Kirkstall is a north-western suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, on the eastern side of the River Aire.

Richard Oastler, a reformer and fighter for children's rights, is buried in a crypt under the church's east end.

Henry De Lacey, Baron of Pontefract, gave the land for the foundation of the abbey, and Kirkstall has a few roads named in his memory.

[4] During the English Civil War, the bridge over the Aire at Kirkstall (referred to in a contemporaneous account as 'Churchstall') was destroyed by Royalist troops from Leeds.

Kirkstall Forge lays claim to being the longest continually used industrial site in Britain founded in the 13th century by the Cistercian monks of the abbey, and a number of printers.

In 2002 the owners of the site, the Dana Holding Corporation announced the closure of the works, shifting production to India and Spain.

[8] Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery set in grounds which are now a public park on the north bank of the River Aire.

[11] St Stephen's C of E (VA) Primary School has a coat of arms that reflects Kirkstall's rich history.

Filming of The Beiderbecke Affair took place partly in Kirkstall, using houses around Abbeydale Oval with other scenes shot throughout the area and Moor Grange.

It is a festival of music, local arts and crafts, and is organised by volunteers of the KVCA (Kirkstall Valley Community Association).

The variety of venues used include private houses, Kirkstall Abbey, Hollybush Conservation Centre, cafes and retail.

Other landmarks include an elegant early 19th century stone monument on the A65 road near the Kirkstall Forge site.

The River Aire banks broke leaving vast areas of Kirkstall under deep water, reaching record levels according to the Environment Agency.

[22][23] During the floods which reached national news, two local men were pictured at a pub the ‘Kirkstall Bridge Inn’ in the beer garden submerged in water drinking pints, the image has since become viral.