Leeds

Welcome to Leeds

Conde Nast's award for being 'the best English city to visit outside of London’ gives you an indication of what you can expect to discover on a short break in Leeds, one of the North’s most vibrant cities. Rich in culture and heritage it is a city with lots to explore and something for all ages to enjoy. The buzz and countless attractions of the city centre are complimented by the laid back pace of the stunning local countryside such as the famous Yorkshire Dales. Don’t just take our word for it, this is a city that will definitely surprise you - visit Leeds and love it!

Things to do in and around Leeds

A short break in Leeds is an experience in itself. Its rich local history, world class sports venues, extensive shopping facilities and diverse programme of year-round entertainment are just some of the many things that make Leeds such a great place for visitors of all ages. The city has much to offer families, from the fascinating Royal Armouries Museum to the gardens of Tropical World and the huge pleasure dome that is Xscape in the Castleford area of Leeds. Sport remains central to life in Leeds with famous venues such as Headingley, home of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club plus the Rhinos and the Tykes rugby teams. We shouldn’t forget the home of Leeds United, Elland Road, either. If you are in search of culture and heritage then Leeds is your place, visit the likes of Harewood House, Leeds’ finest stately home with stunning art collections, splendid State Rooms and an intriguing ‘Below Stairs’ exhibition, or gaze upon some of the country’s finest art at the Leeds City Art Gallery. Of course as you’ll read below Leeds is a shopper’s dream and with some of the finest stores in the country, some in rather unique venues, that wallet may take a hammering! If you feel like escaping the city the famous Yorkshire Dales, backdrop for many a TV show, are less than 20 miles from the city centre. Here you could enjoy outdoor pursuits such as walking and cycling or perhaps you’d prefer just relaxing in the beautiful surrounds.

Evenings out in Leeds

Leeds is renowned for good nights out and when the sun sets the city really comes to life. It's not just the city centre that gets packed with people enjoying the nightlife – other areas of Leeds, such as Chapel Allerton, Headingley and Street Lane also buzz into the night. Leeds is brimming with great places to eat, with options ranging from cafés where you can get a quick cup of tea and slice of cake, to some of the most exquisite restaurants for fine dining in the North of England. There’s a vibrant arts and theatre scene in the city too with the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Town Hall, Opera North and the Northern Ballet, in fact Leeds is the only city outside of London to have its own opera and ballet companies.

Shopping in Leeds

In terms of shopping Leeds has it covered! There's no comparable city in the North of England for shopping. In Leeds, the Shopping Quarter is wonderfully compact and traffic-free, so you won’t have to carry those shopping bags too far between the many designer shops and the colourful market, or from high street stores to individual boutiques and shops in the Victorian arcades such as the Corn Exchange and Victoria Quarter. Since Harvey Nichols arrived in Leeds, the city has seen a flurry of designers flocking to open stores and boutiques too, with Leeds now being home to the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Jo Malone and All Saints. High street names stores are well represented in the city centre in the likes of the Headrow & St John’s Shopping Centre.

Fascinating fact
Leeds was dubbed the ‘Knightsbridge of the North’ by the Lonely Planet Guide thanks to its sheer number of trendy shops & boutiques – that’s over 4.3 million sq feet of retail therapy to be exact!

For hotels in Leeds click here