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Leeds

Leeds is the largest city in the county of West Yorkshire and the third largest city in Britain, though its urban area size falls behind that of Manchester. Once a major industrial centre, the city today is better known for being the largest UK financial centre outside London, and for its impressive shopping, nightlife, universities and sports facilities. Leeds also has a growing cultural reputation, being home to many museums, restaurants and theatres, and a mixture of Georgian, Victorian, 20th and 21st century architecture.

Understand
Leeds (derived from the Celtic area Leodis) was voted the UK's favourite city in Condé Nast's Readers' Traveller Awards 2003. It was a market town that became an industrial powerhouse and grew and developed into a service-based city economy with an attractive, smart centre.

Roman Leeds was an important strategic fort, ford and small settlement on the York-Chester road. Recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, it became a thriving market town in the Middle Ages, gaining its town charter from the King in 1207. The medieval city was based around Briggate, Kirkgate, Swinegate and The Calls. (The ending "-gate" came from the old Norse for 'street'.) It was a trading centre in the West Riding of Yorkshire for cloth and wool; from Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield to the port of Hull, east along the river Aire and the 1699 Aire & Calder Navigation canal. Whilst the town grew rapidly (population over 30,000 in the eighteenth century, when the gracious Georgian West End was built), it was for a long time economically overshadowed by nearby York.

The industrial revolution brought about massive change as it became a huge manufacturing centre of wool and textiles and a major trading centre (with over half the country's export passing through for a period). Leeds became known as the city of a thousand trades and by the middle of the nineteenth century the population had passed 200,000. Bolstered by the 1816 Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the Leeds-Selby railway in 1835 (the Middleton Railway was the world's first commercial railway, 1758 Railway Act, from the Middleton colliery to coal-staithes (sidings) at Meadow Lane just south of Leeds Bridge), the city continued to grow and prosper rapidly, with grandiose architectural manifestations of the Victorian city's wealth built in abundance, and expanding affluent suburbs to the north. Leeds University was created around the 1880s, bringing an intellectual dimension, and Leeds was served by one of the world's most extensive tram systems (sadly later replaced by buses). A garden in Roundhay, Leeds was the location of the world's first moving images, filmed in 1888 by Frenchman Louis le Prince (who later disappeared in mysterious circumstances). Leeds was granted city status in 1893.

By the 20th century, Leeds's population was approaching 500,000. Whilst Leeds suffered far less than many other large UK cities from the WWII blitz, it was affected by the mass industrial decline of the country in the post-war period, and became characterised by unemployment and huge council estates. Versatility enabled it to survive and it began to prosper in the 1980s, when renovation of the centre and waterfront, and demolition of some of the worst estates began. By the 1990s the city was reborn with wealth based on service industries and commerce, the financial and legal centres making it the most important city in the UK in these areas outside London. With the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal Armouries, restoration of the Victoria Quarter and Corn Exchange, the clean up of major historical buildings, the new Harvey Nichols store and new bars, shops and restaurants, all in the mid-1990s, the city was truly on the move. The 2011 Census shows Leeds with a population of just over 751,000.

Today, Leeds is still one of the most cosmopolitan, fast-growing, innovative and prosperous cities in the UK with developments springing up by the week and new bars, boutiques, clubs and restaurants seemingly more often, the two universities adding to the vibrancy, and international eateries and shops.

Tourist information
Visit Leeds

By plane

LBA doesn't have a motorway or direct rail link so the journey through traffic can be slow and anxious. Bus 757 runs frequently between LBA and Leeds bus station (35 mins); other buses run to Bradford, Otley, Harrogate, Ilkley, and Keighley. The closest station is Horsforth, approximately 1 mile away from the terminal. Taxis are plentiful.

By car, the terminal front drop-off area charges £3 for 30 min, so use the area a little further away (signed) which is free for one hour. Car parks for LBA are:
 * - On airport Short Mid & Long stay, Premium and Meet & Greet
 * - LBA's official off-site park is Viking half a mile away on Warren House Lane.
 * - Sentinel is a mile away on Warren House Lane LS19 7FT

 * Manchester Airport (MAN) is usually the best option for long-haul flights in this region. Direct trains from the airport run to Leeds hourly (90 min) daytime, otherwise change at Manchester Piccadilly.

By train
Leeds is one of the major hubs of the British railway network, with direct trains from London King's Cross (two per hour taking 2 hr 15 min by LNER), Wakefield, Huddersfield, Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria and Airport (two per hour, 80 min), Liverpool, York, Scarborough, Durham, Newcastle, Hull, Bradford, Skipton, Ilkley, Harrogate, Morecambe, Carlisle via the scenic Ribbleshead route, Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham, Bristol and the southwest, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

(called Leeds City locally) is central, by Wellington St and Boar Lane, next to Queens Hotel in City Square. Access to all platforms is gated, but there is a very large retail and dining concourse with ticket kiosks and machines, free toilets and lots of seating. Pick-up and drop-off are available from the Wellington entrance, with taxi hire available at the New Station Street entrance.

By car
Leeds is possibly the best connected UK city by road, lying in the centre of the country, halfway between London and Edinburgh and halfway between Liverpool (west coast) and Hull (east coast). The M1 motorway runs from London via Milton Keynes, Leicester, Nottingham, and Sheffield, and passes about 2 miles east of Leeds, to join the A1(M) at Wetherby to the north east of the city. The A1(M) comes down from Edinburgh, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Durham, and North Yorkshire. The M62 trans-Pennine motorway, which runs from Liverpool via Manchester to Hull, passes about 3 miles to the south of Leeds. The M621 motorway runs between the M1 and M62 via the south of the city centre. Park & Ride schemes are in operation from Elland Road (M621) and Temple Green (M1 North). A new site at Stourton (M1 South) was under construction in 2020. For much of the journey into Leeds, buses run on a guided busway beside (or down the middle of) the main road and are given priority over cars. (See National Park and Ride Directory.) Enterprise Car Club, a national car 'club' (i.e. car hire organisation which charges from £60 annual membership fee) has a branch in Leeds, and offers pay-by-the-hour car hire across the city. Cars are accessible via a smart card and PIN.

By bus
National Express has direct coaches to Leeds from London Victoria roughly hourly, taking five hours. Other direct routes are Manchester (hourly), Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Megabus has direct buses from London Victoria every couple of hours. Other direct routes are Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

is located in the east of the City Centre on York Street, a mile from the railway station. The western concourse is National Express's long-distance coach hub, while the east side has regular buses out of the city to the region including the Airport, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate, Ripon and York. City buses stop on the adjacent streets and don't pull in here. The station is open 24 hours: there's Greggs, but better eating choices outside, e.g., in the market hall adjacent.

By boat
Ferries sail overnight from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Kingston upon Hull. Hull is an hour by train or car from Leeds, and the ferry port is 3 miles east of Hull city centre: buses run from there to the railway station.

On foot
If you're just visiting the city centre, you might as well walk, as much of it is surprisingly compact with most of the major attractions and shops being within walking distance of one another. Leeds has aspirations to have one of the largest traffic-free city centres in Europe and as of 2020 is gradually pedestrianising more and more streets. To orientate yourself, free maps (quite simple but good for basic orientation) are available at the tourist information and a number of visitor attractions. There are some street maps dotted around the city centre, in guide books, street atlases, etc. Getting around central Leeds is fairly easy.

By bus
Public transport within Leeds is good - most major bus routes within the city are every 10 minutes or so. Information about busses can be obtained either from the Corn Exchange Bus Point, where the First Travel Centre is staffed M-F 9AM-5:30PM, and Sa 9AM-4:30PM, or from the Leeds City Bus Station whose Information Help Point has the same opening hours.

Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority) provides local bus and train information on its website, and has "Find your next bus" on its website.

For visitors wishing to explore Leeds city centre CityBus (Route no.5, operated by First) - loops around much of the city centre every 6–7 minutes between 6:30AM and 7:30PM; one journey costs £1, or you can use a bus pass. If using this service at busy times of day it's best to catch the bus at either the Bus Station or Rail Station; if a bus is full, it will not stop to take on more passengers and you could be waiting in excess of an hour. This bus is no longer free.

