With numerous new developments and millions of pounds in investments being poured into the city, Leeds has something to offer for everyone, and there are new and exciting things popping up almost daily.
The capital of West Yorkshire and a major urban centre in England’s North, Leeds grew from a compact market town on the banks of the River Aire in the Middle Ages to a global industrial powerhouse by the 18th century. Leeds City Council’s vision today is to transform it into a 24-hour European city, and all the different stages in its history have marked the cityscape, giving it the unique character it has today, prominently exhibiting its fine Victorian architecture, dotted with modern skyscrapers.
The city’s four universities give Leeds the fourth largest student population in the UK, and have turned it into a hub for commercial and cultural events. Visit the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds City Museum or Leeds Art Gallery – with a collection characterised as being of national importance by the British Government; watch world famous performers at Leeds Arena or the latest blockbuster films in one of the city’s many cinemas; enjoy a West End musical or your favourite Italian opera. The options are limitless.
Leeds is also host to an array of shopping centres, high street stores and designer outlets, from the famed Trinity Leeds shopping and leisure centre and the – soon to open – Victoria Gate, to picturesque boutiques inside the historical Leeds Corn Exchange and in the breathtakingly beautiful shopping arcades.
Dining takes on another meaning in Leeds, from Michelin-star restaurants and inventive gastro-pubs, to worldly street food; and those seeking to explore the city’s nightlife will not be disappointed.
Leeds is emerging as one of Yorkshire’s – and Britain’s – most hip and vibrant cities. Attracting visitors from across the country and from across the world, it can cater to every taste, every age and every budget.
Leeds really has it all. Live it, love it!
The Royal Armouries Museum
The Royal Armouries Museum is Britain’s national museum of arms and armour, and has one of the most important and largest collections of this type in the world. It comprises of the National Collection of Arms and Armour at Leeds, the National Artillery Collection at Fort Nelson and the National Firearms Collection.
To get information about each of the museums simply choose your intended museum location from the website:
www.royalarmouries.org/home (Entry to Fort Nelson and the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is free)
Thackray Medical Museum
Housed in one of the most impressive Victorian buildings in Leeds, the Thackray Medical Museum in truly unique and it is the only museum of its kind in the North of England. Since opening in 1997, visitors have explored their medical past through innovative exhibitions and thousands of school children have been inspired through the unique teaching of the history of medicine.
With nine interactive galleries to explore and a programme of activities and events to discover; be transported to the grimy streets of Leeds in 1842 and explore the sights, sounds and smells of life in the Victorian era. Meet the characters that live there and find out what life was really like amongst the rats, fleas and bedbugs. Discover how scientific breakthroughs have changed our lives, and learn about the history of childbirth, advances in surgical techniques and explore the human body in the Life Zone gallery.
www.thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk
Tropical World
Tropical World at Roundhay Park is the most popular family attraction in Leeds. Explore tropical habitats and other exotic places from around the world, including jungle, desert, water and night-time zones. You will see crocodiles, lemurs, exotic butterflies, bats, snakes and a family of meerkats with their babies!
Why not take the opportunity to also visit the award-winning Roundhay Park?
www.leeds.gov.uk/tropicalworld
Harewood House and Gardens
From the moment of arrival, Harewood captures the imagination and feeds curiosity. It’s a place filled with art, culture and heritage which continues to develop and thrive today.
One of the Treasure Houses of England, the historic Georgian property sits within ‘Capability’ Brown designed landscape with remarkable views from the award-winning Terraces. Come inside and you’ll be blown away by rare Chippendale furniture and jaw-dropping interior designs in the State Rooms. Make sure you leave time to explore the well-trodden corridors of Below Stairs. A place where young kitchen hands can dress up and discover life as a servant, or explore the changing programme of contemporary art exhibitions in the Terrace Gallery.
With bags of space to run around, a massive adventure playground, penguins, flamingos and parrots, there’s no shortage of adventure for kids of all ages – even the grown-up ones!
www.harewood.org
Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery offers the chance to see work by some of the most important national and international artists, all for free. It is home to one of the most significant collections of 20th century British art and offers a changing programme of exhibitions and displays throughout the year.
Leeds Art Gallery is also pleased to be part of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, celebrating the world’s greatest sculptures across four Yorkshire venues – visit www.ysculpture.co.uk for more information.
It also houses Artspace, a relaxed creative space with art materials and activities that explore themes inspired by current exhibitions; come along and draw, build, reflect and play. Visit in school holidays and meet the latest artist-in-residence.
Explore the galleries and temporary exhibitions, then take time out in the stunning Victorian Tiled Hall Café, and visit the shop and café on the lower ground floor.
www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery
The Henry Moore Institute
The Henry Moore Institute is a world-recognised centre for the study of sculpture in the heart of Leeds.
An award-winning exhibitions venue, research centre, library and sculpture archive, the Institute hosts a year-round programme of exhibitions, conferences and lectures, as well as developing research and publications, to expand the understanding and scholarship of historical and contemporary sculpture.
The Institute is a part of the Henry Moore Foundation, which was set up by Moore himself in 1977 to encourage appreciation of the visual arts, especially sculpture.
The Henry Moore Institute is open seven days a week, with the bookshop and research library open from 10am till 5.30pm. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am till 5.30pm, with the building staying open until 8pm on Wednesdays. The library is open from 1pm till 5pm on Sundays.
www.henry-moore.org/visit/henry-moore-institute