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Places to visit in Leeds

Visit Leeds to find a city bursting with energy. With a thriving arts scene, rich sporting heritage, and pulsating nightlife, you’ll find a city packed with variety and excitement. Alive with the spirit of urban redevelopment and grandiose Victorian architecture, Leeds mixes the classic and contemporary like no other city, making it the perfect destination for a cultural fix, shopping spree, romantic getaway, or just a raging night out. During the sixteenth and seventeenth-century Leeds was at the forefront of the wool industry, an involvement that catalysed the city’s growth. From opera and art to festivals, cuisine, and things to keep the kids busy, this proud northern city has plenty to offer.

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Rainy Day Activities: Discover military history at The Royal Armouries

Britain’s national museum of arms and armour is home to a fascinating and unique collection, including the only existing suit of armour built for an elephant.

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Splash your cash in Victoria Leeds

A haven for designer brands, Victoria Leeds is the destination for luxury shopping.

Embrace the pop-up dining trend at Trinity Kitchen

Take your pick from a mix of vibrant restaurants and street food vans all under one roof.

Explore the magnificent ruins of Kirkstall Abbey

This atmospheric 12th-century abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian monasteries in Britain, surrounded by tranquil tree-filled parkland.

Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Unleash your inner explorer at Tropical World

Set off on a journey through the jungle, the desert and below the surface of the water to discover all of the creatures who call them home.

Taste the decadent afternoon tea at Oulton Hall

There’s nothing so quintessentially English as settling down in the drawing room for sandwiches, scones and a pot of Yorkshire tea.

Location: Oulton, Yorkshire

Meet feathered friends at Lotherton Hall Estate

Get up close and personal with rare birds, tropical mammals and wild-roaming deer at Lotherton Hall in Aberford, near Leeds.

Get Active in Chevin Forest Park

Get outdoors and blow those cobwebs away in some beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Food, fashion and fantastic ales in Leeds

Explore Leeds city centre stopping off along the way to sample the finest local and independent breweries offerings.

Eat like a local at Kirkgate Market

This traditional covered market is one of the biggest in Europe with fresh food stalls that will get your taste buds tingling.

Shop in style in the beautiful Victoria Quarter

Marvel at this collection of beautifully restored Victorian shopping arcades in Leeds and browse the luxury shops within them.

Mosh to the biggest acts at Reading and Leeds Festivals

Head to Richfield Avenue in Leeds or Little John’s Farm in Reading for three days of unbeatable live music.

Location: Reading and Leeds

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Criss-cross illuminated footbridges between rejuvenated quaysides, get acquainted with Tyneside history at local museums and galleries and cheer on the much-loved Magpies football team.

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• 1 Districts
• 2.1 Tourist information
• 3.1 By plane
• 3.2 By train
• 3.5 By boat
• 4.1 On foot
• 4.3 By taxi
• 4.4 By rail
• 4.5 By boat
• 5.1.1 Brewery Wharf
• 5.1.2 Civic Quarter
• 5.1.3 Central Shopping District
• 5.1.4 Exchange Quarter
• 5.1.5 Financial District
• 5.2 Other attractions
• 5.3 Future attractions
• 5.4.1 In fine weather
• 5.4.2 In bad weather
• 8.2 Books, music, video
• 12 Stay safe

Leeds is the largest city in the county of West Yorkshire and the third largest city in Britain , though its urban area size falls behind that of Manchester . Once a major industrial centre, the city today is better known for being the largest UK financial centre outside London, and for its impressive shopping, nightlife, universities and sports facilities. Leeds also has a growing cultural reputation, being home to many museums, restaurants and theatres, and a mixture of Georgian, Victorian, 20th and 21st century architecture.

Districts [ edit ]

Understand [ edit ]

Leeds (derived from the Celtic area Leodis) was voted the UK's favourite city in Condé Nast's Readers' Traveller Awards 2003. It was a market town that became an industrial powerhouse and grew and developed into a service-based city economy with an attractive, smart centre.

Roman Leeds was an important strategic fort, ford and small settlement on the York - Chester road. Recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, it became a thriving market town in the Middle Ages, gaining its town charter from the King in 1207. The medieval city was based around Briggate, Kirkgate, Swinegate and The Calls. (The ending "-gate" came from the old Norse for 'street'.) It was a trading centre in the West Riding of Yorkshire for cloth and wool; from Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield to the port of Hull, east along the river Aire and the 1699 Aire & Calder Navigation canal. Whilst the town grew rapidly (population over 30,000 in the eighteenth century, when the gracious Georgian West End was built), it was for a long time economically overshadowed by nearby York.

The industrial revolution brought about massive change as it became a huge manufacturing centre of wool and textiles and a major trading centre (with over half the country's export passing through for a period). Leeds became known as the city of a thousand trades and by the middle of the nineteenth century the population had passed 200,000. Bolstered by the 1816 Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the Leeds-Selby railway in 1835 (the Middleton Railway was the world's first commercial railway, 1758 Railway Act, from the Middleton colliery to coal-staithes (sidings) at Meadow Lane just south of Leeds Bridge), the city continued to grow and prosper rapidly, with grandiose architectural manifestations of the Victorian city's wealth built in abundance, and expanding affluent suburbs to the north. Leeds University was created around the 1880s, bringing an intellectual dimension, and Leeds was served by one of the world's most extensive tram systems (sadly later replaced by buses). A garden in Roundhay, Leeds was the location of the world's first moving images, filmed in 1888 by Frenchman Louis le Prince (who later disappeared in mysterious circumstances). Leeds was granted city status in 1893.

By the 20th century, Leeds's population was approaching 500,000. Whilst Leeds suffered far less than many other large UK cities from the WWII blitz, it was affected by the mass industrial decline of the country in the post-war period, and became characterised by unemployment and huge council estates. Versatility enabled it to survive and it began to prosper in the 1980s, when renovation of the centre and waterfront, and demolition of some of the worst estates began. By the 1990s the city was reborn with wealth based on service industries and commerce, the financial and legal centres making it the most important city in the UK in these areas outside London. With the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal Armouries, restoration of the Victoria Quarter and Corn Exchange, the clean up of major historical buildings, the new Harvey Nichols store and new bars, shops and restaurants, all in the mid-1990s, the city was truly on the move. The 2011 Census shows Leeds with a population of just over 751,000.

Today, Leeds is still one of the most cosmopolitan, fast-growing, innovative and prosperous cities in the UK with developments springing up by the week and new bars, boutiques, clubs and restaurants seemingly more often, the two universities adding to the vibrancy, and international eateries and shops.

Tourist information [ edit ]

Visit Leeds

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

LBA doesn't have a motorway or direct rail link so the journey through traffic can be slow and anxious. Bus 757 runs frequently between LBA and Leeds bus station (35 mins); other buses run to Bradford, Otley, Harrogate, Ilkley, and Keighley. The closest station is Horsforth, approximately 1 mile away from the terminal. Taxis are plentiful.

By car, the terminal front drop-off area charges £3 for 30 min, so use the area a little further away (signed) which is free for one hour. Car parks for LBA are:

• Manchester Airport (MAN) is usually the best option for long-haul flights in this region. Direct trains from the airport run to Leeds hourly (90 min) daytime, otherwise change at Manchester Piccadilly.

By train [ edit ]

Leeds is one of the major hubs of the British railway network, with direct trains from London King's Cross (two per hour taking 2 hr 15 min by LNER ), Wakefield , Huddersfield , Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria and Airport (two per hour, 80 min), Liverpool , York , Scarborough , Durham , Newcastle , Hull , Bradford , Skipton , Ilkley , Harrogate , Morecambe , Carlisle via the scenic Ribbleshead route, Blackburn , Preston , Blackpool , Sheffield , Nottingham , Derby , Birmingham , Bristol and the southwest, Edinburgh and Glasgow .

53.795 -1.547 2 Leeds Railway Station (called Leeds City locally) is central, by Wellington St and Boar Lane, next to Queens Hotel in City Square. Access to all platforms is gated, but there is a very large retail and dining concourse with ticket kiosks and machines, free toilets and lots of seating. Pick-up and drop-off are available from the Wellington entrance, with taxi hire available at the New Station Street entrance.

By car [ edit ]

Leeds is possibly the best connected UK city by road, lying in the centre of the country, halfway between London and Edinburgh and halfway between Liverpool (west coast) and Hull (east coast). The M1 motorway runs from London via Milton Keynes, Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield, and passes about 2 miles east of Leeds, to join the A1(M) at Wetherby to the north east of the city. The A1(M) comes down from Edinburgh, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Durham, and North Yorkshire. The M62 trans-Pennine motorway, which runs from Liverpool via Manchester to Hull, passes about 3 miles to the south of Leeds. The M621 motorway runs between the M1 and M62 via the south of the city centre. Park & Ride schemes are in operation from Elland Road (M621) and Temple Green (M1 North). A new site at Stourton (M1 South) was under construction in 2020. For much of the journey into Leeds, buses run on a guided busway beside (or down the middle of) the main road and are given priority over cars. (See National Park and Ride Directory .) Enterprise Car Club , a national car 'club' (i.e. car hire organisation which charges from £60 annual membership fee) has a branch in Leeds, and offers pay-by-the-hour car hire across the city. Cars are accessible via a smart card and PIN.

By bus [ edit ]

National Express has direct coaches to Leeds from London Victoria roughly hourly, taking five hours. Other direct routes are Manchester (hourly), Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Megabus has direct buses from London Victoria every couple of hours. Other direct routes are Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

53.797 -1.536 3 Leeds City Bus Station is located in the east of the City Centre on York Street, a mile from the railway station. The western concourse is National Express's long-distance coach hub, while the east side has regular buses out of the city to the region including the Airport, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate, Ripon and York. City buses stop on the adjacent streets and don't pull in here. The station is open 24 hours: there's Greggs, but better eating choices outside, e.g., in the market hall adjacent.

