Leeds
Why we love Leeds
Rich in heritage, this energetic former mill town boasts a thriving independent food scene, international beer festivals and a dazzling array of street art, including the 46m-high mural, Athena Rising. Explore the grounds of impressive historical houses and hunt for bargains in Europe’s biggest indoor market, the Grade I listed Kirkgate Market.
Whether it’s tasting tours or Europe’s biggest music festivals, Leeds rocks it all. While its compact size makes it discoverable, its diversity means there’s always something to do, whether that’s burlesque to hip-hop, culture to clubbing. Sports fans are well catered for too, with cricket and rugby league at Headingley, and Leeds United Football club playing at Elland Road. And if you want to escape to nature, you can relax in one of Europe’s largest city parks, Roundhay Park. Or it’s just a short jaunt to the glorious Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Leeds Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute
Get your art on at Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute, two wonderful spaces in Leeds. Leeds Art Gallery shows a wide range of art work, including Antony Gormley sculptures and Victorian artwork. Then head to the Henry Moore Institute alongside, with its extensive galleries about the famous sculptor.
Kirkstall Abbey
Founded more than 800 years ago, Kirkstall Abbey is one of the best preserved Cistercian monasteries in Britain. These breathtaking and, legend has it, haunted ruins sit among award-winning parkland shouldering the the River Aire. Much of the abbey remains intact, giving you a feel for the monks who lived here for nearly 400 years. It hosts regular events and across the road you’ll find a lively, interactive museum.
Green spaces at Roundhay Park
Take time out at the fabulous Roundhay Park in Leeds – with 700 stunning acres of parkland to explore. This huge and popular city park has extensive green spaces, woodland, lakes and gardens, golf course, tennis courts and a mini-train. It’s also home to Tropical World zoo, where you can see all sorts of exotic creatures.
Headingley Stadium tours
A tour of Headingley’s famous stadium offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Britain’s most famous cricket clubs. Take in panoramic views of the cricket ground from the media centre, see where players change, eat and gather, stroll around the Carnegie Pavilion and ponder over cricket memorabilia.
Go behind the scenes at Harewood
Step into your very own period drama at Harewood House, just north of Leeds. This elegant stately home is a treat to visit year-round, whether you’re following its snowdrop trail in winter or relaxing in its Capability Brown-designed gardens in the summer sunshine. Head on a house tour to see the rooms featured in the Downton Abbey film, including the grand Yellow Drawing Room. Or, join the Emmerdale Village Tour on the estate to go behind the scenes on one of Britain’s most iconic soap operas.
Leeds
The largest city in West Yorkshire, Leeds is a hotbed for shopping and has a thriving independent food and art scene, including the vibrant Leeds Corn Exchange.
Get creative with street art tours and marvel at one of Britain’s tallest murals, Athena Rising, or visit the redeveloped Hyde Park Picture House, the only remaining gas-lit theatre in Europe.
Escape into nature at one of Europe’s largest city parks, Roundhay Park, or head to Kirkgate Market, one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, or Leeds Victoria for stylish shopping.
Admire national collections at the Royal Armouries, city-shaping wool and railway heritage at Leeds Industrial Museum, or take in Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey House Museum.
Fun fact
Fun fact
Marks & Spencer is a British institution – the international retailer began as a market stall in Leeds Kirkgate Market. You can even visit their museum in the city that showcases more than 135 years of M&S in Britain.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Leeds West Indian Carnival, which began in 1966, is one of Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean Carnivals.
The beautiful stained-glass roof covering the entire length of Queen Victoria Street is the largest stained-glass window in Britain, measuring 8,030 square ft (746 square metres).
The Royal Armouries is home to the largest animal armour in the world.
Founded in 1865, The City Varieties Music Hall is a Guinness World Record holder as the England’s longest running music hall.
Things to do in Leeds
Featured things to do
Tour the city
From heritage routes to breweries and ghost hunts, Leeds is packed with guided tours which reveal more about its people and places.
Learn more about Leeds city tours
Dance the night away
Rock on for three days of live music at Leeds Festival, in Bramham Park, one of the biggest dates on the festival calendar. As one half of the famous Reading and Leeds Festivals, the two music events take place at the same time over the August bank holiday.
Learn more about Leeds Festival
Hunt for ghosts at Halloween
Check out the haunted Abbey House Museum (an original gatehouse for a 12th-century Cistercian monastery) for ghost-hunts and supernatural activities.
Learn more about Abbey House Museum
Take in some festive fun
From glistening Christmas trees to spectacular shows and festive markets, Leeds comes alive during the winter.
Learn more about Christmas in LeedsPlaces to stay in Leeds
Roundhay
Roundhay Park is the go-to place for music and food festivals, and provides acres of green space, lakes, gardens and a tropical bird and butterfly house. Find lots of delis and restaurants, and all just a small walk into the centre.
Headingley
Headingley is the student centre, a thriving centre of vintage boutiques, bookshops, cafes and and lots of pubs and bars. It’s a short journey to the city centre.
Otley
If you want the best of both worlds – Otley offers the beauty of the Wharfe Valley and the Chevin Forest Park where hiking and biking are a must, and is also a scenic and lively market town.
Explore nearby
Getting to Leeds
As the largest city in West Yorkshire, the nearest main airport to Leeds is Manchester Airport, which serves more than 180 destinations globally. Direct trains from Manchester Airport to Leeds take around 90 minutes, with driving taking a little longer.
Leeds Bradford Airport is around eight miles to the northwest of Leeds city centre (a 30-minute drive). It also has connections to more than 70 European destinations, while National Express coaches provide routes into Leeds from both airports.
Trains from London to Leeds take just two and a half hours. There are direct trains to Leeds from other northern cities, including Manchester, York and Sheffield.
Getting around
An extensive public transport network makes Leeds simple to explore and provides fantastic connections to the rest of Britain.
By foot
Much of central Leeds, including the shopping areas at Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate, is pedestrianised, making it easy to explore on foot.
By train
The Metro network services towns and villages in the surrounding area, providing reliable links to areas across West Yorkshire.
By bus
An extensive bus network connects the main places to visit in Leeds. First Bus operates more than 60 routes in the city, while Arriva and Stagecoach also provide regular services.
By boat
A daily water taxi service meanders between Granary Wharf and Leeds Dock, providing an excellent way to see the historic waterfront area.
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
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Planning a business event in Leeds?
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