Thinking of popping over to Pudsey this summer? Don’t bother. Honestly, save yourself the trip. It’s not what you think.
Here are seven very good reasons to give our town a miss – especially if you like your surroundings dull, your streets messy, and your locals indifferent.
1. Everyone’s far too friendly
It’s honestly uncomfortable. People in Pudsey will smile at you, say hello, sometimes even ask how your day’s going – even if you’ve never met them before. There’s no emotional detachment, no big city scowls, just decent humans being… well, decent…. Ok, most of them.
You’ll leave feeling slightly suspicious, wondering if they’re trying to sell you something. And hey – if you are in a shop, they probably are. So go on, open your wallet, treat yourself to something nice. Towns like this only thrive when folk support the ones keeping the shutters up.
Also, as someone who spends a lot of time behind a camera, I can confirm Pudsey folk don’t just smile – they’ll ask what lens you’re using and then tell you about a cousin who used to do weddings in the ’80s. Listen here, Jeffrey, this isn’t the 80s and nobody shoots film anymore… well, us normal folk don’t anyway. Go polish your Praktica. Not that I know what that is.
2. The paths are disgustingly walkable
Some towns leave their paths overgrown and full of dog muck, like a proper obstacle course. Not Pudsey. Thanks to groups like Pudsey Paths Partnership, Litter Free Pudsey and Friends of Pudsey Cemetery the footpaths are clear, tidy, and really very pleasant.
They’re out there mowing, strimming, litter picking and making everything look lovely – without even being told to. Imagine that. People tidying up… for free. Where’s the chaos? Where’s the sense of neglect? What’s this country coming to? 😩
3. There’s green stuff everywhere
Trees. Parks. Wildflowers. Birds chirping. It’s relentless. You can’t move for open spaces and scenic walks. Pudsey Park, Post Hill, Fulneck Valley, Queens Park – it’s like someone dropped a village into a nature reserve and forgot to warn my sinuses.
As someone who suffers with absolutely raging hayfever, I can confirm: Pudsey is a hostile environment for anyone with an allergy to beauty and pollen. One stroll through Fulneck and my eyes are streaming like I’ve just watched the end of Marley & Me.
If you were hoping for grey concrete and the sweet scent of exhaust fumes, you’ll be absolutely furious at the sheer amount of oxygen floating around here. Too fresh. Too natural. Too green. Disgusting, it really is. 😡
I once sneezed 14 times walking through Fulneck. True story. I counted. Still took photos though, because I’m committed to both local pride and upper respiratory distress.
4. The place is crawling with volunteers
Whether it’s the Pudsey Wombles (that’s our litter pickers, for those not fluent in Yorkshire civic slang), you’ll find people out tidying up like it’s an Olympic sport. Armed with hi-vis, grabbers, and an almost suspicious level of enthusiasm, they roam the streets hunting down stray crisp packets like they owe ‘em money.
You might think it’s all council work. In fact nope, you won’t, because they’re nowhere to be seen. It’s just our locals who’ve had enough of your empty Lucozade bottle being lobbed in a hedge. You’ve not known true shame until you’ve been silently judged by a Womble in a tabard while holding a Greggs wrapper.
Volunteering in Pudsey means you might spend Saturday strimming a verge, painting a bench, then being offered a biscuit by someone’s nan who insists you look “peaky”. I wasn’t peaky, Sandra – I was just sweating out my soul in a hi-vis.
5. The local blog’s got no rules, schedule, or plan
There’s no editorial board. No team of consultants. No big secret council conspiracy. Just one person writing daft things about Pudsey when they feel like it… bit like this sodding post, I mean, who reads this crap, really?
Sometimes a business or event might get a mention. Sometimes they won’t. It’s not personal – it’s just that there’s only so many hours in a day and this blog isn’t powered by a team of 47 interns and an espresso machine. I don’t like espresso, so why the hell would it?
There’s always something going on – last month I accidentally ended up at three events in one day, took 2000 photos, and somehow also fixed someone’s website between sandwiches. This blog doesn’t write itself. Though if it did, I’d probably still get blamed when it doesn’t mention someone’s raffle or their 6-year-old’s yard sale. Sorry Billy, I didn’t realise your five faded Hot Wheels and a broken Peppa Pig keyboard were a major community event.
6. You’ll never keep up with what’s going on
Honestly, Pudsey’s busier than a ferret in a fireworks factory. The calendar’s packed tighter than that one guy’s opinion in the Facebook group who thinks he runs the town because he once met Geoff from Parks & Countryside.
Markets? Check. History talks? Yep. Clean-up days? Every god damn day, mate. Galas, festivals, beer? Oh, so much beer. The town’s practically powered by real ale and raffle tickets.
Pudsey’s that mate who’s always “just nipping out to summat” – a dog show, a jumble sale, a vintage tractor parade – while you’re still in your pyjamas, scrolling aimlessly and trying to remember if it’s Tuesday.
If you’re after a sleepy little backwater where nowt ever happens and people sit quietly doing bugger all… well, you’ve taken a very wrong turn, love. Here, even the ducks have a to-do list.
7. You might actually enjoy yourself
The worst part is, if you do come here… you might actually start liking it. You’ll find your new favourite park, smash a bacon sarnie that ruins you for all others, get a pint that doesn’t require a mortgage, and nod back at the random fella who just waved like he’s known you since cubs.
Next thing you know, you’re checking the local events, chatting to volunteers, and following a sarcastic little blog run by some lad who builds websites for a living and thinks civic pride is sexy.
And then? You’re done.
You care. You belong. You’re one of us now.
We’ll get you a hi-vis, a litter picker, and an opinion about the town centre car parks. There’s no escape.
Welcome home.
BONUS REASON: The Cycle Superhighway – one of the 8.5 Wonders of the Modern World – passes through Pudsey
Yes, that’s right. Pudsey is blessed with a section of the grandly named Cycle Superhighway – a title so ambitious, you’d think it was designed by NASA and blessed by the Pope.
In reality, it’s less “superhighway” and more a thrilling obstacle course of parked cars, potholes, and near-death experiences. One minute you’re gliding along a freshly painted cycle lane, the next you’re swerving round a badly parked BMW with tinted windows and zero remorse, while an Audi driver gives you the look like you’re the inconvenience.
It disappears at random, reappears somewhere else entirely, and occasionally throws you straight into oncoming traffic just for fun. It’s not a bike lane – it’s a test of character. And brake pads.
Ride at your own risk. Or better yet – don’t.
So yeah. Don’t visit Pudsey. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.
If you are into that sort of thing… well, see you down the park. I’ll be the one avoiding my inbox and pretending I’m not writing another one of these, because some of our locals HATE them.
I just want to be loved. 😭
Thank you for making me smile . X