By boat [ edit ]

Ferries sail overnight from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Kingston upon Hull . Hull is an hour by train or car from Leeds, and the ferry port is 3 miles east of Hull city centre: buses run from there to the railway station.

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ].

If you're just visiting the city centre, you might as well walk, as much of it is surprisingly compact with most of the major attractions and shops being within walking distance of one another. Leeds has aspirations to have one of the largest traffic-free city centres in Europe and as of 2020 is gradually pedestrianising more and more streets. To orientate yourself, free maps (quite simple but good for basic orientation) are available at the tourist information and a number of visitor attractions. There are some street maps dotted around the city centre, in guide books, street atlases, etc. Getting around central Leeds is fairly easy.

Public transport within Leeds is good - most major bus routes within the city are every 10 minutes or so. Information about busses can be obtained either from the Corn Exchange Bus Point , where the First Travel Centre is staffed M-F 9AM-5:30PM, and Sa 9AM-4:30PM, or from the Leeds City Bus Station whose Information Help Point has the same opening hours.

Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority) provides local bus and train information on its website, and has "Find your next bus" on its website.

For visitors wishing to explore Leeds city centre CityBus (Route no.5, operated by First) - loops around much of the city centre every 6–7 minutes between 6:30AM and 7:30PM; one journey costs £1, or you can use a bus pass. If using this service at busy times of day it's best to catch the bus at either the Bus Station or Rail Station; if a bus is full, it will not stop to take on more passengers and you could be waiting in excess of an hour. This bus is no longer free.

First runs most of the bus services within Leeds. If you are making more than a couple of short bus trips, the best option is to buy a "FirstDay" day ticket for £4.30 (cheaper on mobile) , which allows unlimited travel on First Bus routes within Leeds or £4.90 (cheaper on mobile) for all First Bus routes within West Yorkshire.

Useful bus routes for visitors include the following:

• 1 - Holt Park (North West Leeds) - Headingley - Universities - City centre - Beeston (south Leeds)
• 2 - Roundhay Park - Moortown - Chapel Allerton - City Centre - Middleton (south Leeds)
• 3/3A - White Rose Shopping Centre (South Leeds) - City Centre - Chapel Allerton - Gledhow
• 4 - Whinmoor - Seacroft Shopping Centre - St James's University Hospital - City Centre - West Leeds - Pudsey.
• 12 & 13/13A - Middleton (south Leeds - City Centre - Harehills - Oakwood - Roundhay Park (12)/Gledhow (13/13A)
• 14 Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Train Station - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Pudsey
• 16/16A - Seacroft Shopping Centre - City Centre - Armley - Bramley - Rodley - Pudsey Bus Station
• 18/18A - Ireland Wood (north west Leeds) - Headingley (cricket ground) - City Centre - East Leeds - Selby Road - Garforth
• 28 - Adel - Headingley - Universities - City Centre - Clarence Dock
• 33/33A - City Centre - Kirkstall - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley - Otley
• 40 Seacroft Shopping Centre - Cross Gates - City Centre
• 42 - Old Farnley - Wortley - City Centre - Burmantofts - St James's University Hospital - Fearnville
• 49 & 50/50A - East Leeds - St James' University Hopital - City Centre - Burley Road - Bramley (49) - Horsforth (50/50A)
• 51/55 Morley (south of Leeds) - Elland Road (Leeds United football ground) - City Centre - Meanwood - Moor Allerton Shopping Centre
• 56 - Whinmoor - East Leeds - City Centre - Tinshill (north west Leeds)
• 7 - City Centre - Scott Hall Road - Park & Ride - Alwoodley (Primley Park)
• 72/X6 Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Headrow - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Thornbury - Bradford
• X84 Leeds Bus Staiton- Headingley- Otley- Ilkley- Skipton
• 27 - City Centre - Headingley - West Park - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley

Yorkshire Coastliner — from York and the Yorkshire coast.

36 bus [dead link] every 10 minutes to North Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon including Friday and Saturday nights until 3:15AM.

Dalesbus to Yorkshire Dales National Park on Sunday only

874 Wakefield-Leeds- Ilkley- Grassington-Buckden

875 Wakefield-Leeds- Ilkley- Grassington-Buckden-Hawes (summer only).

By taxi [ edit ]

The black and white taxis can be flagged down, but you must phone first for the others.

In the city centre, try Amber Taxis (advance booking only, +44 113 231-1366): you can get around the city centre for £3-7.

In south Leeds, try Local Cars (advance booking only, +44 113 252-8258): a journey for less than a mile is £2.70.

By rail [ edit ]

There is a limited suburban train service which serves some tourist destinations such as Headingley Stadium, but plans over the years for a local metro or tram system have repeatedly hit the buffers.

There is a shuttle boat between Granary Wharf (for Leeds City Station), Brewery Wharf and Clarence Dock (for the Royal Armouries Museum), operated by Leeds City Cruisers.

See [ edit ]

City centre [ edit ].

Although not considered a 'traditional' tourist destination, Leeds has plenty to occupy the visitor. As well as the main sights, museums, galleries, parks etc., wandering around the buzzing city centre to take in the atmosphere and admire the fantastic blend of architectural styles from the past few hundred years is a pleasure in itself. Within the city centre, the main districts are the civic quarter, central shopping district, exchange quarter and financial district.

• 53.79991 -1.551132 6 Oxford Place Chapel , Oxford Place . Lovely 19th-century red-brick baroque church.  

Brewery Wharf [ edit ]

South across the river from The Call the area around Leeds Dock has some interesting development of cafés, restaurants, shops and apartments as wells as the Royal Armouries Museum and Salem Chapel .

Civic Quarter [ edit ]

Home to the Town Hall, the fantastic Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute and Millennium Square, this grand corner of the city is where many of the main tourist draws are to be found. The Light with its shops, restaurants, bars, hotel, cinema etc. in a beautifully converted historic building is a major pull, but venture along the Headrow and experience some of the best cultural attractions on offer in the city. The Art Gallery has great rotating exhibitions and the best collection of 20th-century British art outside London. Adjoining it are the Henry Moore Institute and the Central Lending Library with its beautiful Victorian interior. Across the road is the Town Hall (see above), a breathtaking demonstration of civic pride.

On Great George St is a small selection of shops, the 19th-century entrance (with a lovely colonial-style entrance hallway and small gallery space up the stairs) of the Leeds General Infirmary, and the restored Electric Press which is now home to the Carriageworks Theatre and several bars and restaurants, providing a semi-al fresco eating environment for all weather conditions. Next door is the impressive and well-used public space of Millennium Square (see above) with its attractive Mandela Gardens (opened by Mandela himself, now a freeman of the city, they are a lovely spot especially in summer) abutting the Electric Press building. The square is crowned with the Portland Stone neo-classical Civic Hall and the City Museum . Down on Cookridge St is the city's small but unique Arts and Crafts St Anne's Cathedral .

Central Shopping District [ edit ]

The very centre of Leeds is a temple to consumerism. Bounded by the 'Public Transport Box', a rough half mile square between The Headrow, Vicar Lane, Boar Lane and Park Row gives Leeds one of the most compact, busy and diverse pedestrian shopping districts in the UK where the highest concentration of the city centre's stores are to be found.

The principal shopping street is the broad and bustling Briggate , where many flagship stores such as Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser are to be found alongside high-end fashion (e.g. Louis Vuitton) and high street favourites (Topshop, Zara, H&M). Briggate's attractive and eclectic architecture spans three centuries, and the grand shop fronts only add to the streets appeal.

Either side of the top end of Briggate are the city's famous arcades , splendidly palatial Victorian roofed-over shopping streets home to some of the city's most exclusive and interesting shops. The famous Victoria Quarter (Victoria St, County Arcade and Cross Arcade) has some of the most expensive clothes in Leeds. Queen's and Thornton's arcades are a little more affordable with more independent stores. Down from the arcades, several medieval yards (or "loins") run off almost hidden from between shopfronts on Briggate. Whilst some are little more than shop-backs and some are now closed off, some exude genuine historic atmosphere and a few are home to attractive pubs and bars, including The Angel Inn, The Ship, The Bay Horse, Queen's Court and 300-year-old Whitelocks' .

Beyond Briggate, there are several other prominent shopping streets, including gorgeously symmetrical King Edward Street with its matching Victorian Burmantoft terracotta buildings. Commercial Street, Kirkgate, Lands Lane and Albion St are other principal streets in the area, continuing the mix of shops, cafés, lovely architecture . There are also several indoor shopping centres, and a central focal point is tiny but busy Central Square at the base of Lands Lane. Albion Place is a quieter street of elegant Georgian buildings (mainly offices) including the exclusive Leeds Club and the city's central private members library, running between the square and Albion St. Swan Street is a quiet and pretty little street between Briggate and Lands Lane with a few attractive little shops, cafés and bars and a laid-back vibe, as well as the internationally famous City Varieties theatre and music-hall, once home to Charlie Chaplin.

Exchange Quarter [ edit ]

Centred on the massive dome of the Corn Exchange , the Exchange Quarter is the centre of Leeds' bohemian life, with one-off boutiques, funky cafés and piercing parlours filling its pretty cobbled streets. It is becoming increasingly chic, however, with a plethora of upscale bars and stylish restaurants, particularly on Call Lane .

The Corn Exchange dominates the area, sitting squatly at the junction of several major roads. This grand Victorian building is one of the finest in the city, and was a functioning corn market for several decades, but was almost unused for much of the twentieth century, until its restoration to its present form in the 1980s. It now houses a myriad of little boutiques, a few cafés and market stalls. The goth and emo teenagers that hang around outside frequent many of the shops such as Grin and Exit, but there are also a range of fashion and artisan stores to please all, and the beautiful architecture (the shops fit into the retained 19th-century store-fronts, and the domed roof is spectacular from the interior) can be enjoyed by everyone.