First runs most of the bus services within Leeds. If you are making more than a couple of short bus trips, the best option is to buy a "FirstDay" day ticket for £4.30 (cheaper on mobile), which allows unlimited travel on First Bus routes within Leeds or £4.90 (cheaper on mobile) for all First Bus routes within West Yorkshire.

Useful bus routes for visitors include the following:

 * 1 - Holt Park (North West Leeds) - Headingley - Universities - City centre - Beeston (south Leeds)
 * 2 - Roundhay Park - Moortown - Chapel Allerton - City Centre - Middleton (south Leeds)
 * 3/3A - White Rose Shopping Centre (South Leeds) - City Centre - Chapel Allerton - Gledhow
 *  4 - Whinmoor - Seacroft Shopping Centre - St James's University Hospital - City Centre - West Leeds - Pudsey.
 * 12 & 13/13A - Middleton (south Leeds - City Centre - Harehills - Oakwood - Roundhay Park (12)/Gledhow (13/13A)
 * 14  Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Train Station - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Pudsey
 * 16/16A - Seacroft Shopping Centre - City Centre - Armley - Bramley - Rodley - Pudsey Bus Station
 * 18/18A - Ireland Wood (north west Leeds) - Headingley (cricket ground) - City Centre - East Leeds - Selby Road - Garforth
 * 28 - Adel - Headingley - Universities - City Centre - Clarence Dock
 * 33/33A - City Centre - Kirkstall - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley - Otley
 * 40 Seacroft Shopping Centre - Cross Gates - City Centre
 * 42 - Old Farnley - Wortley - City Centre - Burmantofts - St James's University Hospital - Fearnville
 * 49 & 50/50A - East Leeds - St James' University Hopital - City Centre - Burley Road - Bramley (49) - Horsforth (50/50A)
 * 51/55 Morley (south of Leeds) - Elland Road (Leeds United football ground) - City Centre - Meanwood - Moor Allerton Shopping Centre
 * 56 - Whinmoor - East Leeds - City Centre - Tinshill (north west Leeds)
 * 7 - City Centre - Scott Hall Road - Park & Ride - Alwoodley (Primley Park)
 * 72/X6  Leeds Bus Station - Leeds Headrow - Armley - Bramley - Stanningley - Thornbury - Bradford
 * X84 Leeds Bus Staiton- Headingley- Otley- Ilkley- Skipton
 * 27 - City Centre - Headingley - West Park - Horsforth - Rawdon - Yeadon - Guiseley

Yorkshire Coastliner — from York and the Yorkshire coast.

36 bus every 10 minutes to North Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon including Friday and Saturday nights until 3:15AM.

Dalesbus to Yorkshire Dales National Park on Sunday only

874 Wakefield-Leeds- Ilkley- Grassington-Buckden

875 Wakefield-Leeds- Ilkley- Grassington-Buckden-Hawes (summer only).

By taxi
The black and white taxis can be flagged down, but you must phone first for the others.

In the city centre, try Amber Taxis (advance booking only, +44 113 231-1366): you can get around the city centre for £3-7.

In south Leeds, try Local Cars (advance booking only, +44 113 252-8258): a journey for less than a mile is £2.70.

By rail
There is a limited suburban train service which serves some tourist destinations such as Headingley Stadium, but plans over the years for a local metro or tram system have repeatedly hit the buffers.

By boat
There is a shuttle boat between Granary Wharf (for Leeds City Station), Brewery Wharf and Clarence Dock (for the Royal Armouries Museum), operated by Leeds City Cruisers.

City centre

Although not considered a 'traditional' tourist destination, Leeds has plenty to occupy the visitor. As well as the main sights, museums, galleries, parks etc., wandering around the buzzing city centre to take in the atmosphere and admire the fantastic blend of architectural styles from the past few hundred years is a pleasure in itself. Within the city centre, the main districts are the civic quarter, central shopping district, exchange quarter and financial district.

Brewery Wharf
South across the river from The Call the area around Leeds Dock has some interesting development of cafés, restaurants, shops and apartments as wells as the Royal Armouries Museum and Salem Chapel.

Civic Quarter
Home to the Town Hall, the fantastic Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute and Millennium Square, this grand corner of the city is where many of the main tourist draws are to be found. The Light with its shops, restaurants, bars, hotel, cinema etc. in a beautifully converted historic building is a major pull, but venture along the Headrow and experience some of the best cultural attractions on offer in the city. The Art Gallery has great rotating exhibitions and the best collection of 20th-century British art outside London. Adjoining it are the Henry Moore Institute and the Central Lending Library with its beautiful Victorian interior. Across the road is the Town Hall (see above), a breathtaking demonstration of civic pride.

On Great George St is a small selection of shops, the 19th-century entrance (with a lovely colonial-style entrance hallway and small gallery space up the stairs) of the Leeds General Infirmary, and the restored Electric Press which is now home to the Carriageworks Theatre and several bars and restaurants, providing a semi-al fresco eating environment for all weather conditions. Next door is the impressive and well-used public space of Millennium Square (see above) with its attractive Mandela Gardens (opened by Mandela himself, now a freeman of the city, they are a lovely spot especially in summer) abutting the Electric Press building. The square is crowned with the Portland Stone neo-classical Civic Hall and the City Museum. Down on Cookridge St is the city's small but unique Arts and Crafts St Anne's Cathedral.

Central Shopping District
The very centre of Leeds is a temple to consumerism. Bounded by the 'Public Transport Box', a rough half mile square between The Headrow, Vicar Lane, Boar Lane and Park Row gives Leeds one of the most compact, busy and diverse pedestrian shopping districts in the UK where the highest concentration of the city centre's stores are to be found.

The principal shopping street is the broad and bustling Briggate, where many flagship stores such as Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser are to be found alongside high-end fashion (e.g. Louis Vuitton) and high street favourites (Topshop, Zara, H&M). Briggate's attractive and eclectic architecture spans three centuries, and the grand shop fronts only add to the streets appeal.

Either side of the top end of Briggate are the city's famous arcades, splendidly palatial Victorian roofed-over shopping streets home to some of the city's most exclusive and interesting shops. The famous Victoria Quarter (Victoria St, County Arcade and Cross Arcade) has some of the most expensive clothes in Leeds. Queen's and Thornton's arcades are a little more affordable with more independent stores. Down from the arcades, several medieval yards (or "loins") run off almost hidden from between shopfronts on Briggate. Whilst some are little more than shop-backs and some are now closed off, some exude genuine historic atmosphere and a few are home to attractive pubs and bars, including The Angel Inn, The Ship, The Bay Horse, Queen's Court and 300-year-old Whitelocks'.

Beyond Briggate, there are several other prominent shopping streets, including gorgeously symmetrical King Edward Street with its matching Victorian Burmantoft terracotta buildings. Commercial Street, Kirkgate, Lands Lane and Albion St are other principal streets in the area, continuing the mix of shops, cafés, lovely architecture. There are also several indoor shopping centres, and a central focal point is tiny but busy Central Square at the base of Lands Lane. Albion Place is a quieter street of elegant Georgian buildings (mainly offices) including the exclusive Leeds Club and the city's central private members library, running between the square and Albion St. Swan Street is a quiet and pretty little street between Briggate and Lands Lane with a few attractive little shops, cafés and bars and a laid-back vibe, as well as the internationally famous City Varieties theatre and music-hall, once home to Charlie Chaplin.

Exchange Quarter
Centred on the massive dome of the Corn Exchange, the Exchange Quarter is the centre of Leeds' bohemian life, with one-off boutiques, funky cafés and piercing parlours filling its pretty cobbled streets. It is becoming increasingly chic, however, with a plethora of upscale bars and stylish restaurants, particularly on Call Lane.

