A wonderful bit of history in the heart of Headingley. A place where British were once torn to pieces by an otherwise generally tortured. Leading to their extinction in the UK and making travel all that much safer; I mean just imagine waiting for a bus in a bear infested area! The building is set back from the road, quite small and easy to miss. It looks like a tiny castle, you can climb on and in it and pretend to be a bear, but best done with friends with one pretending to be a dog or you may look and feel daft

"The ‘Bear Pit’ was in fact a home to bear, although only for a very limited period of time. The pit was built as part of the Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens which occupied this site in the mid 1800’s for visitors to stroll and take the air in exotic gardens." It doesn't appear to be maintained in any way, but it's a curious building that will make you ponder how until relatively recently this was considered a reasonable thing to do to a bear in this country.

I used to play in this as a child growing up in Headingley in the 70s. Never realised its historical significance. Its heritage should be recognised by the Council - with some TLC and maybe some informative signs. Despite its cruel purpose it's a fascinating relic of the history of Leeds.

The Bear Pit is owned by Leeds Civic Trust and is now in process of renovation. New fencing and building restoration will preserve the structure going forward. It is hoped to make limited escorted access available but details of any policy on this have to be determined.

If you are thinking about going out of your way to see this... don't. Its not been given any TLC and is a bit rubbish. That being said... best bear pit I have ever seen, 5 stars.

Very interesting local history, but also very sad to think of those poor bears and how they must have suffered...sadly still do in other parts of the world …

Almost nothing to make clear what you are seeing. Seems like a random old building. Shame that it is left un documented or cared for

Not much to see except needles and cans left by junkies. Yet another historic site ignored by the council.

Sadly overgrown and abandoned, such a shame as its an unusual gem/bit of history in the middle of leeds

Could be so much more of an attraction for the area, if only the council looked after it better.

It needs tidying up a bit, and an info board. Great little historic place, make something of it.

Squeeze a few bears in there so it's like the olden days. It's more bare pit than bear pit now.

Needs some work. The bears have gone, can’t really gain access but a part of the areas history

REAL BEAR PIT, CLEANED UP IN THE EIGHTIES....COOL AND ATTRACTIVE.JUST ADDS TO THE AMBIENCE.

It's a historic land mark just opposite to court people can sit and enjoy the nature.

Walk past it most days to get the bus, looks alright, sometimes dirty 4* thank you

great day out with the family, very dog friendly my golden retriever loved it

Give this place some tlc will you leeds city council …

It’s an old bear pit/cages. Ok for a photo, nothing more

Great piece of history, desperately in need of attention

Historic building, easily visited on Cardigan Road.

Could be more maintained and opened for the public

Should be tidied up and made more of an artifact!

Shame it's been neglected considering its history

A little but if history just off the main road

Small but my 3yo thought it was a castle!

Great little place, poorly managed.

Available vacancy for a naughty boy

There are no bears. Disappointed.

Pretty good but hardly any bears

A real cool piece of history.

Council need to clean this up

Awsome bit of local history

Lovely bit of history

Wondered what it was.

It's interesting.

Nothing to see

Nice bit tbf.

Good service

Great pit