My Leeds Stag Weekend: A Real Groom's Review

Editor's Note (December 2025): While this legendary stag do took place a few years ago, we have updated this post to ensure all venues, activities, and prices are accurate for the 2026 season.

My Leeds Stag Weekend: A Real Groom's Review

Ever since I heard about the Otley Run—a legendary pub crawl taking in sixteen venues—I knew I had to do it. So when the time came to choose a stag destination, there was only one contender: Leeds.

Here is exactly what we got up to, from axe throwing in a castle to surviving the ultimate pub crawl.

Friday: Big Buns & Axes

We went for "cheap and cheerful" accommodation, booking into the Travelodge Leeds Central. It was exactly what we needed: clean, budget-friendly, and right next to the train station. Ideal for a weekend on the lash.

After checking in, we spotted a place called Big Buns near the station. The name drew us in, but the American-style burgers kept us there. It was the perfect pit stop to fuel up.

A minibus then collected us for our afternoon activities at Hazlewood Castle. This venue is immense—a 13th-century castle set in 77 acres of woodland about 25 minutes from the city.

• Quad Biking: I’d never done this before, but bombing through the woods on the estate was exhilarating. It’s hard to appreciate the scenery when you’re trying not to crash, but it was brilliant fun.
• Axe Throwing: I booked this as a "filler," but it turned out to be a highlight. There is something hugely satisfying about launching an axe and hearing it thud into the target. Definitely a useful skill for the zombie apocalypse.

Friday night was "training night." We hit the Brewery Tap (near the station) for some craft beers to prepare our bodies for the marathon to come.

Saturday: The Otley Run

This was the main event. After a cooked breakfast buffet at the hotel, we took a taxi to Far Headingley to start the Otley Run.

The Route: We started at Woodies Craft Ale House (great beer garden), then moved to the Three Horseshoes and the New Inn. We grabbed some pub grub at the Headingley Taps to soak up the pints.

From there, things get a bit blurry. We had a list of pubs to tick off, but lost the paper somewhere around the University campus! I remember making it to The Library (very noisy!), but by that point, the volume of beer was getting to me, so I switched to doubles.

We somehow made it to the Dry Dock (the boat pub) for the final stop. By that point, we were all too disgracefully drunk to even think about a nightclub, so we staggered the half-mile back to the hotel.

The Verdict

Leeds was brilliant. The activities at Hazlewood Castle were top-tier, and the Otley Run lived up to the hype. It’s a great city for a stag do—compact, friendly, and packed with bars.

This weekend was organized by The Stag and Hen Experience. If you want to replicate this itinerary, check out our Leeds Stag Packages or call us on 01202 566100.