Three sides of the Corn Exchange are bounded by semi-pedestrian cobbled streets lined by a hotch potch of attractive Victorian buildings home to shops and restaurants from Blue Rinse (see below) to Pizza Express, housed in the beautiful Third White Cloth Hall , sadly sliced in half by the railway in the mid-nineteenth century, but retaining its lovely façade and clock-tower. Along the railway, the continental feel continues with bars and cafés that spill on to the pavement. Beautiful Assembly Street , a hub of nightlife, is lined with elegant and imposing 18th-century warehouses and has been repaved, and in the summer is a relaxing place to sip a coffee or cocktail and admire the buildings and atmosphere. Nearby Crown Street buildings are a fine example of modern architecture at its finest, sympathetic to the surrounding environment but adding a dash of vibrancy with bright use of colour above its restaurants and bars.

Call Lane , the area's main drag, is a hive of activity in the evenings, with several of the city's best and most stylish bars, all vying for attention. In the day-time however it is much quieter, with a few vintage and alternative clothes stores at the Kirkgate end, and musical instrument shops at the Calls end. There is plenty of enjoyment to be had from wondering around the pretty and historic medieval yards that run between Call Lane and Lower Briggate (at night these too come alive and are full of revelers).

Kirkgate is a fairly downmarket shopping street with a few off-beat stores. However plans are afoot to refurbish the historic town-houses and bring life back into the street as a centre for independent shops, with the renovation of the dilapidated First White Cloth Hall along similar (if smaller) lines to the Corn Exchange. The east end of Kirkgate and New York Street also increasingly have a number of bars and clubs, including the celebrated Northern Light; there are also several new apartment buildings springing up. The end of Kirkgate is market by Leeds Parish Church, a grand (if not enormous) neo-gothic structure home to one of the country's most revered children's choirs. To the west, Central Road links Kirkgate to Duncan Street, and is home to some attractive Flemish-style buildings, a few off-beat shops and the acclaimed Little Tokyo restaurant and Leeds institution the HiFi Club . Duncan Street has a number of small shops.

The Calls was where riverside life restarted in Leeds, with its renovation from a derelict nowhere to the city's most desirable real estate in the 1980s. The apartments lining the waterfront may not be as exclusive or as rare today, but it is still an attractive and expensive area, home to some of Leeds' longest running high-end establishments including 42 The Calls hotel, Pool Court and the Calls Grill. Some of the waterfront and streets around here are surprisingly yet to be fully renovated, but it's unlikely to be long before developers get their claws into the remaining warehouses, railway arches and mill-cottages. Leeds Civic Trust's heritage centre and left-wing arts centre The Common Place fill the gap between the Calls and the railway line.

Financial District [ edit ]

Whilst the Financial District does not have the obvious draws of the Civic Quarter, it is nonetheless an interesting area that deserves at least a little of your time. Roughly bounded by the Headrow and Westgate to the North, the A58 motorway to the West, the River Aire to the South and Park Row to the East, this is the most expensive business real estate in the city. Many large companies have their offices here as do innumerable lawyers, estate agents.

Park Square is probably the number one attraction of the area. Situated just south-west of the Town Hall, this large and handsome Georgian Square has lovely formal gardens that fill up with workers at lunchtime in the warmer months. Whilst most of the square is bounded by rows of 18th century redbrick townhouses that made the square one of the city's most fashionable addresses 200 years ago, the South West corner is home to a little-known architectural highlight of Leeds, a converted warehouse (now offices) built in the 19th century as a replication of a Moorish Palace, complete with turrets and Islamic-style ornate design. The streets to the south of Park Square are a mixture of Georgian townhouses and more modern office buildings sitting cheek-by-jowl. Whilst not hugely diverting, there are several interesting buildings in this area. Wellington Street, a busy thoroughfare which marks the bottom of the Georgian area, has several restaurants and bars as well as being characterised by more modern business development.

Between East Parade and Park Row, two busy main routes through the area, are a series of parallel streets that are home to some of the city's top restaurants and bars, most famously Greek Street . There is a rich patchwork of architecture spanning the past two centuries in this small area, with fine Gothic buildings and sleek modern towers. Park Row itself boasts outstanding buildings such as the Leeds Permanent building, blending seamlessly into modern glass building-fronts.

The south-east corner of the Financial District is City Square , one of the most important hubs of city life. Cleaned up and repaved, the square is still home to bronze nymphs holding gas lights and the famous statue of the Black Prince. The old post office is now the swanky Restaurant Bar & Grill and Loch Fyne seafood restaurant. A rarely beautiful 1990s office block sits at No1 City Square, and the south side is taken up by the Art Deco façade of grand old dame of the Leeds Railway hotel trade, The Queens Hotel (LNER).

Other attractions [ edit ]

Future attractions [ edit ].

N.B. under construction or planned for the future:

Possible itineraries [ edit ]

In fine weather [ edit ].

You'll almost certainly be in the city centre, so why not take in some of the magnificent Victorian architecture on a walking tour?

Start at the train station and head into City Square where you will see the old Post Office and imposing Queens Hotel .

Go up the right of the Old Post Office (Infirmary St) and cross over the road onto Saint Paul's Street.

Take the second street on the right and you will come across the pretty Park Square gardens. Continue along Park Square East until you reach The Headrow, from where you will be able to see the Town Hall .

Turn right along the Headrow and you will also pass the City Library (free to enter) and Art Gallery (also free), you may also want to try a cup of tea in the Tiled Hall Cafe , between the Art Gallery and Library.

Turn left up Cookridge Street, pass the Leeds Cathedral and cross over Great George St. You will now have reached Millennium Square , the Civic Hall and the City Museum .

If you turn back towards the Cathedral and take an immediate left after the Cathedral on to St Anne's St. you will come to a small square and the entrance to ' The Light . Inside The Light (open most hours) take the escalators, exiting at the far end on to Albion Street.

A right turn will bring you back to The Headrow. Turn left and you will pass Dortmund Square and the former Allders Department store (now Sainsburys). On the right turn down Briggate, one of the city's main streets. Take a look up some of the arcades on either side of Briggate (you are now in the main shopping quarter), for which Leeds is famous.

On the left you will come to the Victoria Quarter . If this is open take a walk through and exit at the far end. If closed, walk a little further and turn left on to King Edward St.

You are now on Vicar Lane and a right turn will take you past Leeds City Market on the left. Walk a little further and you will see the huge dome of the former Corn Exchange on the left - take a look inside for some quirky individual shops or maybe pop downstairs for a cup of tea at Anthony's.

You can now extend the walk a little along the riverside, or follow Duncan St and Boar Lane back to the train station.

To extend the walk, go around the Corn Exchange along a cobbled street and go under the bridge. Turn left on to The Calls. After a short while you will see a fountain with a huge ball, turn right on to this street (also The Calls). On the right there is a pedestrian bridge - cross the river here and you are in Brewery Wharf . Once over the bridge you need to go left along the river following signs for the Royal Armouries. Eventually you will come to Clarence Dock which has shops and restaurants plus the Royal Armories Museum (free entry). To get back to the station go back the way you came to the Corn Exchange, then follow Duncan Street and Boar Lane.

In bad weather [ edit ]

There's plenty to do to spend a couple of hours. The City Museum, Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute, Markets, Library and Royal Armories are all free, indoors and walkable in the city centre. Many of the city centre shops are undercover due to being in arcades or shopping centres. The following route tours many of the shops without getting too wet: the Merrion Centre, St Johns Centre, the Core, Queens Arcade, Victoria Quarter then the expansive Trinity Leeds with M&S and next. Out of the city centre, Tropical World costs £3.30, is indoors and very warm in Roundhay, 3 miles north of the city centre.

Do [ edit ]

There are four theatres in central Leeds providing a range of entertainment including opera, amateur dramatic and contemporary performance art.

Leeds is a great place to see up-and-coming live music talent, and has seen the formation of successful bands such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Kaiser Chiefs and Sunshine Underground. The city is home to many live performances from big-name stars, mostly at outdoor concerts. Millennium Square in the city centre regularly has gigs with a 7,000 capacity. Leeds has an indoor concert arena with around 14,000 seats. Concerts are also held at Roundhay Park,Temple Newsam and Harewood House . Also check out musical events at the Leeds Irish Centre , The Wardrobe and Leads University and Leeds Metropolitan University.

There are plenty of leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools across the city, though unfortunately there won't be a public swimming pool in the city centre until the University one is completed. Major city centre fitness/leisure centres are deluxe Esporta, LA fitness and the ubiquitous Virgin Active. Some hotels have great leisure facilities or agreements with local centres for free access for guests. The international standard John Charles Centre for Sport is in South Leeds with facilities for indoor athletics particularly jumping disciplines. Headingley Carnegie Stadium in North West Leeds is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club , Rugby League (Leeds Rhinos) and Rugby Union (Leeds Tykes) . Elland Road in South Leeds is home to Leeds United Football Club . Between January and March the Ice Cube outdoor ice skating ring is set up in Millennium Square.

Whilst hardly tropical, Leeds has an unusually mild and sunny climate for northern England, protected from the worst and wettest weather by the Pennine Hills to the west... this gives more than ample opportunity to explore the fantastic parks of one of Europe's greenest cities (Leeds has the most green space in its city limits of any European city other than Vienna).

Sports [ edit ]

• Watch cricket at Yorkshire Cricket Ground in Headingley. This is the usual ground of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties", the top tier of English cricket. County matches normally last 3-4 days. The stadium also frequently hosts international or "Test Matches", lasting up to five days. The stadium is about 2 miles northeast of the centre. YCCC also play at other grounds across Yorkshire.
• Watch football at Leeds United, who were relegated in 2023 and now play soccer in the Championship, the second tier. Their stadium (capacity 38,000) is Elland Road LS11 0ES in South Leeds.

