Out & About in Leeds

Leeds is a bustling and exciting city with over 700,000 residents. It is a cutting edge diverse city which is growing at one of the fastest rates in the UK. There is always something to do in Leeds, the city offers a fantastic selection of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, theatres and a range of shops. Despite being a busy metropolitan city, just a quick drive out of the city you will find spectacular scenery at the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This offers a range of fun activities such as trekking, climbing or just relaxing and enjoying the views. The city has some interesting historic roots, it was mentioned in the Domesday book back in 1066 where it was just a cluster of buildings. The industrial revolution transformed the area and encouraged rapid growth and it became a city in 1893. Since the second world war Leeds has reformed and has earned the title of Environment city of the UK. Its rich historical and cultural heritage along with its vibrant range of attractions has led it to become an extremely important tourist destination.

Shopping

People from all around Yorkshire and further flock to Leeds for its prime shopping opportunities. Leeds arguably has some of the best shopping outside of London which has earned it the reputation of the 'Knightsbridge of the North'. The city has a fantastic range of designer stores and chic boutiques. The Victorian quarter in particular boasts top designer stores such as Ted Baker, All Saints, Agent Provocateur, Harvey Nichols and much more, all housed in beautiful listed buildings, ideal for fashion conscious individuals. It also has a great range of retro and vintage stores, try Boar Lane to find some individual and unique clothing.

Food and Drink

There are plenty of fantastic places to eat and drink in Leeds, the city is bustling with top restaurants, bars and cafes. You can find something for every price range in Leeds from exquisite fine dining to coffeehouses and restaurants full of cheap deals. You can also find almost every kind of cuisine you can think of in Leeds from Curry houses and Italian to specialist organic and Latin American restaurants. In particular Leeds offers some splendid fish restaurants, there is everything from family traditional fish and ship restaurants offering hearty grub to swanky modern and stylish restaurants offering a range of fresh fish delights. Leeds also has some top class nightlife for both hardcore clubbers and those who wish to relax in suave bars or cosy pubs. The city has plenty of dance venues such as Gatecrasher and The Warehouse, has a vibrant Indie scene as well as cheesy retro 70s and 80s music.

Arts and Entertainment

Leeds also has plenty of culture and heritage for you to explore. It boasts internationally acclaimed theatres, opera houses and ballets for those wishing to check out the cultural delights of the city. Leeds also hosts famous museums such as the Royal Armouries Museum and its art gallery should not be missed. In addition to this, Leeds is home to cultural events such as the Leeds International Film Festival which runs during November and focuses on contemporary cinema, a must for film buffs. Leeds is also a great place for those who love sport. Leeds is home to Yorkshire Country Cricket Club as well as Leeds United Football Club and the successful rugby team the Leeds Rhinos. There are also plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with sport too. Leeds has a wealth of gyms and sports clubs and martial arts centres all ideal for those looking for some fun and adventure!

Hotels and Travel

There are plenty of great places for you to stay in Leeds whatever your budget. You can find 5* luxury hotels in the city such as Quebecs Leeds Boutique Hotel as well as designer apartments such as Roomzzz for utter luxury. Leeds offers many guesthouses and B&Bs for its visitors and there are also plenty of budget hotels available. Although Leeds is fairly large it is an extremely accessible city. Getting around Leeds is easy,the public transport here is of a very high standard and there are frequent buses that take you across the city. Leeds has a large train station connecting the city with destinations all across the UK. You can also find cheap flights to Leeds Bradford Airport on discount flight sites such as jet2.com. You can easily drive to Leeds and the city has a good road network, the parking in Leeds is also cheap in comparison with other major cities.