Leeds City guide, including Leeds Hotels
- By:travel guide
Leeds, capitol of Yorkshire, is an often times overlooked holiday
delight. Easily accessible by air and auto with a wide variety of
recreational and sport activities, Leeds offers fun for the entire
family. Golf enthusiasts, art lovers and those who study British
history will all find ample diversion within miles of this financial
and industrial hub.
Prestigious art galleries and historic homes are to be found in both
Leeds proper and within a short driving distance of the city.
- Leeds Art Gallery. Dating to 1881, this museum houses French Post
Impressionists, Victorian works and a widely hailed collection of
modern British artists. The Craft Centre and Design Gallery, outlet for
contemporary British craftsmen, shares the space. Free admission for
most exhibitions and events.
- Henry Moore Institute. Adjacent to the Leeds Art Gallery. A well
regarded centre for the display of all types of sculpture, the
Institute also conducts distinguished research. Top grade exhibitions
make frequent visits. Many collections and tours are free. Advanced
booking for groups is advised.
- Harewood House. Residence of the Queen’s cousin, the Earl of
Harewood, this home has a fine array of art as well as beautiful formal
gardens. The house itself is also open for guided tours. Recent
additions include boats on the lake and a children’s playground. Paid
admission. Family tickets available.
- Temple Newsam. This Tudor-Jacobean manor anchors more than 1,500
acres of park, wood and farm land. The world renowned house and gardens
are open to the public for a modest charge. The estate is also the
location of one of the world’s largest Rare Breed Farms which shelters
nearly four hundred animals.
- Royal Armouries Museum. Exhibits including a set of King Henry
VIII’s armour are displayed here. Many other instruments of war are on
view. Costumed re-enactments and actual jousts take place April through
October. Paid admission for some events. Advanced booking advised.
After a day filled with cultural pursuits, a visitor on holiday in
Leeds might want to take in a little shopping or a play. Leeds is no
slouch in either department.
- The Corn Exchange. Originally designed by renowned Yorkshire
architect Cuthbert Broderick in 1862 the Exchange was retrofitted in
1990 as a wide ranging shopping centre.
- The Victoria Quarter. This upscale centre is a destination in
itself as well as Yorkshire’s premiere shopping experience. Prada, Hugo
Boss and more than eighty other stores sit underneath a breathtaking
Brian Clarke stained glass ceiling.
- Headrow Shopping Centre. Headrow shopping street has managed to
retain much of its original architecture while incorporating some of
the best shopping in the country. The centre itself boasts the largest
sporting goods store in England as well as Yorkshire’s biggest music
shop.
- The West Yorkshire Playhouse. This young but internationally
respected theatre sees more than 250,000 patrons annually. It has two
theatres, a restaurant, and a bar in the real ale tradition and
rehearsal facilities.
- Northern Ballet Theatre. This distinguished company was founded in
1969 and has experienced a consistent growth in reputation and
repertoire.
From a friendly pub to world class restaurants and trendy celebrity
clubs, Leeds has it all. A traveller looking for a quiet beer, a family
friendly nosh or a fine dining experience will find it in Leeds.
- Tetley’s Brewery Wharf. Tetley’s has been brewing beer in the UK
since 1822. Not actually a drinking establishment a tour of its visitor
centre built at a cost of nearly 10 million American dollars will give
insight into the art of brewing before heading off to a true pub.
- Whitelocks. Licensed since 1715 this small pub offers ambience and
prize winning brew.
- The Angel Inn. For a good price and a good pint in an old fashioned
setting with a true beer garden, this pub can’t be beaten.
- Salvo’s. A Leeds favourite since it opened in 1976, this Italian
restaurant boasts desserts and a robust wine list; recently named one
of the UK’s Ten Best Pizza Restaurants.
- Simply Heathcote’s. Located in the Granary Wharf section in a
renovated grain house this moderately priced restaurant offers
traditional British cooking with both a kiddie menu and a wine list.
- Parisá Café Bar. Sandwiches, sides, full dishes,
beer, wine, reasonable prices, casual atmosphere; what more could a