Leeds is the biggest city in Yorkshire, and one that's very proud of its northern roots. During the industrial revolution, Leeds was known for producing wool. But these days, its main draws are shopping, culture and sport. There's more than a thousand shops and hundreds of bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as some of the most beautiful Victorian buildings in the country and three major sports teams to watch. Leeds still has a flourishing market scene, just as you'd expect from a former trading town. So here's 19 reasons why Leeds should be on your list.
The shops here range from luxury to independent stores - and most are in a short walking distance of the train station and each other. Harvey Nichols opened its first store outside of London in Leeds in 1996, and its Fourth Floor Café and Bar has views of the Leeds skyline. It's located on the site of the former Empire Theatre in The Victoria Quarter, where you'll find around 70 leading fashion and lifestyle brands nearby. From Autumn 2016, Leeds will have a new major shopping destination - Victoria Gate, which will be home to the largest branch of John Lewis outside of London.
Trinity Leeds has more than 120 stores under its roof, however their Trinity Kitchen makes it almost as much a food destination as retail. Each month they switch up their selection of street food vendors, which sit alongside well known chains like Nando's and Wagamama.
Kirkgate Market originally dates back to 1822. But its wrought iron Edwardian roof, complete with stone archways and glass appeared in 1875. There are hundreds of shops and stalls inside, six days a week (it's closed on Sundays). If you're buying fresh food, you can use their cold store via "Shop and Drop" (9am to 5pm) and pick them up later.
One of the UK's best loved shops started off life as a market stall in Kirkgate Market. Marks and Spencer began as a Penny Bazaar in the market when Michael Marks set up his wares there in 1884. Now you can visit their heritage stall in the main market building and take the M&S heritage trail round Leeds to see where it started.
Leeds has Farmers' Markets running every weekend, so you'll be able to pick up seasonal organic food and drink. If you're in the city on a Wednesday, The Asian Bazaar at Kirkgate Market has silk, spices and street food on sale all day. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month you can visit The Artsmix @ Albion Place, which has local artists and designers' work on display.
In May, the fortnight-long Leeds Indie Food Festival showcases chefs from some of the city's top restaurants.
However for Michelin-star dining all-year-round, try and get a table at The Man Behind The Curtain, with Head Chef Michael O'Hare scooping Leeds first star in 2015. Part food, part artistic experience (you can also buy the art in the restaurant) you'll struggle to get a table for dinner without booking well in advance, but you'll have better luck at lunchtime.
For cocktails with a view, try Angelica's on the sixth level of Trinity. They're open from 10am to 2am, and the wraparound outdoor terrace is a good spot for afternoon drinks in the sunshine, or watching the sunset. The Alchemist also has an outside terrace bar on the second floor of the building.
Leeds' oldest pub is Whitelocks (est 1715). It's relatively unspoiled, right in the city centre, has a beer garden for when it's warm, and a roaring fire if it's not. One of the new American-style "Brew pubs", Tapped has a huge range of draft, keg and cask beers to choose from. They also make homemade pizzza. The Brewery Tap is close to the staion for a premium pint on the way home, and has a beer garden as well.
London apart, Leeds has the most listed buildings in the UK. Leeds Corn Exchange dates from 1864, and is probably the most striking - all the more so because it's still used for its original trade purpose (there are only two others like it in the country). Head here for independent shops and frequent fairs, with records, vintage clothing and flea markets held in the centre. Another classical Victorian builidng is Leeds Town Hall. A tour will take you around the old court room, including the 203 steps up the clock tower for cracking views of the city. An unusual way to spend the day, and look more carefully at the buildings, is to follow the Leeds Owl Trail. Download or pick up a map and make your way through the city centre, trying to spot the carved owls. The concept comes from the fact that the Leeds Coat of Arms displays a fleece supported by owls.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club is one of the most famous sporting clubs in the world. It first hosted Test Match cricket in 1899 at Headingley - now called Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Famous players who have graced the ground since the club was formed in 1863 include master batsmen Sir Len Hutton and Geoffrey Boycott as well as the buccaneering fast bowler, Fred Trueman. You can watch an international Test Match, County game or a thrilling T20 game under the floodlights. The £21m four-storey Carnegie Pavilion was designed to resemble a green cricket glove catching a ball.
Take a stadium tour of the home of Leeds United Football Club, one of the most successful teams of the 1970s. Don't forget to take a photo by the statue of their favourite son, captain, and later manager, Billy Bremner in the all-white home kit.
