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Top things to do in Leeds

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About Leeds

Including tips for the best time to visit Leeds

Leeds, in the picturesque Yorkshire county of England, is known for its music, sports and arts scene. During your Leeds holiday, you’ll find parks to relax in, museums to explore and a bevy of shopping spots to indulge in some retail therapy.

The unofficial capital of Yorkshire is home to several art galleries, museums and creative spaces. At Leeds Art Gallery, you can admire an impressive collection of modern and traditional British art or participate in one of the many events that take place here on a regular basis. You can also head to the Henry Moore Institute next door to observe its massive galleries housing sculpture exhibitions. The Tetley, a brewery-turned-contemporary art gallery, will give you a peek into the beer heritage of the city while the Royal Armouries Museum will offer immersive artillery exhibits.

When you visit Leeds, do set aside some time to visit the green spaces of the city. The sprawling Middleton Park has woodlands, a fishing lake, rose garden and several walking trails to explore. At Roundhay Park, you’ll find plenty of things to do – a variety of gardens, lakes suitable for wildlife viewing, sports grounds and more.

Leeds is a pedestrian-friendly city, which makes it ideal for walking to the many shopping spots dotted around the city. You can visit the shops and restaurants housed beneath the conservatory-like glass roof of Trinity Leeds or hop over to Leeds Kirkgate Market nearby to browse through the wares at its indoor and outdoor stalls.

Tonight

From per night

This weekend

From £352 per night

Next weekend

From per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency GBP
Language English
Average weekend price £116 per night
Average weekday price £104 per night
Typical stay 1 night

Points of interest in Leeds

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Leeds reviews

What other travellers say about Leeds

10

We love Leeds.

22 April 2024

We love Leeds. Excellent shopping, entertainment, pubs, and great hotels and transport links. The local council should pat themselves on the back. A City well looked after, and growing better every year. We stay at the Marriott hotel ( the best ) Gino’s restaurant is inside and on the front of the hotel. Superb standards all round. For cocktails Revolution de Cuba. Indian food The Bombay Brasserie, pub food The Turks Head, for a great pub with a fab landlady and a great pint The packhorse. Enjoy !!!!!

Anonymous
10

Lovely University City, with the campus in the heart of the...

22 April 2024

Lovely University City, with the campus in the heart of the city. Some fabulous bars and restaurants. It was a very short trip (daughter had offer holders open day) so we could only do so much. One thing that was a shame was that a number of bars were 18+ all day (we had our 15year old son with us so was a bit of a pain). Other than that a very pleasant trip, and the university looks fabulous.

Simon Dunstan and
Simon Dunstan and United Kingdom
10

Leeds is a vibrant city with fantastic shopping and matching...

15 April 2024

Leeds is a vibrant city with fantastic shopping and matching night life. So many bars & restaurants and literally something for everyone. Loads of lovely little back street boozers as well as the big bars and clubs. Literally every cuisine under the sun. The people are fabulous too, friendly and welcoming and definitely know how to have a good time!

Pauline
Pauline United Kingdom
8.0

Leeds is a small city and the central part is easy to get...

15 April 2024

Leeds is a small city and the central part is easy to get around on foot. Driving can be a bit bewildering as the underpasses and roundabouts look very similar to each other, bus lanes somestimes trundle down the middle of the road and signage means you can need to change lanes at rather short notice. We especially loved Temple Newsome House and the Thackery Medical Museum. The Corn Excgange is well worth a vist as is the delightful nearby book and plant shop on a barge, The Hold Fast. Pleanty of good places to eat, but don't get caught out by needing to book.

Paul
Paul United Kingdom
10

Leeds is a very vibrant and dynamic city with lots to see...

14 April 2024

Leeds is a very vibrant and dynamic city with lots to see and do..For example: many bargains can be had in the shops and there is a positive friendly vibe from the locals you encounter This was actually a nostalgia trip for me, as I used to live and work there up until 2009. So it was great to see the city again.and how it is changing and evolving. One caveat though. Unfortunately, the outdoor market @ Kirkgate seems to have gone into a serious decline. We went there on 3 different days during our 7 days stay and each time. many stalls were empty and the previous vibe there has sadly almost totally disappeared. On a more positive note, we both loved the indoor food court, with it's wide diversity of street foods and drinks from around the world, e.g. Vietnamese, Indian, Middle Eastern etc. You can pick up a good value meal there and just chill while people watching

Maria
Maria United Kingdom
8.0

As it was a rainy day we stayed in the vicinity of the hotel.

9 April 2024

As it was a rainy day we stayed in the vicinity of the hotel. We visited the Armouries which is just opposite the hotel as intended but we had planned walking by the river and eating in the City Centre. Instead we ate at the Pizza Express just around the corner where we had a lovely meal.

Fay
Fay United Kingdom

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