The Corn Exchange dominates the area, sitting squatly at the junction of several major roads. This grand Victorian building is one of the finest in the city, and was a functioning corn market for several decades, but was almost unused for much of the twentieth century, until its restoration to its present form in the 1980s. It now houses a myriad of little boutiques, a few cafés and market stalls. The goth and emo teenagers that hang around outside frequent many of the shops such as Grin and Exit, but there are also a range of fashion and artisan stores to please all, and the beautiful architecture (the shops fit into the retained 19th-century store-fronts, and the domed roof is spectacular from the interior) can be enjoyed by everyone.

Three sides of the Corn Exchange are bounded by semi-pedestrian cobbled streets lined by a hotch potch of attractive Victorian buildings home to shops and restaurants from Blue Rinse (see below) to Pizza Express, housed in the beautiful Third White Cloth Hall, sadly sliced in half by the railway in the mid-nineteenth century, but retaining its lovely façade and clock-tower. Along the railway, the continental feel continues with bars and cafés that spill on to the pavement. Beautiful Assembly Street, a hub of nightlife, is lined with elegant and imposing 18th-century warehouses and has been repaved, and in the summer is a relaxing place to sip a coffee or cocktail and admire the buildings and atmosphere. Nearby Crown Street buildings are a fine example of modern architecture at its finest, sympathetic to the surrounding environment but adding a dash of vibrancy with bright use of colour above its restaurants and bars.

Call Lane, the area's main drag, is a hive of activity in the evenings, with several of the city's best and most stylish bars, all vying for attention. In the day-time however it is much quieter, with a few vintage and alternative clothes stores at the Kirkgate end, and musical instrument shops at the Calls end. There is plenty of enjoyment to be had from wondering around the pretty and historic medieval yards that run between Call Lane and Lower Briggate (at night these too come alive and are full of revelers).

Kirkgate is a fairly downmarket shopping street with a few off-beat stores. However plans are afoot to refurbish the historic town-houses and bring life back into the street as a centre for independent shops, with the renovation of the dilapidated First White Cloth Hall along similar (if smaller) lines to the Corn Exchange. The east end of Kirkgate and New York Street also increasingly have a number of bars and clubs, including the celebrated Northern Light; there are also several new apartment buildings springing up. The end of Kirkgate is market by Leeds Parish Church, a grand (if not enormous) neo-gothic structure home to one of the country's most revered children's choirs. To the west, Central Road links Kirkgate to Duncan Street, and is home to some attractive Flemish-style buildings, a few off-beat shops and the acclaimed Little Tokyo restaurant and Leeds institution the HiFi Club. Duncan Street has a number of small shops.

The Calls was where riverside life restarted in Leeds, with its renovation from a derelict nowhere to the city's most desirable real estate in the 1980s. The apartments lining the waterfront may not be as exclusive or as rare today, but it is still an attractive and expensive area, home to some of Leeds' longest running high-end establishments including 42 The Calls hotel, Pool Court and the Calls Grill. Some of the waterfront and streets around here are surprisingly yet to be fully renovated, but it's unlikely to be long before developers get their claws into the remaining warehouses, railway arches and mill-cottages. Leeds Civic Trust's heritage centre and left-wing arts centre The Common Place fill the gap between the Calls and the railway line.

Financial District
Whilst the Financial District does not have the obvious draws of the Civic Quarter, it is nonetheless an interesting area that deserves at least a little of your time. Roughly bounded by the Headrow and Westgate to the North, the A58 motorway to the West, the River Aire to the South and Park Row to the East, this is the most expensive business real estate in the city. Many large companies have their offices here as do innumerable lawyers, estate agents.

Park Square is probably the number one attraction of the area. Situated just south-west of the Town Hall, this large and handsome Georgian Square has lovely formal gardens that fill up with workers at lunchtime in the warmer months. Whilst most of the square is bounded by rows of 18th century redbrick townhouses that made the square one of the city's most fashionable addresses 200 years ago, the South West corner is home to a little-known architectural highlight of Leeds, a converted warehouse (now offices) built in the 19th century as a replication of a Moorish Palace, complete with turrets and Islamic-style ornate design. The streets to the south of Park Square are a mixture of Georgian townhouses and more modern office buildings sitting cheek-by-jowl. Whilst not hugely diverting, there are several interesting buildings in this area. Wellington Street, a busy thoroughfare which marks the bottom of the Georgian area, has several restaurants and bars as well as being characterised by more modern business development.

Between East Parade and Park Row, two busy main routes through the area, are a series of parallel streets that are home to some of the city's top restaurants and bars, most famously Greek Street. There is a rich patchwork of architecture spanning the past two centuries in this small area, with fine Gothic buildings and sleek modern towers. Park Row itself boasts outstanding buildings such as the Leeds Permanent building, blending seamlessly into modern glass building-fronts.

The south-east corner of the Financial District is City Square, one of the most important hubs of city life. Cleaned up and repaved, the square is still home to bronze nymphs holding gas lights and the famous statue of the Black Prince. The old post office is now the swanky Restaurant Bar & Grill and Loch Fyne seafood restaurant. A rarely beautiful 1990s office block sits at No1 City Square, and the south side is taken up by the Art Deco façade of grand old dame of the Leeds Railway hotel trade, The Queens Hotel (LNER).

Future attractions
N.B. under construction or planned for the future:

In fine weather
You'll almost certainly be in the city centre, so why not take in some of the magnificent Victorian architecture on a walking tour?

Start at the train station and head into City Square where you will see the old Post Office and imposing Queens Hotel.

Go up the right of the Old Post Office (Infirmary St) and cross over the road onto Saint Paul's Street.

Take the second street on the right and you will come across the pretty Park Square gardens. Continue along Park Square East until you reach The Headrow, from where you will be able to see the Town Hall.

Turn right along the Headrow and you will also pass the City Library (free to enter) and Art Gallery (also free), you may also want to try a cup of tea in the Tiled Hall Cafe, between the Art Gallery and Library.

Turn left up Cookridge Street, pass the Leeds Cathedral and cross over Great George St. You will now have reached Millennium Square, the Civic Hall and the City Museum.

If you turn back towards the Cathedral and take an immediate left after the Cathedral on to St Anne's St. you will come to a small square and the entrance to 'The Light. Inside The Light (open most hours) take the escalators, exiting at the far end on to Albion Street.

A right turn will bring you back to The Headrow. Turn left and you will pass Dortmund Square and the former Allders Department store (now Sainsburys). On the right turn down Briggate, one of the city's main streets. Take a look up some of the arcades on either side of Briggate (you are now in the main shopping quarter), for which Leeds is famous.

On the left you will come to the Victoria Quarter. If this is open take a walk through and exit at the far end. If closed, walk a little further and turn left on to King Edward St.

You are now on Vicar Lane and a right turn will take you past Leeds City Market on the left. Walk a little further and you will see the huge dome of the former Corn Exchange on the left - take a look inside for some quirky individual shops or maybe pop downstairs for a cup of tea at Anthony's.

You can now extend the walk a little along the riverside, or follow Duncan St and Boar Lane back to the train station.

To extend the walk, go around the Corn Exchange along a cobbled street and go under the bridge. Turn left on to The Calls. After a short while you will see a fountain with a huge ball, turn right on to this street (also The Calls). On the right there is a pedestrian bridge - cross the river here and you are in Brewery Wharf. Once over the bridge you need to go left along the river following signs for the Royal Armouries. Eventually you will come to Clarence Dock which has shops and restaurants plus the Royal Armories Museum (free entry). To get back to the station go back the way you came to the Corn Exchange, then follow Duncan Street and Boar Lane.

In bad weather
There's plenty to do to spend a couple of hours. The City Museum, Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute, Markets, Library and Royal Armories are all free, indoors and walkable in the city centre. Many of the city centre shops are undercover due to being in arcades or shopping centres. The following route tours many of the shops without getting too wet: the Merrion Centre, St Johns Centre, the Core, Queens Arcade, Victoria Quarter then the expansive Trinity Leeds with M&S and next. Out of the city centre, Tropical World costs £3.30, is indoors and very warm in Roundhay, 3 miles north of the city centre.

Do
There are four theatres in central Leeds providing a range of entertainment including opera, amateur dramatic and contemporary performance art.