Events [ edit ]

• Leeds Lights ( Christmas Illuminations ). The UK's biggest display, are an annual display from Nov-Jan comprising big show lights and the subtle and beautiful across the city, and are even longer than the legendary Blackpool Illuminations.  
• Leeds holds two annual film festivals: the increasingly prestigious Leeds International Film Festival with its huge menu of different films and Leeds Young People's Film Festival.
• Leeds Festival . Northern twin of the famous Reading festival. 3 days of live bands and stars from around the world play to 80,000 people every summer bank holiday weekend. You can camp over, or attend just one day. Tendency to be a bit riotous.  
• Leeds International Pianoforte Competition , Leeds Town Hall . Every 3 years (2018) . One of the world's most prestigious piano contests, held every 3 years in the magnificent Victorian Town Hall, this event attracts the world's best piano players. Next due to be held 2018.  
• Party in the Park , Temple Newsam . Every year, Temple Newsam plays host to the UK's original Party in the Park pop extravaganza featuring big name chart stars of the minute.  
• Opera in the Park , Temple Newsam . A massively popular outdoor festival of opera and songs from the shows.  
• Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.

Learn [ edit ]

Leeds is one of the UK and Europe's foremost university cities, with a student population of over 100,000 (more than 10% of the population!) concentrated on several higher educational facilities including the two main universities. This gives the city a young feel and lively buzz, and many bars, clubs and restaurants are geared towards students particularly in Headingley and North West Leeds, although if this isn't your scene the city has plenty to offer away from student life.

• 53.80659 -1.55503 1 University of Leeds . 30,000 students. One of the most important and respected academic institutions in the UK, based around the city centre campus; also a major centre for research. One of the country's original 'red brick' universities. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 53.80335 -1.54807 2 Leeds Beckett University ( formerly Leeds Metropolitan University ). 50,000 full and part-time students. More modern and larger with two main campuses, at Headingley and in the Civic Quarter. Rapidly expanding and improving, with major redevelopment planned in the Civic Quarter. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 53.84824 -1.64526 3 Leeds Trinity University . One of the UK's newest universities, known as Trinity & All Saints college until 2012, this smaller institution in the suburb of Horsforth prides itself on maintaining a more close-knit, community feel than its larger counterparts. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 53.80877 -1.55158 4 Leeds Arts University ( formerly Leeds College of Art ). Only receiving its university accreditation in 2017, this institution caters for students wishing to pursue arts degrees in a less academic environment than its more established counterparts. ( updated Jan 2022 )

Buy [ edit ]

There are a large number of city centre shops : modern shopping centres, the lovely arcades and busy streets - principally Briggate, a wide and attractive pedestrian street with all the high street favourites (from time to time there are markets and other events, and there are usually street performances of some kind). Much of the central shopping area is pleasantly pedestrianised, making retail therapy even easier. Leeds has myriad options for shopping including the beautiful Victorian-era shopping arcades, offering anything from the reasonably priced to the expensive items. In November and December, Millennium Square is turned into a Christmas wonderland of stalls, eateries and fairground-rides for Christkindelmarkt - the city's German Christmas market. There are also several outdoor markets held across the city more regularly, including occasional French markets on Briggate. Plans are also afoot for a massive extension of the main shopping district. City Centre Shopping Centres include all:

• Thornton's Arcade and Queen's Arcade , city centre ( opposite Victoria Quarter ). Opposite the Victoria Quarter offer a range of interesting (if mainly fairly pricey) shops including some great boutiques and one-off places.  
• Corn Exchange , city centre . A stunning domed interior and a range of shops to please both label-lovers and teenagers, as well as stalls and cafés. There are occasional concerts, exhibitions, fetes and the Christmas decorations are lovely.  

• Market , Kirkgate, city centre . The biggest covered market and market on one site in Europe. Fascinating even just for the atmosphere of a traditional British market. Largest indoor market in Europe and also is a beautiful Victorian building and a landmark in Leeds it also has an outdoor market which sells everything from food to clothes to electronics and accessories. Fresh seafood is recommended.  
• Granary Wharf ( literally under the railway station ). By the canal, has a selection of interesting boutiques, restaurants, exhibition space, a small concert venue, street performers and more in a unique subterranean setting. There is also a regular market. The waterfront area is undergoing redevelopment but the range of shops on offer is set to only get bigger.  

The districts of Chapel Allerton , Headingley and Roundhay also offer a smaller (but worthwhile) range of boutiques and other shops. Crossgates in East Leeds has a medium-sized shopping centre and many highstreet shops and cafés, and Horsforth in the North West offers a range of shops and eateries.

Food [ edit ]

Of course, as with almost all of the UK today, supermarkets, M&S Simply Food and other chains dominate the food-shop market, but there are an increasing number of quality independent delicatessens, bakeries and other little food shops across the city. Many out-of-centre areas retain their local shops (though this cannot be said for everywhere) and the city centre has an impressive range on offer, including:

• Chinese . There are Chinese food shops around Vicar Lane and the Templar Street Chinatown Arcade - including a well-stocked East Asian supermarket on Vicar Lane. The best restaurants around are Tong Palace on Vicar Lane, and Red Chili on Great George Street.  
• Harvey Nichols Foodmarket , Briggate, city centre . Small, squashed between Fourth Floor Restaurant and Yo Sushi, but it has lots of expensive goodies for that extra special something.  
• Out of this World , city centre . Excellent, well stocked, fair-trade organic mini-market offering all the food you could want, but tastier, healthier, more ethically responsible and, admittedly, more expensive.  
• Pickles & Potter . Sandwich shop par excellence, this little place just off Lands Lane gets mouths watering. The chocolate brownies are genuinely the best you will ever have. The roast beef sandwich is also highly recommended. Some of the most expensive Pork Pies ever encountered!  
• Salvo's Salumeria , Headingley . Range of fine authentic Italian produce.  
• Dock Street Market , Dock Street, city centre . Exclusive but excellent deli-cum-mini market.  
• Kirkgate Market , Kirkgate, city centre . Kirkgate market (see also above) has a massive range of traditional food stalls - including "Butcher Row" featuring numerous traditional Yorkshire butchers all next door to one another, well-stocked and good value fishmongers, fruit & veg stalls, and other food outlets.  

The lively area of Harehills (bus no 12, 13, 49 or 50) in East Leeds has a bad reputation locally for crime and poverty, and whilst it is maybe best not to flash expensive items or visit the area after dark, it is worth visiting for its excellent range of food shops, cafés and restaurants mainly from Eastern Europe and Kurdistan. A true cultural melting pot, the area has everything from Jamaican grill-houses to Indian restaurants, Persian tea-shops to Eastern European supermarkets, and if you want to experience authentic international food or simply see another side of the city, it is an interesting place to go - and prices are far lower than in many other areas. There are many shawarma restaurants, in particular.

Books, music, video [ edit ]

Leeds has all the major chains such as HMV, Waterstones, WHSmith, etc. and also a variety of smaller independent shops including Crash Records on The Headrow and Jumbo Records in the St. John's Centre, which hosts fairly regular instore performances (there's also lots of second hand places, including a massive, well-stocked Oxfam Books & Music in Headingley).

Eat [ edit ]

There are many restaurants in central Leeds that everyone can find something to their taste and budget. There are all the usual chains (many of which have several branches in the city) and a huge variety of one-off places, including many award-winners. Headingley , Chapel Allerton , Roundhay and various other districts outside the centre also have a range of quality eateries (whilst a few places in these areas are mentioned below, fuller selections can be found on their respective guides).

Café culture is thriving in Leeds, with a great number of places for a lunch or lighter meal, and there are also many fine curry houses in the city, due to the large South Asian population.

Leeds has a successful annual food and drink festival, held at the end of August, with many free events bookable in advance.

Drink [ edit ]

Leeds' two large universities mean there is a vibrant, diverse and thumping nightlife scene including many clubs as well as a huge range of fine drinking establishments from traditional pubs to ultra chic concept bars. It is estimated that there are over 180 city centre bars and pubs, and around 29 nightclubs with late licenses. Railway arches are increasingly popular homes for bars and clubs across the city centre. Leeds City Guide is a good source of information, as is the comprehensive (and excellent) listings magazine the Leeds Guide. Leeds was voted Number one city for clubbing [dead link] . All areas (indeed, most streets) of central Leeds offer something in the way of nightlife, but the main areas are:

• Call Lane in the Exchange Quarter (one of the city's main nightlife districts), offering a range of bars (which many would argue are the best in the city) from chic to bohemian. The area around the Calls and the Parish Church has overspill from Call Lane and some great waterfront bars and restaurants.
• The 'yards' off Briggate are home to both traditional pubs and modern bars and clubs.
• Boar Lane is for the most part made up of standard chain bars and more downmarket drinking establishments, but a few buck the trend.
• Architecturally lovely Assembly Street has a select number of swanky bars, clubs and restaurants.
• Greek Street is expensive, but in between the high-end exclusivity are tackier bars attracting a less desirable crowd at weekends.
• New York Street is becoming increasingly popular.
• The Northern Quarter, centred on New Briggate and spreading north (and down Grand Arcade) is home to several older Leeds institutions but is now up-and-coming with many hot new venues.
• The Civic Quarter has everything: flashy bars in the Electric Press, traditional pubs, and loud, trendy bars and clubs above Millennium Square
• The financial district has a number of dispersed, chic watering holes. Park Row continues along the same lines as Greek Street
• Brewery Wharf on the south bank is growing as a drinking destination
• Lower Briggate is the centre of the gay community, and a variety of establishments in the area reflect this, though most are welcoming (and many are popular with) the straights.

Out of the city centre, the districts of Headingley and Chapel Allerton are extremely popular for bars and restaurants. Exclusive Street Lane in Roundhay is also becoming increasingly popular. (See their respective guides for details on specific drinking spots in these areas.)

Leeds Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) [dead link] offer free pub guides from their website. What follows is a selection of some of Leeds' highlights, but it is by no means definitive or all-inclusive.

