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Town/City Name
Leeds
County
West Yorkshire
Population
792,500
About Leeds
Leeds is known as the unofficial capital of Yorkshire, Yorkshire is unofficial known as God’s country, Leeds could be then referred to as the city of God, Ok, that might be a stretch but Leeds is a great city for everyone and is a mist visit if you’re in the north of England.
Leeds has everything from a thriving music scene, to interactive galleries, Treasure hunts, walking tours, shopping arcades, parks, landmarks, markets, water sports and then to top it off the amazing Yorkshire Dales area on the cities doorstep.
Leeds is well-known for it’s wide variety of restaurants, cocktail bars, pubs and nightlife. Some of the more well known pubs include Whitelocks Ales House, The Adelphi and the Griffin. The restaurants also differ as there are Tapas Bars, Fine Dining and Restaurants that also offer takeaway.
Places to eat in Leeds, Restaurants in Leeds
Places to drink in Leeds, Pubs and Bars in Leeds
A brief history of Leeds
The name Leeds was Ladenses in the 5th which means people of the fast flowing river which refers to the river Aire.
In the middles ages Leeds was a successful market town selling wares from the local farmers. During the industrial revolution Leeds was an important wool manufacturing town, in 1770 Leeds was responsible for around 15% of the UK's textile exports.
The railway introduction the late 1800s provided links with national and international markets this led to huge expansion in the city and the opening of the corn exchange.
During the Second World War the woollen mills were turned in to uniform manufacturing facilities for the military, this later led to a decline in economy as once the war was over cheap clothes from abroad took the majority of the clothing market leaving the mills in Leeds redundant.
Since the 1970s Leeds has found its success in being the hub for telephone banking call centres and huge growth in the legal and corporate sectors.
Popular things to do in Leeds
- Go shopping in one of Leeds spectacular arcades - https://leeds-list.com/style/take-a-look-around-leeds-shopping-arcades/
- See a show at the fabulous Leeds Grand Theatre - https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/
- Take a walk along the canal, see how many of the art sculptures you can spot - https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/leeds-and-liverpool-canal
- Get on the river with the sailing club - https://active.leeds.gov.uk/findacentre/leedssailingandactivitycentre
- Get inspired on the street art trail of Leeds - https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/street-art-trail/
Free things to do in Leeds
- Go back in military history at one of the oldest museums in the world - https://royalarmouries.org/
- Wander round ruins at Kirkstall Abbey - https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/kirkstall-abbey/
- Gaze in wonder at the beautiful Leeds Minster - http://www.leedsminster.org/
- Go treasure hunting, Geocaching is fantastic in Leeds - https://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=a2c4c683-877b-4626-9001-61b098da5fb8
Great for kids in Leeds
- See how many owls you can spot on the Leeds Owl Trail - http://www.leedsowltrail.com/
- Get up close with nature at the Donkey Sanctuary - https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/leeds
- Feed the Penguins at Harwood house - https://harewood.org/
- Spark your imagination and get creative at The Rainbow Factory - https://www.rainbowfactorykids.com/
- See the animals at Tropical World Zoo - https://tropicalworld.leeds.gov.uk/
Dog friendly bars
- Bundobust
- Whitelock’s Ale House
Did you know?
Marks and Spencer’s was first launched in Leeds
The hidden gems of Leeds
If you’re in Leeds you must visit The Hyde Park Picture House, it is the UK’s very last gas lit picture house, and it’s not to be missed if you’re a film buff in Leeds.
Unique to Leeds
The game Cludeo was created in Leeds