Leeds is a great place to see up-and-coming live music talent, and has seen the formation of successful bands such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Kaiser Chiefs and Sunshine Underground. The city is home to many live performances from big-name stars, mostly at outdoor concerts. Millennium Square in the city centre regularly has gigs with a 7,000 capacity. Leeds has an indoor concert arena with around 14,000 seats. Concerts are also held at Roundhay Park,Temple Newsam and Harewood House. Also check out musical events at the Leeds Irish Centre, The Wardrobe and Leads University and Leeds Metropolitan University.

There are plenty of leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools across the city, though unfortunately there won't be a public swimming pool in the city centre until the University one is completed. Major city centre fitness/leisure centres are deluxe Esporta, LA fitness and the ubiquitous Virgin Active. Some hotels have great leisure facilities or agreements with local centres for free access for guests. The international standard John Charles Centre for Sport is in South Leeds with facilities for indoor athletics particularly jumping disciplines. Headingley Carnegie Stadium in North West Leeds is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Rugby League (Leeds Rhinos) and Rugby Union (Leeds Tykes). Elland Road in South Leeds is home to Leeds United Football Club. Between January and March the Ice Cube outdoor ice skating ring is set up in Millennium Square.

Whilst hardly tropical, Leeds has an unusually mild and sunny climate for northern England, protected from the worst and wettest weather by the Pennine Hills to the west... this gives more than ample opportunity to explore the fantastic parks of one of Europe's greenest cities (Leeds has the most green space in its city limits of any European city other than Vienna).

Sports

 * Watch cricket at Yorkshire Cricket Ground in Headingley. This is the usual ground of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties", the top tier of English cricket. County matches normally last 3-4 days. The stadium also frequently hosts international or "Test Matches", lasting up to five days. The stadium is about 2 miles northeast of the centre. YCCC also play at other grounds across Yorkshire.
 * Watch football at Leeds United, who were relegated in 2023 and now play soccer in the Championship, the second tier. Their stadium (capacity 38,000) is Elland Road LS11 0ES in South Leeds.

Events

 * Leeds holds two annual film festivals: the increasingly prestigious Leeds International Film Festival with its huge menu of different films and Leeds Young People's Film Festival.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.
 * Mint Festival is a two-day music and dance event on Newsam Green Farm east of the city. The next is 16-17 Sept 2023.

Learn

Leeds is one of the UK and Europe's foremost university cities, with a student population of over 100,000 (more than 10% of the population!) concentrated on several higher educational facilities including the two main universities. This gives the city a young feel and lively buzz, and many bars, clubs and restaurants are geared towards students particularly in Headingley and North West Leeds, although if this isn't your scene the city has plenty to offer away from student life.

Buy
There are a large number of city centre shops : modern shopping centres, the lovely arcades and busy streets - principally Briggate, a wide and attractive pedestrian street with all the high street favourites (from time to time there are markets and other events, and there are usually street performances of some kind). Much of the central shopping area is pleasantly pedestrianised, making retail therapy even easier. Leeds has myriad options for shopping including the beautiful Victorian-era shopping arcades, offering anything from the reasonably priced to the expensive items. In November and December, Millennium Square is turned into a Christmas wonderland of stalls, eateries and fairground-rides for Christkindelmarkt - the city's German Christmas market. There are also several outdoor markets held across the city more regularly, including occasional French markets on Briggate. Plans are also afoot for a massive extension of the main shopping district. City Centre Shopping Centres include all:

The districts of Chapel Allerton, Headingley and Roundhay also offer a smaller (but worthwhile) range of boutiques and other shops. Crossgates in East Leeds has a medium-sized shopping centre and many highstreet shops and cafés, and Horsforth in the North West offers a range of shops and eateries.

Food
Of course, as with almost all of the UK today, supermarkets, M&S Simply Food and other chains dominate the food-shop market, but there are an increasing number of quality independent delicatessens, bakeries and other little food shops across the city. Many out-of-centre areas retain their local shops (though this cannot be said for everywhere) and the city centre has an impressive range on offer, including:

The lively area of Harehills (bus no 12, 13, 49 or 50) in East Leeds has a bad reputation locally for crime and poverty, and whilst it is maybe best not to flash expensive items or visit the area after dark, it is worth visiting for its excellent range of food shops, cafés and restaurants mainly from Eastern Europe and Kurdistan. A true cultural melting pot, the area has everything from Jamaican grill-houses to Indian restaurants, Persian tea-shops to Eastern European supermarkets, and if you want to experience authentic international food or simply see another side of the city, it is an interesting place to go - and prices are far lower than in many other areas. There are many shawarma restaurants, in particular.

Books, music, video
Leeds has all the major chains such as HMV, Waterstones, WHSmith, etc. and also a variety of smaller independent shops including Crash Records on The Headrow and Jumbo Records in the St. John's Centre, which hosts fairly regular instore performances (there's also lots of second hand places, including a massive, well-stocked Oxfam Books & Music in Headingley).

Eat
There are many restaurants in central Leeds that everyone can find something to their taste and budget. There are all the usual chains (many of which have several branches in the city) and a huge variety of one-off places, including many award-winners. Headingley, Chapel Allerton, Roundhay and various other districts outside the centre also have a range of quality eateries (whilst a few places in these areas are mentioned below, fuller selections can be found on their respective guides).

Café culture is thriving in Leeds, with a great number of places for a lunch or lighter meal, and there are also many fine curry houses in the city, due to the large South Asian population.

Leeds has a successful annual food and drink festival, held at the end of August, with many free events bookable in advance.

Drink
Leeds' two large universities mean there is a vibrant, diverse and thumping nightlife scene including many clubs as well as a huge range of fine drinking establishments from traditional pubs to ultra chic concept bars. It is estimated that there are over 180 city centre bars and pubs, and around 29 nightclubs with late licenses. Railway arches are increasingly popular homes for bars and clubs across the city centre. Leeds City Guide is a good source of information, as is the comprehensive (and excellent) listings magazine the Leeds Guide. Leeds was voted Number one city for clubbing. All areas (indeed, most streets) of central Leeds offer something in the way of nightlife, but the main areas are:

 * Call Lane in the Exchange Quarter (one of the city's main nightlife districts), offering a range of bars (which many would argue are the best in the city) from chic to bohemian. The area around the Calls and the Parish Church has overspill from Call Lane and some great waterfront bars and restaurants.
 * The 'yards' off Briggate are home to both traditional pubs and modern bars and clubs.
 * Boar Lane is for the most part made up of standard chain bars and more downmarket drinking establishments, but a few buck the trend.
 * Architecturally lovely Assembly Street has a select number of swanky bars, clubs and restaurants.
 * Greek Street is expensive, but in between the high-end exclusivity are tackier bars attracting a less desirable crowd at weekends.
 * New York Street is becoming increasingly popular.
 * The Northern Quarter, centred on New Briggate and spreading north (and down Grand Arcade) is home to several older Leeds institutions but is now up-and-coming with many hot new venues.
 * The Civic Quarter has everything: flashy bars in the Electric Press, traditional pubs, and loud, trendy bars and clubs above Millennium Square
 * The financial district has a number of dispersed, chic watering holes. Park Row continues along the same lines as Greek Street
 * Brewery Wharf on the south bank is growing as a drinking destination
 * Lower Briggate is the centre of the gay community, and a variety of establishments in the area reflect this, though most are welcoming (and many are popular with) the straights.

Out of the city centre, the districts of Headingley and Chapel Allerton are extremely popular for bars and restaurants. Exclusive Street Lane in Roundhay is also becoming increasingly popular. (See their respective guides for details on specific drinking spots in these areas.)

Leeds Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) offer free pub guides from their website. What follows is a selection of some of Leeds' highlights, but it is by no means definitive or all-inclusive.

Leeds' thriving gay village (the city's first annual Pride festival was launched in 2006) has a number of venues, including the ever-popular old stalwart Queen's Court, Lower Briggate housed in a fine 17th-century building, among notable others including Fibre, The Bridge Inn, Blayds Bar, The New Penny, The Viaduct and Religion to name a few.

