Leeds.

In the afternoon, rejoin the 7 bus for the final stretch into Leeds. As the bus approaches the city, the environment changes decisively. Roads widen, traffic thickens and industrial edges appear, followed by dense urban streets. Arriving in Leeds city centre feels energetic and purposeful.

Spend the late afternoon exploring on foot. Walk through the arcades and along the waterfront areas around the docks, where former warehouses now house cafés and cultural spaces. As evening approaches, head towards the city’s food and nightlife districts. For dinner, choose a restaurant near Call Lane or the Northern Quarter, where independent venues and long-established favourites sit side by side. Finish the day with drinks at a music venue or bar, letting the pace of the city contrast sharply with the quieter towns earlier in the journey.