St John's Church to the Tetley - a pub and history walk of Briggate

A walking tour of Leeds led by acclaimed beer writer Simon Jenkins – with stories from the past and three pub stops on the route. Starting at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Briggate , the oldest church in the city centre, this tour is run by It's The Beer Talking, and features renowned beer writer Simon Jenkins, and event organiser and former Tetley's PR officer Nicky Massen. The walk offers a rare opportunity to look around this beautiful old church, built in the 16th century by local landowner, cloth merchant and benefactor John Harrison. Harrison is buried near the altar, and a series of stained-glass windows depicts his good works. One of the windows shows an apocryphal tale in which Harrison presents King Charles, imprisoned in Leeds, with a tankard of gold coins disguised as a draught of ale. From there the route will take us due south along Briggate, one of the oldest streets in the city. The site of the city's first market, Briggate has been the commercial heart of Leeds for hundreds of years - and was once home to more pubs than you could shake a stick at. Through a series of interesting diversions, you’ll learn how our city is still shaped by its 13th century geography, hear stories from the past - a notorious con artist, a grisly murder, Victorian innovation, theatre, religion and war. We visit a selection of pubs along the way, to sample some of the best beers our city has to offer and learn something about how brewing and drinking have played their part in Leeds life for centuries. And our walk will end at The Tetley, once home to the world's biggest producer of cask ale, and now a lovely bar packed with brewing memorabilia. Read some great reviews from Leeds Confidential and Leeds List - and watch this Leeds List video! Tickets, priced £20, are strictly limited, so please book online, but we will accept payment on the day, if places are still available. The cost does not include beer - participants are free to choose their drinks at each of our pub stops. For more details visit www.itsthebeertalking.co.uk/its-the-beer-walking/ We will also accept payment by card or cash before the walk – but places are strictly limited, so please book in advance to guarantee your place. A LSO - if you can't make this date or time, but would still like to have one of our tours, please get in touch and we'll do our very best to accommodate you: Call Nicky Massen: 07876 055354 or email: [email protected]