Leeds
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Large ex-industrial northern city, now vibrant and exciting
North East England
leeds
Leeds
Leeds was built on the textile and tailoring trades, but its smoke blackened mills have made way for more modern developments. The Corn Exchange is one of the most impressive buildings in Leeds, filled with an array of unusual small shops. In the Victoria Quarter former Victorian shopping arcades have been restored in recent years, and house a number of designer shops. Leeds Kirkgate Market is Europe’s largest indoor market with over 600 stalls. Open 6 days a week, traders offer freshness, variety, value for money and friendly service in a great atmosphere. Leeds has a vibrant nightlife with plenty of good pubs and clubs, plus theatres and both mainstream and Art-house cinemas.
Activities
The Royal Armouries museum has a vast array of armour, swords and guns with lots of historical stories and background. It is family friendly with falconry shows, horse shows, including real jousting with knights in armour doing combat in the Tiltyard.Leeds Industrial Museum, housed in a large restored mill shows how people lived in the 18th century and houses exhibits from that period up to the present day, including the history of the textile, clothing, printing and engineering industries.
The Leeds City Gallery combines 19th and 20th century British artists with the more contemporary. Next door the Henry Moore Institute also free of charge, showcases the best in international sculpture, both historical and contemporary. Thackray Medical Museum shows how medicine has changed over the past 200 years. Interactive and educational displays will keep the kids amused.
Kirkstall Abbey dating back to 1152 is one of the best preserved medieval Cistercian monasteries in Britain. The historic architecture can be enjoyed in a great parkland setting on the banks of the river Aire.
What's nearby
The National Coal Mining Museum shows you the inner workings of a coal mine with a superb underground tour.
The National Media Museum in Bradford covers the history of television, film and photography right up to the current day, and looks at the future. The museum is extremely interactive and excellent for children.
Saltaire was built between 1851 and 1872 by Titus Salt, who wanted to build a Victorian village giving industrial workers decent housing and good amenities, rare in towns of the day. Now a world heritage site, you can wander through the unspoilt mill and houses in the village. A festival runs for 2 weeks in September.
In Haworth the Bronte Parsonage museum, is where you’ll learn about the lives of the Bronte sisters. Your ‘stepping back in time’ experience will be complete by taking a steam train on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway through the heart of Bronte country.
Harewood House built in the 18th century contains many treasures such furniture and paintings. There are also over 100 acres of Gardens full of plants from all over the world – all in a magnificent landscape created by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
The worlds largest fish and chip shop is Harry Ramsdens near Leeds!
Chris Moyles
(Radio 1 DJ)
Peter O' Toole
(actor)