Leeds' thriving gay village (the city's first annual Pride festival was launched in 2006) has a number of venues, including the ever-popular old stalwart Queen's Court, Lower Briggate housed in a fine 17th-century building, among notable others including Fibre, The Bridge Inn, Blayds Bar, The New Penny, The Viaduct and Religion to name a few.

Leeds was voted Best UK City for Clubbing, certainly not for nothing! People flock to the city from all parts of the country for a bit of the action. It is common to meet clubbers from London on a night out. The city centre is packed to bursting with bars and clubs, ranging from cutting edge chic to indie and alternative to cheesy tunes for the drunken masses to small select places for people who really like their music (house is still very much in vogue in Leeds, but whatever your musical taste is, you are guaranteed to find something).

There are several gay nights (and fully gay venues) in clubs on and around Lower Briggate, including Mission, Fibre and Queen's Court.

The West Indian Centre on Chapeltown Road has a reputation for great fun nights of a less-mainstream kind, including ever-popular monthly Subdub. Whilst the venue itself is friendly and safe (or as safe as can be expected from a club), Chapeltown has a bad reputation, and to avoid trouble, go in fairly large groups and don't wonder around outside. It is best to take a taxi or at least a bus. Don't walks the two miles from the centre as it is very difficult to find the place, and it is near rough estates.

Leventhorpe Vineyard is near Woodlesford in East Leeds .

Sleep [ edit ]

Leeds is a major business centre, so if the business hotel chains are within your budget, you'll have plenty of choice, especially weekends and off-peak. City centre offerings include Ibis, Jury's Inn, Marriott, Hilton, Novotel, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn Express. You won't go wrong with any of these; check the standard booking websites or the hotels direct for rates & availability. Mid to top end, if your parents are coming to watch you graduate, point them at the Malmaison or the Queens, a vast Art Deco megalith right over the railway station. There's more at the city's edge by the motorway junction, if you have your own car.

Leeds frankly doesn't do budget & back-packer: the city's large youth hostel has closed permanently. There are only two hostels left in the city, the Art Hostel and Russell Scott Backpackers. In the university holidays, uni accommodation may be available, if it's not booked out to a conference. At the other end of the budget, Leeds doesn't do splurgy upmarket hotels: these are away out in the countryside, too far out to be listed here. There are, however, several 4-star hotels in the city.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Leeds is known as a friendly city, but as with any other city, the usual tips about exercising a degree of common caution apply: leave no valuables unattended, avoid going to badly lit/shady/unknown places by yourself or walk around alone at night etc.

Leeds residents might have a healthy sense of humour but think twice before making harsh criticisms of their city which they are proud of.

There are some notorious areas of Leeds at night with seedy reputations, such as the unrejuvenated areas of Chapeltown , Holbeck and Mabgate. Whilst by and large these places are safe by day, it is best to proceed with caution after dark.

Avoid displaying any memorabilia or clothing of Manchester United (the main rival of local football club Leeds United), as these worn at the wrong place could make you a target of violence, especially on match days.

If you do encounter any trouble, the emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) number is the same as for the rest of the country: 999, or the new European wide emergency number: 112. To contact the police in a non emergency, dial 101.

If you do get ill in Leeds, there are NHS and private medical practices. The Light complex houses a NHS walk-in centre. Leeds is home to two of Europe's largest hospitals : Leeds General Infirmary (in the Civic Quarter) and rapidly expanding St James's University Hospital (a couple of miles east of the City Centre and just south of Harehills), and many smaller hospital and PCTs across the wider city area. As with the rest of the UK, tap water is safe to drink, and you are unlikely to come across any major health risks .

Cope [ edit ]

The main tourist information office for the city is in Leeds Art Gallery on the Headrow, but there are various other information points across the city (e.g. Central Lending Library, The Headrow). For foreign visitors Leeds has a range of consulates , including: German , 1 Whatehall Road, City Centre, and Greek, 8 Street Lane, Roundhay.

There are 12 Changing Places toilet facilities within 5 miles (8 km) of Leeds city centre, equipped with hoists, height adjustable changing benches and other facilities to enable people with multiple and profound disabilities to be changed and so enabling tourists with these needs to visit Leeds attractions in safety and dignity and stay as long as they wish. Sites include the Central Library Tiled Cafe, Chevin Forest Park, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Headingley HEART, Armley Leisure Centre, Morley Leisure Centre, White Rose Shopping Centre and Temple Newsom.

Go next [ edit ]

Leeds is a major transport hub, so many outlying attractions can be done as day trips . Several are major centres in their own right and worth a longer visit - see their separate pages. Train is a good option for most, though rural spots may need a car or bike-on-train.

To the north:

• Harrogate — elegant, upmarket Victorian spa town, ringed by parks (including the extensive Valley Gardens). The taste of the original spa water is not soon forgotten. Frequent trains from Leeds, some continuing to Knaresborough , a small medieval market town where the ruins of a castle sit dramatically above the Nidd gorge. For Ripon use the express bus (Route 36).
• Saltaire , near Bradford but you reach it via the Skipton train, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , an industrial village built by magnate Titus Salt. Within it is the Hockney gallery. These trains call next at Keighley, where the branch line to Haworth and the Bronte Country is often steam-hauled.
• End of the commuter line is Skipton , with its imposing castle, market town centre and canal walks. Some trains continue to Gargrave (where the canal climbs over the Pennines by a flight of locks), thence to Settle, Carnforth, Morecambe and Carlisle. You probably need your own car to delve deeper into Yorkshire Dales National Park . Other places of interest include Bolton Abbey, Ingleborough, Pen y Ghent, Grassington and Beamsley Beacon. See also North York Moors National Park .
• Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey — you probably need your own car for this UNESCO World Heritage Site .

To the east:

• York is one of the few walled cities in Britain, with excellent museums, the cathedral, and views from the walls walk. 30 min by frequent train.
• Kingston Upon Hull or Hull for short, a 700-year-old port. Many museums in the cobbled old town, but the stand-out attraction is the walk-through aquarium, The Deep . Also in this area, see Beverley and Castle Howard. It is an hour away by train.
• On the Yorkshire coast , the main towns are Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington (these have frequent trains) plus Whitby for Goths, vampires and potted crab.

To the south:

• In the centre of Wakefield see the Hepworth Gallery. Train, or bus 110 from Leeds every ten minutes. Further out so you need a connecting bus from Wakefield are Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the National Coal Mining Museum.
• Sheffield has multiple industrial heritage attractions and the North's largest theatre district. The wider South Yorkshire area hosts the Magna Science Adventure Centre and is the gateway to exploring the Peak District.

To the west:

• Bradford has the National Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Film and Photography). Frequent train, or an hour by bus.
• Ilkley is a small spa town with Ilkley Moor brooding above. The Cow and Calf are notable climbable rock formations. Frequent commuter trains. For Otley, use the express bus (X84).
• Halifax has Eureka! The Museum For Children . Other scenic nearby towns, often used as locations for film & TV, include Huddersfield, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Holmfirth.
• And then there's the giant Manchester , less than an hour away.

Further afield:

Other major centres in the north of England, within 2 or 3 hours travel, include Lincoln , Liverpool , Chester , the Lake District , Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne . Another hour or so gets you to Edinburgh and Glasgow .

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The Ultimate City Break: 48 Hours in Leeds

Leeds is a vibrant city full of culture and creativity including new music venues, contemporary art galleries, great shopping, street art and innovative and award-winning foodie treats. We’ve curated the ultimate city-break guide to Leeds, including suggestions on where to stay, where to dine, and most importantly, all the best experiences and adventures for a great value break.  

How to get there

Leeds is a great city break destination with all the main attractions in the city centre within easy walking distance. The city has easy access by train, car, coach and air to national and international hubs. London is 2.5 hours, Manchester 50 minutes and York 30 minutes by train to the centre of the city. Leeds Bradford Airport (European Destinations) is 30 Minutes by train, Manchester airport is 1 hour by road and 1.5 hours by train and London City airport 3 hours by train. 

Instagrammable spots and shots : Victorian Quarter, Thorntons Arcade, Whitelocks, Headrow House rooftop, Corn Exchange, Kirkgate Market (near M&S), Belgrave, Leeds Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute next door, Town Hall, Tiled Hall Café, Dark Arches and Granary Wharf, Yellow Water Taxis, the Waterfront. The unique bright yellow water taxis  take visitors down the River Aire to  Leeds Dock  and see the city from a different angle. 

Where to stay

Leeds offers a diverse range of options that cater to various budgets including upmarket contemporary city centre hotels, funky artist designed hostels, boutique hotels, Airbnbs, Spa and country house hotels. The Queens Hotel is the flagship Art Deco hotel of Leeds situated in the heart of the city overlooking City Square with contemporary design and features throughout. The Grand Pacific bar welcomes visitors with opulent interiors which are redolent of the golden age of high society and features cocktails and dishes inspired by travels with a unique British twist all its own. The Art Hostel is a unique hospitality experience and the first of its kind in the UK, providing affordable and original accommodation created by artists, with proceeds benefiting the neighbouring East Street Arts organisation. Each room is designed by a different artist on a different theme using predominantly recycled materials. The hostel has individually decorated private rooms in addition to creatively decorated dormitories. The boutique and lavish Malmaison  has an urban loft vibe and is situated in a grand building which was once the Leeds tramways office. The Chez Mal brasserie and bar provides an elegant setting for cocktails and contemporary, stylish dining. The city also features the Country House Oulton Hall Spa and Golf resort with pampering packages, treatments and spa facilities including a pool. The city also has hotels by Hilton and Marriott and a full range of self-catering accommodation for a home away from home including penthouse apartments, cottages, serviced apartments and houses.

