Leeds Destination Spotlight
Introduction
Welcome to Leeds, a city where creativity meets commerce and every event becomes an unforgettable experience.
Easy to reach but impossible to forget, Leeds is perfectly placed halfway between London and Edinburgh. Recognised as a leader in digital innovation, health and life sciences, financial and professional services, and a growing hub for creative and media industries, with world-class universities and cutting-edge research facilities, Leeds is a city that fuels ideas.
With its heritage architecture, tech expertise, independent spirit and Yorkshire warmth, this Northern city is full of surprises and rich in character. From water taxis to stately homes, modern conference spaces to cultural icons, Leeds is ready and open for business.
Venues
Leeds City Museum & Leeds Art Gallery
At the Leeds City Museum, your delegates will be immersed in fascinating stories from around the world and the city’s own rich history.
With Brodrick Hall available for exclusive hire, the museum offers striking spaces that spark inspiring conversations among world-class exhibitions, setting the scene for networking with real impact.
Just steps away, Leeds Art Gallery brings a bold, bright energy to any event. Here, outstanding art and modern exhibitions meet elegant Victorian architecture, offering an inspiring backdrop for creative conversations. The showstopper? The Tiled Hall Café, once a stunning old sculpture court whose intricate tiles lay hidden for more than 40 years before being rediscovered and beautifully restored in 2007. Today, it stands as one of the city’s most stunning heritage spaces, available for private hire, drinks receptions, and dining.
Leeds Dock & water taxi
Down by the waterfront, Leeds Dock is where digital innovation meets tranquil canal life. Once a bustling industrial hub, Leeds Dock is the city’s first tech, media, and creative industries hub, and is bursting with new ideas.
It also happens to be home to the one of the city’s famous yellow water taxis.
Delegates can hop on board and cruise their way to their next venue - one of the most unique, scenic and fun commutes!
Royal Armouries
For events with a touch of theatre, look no further than the Royal Armouries Museum – an award-winning riverside venue in the heart of Leeds. With capacity for 10 to 2,500 delegates, it’s a venue that delivers both scale and spectacle, with a touch of medieval drama!
With over 1,000 years of history and one of the largest and most impressive arms and armour collections in the world, it’s an unforgettable backdrop for any occasion.
Dine among knights in shining armour in the War Gallery, host a conference in the vast New Dock Hall, or use one of the smaller breakout rooms for creative sessions.
New Dock Hall
University of Leeds
Innovation is in Leeds’ DNA and nowhere is that clearer than at the University of Leeds, the heart of the city’s knowledge sector.
The University of Leeds offers spaces designed to inspire future minds. From the striking Brutalist architecture of the Roger Stevens Building (pictured above), with its 25 tiered lecture theatres for up to 300 delegates and cutting-edge AV facilities, to the tranquil Sustainability Garden, a living lab supporting innovative research.
The cutting-edge Esther Simpson building (pictured above) is fully accessible, with two state-of-the-art lecture theatres, 10 breakout spaces and two 32-seat trading rooms. The elegant Grade II listed Parkinson Court, watched over by the nest of resident Peregrine Falcons, is also available to hire for receptions and exhibitions as well as the Brotherton Library.
With a long list of famous alumni, such as current UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, NASA atronaut, Piers Sellers, the Brownlee brothers, and TV presenter, Naga Munchetty, the University of Leeds is built for big ideas and bright futures, showcasing the city’s sector strengths and legacy of innovation.
Headingley Stadium
Where else can you host a meeting overlooking two international sports grounds at once? Only in Leeds.
Headingley Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, home to both cricket and rugby.
With panoramic pitch-side event spaces - including the Howard Suite (pictured above), accommodating up to 450 guests - plus smaller suites and breakout rooms set against walls that have witnessed sporting legends, Headingley infuses every corporate event with adrenaline and atmosphere.
Harewood House
Explore the outskirts of Leeds and head to Harewood House, a beautiful stately home just 20 minutes beyond the city.
Host a reception on the garden terrace before stepping inside to the grand dining hall or kitchen to dine, whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Harewood House has a range of stunning spaces to elevate your event.
Offering stately splendour set within 140-acres of rolling Yorkshire countryside, a beautiful lake and exclusive hire of the house and gardens, Harewood combines beauty and grandeur to create a truly unforgettable experience.
Time to relax
Victoria Quarter
If your delegates fancy a little downtime, the Victoria Quarter is retail therapy redefined.
Step beneath the largest stained-glass roof in Europe where luxury boutiques and heritage arcades transform retail therapy into architectural experiences. Local markets, such as Kirkgate Market, add a flavour of local life and it’s also where Marks & Spencer opened its very first stall back in 1884!
Known for its high-end retail and historic markets, the Victoria Quarter makes for the perfect place to explore and tap into the history of the city.
Leeds Corn Exchange
Leeds Corn Exchange is an iconic landmark in the heart of the city. Once a Victorian masterpiece, now reborn as a hub for makers and creatives. This Grade I* listed building has a history of commerce, from 1864 as a trading hall for corn to present day where it’s buzzing with independent businesses. It’s the perfect spot to spark ideas, share innovations, or simply enjoy an artisan coffee with a view like no other.
White Cloth Hall
Once a centre for the city’s cloth trade, White Cloth Hall has been lovingly restored into a contemporary event and dining space that celebrates Leeds’ industrial past. It’s a beautiful nod to the city’s roots and a great spot for a post-conference dinner or drinks reception.
Accommodation
With a multitude of hotels within walking distance of the city’s key venues, Leeds makes it easy to move from boardroom to bedroom. For example, two of the city’s newest hotels, Hotel Indigo (opened in July 2025) and the Hyatt Place & Hyatt House. The latter opened in March 2025 and is the city’s first electric-only hotel and built to BREEAM standards, showcasing Leeds’ ongoing commitment to sustainability. With flexible meeting spaces, a fitness centre and rooftop dining with views across the skyline, delegates are guaranteed to have a relaxing stay.
Upcoming events
If you’re curious about what’s next for Leeds, here are three exciting developments to look out for!
Major refurbishment of Leeds Bradford Airport. With phase one finishing in Summer 2025, the second phase of the £100 million regeneration project is expected to be completed by Winter 2026.
A £19.8 million refurbishment to preserve Leeds Town Hall’s heritage and enhance its event facilities, scheduled to reopen in Autumn 2026.
UKREiiF - the UK’s leading real estate and infrastructure forum will returns to Leeds for its fifth year.
So, to recap, why choose Leeds?
- A powerhouse for innovation, health, digital and finance
- Well connected and easy to reach by rail, road and air
- Unique venues that mix heritage with high-tech
- A buzzing cultural scene and great sustainability credentials
- A welcoming Yorkshire hospitality that makes every delegate feel at home
Leeds doesn’t just host business events, it elevates them. From a gala dinner among knights to brainstorming in a Brutalist lecture hall, or cruising to your conference by water taxi, Leeds turns meetings into memories.
With an expert team on hand to help, find out how you can wow delegates by bringing your next event to Leeds here.