Leeds Rhinos are one of the strongest teams in England and you can buy tickets on the day for their family-friendly matches. While the players don't have horns, they're still a fearsome sight to behold rampaging down the field during a Rugby League match. The club shares the ground with Leeds' Rugby Union team, Yorkshire Carnegie.
Tropical World at Roundhay Park has central American crocodiles lazing in a swamp as well as whistling ducks that live in trees in their mini-Amazonian rainforest - not to mention their meerkats. This is one of the most popular attractions in Yorkshire, and their range of tropical plants is second only to Kew Gardens.
This award-winning public park is one of the largest in the UK and opened in 1872. Outdoor sports are well catered for, with tennis courts, a skateboard park, and a childrens' play area. The Lakeside Cafe gives you a view over the largest lake in the park - and there are plenty of family events taking place in the park throughout the year.
There's over a million objects in Leeds City Museum. The collections include natural history, fine and decorative art, fossils, a 3,000 year-old mummy called Nesyamun and a hoard of Viking gold found in the city. One of the most unusual Victorian exhibits - a sagging, stuffed tiger - was the subject of a newspaper campaign to save it, when the museum wanted to consign it to history. Elsewhere, the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley is housed in what was once one of the largest woolen mills in the world. It's got one of the smallest working 1920s cinemas, where you can watch a short black and white film. What was once a harsh and imposing workhouse and then a hospital is now the Thackray Medical Museum. You can find out more about the evolution of medicine and treatment health over more than a century.
The Royal Armouries in Leeds is housed in a multi-million pound modern museum with six themed galleries. Inside, you'll find the country's collection of armour and weapons. There's a jesters yard where the under 10s can have some medieval fun, while in the Tiltyard you can see jousting and other "Tourney" activities. See what weapon Henry VIII wielded, and look at the swords from the Lord of the Rings franchise.
If you've seen the BBC's Death Comes to Pemberley or ITV's Victoria, you may recognise the 18th century Harewood House. There's a 100 acres of gardens to explore on the estate, a 32 acre serpentine lake, cascade and carriage drives - all key features of the garden's designer - Lancelot “Capability” Brown. It's open from the end of March to the end of October. On the banks of the River Aire, you'll find the almost complete remains of Kirkstall Abbey – a rare example of a medieval 12th century Cistercian abbey. You can learn more about the religious site at the Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre and Abbey House Museum before exploring the abbey itself.
Along with Liverpool and Manchester, Leeds also has a rich musical history. Electronic music giants Soft Cell (Tainted Love, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye) were formed when singer Marc Almond met technical whizz David Ball at Leeds Polytechnic in 1978. Also hailing from the city are Goth band The Sisters of Mercy, who were also big in the 1980s. The biggest band of recent years are indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs, who named their band after the South African football club that cult Leeds United FC captain, Lucas Radebe, used to play for.
The first direct arena only opened in 2013, however they've already had Sir Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Prince playing there. This venue has a 13,00 capacity and all the seats directly face the stage (like a theatre). You can watch live music at the 02 Academy Leeds, where they also have a basement gig venue for upcoming talent.
There are a few venues around the city where you can get an idea of the city's cultural talent. The award-winning Opera North is England’s national opera company in the north, similarly the Northern Ballet puts on performances in Leeds as well as touring across the UK. The West Yorkshire Playhouse has two theatres - the larger Quarry and the more intimate Courtyard to watch plays, musicals and other performances, and the City Varieties Music Hall is one of the best examples of a Victorian music hall, where you can see big names in comedy. music and cabaret.
Art lovers are in luck as Leeds is part of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle - four galleries which are within a 30-minute drive, bus or train ride from each other. In the city itself you'll find the internationally acclaimed The Henry Moore Institute, part of the The Henry Moore Foundation - and the Leeds Art Gallery where the displays can be found (Closed in 2016 for essential work on the roof - check website for reopening times).
If you're travelling by train, Leeds Station is right in the middle of the city centre. It only takes two hours to travel there from London by train and under 50 minutes from Manchester. You can also fly to Leeds from London - Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is found between the two West Yorkshire cities. If you want to get around the city, visit the Metro website, for the latest transport news and ticket information.
We've got lots of hotels in Leeds to choose from should you want to make your visit a little longer.
Three of the UK's National Parks are within a relatively short driving distance. The Yorkshire Dales is the closest, within 40 minutes by car and 20 minutes on the train, however you can also reach the Peak District and Yorkshire Moors if you don't mind a slightly longer drive. Here's our guide to weekend breaks in Yorkshire if you need further inspiration.
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