City Walks: Best Trails for Autumn

Galway

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Galway sits on the west coast of Ireland, where the River Corrib runs south into the North Atlantic Ocean. The city is beautiful and full of life, from its extensive and lush greeneries to the homely city centre, making it the perfect place to enjoy a long and peaceful walk.

Start at the docks on The Long Walk, and walk along to the corner of Galway City Museum, home of a number of exhibitions dedicated to classic and modern Galway history. Follow Merchant’s Road to Eyre Square and walk through the green, taking a long arc to the west exit.

Follow Williamsgate St onto William St and enjoy the walk through Galway’s charming high street, bursting with a myriad of shops, bars, and restaurants to enjoy. Keep an eye out for the statues of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde, two of the world’s most influential writers, and a little further up for Lynch’s Castle, one of Ireland’s fine medieval town houses.

Head down Shop St and on your right will be St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church –the largest medieval parish church in Ireland. After the church, continue down to the riverside and stroll along the River Corrib, where you’ll take in the impressive Galway Cathedral on your left. The building is quite a sight and is the youngest stone cathedral in Europe. Continue up the river, eventually moving inland until you reach the longest stretch of the walk, which offers another stunning view of the River Corrib and leads you to Eamonn Deacy Park Stadium, home to Galway WFC and Galway United, to finish the walk.

You can find Leonardo Hotel Galway just a short distance from the start of the walk.

Prague

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One of the most spectacular cities in Europe, Prague offers a number of parks and greens alongside a city centre bursting with cultural and historical significance. With so many sights and experiences to enjoy, the Czech Capital’s city walks are both unique and rewarding.

Start at the south-west corner of Lumbeho Zahrada Park, and take the footpath through the towering forest that hugs the Brusnice, or ‘Cranberry’ creek. The view overlooking the park is fantastic and gives the early part of the walk a quiet and secluded feel. You’ll reach a carpark next a baroque-style 17^th century riding school within Prague Castle, locally known as Pražský Hrad. The historical castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site offering a large complex of impressive palaces and buildings exhibiting different architectural styles, from 10th century Roman-style buildings to 14th century Gothic modifications.

Continue walking straight, and stroll through the Royal Gardens, passing a fountain with a Hercules statue sculpted in 1670, and reaching the Belvedere Gardens, a beautiful example of Italian renaissance building. Walk east, crossing over the Chotkova, and along the Letenske Sady’s walkways, passing the Prague Metronome, a quirky monument that stands in place of a former statue honouring Joseph Stalin.

There are a few cafes and bars towards the end of the park, just before you cross the Stefanik Bridge over the Vltava River and into the more urban parts of Prague. Make a C-shape through the city centre, passing a number of synagogues, a monument to Franz Kafka – an influential German author – and the beautiful Baroque church of St Nicholas. Also in this exciting historical line up is the Jan Hus monument, a magnificent structure that depicts victorious Hussite warriors and the birth of the nation. The route finishes in Old Town Square, where you can see the 600 year old Astronomical Clock and go on to explore a range of shops, bars, and restaurants. The Leonardo Hotel Prague is a short twenty-minute walk through picturesque streets of the city centre.

Manchester

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The city of Manchester is famous for its sporting success as well as its industrial impact on the UK. One of the largest in Britain, Manchester is a city that offers a range of activities and tourist spots, giving an insight into its fascinating history and culture.

Start the walk at the top of Cathedral Gardens, home of the National Football Museum, and walk down its west flank towards the Manchester Cathedral. The Perpendicular Gothic style building is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester, and a key part of the city’s stature.

Walking down Victoria Street will give you a nice view of the River Irwell, and will bring you to the quiet, urban oasis of Parsonage Gardens. Here you’ll find the Bla Bla Italian Restaurant and Jazz Lounge if you want to rest your feet and a bite to eat. Continue along Parsonage until you reach the Calatrava Bridge and cross over the Irwell. Take the footpath back up along the river to enjoy a tranquil stroll, before crossing again on Blackfriars Street to go back to the city centre.

Walking along Market Street takes you through the bustling shops and restaurants in the area, including Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre and the Royal Exchange Theatre. Follow the road to the Piccadilly Gardens to end the route, enjoying Manchester’s scenery and historic buildings along the way. Situated near to Deansgate Station, our Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central is perfectly placed to explore the city by foot.

Derby

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Home to the oldest factory in the world in Lombe’s Mill, Derby is often said to be the centre of the Industrial Revolution. Though Derby is famous for its reputation in industry, it also contains one of the more picturesque stretches of green in the country, running alongside the River Derwent where our route will take us.

Start at the Derby Central Library, a large, red-brick, Flemish Gothic style building on The Strand, and walk north. You’ll pass the library’s partner, the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, before turning onto St Mary’s Gate.

Moving into the Cathedral Quarter, you’ll find Derby’s hub of shopping as well as a viewpoint for countless displays of the city’s history. Continue walking, passing Derby Cathedral, where you’ll hear the bell tower that holds the oldest ring of ten bells in the world. Take the footpath leading into the Silk Mill Park, following the path round as it runs parallel to the River Derwent. Continue on to the Derby River Gardens which provide a nice view of the water and the verdant island enclosed within it. Following the river, stroll through the forestry of Bass’s Recreational Ground and continue until you reach the Crown Decorating Centre, where you’ll move away from the Derwent, passing the iPro Stadium, home of Derby County Football Club, and ending the route at the Sanctuary Bird Reserve and LNR. Situated in the heart of the city, Leonardo Hotel Derby is a short walk from the start of the route.

Leeds

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The West-Yorkshire city of Leeds is one of the largest and busiest in the UK, bustling with friendly locals. The city centre holds a plethora of things to do and see, from shopping and entertainment to history and culture.

Begin at Queen Square and head south west, out of the university grounds and into the city. You’ll walk past a large building on your right, the Civic Hall, and soon afterwards you’ll come to the Leeds City Museum, holding the Ancient Worlds Gallery among a number of other exhibits. Just beyond the museum is the Carriageworks Theatre in Millennium Square, before reaching Leeds Cathedral, a modest but attractive Gothic and Georgian structure.

Beyond the cathedral are the Leeds Central Library and Art Gallery in Victoria Square, and the Henry Moore Institute, recognizable by its black-fronted building. Turn left and walk along The Headrow, where you’ll find a number of shopping destinations and eating spots, you can take an optional detour into the Victorian Leeds Kirkgate Market or Victoria Quarter if the high street isn’t enough.

Heading back north, walk over New York Road and end the route in Lovell Park, a spacious green in the city centre close to a number of bars and restaurants.

Situated a stone’s throw away from the River Aire, Leonardo Hotel Leeds is a short walk from the city centre.