Where to eat

The city is known as the foodie capital of the North celebrated for its diversity, energy, welcome and innovation. The Leeds Food Tour with engaging guide and owner Ellen visits some of the gastronomic hot spots tasting food and drink across the city in iconic locations, at food markets, pubs, cafes and restaurants and meeting some of the welcoming and engaging characterful suppliers along the way. Kirkgate Market is must on any city visit as major social destination and a shopper’s paradise and one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. It’s the perfect place to try new cuisine, meet friends and watch live entertainment. The Market has an impressive fresh food hall and street food stalls serving cuisine from around the globe with outstanding food outlets that include: Manjit’s Kitchen for delicious and renowned Indian street food, Hayes Seafood (specialising in oysters), colourful, fresh Tunisian Meze plates at Sweet Saeeda , vegan Burgers at Fat Annies and the Yorkshire Wrap Company that combines a Yorkshire speciality with a range juicy fillings. Kirkgate also has local stalls selling fresh food, fashion and haberdashery, and it is the birthplace of Marks & Spencer. Kirkgate Market is steeped in the history of Leeds while representing the diversity of Leeds today. For an alternative dining experience Iberica offers delicious sophisticated Spanish tapas in elegant, vaulted ceiling dining room in a converted auction house. Eat your Greens offers Farm to Fork dining, using seasonal local organic produce where possible, with a strong sustainable ethos supporting local farmers. The café serves up delicious food set in a light and bright contemporary interior, sells products from local designers and hosts fun music, tasting, chess and pop-up events throughout the year. Tables are hard to come by at the small but mighty Empire Café which serves up Yorkshire hospitality and the best of produce from Kirkgate market, and are well worth booking in advance to secure a spot. Other top food recommendations include: Tharavadu a high end Keralan Indian restaurant; Ox Club an award-winning contemporary British restaurant showcasing the best of Yorkshire produce at Headrow House in Leeds, a multi-use venue housed within an imposing textile mill; Vice & Virtue with fine dining tasting menus paired with wines in a stylish setting. Brewery tours are available also at the Kirkstall and Northern Monk run by engaging and knowledgeable guides.

Follow the Street Art Trail to experience the decorative backdrop of the city including specially curated murals and an ever-growing web of distinctive pieces that tell the story of Leeds. Take a scenic walk along the river, making sure to catch some of our most famous street art on the  waterfront art trail . Located in the stunning art deco headquarters of the former brewery, The Tetley   is a centre for contemporary art, centred around creativity, innovation and experimentation. Leeds Art Gallery has a colourful new wall painting and houses an impressive collection of 20th century British art. The Henry Moore Institute is dedicated to celebrating sculpture and is housed in an iconic building hosting a year-round changing programme of modern, contemporary and historical exhibitions. Leeds City Museum offers exciting, fun and interactive displays across six galleries. Alternatively explore the Royal Armouries which has one of the largest collections of historic arms and armour in the world. Visitors can take a Hidden Gems of Leeds Self-Guided Tour and Treasure Hunt to explore the city further.  The city hosts fantastic and diverse events including the vibrant carnival , music and ideas festivals and international sporting events.

The Leeds Corn Exchange is one of the city’s most iconic and striking buildings housing a wide range of independent and quirky retailers and tasty eateries. The impressive and photogenic Victoria Leeds arcades are packed with hidden gems and boutiques selling arts, crafts and fashions and have a rich history dating back over 100 years. The Victoria Gate , is the city’s newest retail addition, an elegant arcade with upmarket brands and a breath-taking stained-glass roof that runs the full length of Queen Victoria Street making it the largest in Britain.

Entertainment

When the night falls over the city, then it’s time to experience the legendary  nightlife  on Call Lane, catch a show at one of the amazing theatrical or music venues. The Belgrave Music Hall  has a great street art decorated interior, roof terrace overlooking the city, live music, DJs, drinks, cocktails, pizza and burger bar with a lively vibe and big sharing tables. The Brudenell Social Club is a lively and fun venue that hosts events covering a wide spectrum of music, spoken word and performance genres. The Brudenell has hosted secret gigs for bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs in the past, has put on sets by Yard Act and Chumbawumba and continues to feature up and coming and established acts. Project House  is a brand new (opened in July 2023) multi-use events space, that hosts concerts, markets, exhibitions and parties. The Pixel Bar is a gaming Cocktail Bar named as best games bar in Leeds with buzzing Neon and street art décor, retro games consoles and signature themed cocktails.

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Leeds Guide

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I ♥ leeds: big fun in west yorkshire's former mill town.

Daniel Allen

One of the most rapidly growing urban centres in Britain, Leeds is the epitome of burgeoning northern self-assurance.

Over the last two decades the city has transformed itself from a heavily industrialized former mill town into a modern, vibrant metropolis, complete with glittering towers, swanky apartment blocks and trendy shopping complexes. A massive new entertainment venue, the Leeds Arena , opened its doors in 2013.

Weekend mornings in the trendy Victoria Quarter reveal just how far the Leeds has managed to reinvent itself: panini are toasted, lattes frothed, exclusive labels flaunted and passers by enticed by hip new boutiques. Juxtaposing old and new, the architecture of Frank Matcham's venerated arcades forms the perfect backdrop for the city's progressive urban style. Today, Leeds has recovered its civic joie de vivre and it's clear for all to see.

The beating heart of West Yorkshire, Leeds is one of Britain's most popular cities. This is an exciting place to visit, with innumerable Victorian buildings and arcades, shopping centres and canalside walks. Once associated with the manufacturing of textiles, Leeds is now an important financial centre, second only to London , and is equally proud of its vibrant nightlife, ever-increasing tourism scene and extensive selection of upscale eateries.

Leeds is bisected by both the River Aire and also the lengthy Leeds-Liverpool Canal . Both the bus and railway stations are located within the city centre, although the best value hotels tend to be a short bus journey away. Tourist information in Leeds is available at the train station on New Station Street, close to City Square and the main post office.

City Square - a large, public square which is well pedestrianised and surrounded by a mixture of historic and modern buildings - makes a good place to start any tour of Leeds.

Currently undergoing an extensive face-lift, one impressive statue nevertheless remains undisturbed in its original location. The giant equestrian bronze of Edward the Black Prince , 1903 by Thomas Brock, originally stood within a raised circular enclosure of granite balustrades, with four entrances flanked by Alfred Drury's life-sized bronze female figures holding lamps.

Drury also designed the statue of Joseph Priestley, one of four life-size bronze statues of men associated with the social, industrial and cultural history of Leeds. These were placed in line above two entrances to public toilets, and also include statues of Walter Farquhar Hook by Frederick Pomeroy and James Watt and John Harrison, by Henry Charles Fehr.

Leeds' most impressive medieval structure is the beautiful Kirkstall Abbey , founded by Cistercian monks from Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, and one of the best-preserved medieval abbeys in Britain. Constructed between 1152 and 1182, many of its buildings still survive virtually intact up to eaves level. Across the road, the Abbey House Museum , once the abbey's gate house, contains meticulously reconstructed shops and houses that evoke Victorian Leeds, and displays that give an interesting insight into monastic life.

Other popular tourist attractions include Leeds Tropical World - featuring one of the largest collections of tropical and exotic plants in the United Kingdom; the Lightwater Valley Country Theme Park - close to Leeds, with an exciting roller coaster and various other rides; Harewood House - a grand, eighteenth century manor house, with spectacular gardens and many seasonal events; the Royal Armouries - in Leeds Dock , one of the most eye-catching, modern landmarks in the city, with large collections of military artefacts; Temple Newsam - a historic mansion house, with a large collection of spectacular paintings, landscaped gardens and parkland and summer concerts; and Sunday Funday - a popular event for children in the city centre, with entertainers, puppet shows, face painting, music and theatrical performances.

Leeds also has a number of excellent museums, providing interesting information and heritage exhibitions.

Some of the most visited include the Thackray Medical Museum - celebrating the wonders of surgery through the ages, and recently awarded a Gold Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

Also on the list are the eighteenth century Bronte Parsonage Museum - once home to the famous Bronte sisters; the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television - full of vast collections of memorabilia from television programmes and films; the Ilkley Manor House and Museum - a grand, Elizabethan manor house with ruined remains of an important Roman fortress and collections of Roman artefacts; and the impressive Eureka Museum for Children - with an enormous number of themed-interactive exhibits.

Leeds Shopping & Entertainment

Leeds isn't known as the "Knightsbridge of the North" for nothing. A beautiful shopping centre and renowned as the premium shopping centre in the north of England, the Victoria Quarter brings together myriad top brands , including the first Harvey Nichols store outside London.

The Victoria Quarter was originally designed by architect Frank Matcham, who used rich marble, gilded mosaic, ornate cast and wrought iron, as well as carved and polished mahogany, to create two streets, two arcades and the Empire Theatre (which now houses Harvey Nichols).

For a more idiosyncratic shopping experience, leave the designer brands behind and head over the road to Kirkgate Market , the heart of the city's retail heritage, with glass cupolas and a grand cast iron frame dating back to 1857. Michael Marks, co-founder of Marks & Spencer, first founded the business as a penny bazaar here.

Kirkgate still houses 800 stalls, including a Polish delicatessen and a Chinese supermarket, along with an Asian bazaar every Wednesday morning. Purchase Yorkshire's finest potted shrimps and fresh Whitby crab on "fish row" , or stop for pie and peas or oysters at one of the many sit-down cafes. Don't miss the various test trading initiatives, including The Source , which provides a platform for small independent food retailers - serving up everything from African samosas to Gujarati cuisine and Yorkshire chorizo.

Trinity Leeds opened in 2013. Formed by combining and redeveloping two smaller shopping districts, a huge glass roof covers the whole shopping complex that has more 120 establishments including shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as a multiplex cinema.

A number of the eateries in the area known as Trinity Kitchen are temporary vendors like stalls, vans, or small trucks, and these change every month ensuring an ever varied range of cuisines.