Leeds was voted Best UK City for Clubbing, certainly not for nothing! People flock to the city from all parts of the country for a bit of the action. It is common to meet clubbers from London on a night out. The city centre is packed to bursting with bars and clubs, ranging from cutting edge chic to indie and alternative to cheesy tunes for the drunken masses to small select places for people who really like their music (house is still very much in vogue in Leeds, but whatever your musical taste is, you are guaranteed to find something).

There are several gay nights (and fully gay venues) in clubs on and around Lower Briggate, including Mission, Fibre and Queen's Court.

The West Indian Centre on Chapeltown Road has a reputation for great fun nights of a less-mainstream kind, including ever-popular monthly Subdub. Whilst the venue itself is friendly and safe (or as safe as can be expected from a club), Chapeltown has a bad reputation, and to avoid trouble, go in fairly large groups and don't wonder around outside. It is best to take a taxi or at least a bus. Don't walks the two miles from the centre as it is very difficult to find the place, and it is near rough estates.

Leventhorpe Vineyard is near Woodlesford in East Leeds.

Sleep
Leeds is a major business centre, so if the business hotel chains are within your budget, you'll have plenty of choice, especially weekends and off-peak. City centre offerings include Ibis, Jury's Inn, Marriott, Hilton, Novotel, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn Express. You won't go wrong with any of these; check the standard booking websites or the hotels direct for rates & availability. Mid to top end, if your parents are coming to watch you graduate, point them at the Malmaison or the Queens, a vast Art Deco megalith right over the railway station. There's more at the city's edge by the motorway junction, if you have your own car.

Leeds frankly doesn't do budget & back-packer: the city's large youth hostel has closed permanently. There are only two hostels left in the city, the Art Hostel and Russell Scott Backpackers. In the university holidays, uni accommodation may be available, if it's not booked out to a conference. At the other end of the budget, Leeds doesn't do splurgy upmarket hotels: these are away out in the countryside, too far out to be listed here. There are, however, several 4-star hotels in the city.

Stay safe
Leeds is known as a friendly city, but as with any other city, the usual tips about exercising a degree of common caution apply: leave no valuables unattended, avoid going to badly lit/shady/unknown places by yourself or walk around alone at night etc.

Leeds residents might have a healthy sense of humour but think twice before making harsh criticisms of their city which they are proud of.

There are some notorious areas of Leeds at night with seedy reputations, such as the unrejuvenated areas of Chapeltown, Holbeck and Mabgate. Whilst by and large these places are safe by day, it is best to proceed with caution after dark.

Avoid displaying any memorabilia or clothing of Manchester United (the main rival of local football club Leeds United), as these worn at the wrong place could make you a target of violence, especially on match days.

If you do encounter any trouble, the emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) number is the same as for the rest of the country: 999, or the new European wide emergency number: 112. To contact the police in a non emergency, dial 101.

If you do get ill in Leeds, there are NHS and private medical practices. The Light complex houses a NHS walk-in centre. Leeds is home to two of Europe's largest hospitals : Leeds General Infirmary (in the Civic Quarter) and rapidly expanding St James's University Hospital (a couple of miles east of the City Centre and just south of Harehills), and many smaller hospital and PCTs across the wider city area. As with the rest of the UK, tap water is safe to drink, and you are unlikely to come across any major health risks.

Cope
The main tourist information office for the city is in Leeds Art Gallery on the Headrow, but there are various other information points across the city (e.g. Central Lending Library, The Headrow). For foreign visitors Leeds has a range of consulates, including: German, 1 Whatehall Road, City Centre, and Greek, 8 Street Lane, Roundhay.

There are 12 Changing Places toilet facilities within 5 miles (8 km) of Leeds city centre, equipped with hoists, height adjustable changing benches and other facilities to enable people with multiple and profound disabilities to be changed and so enabling tourists with these needs to visit Leeds attractions in safety and dignity and stay as long as they wish. Sites include the Central Library Tiled Cafe, Chevin Forest Park, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Headingley HEART, Armley Leisure Centre, Morley Leisure Centre, White Rose Shopping Centre and Temple Newsom.

Go next
Leeds is a major transport hub, so many outlying attractions can be done as day trips. Several are major centres in their own right and worth a longer visit - see their separate pages. Train is a good option for most, though rural spots may need a car or bike-on-train.

To the north:

 * Harrogate — elegant, upmarket Victorian spa town, ringed by parks (including the extensive Valley Gardens). The taste of the original spa water is not soon forgotten. Frequent trains from Leeds, some continuing to Knaresborough, a small medieval market town where the ruins of a castle sit dramatically above the Nidd gorge. For Ripon use the express bus (Route 36).
 * Saltaire, near Bradford but you reach it via the Skipton train, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an industrial village built by magnate Titus Salt. Within it is the Hockney gallery. These trains call next at Keighley, where the branch line to Haworth and the Bronte Country is often steam-hauled.
 * End of the commuter line is Skipton, with its imposing castle, market town centre and canal walks. Some trains continue to Gargrave (where the canal climbs over the Pennines by a flight of locks), thence to Settle, Carnforth, Morecambe and Carlisle. You probably need your own car to delve deeper into Yorkshire Dales National Park. Other places of interest include Bolton Abbey, Ingleborough, Pen y Ghent, Grassington and Beamsley Beacon. See also North York Moors National Park.
 * Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey — you probably need your own car for this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the east:

 * York is one of the few walled cities in Britain, with excellent museums, the cathedral, and views from the walls walk. 30 min by frequent train.
 * Kingston Upon Hull or Hull for short, a 700-year-old port. Many museums in the cobbled old town, but the stand-out attraction is the walk-through aquarium, The Deep. Also in this area, see Beverley and Castle Howard. It is an hour away by train.
 * On the Yorkshire coast, the main towns are Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington (these have frequent trains) plus Whitby for Goths, vampires and potted crab.

To the south:

 * In the centre of Wakefield see the Hepworth Gallery. Train, or bus 110 from Leeds every ten minutes. Further out so you need a connecting bus from Wakefield are Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the National Coal Mining Museum.
 * Sheffield has multiple industrial heritage attractions and the North's largest theatre district. The wider South Yorkshire area hosts the Magna Science Adventure Centre and is the gateway to exploring the Peak District.

To the west:

 * Bradford has the National Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Film and Photography). Frequent train, or an hour by bus.
 * Ilkley is a small spa town with Ilkley Moor brooding above. The Cow and Calf are notable climbable rock formations. Frequent commuter trains. For Otley, use the express bus (X84).
 * Halifax has Eureka! The Museum For Children. Other scenic nearby towns, often used as locations for film & TV, include Huddersfield, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Holmfirth.
 * And then there's the giant Manchester, less than an hour away.

Further afield:

Other major centres in the north of England, within 2 or 3 hours travel, include Lincoln, Liverpool, Chester, the Lake District, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Another hour or so gets you to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

title: Leeds


text:
Leeds/East

East Leeds is the area of the city of Leeds between the river Aire (to the south), Easterley and Wetherby Roads, Leeds City Centre and the villages of Elmet and the Aire valley. Many of the districts of East Leeds are among the city's and country's poorest, but there are various major attractions in the area, and a range of different vibrant multicultural communities. Major areas covered in this guide are:
 * Burmantofts - some of the country's most deprived inner city estates (including the notorious Lincoln Green), also home to the largest teaching hospital in Europe (St James')
 * East End Park, Osmondthorpe & Halton Moor - largely impoverished areas south of York Road, adjacent to the Temple Newsam estate
 * Cross Gates - busy shopping district with good train links to the city centre
 * Colton, Halton and Whitkirk - lively, urban estates, south of Cross Gates
 * Garforth - pleasant and busy suburb
 * Harehills - thriving multicultural area with numerous shops and eateries. One of the most deprived areas of the country
 * Gipton - deprived council estate, between Harehills and Seacroft
 * Seacroft - one of Europe's largest council estates, famous for its windmill and shopping centre
 * Swillington - a small quiet village with two social clubs, a brand new primary school and an historical church that dates back to the 17th century.

East Leeds is covered by the LS8, LS9, LS14, LS15, LS25 and LS26 postcodes.

