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City in West Yorkshire, England
Photo: Lad 2011, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Leeds is the largest city in the county of West Yorkshire and the third largest city in Britain, though its urban area size falls behind that of Manchester. Once a major industrial centre, the city today is better known for being the largest British financial centre outside London, and for its impressive shopping, nightlife, universities, arts and sports facilities. Leeds also has a growing cultural reputation, being home to many museums, restaurants and theatres, and a mixture of Georgian, Victorian, 20th and 21st century architecture.
Covering the Civic Quarter for city museums and Millennium Square, the Central Shopping District, Exchange Quarter centred on the Corn Exchange, Gay Village, Financial District focussed on Park Square, Riverside for upmarket shopping and the Royal Armouries, and trendy post-industrial Holbeck
including Chapel Allerton, trendy north Leeds area bursting with al fresco bars and restaurants and Roundhay an attractive, leafy and well-heeled district of north Leeds, home to the vast and beautiful Roundhay Park, Tropical World, and a small selection of exclusive shops and eateries supplemented by those in nearby Oakwood.
including Headingley, the lively student and sports district, Burley, Otley, Ilkley, Horsforth and Guiseley
one of the nicer districts of Leeds with several areas which have very villagey feels to them; includes Farsley, Rodley, Calverley, Pudsey, Armley and Bramley
many attractions, areas of historic interest and characterful districts
there are various major attractions in the area, and a range of different vibrant multicultural communities
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Take several days, or spread each leg over a number of day walks to complete the 104 miles of the White Rose Way from Leeds to Scarborough
Christmas Illuminations
The UK's biggest display, are an annual display from Nov-Jan comprising big show lights and the subtle and beautiful across the city, and are even longer than the legendary Blackpool Illuminations.
Northern twin of the famous Reading festival. 3 days of live bands and stars from around the world play to 80,000 people every summer bank holiday weekend. You can camp over, or attend just one day. Tendency to be a bit riotous.
One of the world's most prestigious piano contests, held every 3 years in the magnificent Victorian Town Hall, this event attracts the world's best piano players. Next due to be held 2018.
Every year, Temple Newsam plays host to the UK's original Party in the Park pop extravaganza featuring big name chart stars of the minute.
A massively popular outdoor festival of opera and songs from the shows.
Home of Harvey Nichols, North Face, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and other shops, the upmarket (and architecturally stunning) jewel in the crown of Leeds' shopping district.
Opposite the Victoria Quarter offer a range of interesting (if mainly fairly pricey) shops including some great boutiques and one-off places.
A stunning domed interior and a range of shops to please both label-lovers and teenagers, as well as stalls and cafés. There are occasional concerts, exhibitions, fetes and the Christmas decorations are lovely.
The biggest covered market and market on one site in Europe. Fascinating even just for the atmosphere of a traditional British market. Largest indoor market in Europe and also is a beautiful Victorian building and a landmark in Leeds it also has an outdoor market which sells everything from food to clothes to electronics and accessories. Fresh seafood is recommended.
By the canal, has a selection of interesting boutiques, restaurants, exhibition space, a small concert venue, street performers and more in a unique subterranean setting. There is also a regular market. The waterfront area is undergoing redevelopment but the range of shops on offer is set to only get bigger.
There are Chinese food shops around Vicar Lane and the Templar Street Chinatown Arcade - including a well-stocked East Asian supermarket on Vicar Lane. The best restaurants around are Tong Palace on Vicar Lane, and Red Chili on Great George Street.
Small, squashed between Fourth Floor Restaurant and Yo Sushi, but it has lots of expensive goodies for that extra special something.
Excellent, well stocked, fair-trade organic mini-market offering all the food you could want, but tastier, healthier, more ethically responsible and, admittedly, more expensive.
Sandwich shop par excellence, this little place just off Lands Lane gets mouths watering. The chocolate brownies are genuinely the best you will ever have. The roast beef sandwich is also highly recommended. Some of the most expensive Pork Pies ever encountered!
Range of fine authentic Italian produce.
Exclusive but excellent deli-cum-mini market.
Kirkgate market (see also above) has a massive range of traditional food stalls - including "Butcher Row" featuring numerous traditional Yorkshire butchers all next door to one another, well-stocked and good value fishmongers, fruit & veg stalls, and other food outlets.
By train
Leeds is one of the major hubs of the British railway network, with direct trains from London King's Cross (two per hour taking 2 hr 15 min by LNER), Wakefield, Huddersfield, Manchester Piccadilly,…
By car
Leeds is possibly the best connected UK city by road, lying in the centre of the country, halfway between London and Edinburgh and halfway between Liverpool (west coast) and Hull (east coast).
By bus
National Express has direct coaches to Leeds from London Victoria roughly hourly, taking five hours.
By boat
Ferries sail overnight from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Kingston upon Hull.
By bus
Public transport within Leeds is good - most major bus routes within the city are every 10 minutes or so.
By taxi
The black and white taxis can be flagged down, but you must phone first for the others.
By rail
There is a limited suburban train service which serves some tourist destinations such as Headingley Stadium, but plans over the years for a local metro or tram system have repeatedly come to nothing.
By boat
There is a shuttle boat between Granary Wharf (for Leeds City Station), Brewery Wharf and Clarence Dock (for the Royal Armouries Museum), operated by Leeds City Cruisers.
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Leeds, West Yorkshire · International · LBA
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