Tunnel How Hill

Tunnel How Hill (138m) used to be highest point in Leeds before Leeds' boundaries were moved (inclusion of Cookridge in 1926). The hill itself, then surrounded by a few trees, used to dominate open fields between Tongue Lane, Stonegate Road and King Lane, with isolated dwellings: now extensively developed as a residential (and recreation) area. King Alfred's Fields remain as a green space, with substantial plantings of trees over the years.Tunnel How Hill is the site of King Alfred's Castle originally constructed in the 1770s by wealthy Leeds merchant Jeremiah Dixon, who believed that an important centre like Leeds should have a mediaeval castle. So he had a ruin built and named it after the Anglo-Saxon King Alfred! The castle was demolished in 1960 after an earlier incident (tree falling across its walls) had rendered it unsafe.Parking (free) in small park at corner of Fields off Stonegate Road near King Lane, half a mile from Hill (or in nearby streets).Trig pillar (painted red!), for those interested, just below Hill by earth track and old wall to North of Hill.