For the gourmand Leeds offers an extensive choice of places to eat, drink and relax. Award winning restaurants, Victorian pubs and fashionable wine bars offer every type of ethnic cuisine ensure that all tastes - however cosmopolitan - are catered for.

High-quality restaurants in Leeds are dotted about the place, with a few tucked away, less well known and a little hidden. Fine dining is a big part of Leeds' food and drink scene and chefs in the city are constantly experimenting with new and inventive cuisines.

Filling the lower level of Leeds' majestic Corn Exchange , laid out like some great amphitheatre of gastronomy, Piazza by Anthony is the creation of Anthony Flinn, Yorkshire's answer to Heston Blumenthal. Having worked with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli, Flinn was the first to introduce Leeds to such ethereal delights as "oyster emulsion" and "parmesan air" when he opened Anthony's on Boar Lane in 2004.

Carnivores should definitely make a beeline for Fazenda (Waterman's Place). Operating on an all-you-can eat basis, the waiters here wander round with one of fifteen different cuts of meat. If you want to partake, turn your tabletop card to green, and they'll carve you off a slice right there. But it's not all protein - the salad bar is always well stocked, so diners can get their five a day alongside a neverending supply of steak.

Access - getting to Leeds

Leeds City Station is the city's main station and one of the busiest stations in England outside London with intercity and local Metro trains. Leeds Station is located just south of City Square.

There are First TransPennine Express trains to Newcastle , Manchester Piccadilly Station in Manchester , Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street. Other connections include trains to Hull and Middlesbrough.

Northern has trains to York Station in York , Blackpool North, Bradford, Manchester Victoria, Huddersfield, Selby, Sheffield, Carlisle and Ilkley .

East Coast has trains to King's Cross Station in London, Waverley Station in Edinburgh , Glasgow Central in Glasgow , Peterborough, Hull and Darlington.

There are CrossCountry connections to Nottingham, Birmingham New Street Station in Birmingham , and from there to Cardiff in Wales, and Exeter in Devon.

The National Express bus station in Leeds is behind Kirkgate Market.

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Leeds Tourist Information and Tourism

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• Country: England
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Leeds Visitor Centre

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Leeds City Station

Leeds LS1 4DT

United Kingdom

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Whether you fall into the resident or visitor category on your trip to Leeds, this visitor centre is an excellent resource to rely on. The amount of information on offer is staggering, any location or venue of cultural significance is available to take away in leaflet form. I frequently take a detour through the shop so that I can pick up a few current programmes for theatres and art-house cinemas within the area. The entire Yorkshire region is catered for, so any trip can be thoroughly organised with their guidance. The shop also has a range of Yorkshire and Harrogate teas, Grandma Wild's biscuits and other such twee goodies. I am referring to their presence because I have hastily purchased these items on a couple of occasions, ran around to neighbouring Paperchase and successfully presented a relative with a gift, as though it had been wrapped for weeks. This is not advisable, but sometimes unavoidable! Another excellent reason to remember the services of Leeds Visitor Centre is, they are an official vendor of local Ticketmaster events. I am often more popular with some friends and relatives around the end of March, when it is possible to purchase a Leeds Festival weekend ticket without the queues, panic or extortionate booking fees. Their presence in centrally located Leeds train station makes the shop incredibly convenient. With such helpful staff, they are worth investigating if you have lived in Leeds for years, or you are merely visiting for a few days.

The first place most people will see as they walk out of the train station and turn left. Then most probably, walk right past. There's a stigma attached to visitor centres, tourist information places and for want of a better example, guidebooks, isn't there? "No way man, I don't need a guidebook, I'm a free spirit, let me wander freely," maybe? Well, even if you're a resident of Leeds, the visitor centre can be a handy little place. Tickets, from theatre to Leeds Festival, are available here - free for the most part, of the extortionate booking fees you find at the established online ticket giants. As well, they cover all bases from places to stay, what's on, help with shopping, eating out tips, nightlife recommendations and information on the local sporting clubs. Go have a gander if you're a visitor or not, find out what's going on underneath the surface of our great city!

I like to think of myself as a bit of a Leeds pro when it comes to well, everything! My modesty knows no bounds. Even I can't profess to know everything and everywhere though. That's where the Visitor Centre comes in. Now it may not be the sexiest of places to hang out but it certainly is useful for getting to know more about our great city. There really is no excuse not to check it out. You have been told. It's right bang in the middle of the train station and is armed with enough information to point you towards the various museums, attractions and events going on. The staff are pretty helpful too and will try to help you with whatever queries you have. Be it bus info, guided walks or general areas to shop in, you'll find a nice and comprehensive list to get you on your way. Knowledge is power remember.

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Great little shop. Nipped in the other week as it's one of the only places you can renew a bus pass on a Sunday, and we realised my little girl's had run out and I had to get her a new one before school the next day! I've lived in Leeds for 10 years but there's still loads I don't know about it. Loads of stuff in here about the history of the city and the things it has to offer today. If you want to know something about what's on in the region, this is the place to come. There's also a huge selection of Leeds gifts and general souvenirs. I even bought myself a postcard with ace drawings on detailing all the best real ale pubs in Leeds - less a souvenir, more of a to do list! So if you're a local and you fancy finding something new to do, need some practical information on how to get somewhere in Yorkshire, or you're visiting the region and don't know where to start, head to the Visitor Centre and you're sure to get what you need.

Leeds Visitor Centre. Always worth a step into if you're new in to the city of Leeds. With leaflets on bus routes and objets d'interest, and maps with hotspots nicely pointed out for you to wander to or hop on the free bus too it's a good starting point if you're having a day out in Leeds or you've not quite got the bearings of the city when you've moved into student digs. Trains, buses, museums, parks, events, whatever, it's here for the pointing in the right direction. The majority of staff in here tend to know their way around every street in Leeds too, so if there's a place or a point of interest you've heard about or want to visit, then get directions off one of these guys and you won't go far wrong. If it's a bit far out of the city centre, then they'll use a map and give u timetables of the public transport in question, to get you to and from your destination. A nice little inclusion in the train centre, just a small shame it's not entirely noticeable when you step off the platforms, as once you've gone through the barriers, most people go straight forward, and wouldn't think to hang a left unless they were wanting a coffee or dirty burger. But if you do get off the train, go through the barriers, and turn left at the Millie's Cookies stand, walk past the ticket booth, and it's just there on the right.

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Leeds Discovery Centre

Leeds Museums & Galleries object store, conservation centre and research facility.

Explore our incredible museum store, where you’ll find an astonishing collection of over one million objects, captivating stories, and passionate experts all under one roof.

Find our visit information including opening times, directions and access information to help you plan your trip.

Explore our amazing museum store to discover fascinating objects and delve into their intriguing stories with our on-site experts.

Our enthusiastic learning team can deliver exploratory, creative, skills-based learning across a range of curriculum areas and key stages.

Group visits

Leeds Discovery Centre welcomes visits from groups, whether you are interested in local history, curious about the museum or looking for a unique trip out.

Find out about visit options and how to make a booking with us.

Research & Enquiries

Researchers and students can consult our collections in our dedicated research room and can attend object handling sessions with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Leeds Discovery Centre is home to over one million objects ranging from world cultures to local history and from archaeology to natural sciences and fashion.

We work closely with community groups and organisations to arrange bespoke visits and events to share our collections

Collections

We care for more than one million objects from the collection that are not currently on display. Learn about our purpose built store on our free artefact store tours

Unique and flexible locations for meetings, training sessions or team away days

Get directions with Google Maps

Stay connected. Sign up to receive email updates on our exhibitions, events, and more.

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LEEDS ART GALLERY

Mon: Closed Tues -Sat: 10am – 5pm Sun: 11am – 3pm

The Headrow Leeds LS1 3AA

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LEEDS CITY MUSEUM

Mon: closed (11am – 5pm on bank holidays) Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm Sat & Sun: 11am – 5pm

Leeds City Museum Millennium Square Leeds LS2 8BH

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LEEDS DISCOVERY CENTRE

Visits by appointment/special event only.

Free public store tours are now available by booking in advance. Please call or email us.

Leeds Discovery Centre Off Carlisle Road Leeds LS10 1LB

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LEEDS INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM

Mon: Closed (10am – 5pm on bank holiday Mondays )

Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm

Sat – Sun: 12 – 5pm

Last admission one hour before closing.

Canal Road Leeds LS12 2QF

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KIRKSTALL ABBEY

Mon: closed (10am – 4pm on bank holidays) Tues – Sun: 10am – 4.30pm Last admission: 4pm

Abbey Road Kirkstall Leeds LS5 3EH

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Estate opens: 7.30am Café: 9am – 5pm, hot food finishes 45 mins before  Hall:  Open (Downstairs only) 10am-5pm Wildlife World: 10am – 5pm Estate closes: 7pm Last entry 45 mins before estate closing time

Lotherton Lane Aberford Leeds LS25 3EB

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TEMPLE NEWSAM

House: Tues – Sun: 10.30am – 5pm Home Farm: Tues – Sun: 10am – 5pm | Open Bank Holiday Mondays and throughout summer holidays Last entry 45 minutes before

Temple Newsam Road Leeds LS15 0AE

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THWAITE WATERMILL

Thwaite Lane Stourton Leeds LS10 1RP

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Leeds travel guide

What to do, where to stay and why you’ll love it.

L eeds’ mettle was forged in the fires of the Industrial Revolution, which sealed its fate as a city of warehouses, grain stores and wharfs, with a scattering of sumptuous Victorian shopping arcades built on mercantile wealth. Today its charm is hard to measure by volume of tourist attractions or the calibre of its museums — of which there are few — but the city has spent the past decade dusting off its industrial relics and polishing its Victorian landmarks to create a buzzy personality.

A substantial student population keeps things lively, but in the past decade the city centre has thrown off its grungy image and moved increasingly upmarket. West Yorkshire’s largest city is an unabashed hedonist with plenty of winning options for bars, restaurants and retail. Its proximity to the Yorkshire Dales and country estates such as Harewood House and Temple Newsam is another draw.