Do

Drink

 * is on Newsome Green Rd, east edge of the city; tours available.

Go next

 * Other districts of Leeds:
 * Central Leeds
 * North East Leeds
 * North West Leeds including Headingley
 * West Leeds
 * South Leeds

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Leeds/East


text:
Leeds/North East

North East Leeds is the north-eastern portion of the city of Leeds. This part of Leeds is one of the wealthiest parts of the city with many leafy, affluent districts and suburbs, as well as trendy areas such as Chapel Allerton. There are several deprived areas such as Little London and Chapeltown but these places are generally not representative of this part of Leeds. The district is characterized by wealthy housing and gentified areas. There is not many industrial districts besides the estates in Sheepscar just north of the city centre.

Understand
North East Leeds roughly starts at the bottom of Scott Hall Road in Sheepscar, extending as far north as Alwoodley, Shadwell and Wetherby. It is separated from East Leeds by Easterly Road and from North West Leeds by Stainbeck and Scott Hall Roads. It includes: The district is covered by the postcodes LS7, LS8, LS17, LS22 and LS23.
 * Chapel Allerton - popular with young professionals and locals alike. Chapel Allerton has a host of restaurants and bars and is well worth visiting for a meal and a drink when visiting Leeds.
 * Roundhay - is an affluent and attractive district of North Leeds, famous for the beautiful Roundhay Park. The area is centered on the main thoroughfare of Street Lane, which curves round to become Princes Avenue, which runs through the park to Oakwood.
 * Moortown - centre of Leeds' Jewish community
 * Alwoodley - Extensive and very wealthy suburb on the northern fringe of the city.
 * Shadwell - Pretty old village that has now become a suburb.
 * Moor Allerton - Area in the Moortown district.
 * Potternewton - Culturally diverse area which is a stone's throw away from the interchange at Chapeltown Road and Harrogate Road.
 * Scott Hall - Series of council estates bordering with North West Leeds.
 * Gledhow - Mainly residential area with extensive woodlands.
 * Oakwood - Small suburb next to Roundhay, home to the Oakwood clock.
 * Chapeltown - Centre of the city's Afro-Caribbean population with a dangerous reputation and some beautiful buildings.

Get in
There are no Rail Stations in North East Leeds so the best bet of accessing it through public transport is by bus. Several buses go through the district. These are:

 * 2 & 3/3A - These buses go up Chapeltown Road and through Chapel Allerton and Moortown into Roundhay (2) and Gledhow (3/A).
 * 12 & 13/13A - Both buses go up Roundhay Road, past Oakwood Clock where they split for Roundhay Park (12) and Gledhow (13/A).
 * 42 - Primarily an East Leeds route but terminates at the roundabout at Easterly Road and Oakwood Lane.
 * 49 & 50/50A - Both Eastbound services but they go past Harehills Parade and up Easterly Road towards Seacroft.
 * 51/51A - Terminates at the Moor Allerton Centre.
 * 71 - Goes up past Scott Hall bound for Alwoodley.

To access by car, Sheepscar Interchange is the best option as all three major roads in the area, Scott Hall Road, Chapeltown Road and Roundhay Road meet at this vast collection of junctions.

See
North East Leeds has several attractions. There are a few:

Do
There is a fair bit of nightlife. Chapeltown plays host to the West Indian Centre which hold several club nights almost weekly including the famous Subdub.

Roundhay Park is popular for activities including the Leeds Mela. It is especially good in the summer. Chapel Allerton annually hosts the Chapel Allerton Festival, a festival which takes place at the end of the summer holiday, which has live music and international cuisine, whilst the Leeds West Indian Carnival is held at Potternewton Park and is usually a week before Chapel Allerton Festival.

For leisure activities, Scott Hall Sports Centre is popular with a gym and a swimming pool to boot.

Buy
The largest shopping centre is the Moor Allerton Centre, directly off the Ring Road at Moortown. This has a Sainsbury's, a Homebase, and even its own Library. There is also a large Tesco on Roundhay Road just a little further down from Oakwood. In Oakwood is a very large range of shops.

Chapel Allerton's busy centre has a rapidly expanding (if not yet huge) selection of shops, including several boutiques, craft and design shops.
 * Ginger Ink - branch of the Leeds fashion chain.
 * Fit to Bust - bespoke and designer lingerie
 * Area - award-winning design shop (larger store in the city centre)
 * Casablanca - interesting little gift shop with real character
 * Amanda's - funky designer boutique with a quality selection of latest fashions
 * Radish - quirky and interesting little book and craft shop

Compared to central Leeds, Roundhay is not a shopper's paradise, however the shops of Street Lane and Oakwood offer a range of boutiques and interesting smaller shops as well as a few chains and local amenities
 * Bang and Olufsen - stylish electrical goods in the Street Lane branch (now closed)
 * Oaks - fashion store in Oakwood
 * Ultimoda - more fashion in Oakwood
 * Keith Shepherd is one of Leeds' leading independent shoe shops (Street Lane)
 * Hot Brands really is what it says on the packet
 * Hot Brands really is what it says on the packet

Eat
There are dozens of restaurants in the district. Several restaurants and take aways are dense along Roundhay Road in Oakwood, Street Lane in Roundhay and Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton.

Drake's Fish and Chip shop in Scott Hall is a famous take-away.

Harehills has several South Asian take-aways.

Wtherby plays host to several eateries, a lot along High Street.

Drink

 * There are several pubs (including a Wetherspoons) in Chapel Allerton of varying quality and atmosphere, some with better reputations than others.
 * There are several pubs (including a Wetherspoons) in Chapel Allerton of varying quality and atmosphere, some with better reputations than others.
 * There are several pubs (including a Wetherspoons) in Chapel Allerton of varying quality and atmosphere, some with better reputations than others.

Street Lane is growing as a drinking area. There are several traditional pubs in Roundhay as well as upscale new bars on Street Lane.

Sleep
Here are several places to stay if you are visiting Leeds overnight and are looking for somewhere in the North East district:

Go next

 * Back in a taxi or bus to Leeds.
 * Get the number 36 bus to Harrogate
 * Other districts of Leeds:
 * Central Leeds
 * North West Leeds including Headingley
 * West Leeds
 * South Leeds
 * East Leeds

title: Leeds/North East


text:
Leeds/North West

North West Leeds is a large and diverse part of the city of Leeds, extending from Burley (near the city centre) out as far as Guiseley and the city's airport. It is especially popular with students in areas such as Burley and Hyde Park where the accommodation is cheap and close to the university. Further out is a series of towns and villages such as Otley, Ilkley, Horsforth and Guiseley.

Understand
The main centre of North West Leeds is Headingley - the large, thriving student district famous for its cricket stadium. Principal areas covered by this guide include:

 * Headingley – World famous for its Cricket and Rugby stadium, it is also especially popular with students of all three Leeds Universities. Headingley has a host of restaurants, bars and shops and is well worth visiting to see the famous stadium, eat a lovely meal then go relax in one of the beer gardens or bars nearby. Far Headingley, a mile or so further out of town is villagey Far Headingley, home to Cottage Road Cinema and a small range of shops and pubs. At the other end is Hyde Park Corner which has a funky, bohemian vibe and several retro/vintage shops, boutiques and cafés.
 * Adel – Attractive, leafy suburb with a rural feel and many beautiful houses.
 * Holt Park, Tinshill and Ireland Wood – Pleasant private estates just off the Otley Road.
 * Burley – Terraced inner-city area with large South Asian and increasing student population.
 * Hyde Park – Like Burley, a predominantly terraced area that is popular with students. Location of Woodhouse Moor.
 * Kirkstall – Riverside area, home to Kirkstall Abbey.
 * Hawksworth – Council estate located on a hill between Kirkstall and Horsforth.
 * Ilkley – Large town next to the border of North and West Yorkshire. Known for Ilkley Moor.
 * West Park – Suburb bounded by Otley Road and the Ring Road.
 * Horsforth – Extensive area with a busy centre, a new university, and a number of new bars along Town Street and New Road side.
 * Meanwood – Suburb to the east of the district. Has a park and extensive woodland which extends beyond the Ring Road to Adel and eventually Golden Acre Park, which is the source of the Meanwood beck (small river) which flows all the way to the Aire in Leeds Centre.
 * Rawdon – Pleasant village just off the A65 road.
 * Otley – Thriving town on the banks of the River Wharfe.
 * Cookridge – Outer Leeds area that is known for it's hospital and tower.
 * Yeadon – Pretty market town now subsumed by Leeds. Home to the Airport.
 * Guiseley – Pleasant town near the airport. The parents of the Brontë sisters were married here.
 * Menston – Attractive village-cum-suburb on the edge of Leeds by the beautiful Ilkley Moor.

