Leeds City Guide

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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Evoking the spirit of the Industrial Revolution to many who have not truly explored the city, Leeds is a successful example of a northern location that has been able to regenerate itself and come to be known as a capital for retail, leisure, nightlife, and indeed important sectors of the economy.

The many new hotels that have been built in recent years have also made it a popular tourist destination.

Another place to check out is the Royal Armouries Museum, which features a significant part of a collection that was previously held at the Tower of London and moved north in 1996. The Museum is housed in a striking modern building and if you time your visits right you can see real jousting taking place in the Tiltyard.

Worth checking out is the stunning Royal Armouries Museum, set in a great, quintessentially modern building near the centre of town. Housing a collection of pieces that once were kept in the Tower of London, it has a great deal on show. Go at the right time and you may even get to see real jousting in the Tiltyard.

The city''s International Film Festival draws the crowds too: it is the ...
... next biggest in Britain after the equivalent in London. The Leeds Carnival too is the country''s second largest of its kind after Notting Hill, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to enjoy the spectacle. So make sure you prepare well in advance and book somewhere to stay if you want a piece of the action.

The nightlife is what draws so many visitors to Leeds. Thanks to its large student population, you''ll find bars, restaurants and clubs all over, all of which provide great entertainment. In the summer meanwhile, head to the Civic Theatre and see the large TV screen mounted on the wall outside.

Check out Millennium Square too, where you may find seasonal events like the Christmas market in the winter or great gigs during the summer. Next door have a break in the Mandela Gardens, a beautiful green space perfect for an hour or so away from the crowds.

There''s a wide and diverse choice of Leeds hotels and the city is a wonderful place to visit for a weekend break, or as a base to explore some of the surrounding area. York is just half an hour away on the train, and half an hour in the other direction you''ll find yourself in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, some of Britain''s most striking landscape. It''s definitely worth a short trip to Hebden Bridge, a beautiful little village in the heart of the Dales, and absolute paradise on a sunny day. Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer with a love of UK travel. They recommend Octopus Travel for Leeds hotels.