People from the north of England flock here for shopping, weekend blowouts and events such as big-ticket theatre and Test cricket at Headingley. Channel 4’s relocation to Leeds has also put a renewed swagger in its step, helping to cement its position as Yorkshire’s cultural nexus . Plans are progressing for a year of culture in 2023, which got the green light after Brexit scuppered the city’s bid for European Capital of Culture.

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High-brow art fans should factor in time to explore Leeds’ half of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute. Afterwards, take measure of Leeds’ Victorian wealth with a pit stop in the art gallery’s colonnaded tiled café before pottering around the ornate covered shopping lanes signposted off Briggate.

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The best of these is the Victoria Quarter, where fountains and a grand piano set the scene for small designer stores beneath a stained-glass canopy. Dip into nearby Kirkgate Market, which still has a beautifully preserved hall of Victorian stalls off Vicar Lane, and a green commemorative clock marking the spot where Marks & Spencer launched its business in 1884.

Hop aboard the canary-yellow water taxi from lively Granary Wharf to sail past old warehouses to the Royal Armouries at Leeds Dock. This national museum holds one of the largest collections of arms and armoury in the world, with more than 45,000 objects, from 17th-century sabres to Mughal elephant chainmail. Walk an hour west from the city centre along the canal towpath to Leeds Industrial Museum to learn about West Yorkshire’s textile-manufacturing heyday.

You could also set aside some time to visit Kirkstall Abbey’s ruins. Founded in 1152 by Cistercian monks and now a suburban riverside park, it’s a 30-minute bus ride from Leeds city centre. It’s free to wander, and hosts popular food markets, cinema nights and festive pop-ups.

Where to stay

Leeds is undergoing a spate of hotel renovations and reopenings. There’s plenty of choice in the city centre, be it historical grande dames and slick contemporary chains or no-frills budget options and serviced apartments — but it lacks small trendy, boutique hotels.

Convenient for those arriving by train, the Queens* is directly linked to the station by its own private entranceway. It emerged from a £16 million redevelopment in summer 2021, reinstating the art deco behemoth’s rightful billing as one of the most desirable addresses in Leeds. Near by, Dakota* is another landmark hotel: very new, very slick, and very much on-trend thanks to visiting VIPs and celebrities.

Granary Wharf, at the Leeds to Liverpool canal basin, is the most atmospheric area of the city centre to bed down in. It’s the sort of place where locals crowd waterside bars and restaurants to watch boats slide by over glugs of craft beer and fairylight mirrors in the water after sundown. The area’s regeneration has taken off in tandem with its longstanding Double Tree by Hilton* , notable for its high south-facing roof terrace bar overlooking the canal.

Food and drink

Leeds has a stonkingly good independent food and drink scene built on a staunch appreciation of Yorkshire produce, passionate local chefs and imaginative branding. Beware, though, that lots of the best central options around Briggate and the Headrow have discreet entrances and are not immediately obvious to passers-by. One of these is Headrow House, which hosts the intimate British grill restaurant Ox Club inside a small 20th-century textile mill complex set back from the street.

Above the Headrow, North Street is a foodie strip grounded by the Reliance gastropub, known for natural wines and homemade charcuterie. It’s in the Northern Quarter — the star of which is indie favourite Belgrave Music Hall and the boisterous strip of small bars spilling down Merrion Street. Try legendary, sticky-floored Mojo for buzzy, wallet-friendly drinks.

For fine dining there’s Michael O’Hare’s Michelin-starred Man Behind the Curtain (bookings open five months ahead) and former MasterChef semi-finalist Liz Cottam’s Home. Kirkgate Market is also an unexpected hive of quality food — Cottam’s darkly lit Owl occupies Game Row, flying the flag for contemporary Yorkshire gastro-grub. There are cheap, tasty global food trucks inside a cavernous street-food hangar at the eastern end of the market.

Back on Briggate, you’ll find a number of small alleyways that hide pubs; the very best of these is Turk’s Head Yard, a narrow artery hosting ornately panelled Whitelock’s and the deco-inspired Turk’s Head bar.

Call Lane is the spiritual home of the city centre bar crawl, running amok on weekends, while the waterside bars at Granary Wharf are more low-key. Keep an eye out for Chow Down open-air events too. Lower Briggate is Leeds’ LGBTQI+ heartland, with Fibre and Viaduct Showbar two notable, friendly venues.

Beer is built into the DNA of Leeds, and indeed all of Yorkshire. The old Tetley headquarters has been converted into a restaurant-cum-gallery, but a number of craft breweries have taken up the mantle.

Award-winning Northern Monk’s brewery and exposed-brick taproom occupy a grade II listed flax mill in the Holbeck conservation area, south of Granary Wharf. Come to taste test special releases and then wander round the scattered mill relics.

North Brewing Co is the other big local craft brewery, with two bars in the city centre and a sprinkling in the suburbs, as well as a huge, shiny new taproom at Springwell — worth the short taxi ride north of the city centre. It’s especially good fun in warmer weather, when DJs spin tunes outside, razor-sharp servers circulate taking orders for beers, and the outside grills are fired up for Little Bao Asian street food.

Head 1.5 miles further north up the same road and you can make it a taproom crawl with a stop at laid-back Meanwood Brewery, a suburban favourite. Back in the north of the city centre, there’s also Assembly Underground, the neon-lit, clubby Leeds home of Hebden Bridge’s Vocation brewery.

Know before you go

If shopping is on the agenda, plan for the fact that many independent stores close on Sundays in Leeds. Likewise, culture-seekers should note that most Leeds museums don’t open on Mondays. The pint-sized city centre is easy to cover on foot, and Uber is a good option for longer distances. It’s best to leave the car at home unless you plan to travel around Yorkshire to see the Dales, visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, or stroll round nearby country estates.

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Inspired to visit Leeds but yet to book your trip? Here are the best hotels from Booking.com* and Hotels.com* .

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• 10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit...

10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Leeds At Least Once

Nestled in the north of England in West Yorkshire, Leeds is one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the UK. Whether you’re looking for delicious food, interesting shops, eclectic nightlife or bountiful outdoor spaces, it has it all. Not convinced? Read on for our list of ten reasons why you should make Leeds your next city break.

The city is filled with beautiful parks and gardens.

From Roundhay Park to Temple Newsam, Leeds and its surrounding area is full of scenic gardens and green parks to walk around. If you like to combine your city breaks with a little fresh air, there are many opportunities to get outdoors within easy reach of the city centre with attractions such as Kirkstall Abbey offering the perfect place for walking the dog or picnicking.

There’s an Array of Art Right on Your Doorstep

From free public art along Leeds Welcome Art Trail to iconic galleries such as the Henry Moore Institute and a scattering of exciting independent galleries all across the city, Leeds is definitely on the map of the art world. Sculpture lovers should set their sights a little further and explore the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle – the Hepworth Gallery and Yorkshire Sculpture Park are only a short drive away.

It’s the Gateway to Yorkshire

Known as the ‘gateway to Yorkshire’, Leeds is perfectly positioned for exploring the rest of this diverse county. Within an hour’s drive you can find yourself admiring the peaks of the Yorkshire Dales , wandering among the heather on Ilkley Moor or exploring the historical streets of the city of York.

The Music Scene is Vibrant

Showcasing everything from metal to jazz, Leeds’s music scene is eclectic and ever-present. Venues such as The Brudenell and Belgrave Music Hall champion up-and-coming and local bands as well as playing host to darlings of the indie scene, bringing visitors to the city seeking invigorating musical performances.

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It’s Filled with Excellent Eateries

If you like to eat out, Leeds is a smorgasbord of everything from Indian street food to elegant tapas restaurants. Street food is everywhere with pop-up food stalls, farmers markets and the popular monthly feast at Belgrave Music Hall proving consistently popular. You could eat our every night of the week for a month and still have a vast variety of restaurants waiting for you to try.

You Don’t Have to Spend Money to Enjoy the City

Small budget? No problem. Leeds is a great city to enjoy without spending a penny, boasting a variety of attractions and activities that you can enjoy for free . Wander around the beautiful arcades and the Minster in the city centre to admire the striking architecture, view free exhibitions at The Tetley, or even catch a cult film for free at the weekly Cinema Club at Crowd of Favours.

You Can Enjoy a Great Pint of Craft Ale

Leeds loves good beer, its many microbreweries supplying the local pubs and bars with an impressive array of delicious craft ale. If you’re into your beer, this is one of the best cities to explore, crawling from pub to pub enjoying the local brews. Seek out the best beer gardens in the city when the sun shines and don’t forget to pay a visit to The Tetley, now an art gallery and bar on the site of the former famous brewery.

It’s Home to One of England’s Most Iconic Festivals

If you’re at all interested in music, chances are you’ve at least lusted after the line-up at Leeds festival once in your life. Championing the best in indie, rock and metal music, Bramham Park is taken over every August bank holiday weekend with music fans from all across the country.

There’s a Real Sense of History

From the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey to the perfectly preserved Temple Newsam stately home, Leeds is filled with reminders of the history of England. History buffs will enjoy wandering around the city and its outskirts seeking out the most important structures, but anyone with a passing interest in architecture can admire the beautiful buildings around the city centre.

You can shop in Victorian arcades

Leeds is great for shopping with a variety of designer, high street and independent stores scattered across the city centre. What makes shopping in Leeds more special than your usual high street are its beautiful Victorian arcades, filled with beautifully preserved mosaics, tiles and stained glass windows. You can easily find yourself distracted from the shops by the architecture.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips , led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.

Guides & Tips

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See & Do

Why you should book a surf weekend in cornwall this summer, culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,656 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

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Leeds City Sightseeing

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LEEDS CITY SIGHTSEEING - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go