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The Leeds Travel Guide takes a look at the city of Leeds in Yorkshire. Historically Leeds had large textile-manufacturing industries and one of the northern cities to have its local economy linked to manufacturing. The gradual closing down of these industries has led to a change in the local economy and Leeds is now regarded as the second financial centre after London.



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Leeds Guide

Overview and Attractions
Leeds Hotels
Leeds Map
Leeds Local Search
Leeds Weather
Cheap Flights



Overview and Attractions

Leeds has a lively buzz about it fuelled by the large student population, the nightlife is highly regarded as is the shopping. The rural countryside is within short reach of the city and perfect for relaxing and unwinding, along the scenic country lanes.

One of the top attractions in Leeds for visitors is Abbey House Museum. The Museum, at one stage the Great Gate House to the abbey, contains authentic looking reconstructed houses and shops giving a glimpse in to Victorian Leeds. The attention to detail is excellent they are lit up by flickering candle light. A favourite with young and alike, the museum gives a fascinating insight in to Leeds’s historical heritage. For more information please see:

Abbey House

Kirkstall Abbey is close by to Abbey House Museum. Described as Leeds' most impressive medieval structure, part of it are now ruins but it still maintains its splendour and is an imposing structure. It remains of Britain's best preserved abbeys, it was founded in 1152 by a party of Cistercian monks from Fountains Abbey. Many famous artists have over the years came to paint the Kirkstall ruins. Today most of the Abbey can still be viewed and is free of charge. For further information please see:

Kirkstall Abbey

St John's Church is a masterpiece of 17th-century design. The oldest church in the Leeds city centre, it is over 350 years old. It has elaborate box-pews and a spectacular screen resplendent with huge carvings of the arms of James I and of Charles I as Prince of Wales.

At the Thackray Museum visitors can enjoy a good day out, where you are transported in to an experience of health and medicine, from the past, present and future. Experience a back street of Victorian Leeds, here you can see, hear and smell what it was like. Living Health explores the lives, ailments and treatments of Victorian characters. You can see how modern day medicine has developed. Visitors can step inside the human body and find out how the human body works at the Life Zone. For further information please see:

Thackray Museum

The Leeds City Art Gallery is located heart of Leeds city centre. The art gallery is one of the premier venues in the north for visual arts, it boasts collections from the early 19th to the late 20th centuries. The gallery has a wide range of displays these include traditional prints, paintings, sculptures and some noteworthy contemporary works. The gallery possesses some of the best examples of British Art anywhere in the UK. A must for art and culture lovers, the gallery makes for a thought provoking and enjoyable visit. For more information please see:

Leeds City Art Gallery

Leeds has a reputation as a shopper’s paradise, in recent years a host of designer stores and boutiques have opened in the city. Dubbed as the ‘Knightsbridge of the North’ Leeds is a shoppers dream, it caters for all tastes and budgets. The White Rose shopping complex offers shoppers a large range of stores and there are also plenty of places to eat and have a drink after you have shopped. For further information please see:

White Rose Shopping Centre

The Corn Exchange is a grade 1 Victorian building with a host of independent chic stores. Here you will find fashion stores along with health stores, the venue is also used for fashion shows and exhibitions. The grand and upmarket Victoria Quarter is a favourite those who want exclusive upmarket stores, there are plenty here for fashionistas to get excited about. For further information please see:

Victoria Quarter

Bargains can be had at Kirkgate Market recently refurbished in a Edwardian building, this huge open air market has over 800 traders selling just about everything.

Leeds has plenty of places to dine, with cuisines from all over the world catered for, it depends on what type of food you wish to have. A restaurant of good repute is the Living Room, modern British European restaurant. Situated in the city centre it has been acclaimed as offering good levels of service with quality food and drink. Since opening it has proved extremely popular. The focus is on using the best ingredients and creating good stylish food. Set over 4 floors it has a dining room, the study for members and mosquito, late night bar. For more information please see:

The Living Room

Leeds has an acclaimed nightlife, with a wide assortment of restaurants, bars, clubs and entertainment. There are also theatres, opera and ballet companies. Leeds in the evening, turns in to a thriving nightspot, the city centre, Headingley and Street Lane are known hot spots in the evenings.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse is located in Leeds city centre, it opened in 1990 has built up a reputation as one of Britain’s best producing theatres in a relatively short space of time. The complex has a range of facilities these include The Quarry Theatre, The Courtyard Theatre, bar, a restaurant, The Newlyn Gallery among others. West Yorkshire Playhouse produces its own shows each year in its two theatres, and stages numerous performances, readings and workshops. The popular complex is also a great meeting place. For more information please see:

West Yorkshire Playhouse

Room is a funky restaurant and a bar, the different rooms which make up Room mean you can have a different experience when you visit, Room is filled with cutting edge design and decor. There is a spacious dining area with a floating mezzanine floor overlooking the illuminated glass bar. The food and drink complement the top class surroundings. The menu offers classic dishes designed with a contemporary twist. The bar offers a wide selection of drinks making this a hip and fashionable place to go. For more information please see:

Room

If its clubs you are in to Evolution nightclub the largest nightclub in Leeds offers a chance to dance the night away. It has a capacity of nearly 3,000 making for a lively atmosphere. A mixture of party anthems, dance, RnB and karaoke are played in the various rooms. You can enjoy the free barbeque, chocolate fountains, massage chairs and stilt walkers. For further information please see:

Evolution

For fans of gigs, Leeds Irish Centre is among the best places to see live music. Situated not far from the city centre, a number of bands of international repute have played their including Oasis. For further information please see:

Leeds Irish Centre

There are plenty of events going on in Leeds, it is best to check before you visit to see if the timings fit in with your schedules. For the active there is the Annual Otley 10 Mile Road Race that takes place in June. In the summer cricket fans can be cricket matches with Yorkshire games based around the famous Headingley ground. Football fans have Elland Road, home to Leeds United Football Club. For further information please see:

Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Leeds United Football Club

In October the established Leeds International Film Festival takes place, which boasts over 400 films and film-related events. Features films and short films from around the world are screened in an event to excite those with an appreciation for film. For more information please see:

Leeds International Film Festival

Accommodation in Leeds is available to suit all budgets from ranging from budget accommodation to top class luxury hotels. It is worth remembering to ensure your hotel is not too far away from where you need to get to, the travelling time each day to and from your hotel can take time. Doing your research is recommended to ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and offers the amenities you require. There are a range fine budget, mid range and exclusive hotels available in Leeds, for further information please see:

Selection of Leeds Hotels

For a full list of Leeds Hotels please see:

Leeds Hotels


Leeds is situated close to the geographical centre of the UK making it ideally located for UK visitors from both north and south. Leeds also benefits from good transport links by road, rail and air with a fast growing international airport. Given this great location and the range of activities and things to do, it makes perfect sense to enjoy a visit to Leeds and enjoy the rural beauty of the countryside close by whilst still experiencing the buzz and atmosphere of one of Britain's thriving cities. The Leeds travel guide has taken on a tour of this well known city in Yorkshire, it certainly has plenty to offer a wide variety of visitors

Leeds Travel Guide

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