North West Leeds covers the postcodes LS4, LS5, LS6, LS16, LS18, LS19, LS20, LS21 and LS19.

Get in
For Headingley jump on a train or bus from Leeds, there is a 1, 6, 28, 95 or 97 bus every few minutes and Headingley has its own train station. The bus journey takes less than 10 minutes either way, though in rush hour buses can take up to 40 minutes. The station is a short walk from Headingley centre but the train journey is very short (under 10 min).

By car
The best access points by car from the City Centre are either up Woodhouse Lane or Kirkstall Road. Some people use the less busy Burley Road which is at the end of The Headrow.

By train
The district has three railway stations, all along the Harrogate line leading up to Harrogate, Knaresbrough and York:, and  (which is actually in Cookridge).

By bus
A high number of bus routes serve the area as well. The main services are:

 * 1 - Goes past the University, through Adel and to Holt Park.
 * 18/18A - Travels along the Burley Road corridor before going up into Headingley and then to Tinshill and Ireland Wood.
 * 28 - Goes past the University to Adel.
 * 33/33A - This service goes up Kirkstall Road and serves many of the outlying towns and villafes, namely Horsforth, Rawdon, Yeadon, Guiseley, Menston and Otley.
 * 49 & 50/50A - Goes along Burley Road and although the 49 turns South headed for Bramley, the 50/A goes up through Hawksworth into Horsforth.
 * 51/51A - Although the terminus is at the Moor Allerton Centre in the North East district the route goes through Meanwood.
 * 56 - Goes past the university, through Hyde Park, Burley and Headingley before reaching its terminus at Moor Grange.
 * 71 - Like the 51/A, this route is North East boun but goes through Meanwood.
 * 95 & 96 - Both go up Otley Road before splitting off for Bodington Hall (95) and Holt Park via Cookridge (96).
 * 757 - Takes people from the City Centre to the airport and then onto Otley.

By plane
North West Leeds is the location of.

See
Here are some recommended places for sightseeing in North West Leeds:
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.
 * Guiseley (say "guy-zly") is a suburb of Leeds near the airport. The father of the Brontë sisters, Patrick, was married to Maria Branwell in St Oswald's Church here in 1812. The church dates back to Norman times but was largely rebuilt in 1909. Near the church is a Saxon drinking well. Guiseley has given the world four famous names: the Brontës, the ancestors of the poet Longfellow, Harry Ramsden's fish & chips empire, and Sooty the glove puppet.

Do
North West Leeds is excellent as access to the Yorkshire dales. Travelling up Otley Road will take you into the countryside and towards the Wharfedale town of Otley. Otley and Ilkley are pleasant places to visit on a Sunday afternoon. Horsforth is a vibrant area with loads of good restaurants, bars and pubs.

Further towards Leeds City Centre there is a lot of activity too. The Kirkstall Abbey Light Railway is a bit of fun taking you from Kirkstall Abbey to the nearby retail park. One of Headingley's claim to fame is the stadium where you can watch Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Tykes and Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Headingley is also host to a lot of upmarket eateries and bars.

Kirkstall Retail Park (in Burley) has several eateries, a Virgin Active Gym, a Hollywood Bowl and a Warner Village Cinema to name a few.

Go for a nice meal or go for a few drinks (see below) in one of Headingley's many pubs and bars.

Take a walk up to the beautiful Victorian Headingley campus of Leeds Metropolitan University or onto Weetwood via the Meanwood Valley Trail into the extensive gardens of the 'Hollies' arboretrum (about 15 min walk from the centre of Headingley).

A short Otley Run (or Headingley Mile) pub crawl (more below) is certainly a good way to acquaint yourself with the various watering holes on and around the Otley Road.

 * Cricket:
 * Rugby League:
 * Rugby Union:
 * Cricket:
 * Rugby League:
 * Rugby Union:

Buy
Several shopping centres and retail parks are in the district. These are in Kirkstall, Burley, Holt Park, Headingley and Ilkley. Hyde Park corner is also known for it's vast array of shops.

Headingley has plenty of small shops, including the gift shop at the stadium, and a range of boutiques and charity shops. Oxfam usually have a good selection of books and records.Hangeroom is the best fashion boutique in the area and caters for all ages. The shops are cool, the clothes are great and the staff are fantastic.
 * There is now a monthly farmer's market in the Rose Garden on North Lane. This takes place on the second Saturday of each month.
 * The Hyde Park end is home of Best Kept Secret fancy dress shop located in what used to be a petrol station.

Eat
There are several restaurants, take aways and fast food outlets along Headingley Lane. There are also a few on New Road Side in Horsforth and on Horsforth Town Street. Hyde Park Corner hosts a few smaller businesses. Obviously as Otley and Ilkley are large towns there are a large number of eateries in their area.

Drink
Headingley is famous not just city-wide but internationally for student drinking though local residents still manage to find the odd oasis to enjoy a pint or two. There are a wide variety of drinking establishments (of varying quality) to keep even the most seasoned of drinkers happy. With the huge popularity of recreational drinking in Headingley, the village and its community suffers at times.

 * Headingley is home to the famous Otley Run pub crawl, which has a long-standing tradition among students in Rag Week, Freshers' Week, and society/hall of residence events and now also occurs regularly in general. In 2008, Leeds graduate Steve Lovell devised a London Underground style map of Leeds pubs, which named all pubs between Woodies and the Dry Dock as part of its "Otley Run" route - a journey of 2.4 miles. Not all of these venues can be included though: Arcadia declares itself unsuitable for large groups, and The Golden Beam has licensing conditions requiring them to be turned away.

Some of these are along the Otley Run, which is a popular bar crawl in Headingley:

 * Other major Headingley pubs include The Skyrack, Headingley Taps, and at Far Headingley The Three Horseshoes, (also known as The Shoes) Woodies and The New Inn.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * Other major Headingley pubs include The Skyrack, Headingley Taps, and at Far Headingley The Three Horseshoes, (also known as The Shoes) Woodies and The New Inn.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * Other major Headingley pubs include The Skyrack, Headingley Taps, and at Far Headingley The Three Horseshoes, (also known as The Shoes) Woodies and The New Inn.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * Other major Headingley pubs include The Skyrack, Headingley Taps, and at Far Headingley The Three Horseshoes, (also known as The Shoes) Woodies and The New Inn.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
 * The Arc and Trio (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.

Sleep
There are several hotels and other accommodation in the district too:

There are also B&Bs of varying quality along Cardigan Road (by the Cricket Ground).

Go next

 * Back on the bus, in the taxi or on the train to Leeds city centre.
 * It is a nice walk on a sunny day back into Leeds. Just follow the main road and road signs. You will walk through Hyde Park. Whilst it's wise to be cautious, as in any large city, this area's reputation for muggings is massively overstated so don't allow it to overshadow your enjoyment of a very pretty green space so close to the city centre.
 * Other districts of Leeds:
 * Central Leeds
 * North East Leeds
 * West Leeds
 * South Leeds
 * East Leeds
 * Otley

title: Leeds/North West


text:
Leeds/South

South Leeds is the southern portion of the city of Leeds, with the river Aire to the north-east, the city centre, docks and Holbeck to the north, the M621 to the west and M62 to the south. Though much of it is characterized by deprivation, there are still many attractions, areas of historic interest and characterful districts. The principal areas of South Leeds include:

 * Hunslet - former industrial district starting to be redeveloped.
 * Belle Isle - known for the Belle Isle Circus, a large roundabout.
 * Stourton - home to Thwaite Mills
 * Middleton - a pretty former mining village, home to the oldest railway in the world.
 * Rothwell - attractive and busy centre of south-east Leeds
 * Holbeck - a former factory town, now home to Holbeck Urban Village, a series of high-rise flats.
 * Beeston - infamous for the 'Beeston Bombers', this lively, large and multicultural area is one of South Leeds' key centres
 * Morley - attractive market town with impressive Town Hall now part of the Leeds urban area
 * Cottingley - home to the massive White Rose Shopping Centre

By bus
First runs most of the bus services within Leeds. If you are making more than a couple of short bus trips, the best option is to buy a "FirstDay" day ticket for £4.00 (M-F before 9:30AM) or £3.20 (other times), which allows unlimited travel on First Bus routes within West Yorkshire all day.

