Our Destinations

Leeds

View more cities:

What's on in Leeds

Travel by train to Leeds from London and Scotland with East Coast for cheaper train fares.

Jul/Aug/Sept

Leeds is pulling out all the stops in the lead-up to the MCC Spirit of Cricket Test Match between Pakistan and Australia at Headingley (21-25 Jul) by staging a Yorkshire Cricket Mela (10-25 Jul). Bringing together elements of cricket, culture, community and commerce, the mela will include community coaching sessions, an exhibition celebrating Bradford League cricket at the Bradford Industrial Museum, a Business of Sport panel debate with celebrity speakers, and a cook-off between Leeds City College and Bradford City College.

Not one, but two new tours offer visitors different perspectives of Leeds this summer. The open-top City Sightseeing bus, which follows a five-mile circuit, stops at attractions such as the Royal Armouries, Millennium Square, Kirkgate Market and the City Art Gallery to allow passengers to hop on and off (until Sept); while Leeds City Cruisers, an elegant new river bus, plies the waterways between Clarence Dock, Granary Wharf and Brewery Wharf (daily in Aug and Sept; other months, weekends only).

Sean Scully: Works from the 1980s

Until 8 August

Leeds Art Gallery features 60 striking abstract works by the leading Irish-born American artist and printmaker—who has twice been nominated for a Turner Prize—from the period when he was first gaining international recognition.

leeds.gov.co.uk/artgallery

Leeds Festival

27-29 August

Arcade Fire, The Libertines, Dizzee Rascal, Blink 182, Paramore, Guns N’ Roses and Queens of the Stone Age are just a few of the headline acts entertaining the 70,000-plus crowd at this year’s blistering Bank Holiday event at Bramham Park.

leedsfestival.com

Bedroom Farce

16-21 August

Peter Hall’s “deliciously funny” production of one of Alan Ayckbourn’s best-loved works comes to Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House. Emmy award-winning actress Juliet Mills leads the cast in an ingenious comedy that shines a spotlight on the trials and tribulations of suburban marriage.

leedsgrandtheatre.com

5 things to see and do in Leeds

Leeds Waterfront Festival

Decorated canal boats, live music, craft markets, aerial circus acts and fun water activities are all part of this family festival taking place around Thwaites Mill, just outside the city, and at Clarence Dock, Brewery and Granary Wharf in the centre (17-18 Jul).
Leeds City Museum

In Life on Earth you can experience the sights and sounds of a rainforest or feel a python’s skin; in Ancient Worlds you can see a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy or make a Roman mosaic: there’s masses of fun to be had in six exciting, interactive galleries.
Royds Hall Riding School

Got a pony-mad daughter? This riding school in Oulton, which opened in the 1950s, caters to riders aged four and up, from complete novices to advanced horse handlers. Both one-to-one tuition and group classes are available.
Townclose Hills Nature Reserve

Known locally as Billy Wood, this reserve, made up of limestone grassland, woodlands and meadows, is home to all manner of wildlife and wildflowers, including bee orchids, burnet moths and yellowhammers. Go after dark and you may even spot a glow-worm.
Armley Mills

A fascinating insight into the city’s industrial and textile heritage is offered at this award-winning museum, which enjoys a pretty riverside setting. Water wheels, a steam engine and giant spinning “mules” are among the main attractions.

Comprehensive guide and accommodation ideas for Leeds.

Near the station

The Light - The Headrow, LS1 8TL

The Light is an airy, clean and relaxed shopping destination in central Leeds that spoils shoppers with the sheer range of stores. With brands such as United Colors of Benetton, Body Shop, Lacoste, and Henri Lloyd the centre has some quality fashion picks. There are also a number of bars and restaurants for when you need a break.

Kirkgate Market - Kirkgate Street, LS2

Sparkling after its recent renovation, Kirkgate Market plays host to over 800 local traders in a grand Edwardian building. The biggest indoor market in the UK, Kirkgate is definitely worth a trip for bargain hunters and regular shoppers alike.

Jumbo Records - 5-6 St Johns Centre, LS2 8LQ

Jumbo Records is a record store with a difference. Started in 1971, it has grown to be one of the most popular stores in the city with an impressive collection of music covering every genre imaginable.

Hansa’s Restaurant - 72/74 North Street LS2 7PN

Serving an intoxicating array of specialty Indian Gujarati dishes, Hansa’s is a vegetarian’s dream. Established in 1986, the award-winning restaurant goes from strength to strength on the back of its simple philosophy of quality, fresh and wholesome food cooked to perfection.

The River Plate, 36-38 The Calls, LS2 7EW

This Argentinean steakhouse serves classic South American dishes including Bife de Chorizo, Bife de Lomo and Bife de Ancho. With a healthy selection of starters and a well-stocked bar, the restaurant creates a relaxed atmosphere with a distinctive character.

Chino Latino - Boar Lane, LS1 5NS

Chino Latino offers a very different dining experience with its pan-Asian cuisine complemented by an in-house Latino cocktail bar. Choose from a range of seafood and meat dishes, plus sushi, tempura and dim sum. The interior is stylish and comfortable and the atmosphere relaxed.

Boutique - Hirsts Yard, LS1 6NJ

This well-designed, award-winning bar is renowned for its impressive array of cocktails. Special drinks parties and cocktail-making masterclasses add to the bar’s appeal.

Mojo, 18 Merrion Street, LS1 6PQ

This is a self-styled “rock and roll” bar and as such plays a constant stream of classic tracks throughout the picture-adorned bar. A great place to meet for a relaxed drink.

The HiFi Club - 2 Central Road, LS1 6DE

A newcomer onto the nightlife scene of the city the HiFi Club has quickly established a loyal following with its varied line-up of club nights, live music acts and stand-up comedy performers.

Leeds Town Hall - The Headrow, LS1 3AD

Famous as a fine example of Victorian architecture, Leeds Town Hall is an amazing building to look at and well worth a visit.

Victoria Quarter - Briggate, LS1 6AZ

The elegant Victoria Arcade is a fitting home to the city’s premier fashion brands. If you’re looking for designer threads, this is the place to come.