Leeds is a city in the county of Yorkshire in northern England. The Royal Armory, on the south bank of the River Eyre, is home to the National Collection of Arms and Artillery. Across the river, the redeveloped industrial area around Col Lane is famous for its bars and live music venues under converted railroad arches. Leeds Kirkgate Market has hundreds of indoor and outdoor stalls.
In modern cities, factories are mainly concentrated in the south and east, with engineering and electronics, printing and publishing, food processing, chemicals, and furniture standing out among various industries. Leeds is also an important regional center for insurance and financial services, as well as West Yorkshire’s premier shopping and commercial center.
5 reasons to visit Leeds
Great Britain’s Nightlife
Leeds has a youthful vibe due to the over 30,000 students enrolled in the city’s universities. This has resulted in some of the UK’s most vibrant clubs and music venues. Whether you’re enjoying a cocktail at Oracle Bar or dancing to funk, R&B, and house at Hi-Fi Club, Leeds has a place for you.
A classic British sporting event
If you love sports, you will love Leeds. From an exciting football match against Leeds United at Elland Road to a rugby match and Test cricket against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley, Leeds is a very sporting city, and there’s always something going on.
Theater, art, and ballet all year round
Culture is another Leeds specialty. Art lovers will find Henry Moore’s Institute and Leeds City’s Gallery filled with masterpieces by Turner, Constable, and others. The West Yorkshire Playhouse is one of the UK’s top theaters. If you’re into dancing, don’t miss Northern Ballet at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Beautiful architecture and glorious history
Leeds is full of architectural highlights, from the iron and glass of Kirkgate Market to the stunning gardens of Temple Newsam House to the splendor of Harewood Hall. For decades, the city was one of the most prosperous industrial cities in the world and left behind an impressive building legacy. You can see it all by joining one of Goor’s guided walks.
The Yorkshire countryside is a short drive away
Yorkshire is a beautiful place. By staying in Leeds, you are less than an hour from the wonders of the Dales, beautiful coastal harbors like Whitby, and places like Janet’s Foss Falls. Rent a car and see it all in comfort.
Things to do in Leeds
Royal Armory Museum: War and peace
This free museum houses the UK’s National Weapons and Armor Collection. Almost as diverse and flexible as fashion trends have changed over the centuries, the armor on display here comes in all shapes and forms. War, Peace, Hunt, Oriental, The galleries, divided into tournament, self-defense, and arena categories, all offer an amazingly diverse collection. A special place is also given to flags, which are always indispensable in war. The exhibits will set your imagination free.
Kirkstall Abbey: Journey to the Past
This Cistercian abbey is in ruins but is one of the most comprehensive and atmospheric places to learn about monastic life from the 12th century to the present day. A complete set of historical photographs document the state of the building since the 17th century, allowing visitors to imagine the political and social changes that have led to the site’s current state. A stroll through these monasteries brings the medieval world to life.
Victoria Square: the heart of Leeds
Leeds’ cultural hub is centered around Victoria Square, which features the impressive and ornate Town Hall. Across the street is the Leeds Central Library, an elegant contemporary building. Both are well worth a visit for immersion in centuries of glorious design. Afterward, you can step back into the present at the Leeds Art Gallery. Here, a vast collection of British modern and contemporary art awaits you. Don’t miss the serene Leeds Cathedral.
Roundhay Park: Wander in Wonderland
Roundhay, one of Europe’s largest urban parks, is full of things to see. Stroll the manicured grounds, past the lake, and from one lush garden to the next, each perfectly themed. Explore the area and take atmospheric photos by visiting one of his golf courses, The Mansion and Roundhay Castle. There is also a traditional restaurant right next to the main attraction, Tropical World. There, you will find a greenhouse full of exotic flora and fauna.
Victoria District: shopping until the doctor comes
Leeds’ luxury shopping precinct has expanded to include its two main pedestrian streets, Vicar His Lane and Briggate. From county arcades to cross-arcades, traditional window displays are flanked by modern lures. With its stately location along Queen Victoria Street and King Edwards Street, the mall is charming. Shopping under an ornate glass roof is an unforgettable experience.
Where to eat in Leeds
It is blessed with some of the best restaurants in the North of England. If you want to treat yourself, head to a Michelin-recommended restaurant like Crafthouse or Ox Club. There are excellent Indian restaurants such as Akbars and Tharavadu, authentic fish and chip joints such as Fisherman’s Wife, and quality fast food outlets such as Roundhay’s Flying Pizza. Fish and chips cost £5-8, a delicious pub lunch costs £10–15, and the best restaurants in the city cost £20+.
How to get in
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the closest airport to a plane, and it takes about 35 minutes from there (by bus 757) to the city center. However, US visitors will need to fly to London Heathrow, Birmingham, or Manchester, all of which are several hours by train.
Leeds railway station connects the city to the north, west, and south and is a popular way to enter the city. You can get to Leeds from London with Virgin Trains East Coast, from Liverpool and Manchester with the First Transpennine Express or Northern Rail, and to York, he runs every hour. The station itself is located in the center of the city.
From London, take the A1 (M) to Pontefract and change to the M62, or take the M1 from London to Leeds. You can also take the M62 directly from Manchester to Leeds.
Leeds is well connected to the rest of England via the National Express, Gorilla Bus, and Megabus buses. The bus stop is about a mile east of the city center, but the Leeds City Bus Service will get you there in no time. A single ticket costs just £0.50.
Top neighborhoods
Headingley: Bustling with students and sports centers, Headingley is a lively place to stay. Headingley Carnegie Stadium offers top-class sports year-round. There are also Leeds’ best pubs on Otley Road and great restaurants such as Sukhothai Thai Restaurant and Fisherman’s Wife’s Fish and Chip Shop.
Roundhay: One of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods, Roundhay is green and affluent. The sprawling Roundhay Park is Britain’s largest inner-city park, where you can stroll through the woods, have a picnic, explore manicured gardens, and explore a tropical world with animals from all over the world. Great location for visiting attractions.
How to get around Leeds
- Public transport
The main form of public transport in it is the bus, with an excellent network throughout the city. A day pass for Metro services costs £5.40 and allows unlimited travel. The city bus service, on the other hand, covers most of the city center and costs just £0.50 each way.
- Taxi
Taxis aren’t much needed for most day trips in the city center as public transport is so cheap, but if you’re staying in a suburb like Roundhay or need to drive back from a theater or club, it is very convenient. Expect to pay around £3 for a meter drop and then £2.50 per mile.
- Car
Renting a car in Leeds is a great option. There are plenty of car parks in the city center (£15 a day), and major car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty have offices in the city. Rental costs are reasonable, with some packages as low as £17 per day.
Cost of living in Leeds
Shopping street
Leeds is a great shopping city. For one, it has beautiful shopping arcades such as Thorntons and Kirkgate Market, which provide a great backdrop for bargain hunting. Thorntons have shoe stores like Dune, chains like Ann Summers, and specialty stores like the Skate Store. Then there’s the stunning Victoria Quarter, with luxury stores like Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton.
Groceries and other
It has a variety of supermarkets in the city center, including big chains like Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Waitrose (and the city’s own Marks and Spencer). Grocery shopping shouldn’t be a problem. Prices are usually quite affordable. A gallon of milk is about 3.30 pounds, and 12 eggs are about 2 pounds.