Useful bus routes for visitors include the following:
 * 1 - Holt Park (North West Leeds) - Headingley - Universities - City centre - Beeston (south Leeds)
 * 2 - Roundhay Park - Moortown - Chapel Allerton - City Centre - Middleton
 * 51/55 Morley - Elland Road (Leeds United football ground) - City Centre - Meanwood - Moor Allerton Shopping Centre

Do

 * Football:
 * Planet Ice is a public skating rink on Elland Rd west side of the football stadium.
 * Ice hockey: Leeds Knights play at Planet Ice in the National League, England's second tier. The playing season is Sep-Mar.
 * Hunslet play rugby league (13 a side) at John Charles Centre, in League One the third tier. The playing season is Feb-Sept.
 * Hunslet play rugby league (13 a side) at John Charles Centre, in League One the third tier. The playing season is Feb-Sept.

Go next

 * Other districts of Leeds:
 * Central Leeds
 * North East Leeds
 * North West Leeds including Headingley
 * West Leeds
 * East Leeds

title: Leeds/South


text:
Leeds/West

West Leeds is an extensive area of the city of Leeds, bounded by the river Aire to the north and Fulneck, the M621 and M62 to the south. It is separated from South Leeds by Whitehall Road and from North West Leeds by the river. It is a mish-mash of classes, with some really posh parts in places such as Farsley, Rodley, Calverley and some parts of Pudsey, whilst parts of Armley and Bramley have acquired a reputation for crime rates. But on the whole it is considered to be one of the nicer districts of Leeds with several areas which have very villagey feels to them.

The main areas covered by this guide are:
 * Armley - Busy inner city area with industrial heritage and a range of shops. Renowned for HM Prison Leeds.
 * Bramley - Huge area with a busy centre.
 * Farsley - Village near to Pudsey.
 * Calverley - Lovely Victorian suburb on the edge of the city with many pretty buildings.
 * Rodley - Villagey suburb on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal housing an eclectic mix of stone cottages and new apartments.Fast becoming a home for live music and real Ale via yearly music festivals held between two pubs in the village centre-The Owl and The Barge, and The Abbey, which is a 20-minute stroll down the canal towards Kirkstall.
 * Pudsey - major centre of West Leeds, with a busy market, attractive park, and large retail park.
 * Stanningley - Up-and-coming area, the host to new bars and restaurants
 * Fulneck - Moravian settlement
 * Wortley - Industrial but pleasant suburb, home to several car dealers.
 * Farnley - Area on the fringes of the countryside.
 * Swinnow - Historical suburb which was once part of the "rhubarb" triangle.

The district is covered by the postcodes LS12, LS13 and LS28.

By train
West Leeds is served by two rail stations, Bramley and New Pudsey. These are on the Caldervale Line which is useful for people travelling to Bradford or Manchester.

By bus
There aren't as many frequent bus services between West Leeds and the City Centre. However, there are four major routes:

 * 4 - Known as the "ftr", the 4 goes to Pudsey via Tong Road and the Stanningley Bypass.
 * 16/16A - Goes past the Armley and Bramley shopping centres, through Rodley (16A only) and Farsley, terminating at Pudsey Bus Station.
 * 42 - Serves Old Farnley via Wortley.
 * 49 - Although this bus also serves Kirkstall and Burley en route to the City Centre, it terminates in Bramley.

Go next

 * Other districts of Leeds:
 * Central Leeds
 * North East Leeds
 * North West Leeds including Headingley
 * South Leeds
 * East Leeds
 * Bradford

title: Leeds/West


text:
Seaway Region

The Seaway region is in Eastern Ontario, where it includes the southern portions of Frontenac, Leeds-Grenville and Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry counties along the St. Lawrence River and St. Lawrence Seaway.

The region is divided by the US border, splitting the Thousand Islands between Ontario and northern New York.

Cities

 * — well known for its fishing and outdoor activities
 * — the "city of the Thousand Islands"
 * — for those coming from Montreal, this is the gateway to Ontario
 * — a good place to start your exploration of the Thousand Islands
 * — a rural area that includes much of the Thousand Islands area, and the national park
 * — one of the most historic cities in Canada with many churches, old buildings, picturesque neighbourhoods, and 19th-century fortifications
 * — a historic United Empire Loyalist village
 * — has two War of 1812 national historic sites to visit
 * — on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, surrounded by dozens of lakes that attract fishing and boating enthusiasts

Other destinations

 * — one of the most scenic spots in Ontario and northern New York: 1,864 islands dot this portion of the St. Lawrence River that straddles the Ontario—New York border
 * — a popular campground and park in Eastern Ontario. Hiking trails and scenic lookouts reveal landforms and ecosystems that are typical of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve,including wetlands, rock crevices and ridges of the Canadian Shield.
 * — another park along the edge of the Canadian Shield and part of the Frontenac Arch, this provincial park emphasizes undisturbed wilderness. Trails loop through habitats for rare plants, rock barrens and interior lakes. Campsites are available year-round, but all are backcountry - only accessible by hike, portage, snowshoe or canoe, depending on the season.

Understand
This region of Eastern Ontario stretches along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The seaway is a system of locks, canals, and channels in Canada and the United States that permits oceangoing vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes of North America, as far inland as Duluth, Minnesota at the western end of Lake Superior. The seaway is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which flows from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. Legally, the seaway extends from Montreal, Quebec, to Lake Erie and includes the Welland Canal.

The seaway opened in 1959 and cost C$470 million, $336 million of which was paid by the Canadian government. Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and American President Dwight D. Eisenhower opened the seaway with a short cruise aboard the royal yacht HMY Britannia after addressing crowds in Saint-Lambert, Quebec. 22,000 workers were employed at one time or another on the project, a mile superhighway for ocean freighters.

This development of this region was driven in the late 18th century by the settlement of many United Empire Loyalists, Americans who were fleeing persecution during and after the American Revolutionary War.

The economy of the region relies on agriculture and tourism, with some manufacturing in the towns, and post-secondary education and jails in Kingston.

By car

 * Ontario Highway 401 follows the Windsor-Quebec corridor from Toronto, passing through Kingston-Brockville-Cornwall and continuing toward Montréal
 * From New York state, Interstate 81 ends at the Thousand Islands bridge in Leeds and the 1000 Islands, 15 km east of Gananoque on the 401. There are also bridges across the St. Lawrence River at Prescott-Ogdensburg and Cornwall-Massena.

By bus

 * Megabus (Coach Canada) operates in the Toronto-Kingston-Montreal corridor with several runs daily

By train

 * Via Rail runs two "corridor" services through the region several times a day. These include:
 * Toronto-Kingston-Montréal: stopping at Cornwall, Brockville, Gananoque, and Napanee
 * Toronto-Kingston-Ottawa: stopping at Brockville, Gananoque, Napanee

By air

 * Kingston has a small airport mainly for private planes; its only scheduled service was to Toronto Pearson International Airport, which was suspended July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nearest major airports are:
 * Ottawa International, which has some international flights (mostly from the U.S.), and many domestic flights
 * Montréal-Trudeau, which has lots of international and domestic connections, and has good air-to-rail connections westward into the St. Lawrence Valley

By boat

 * There is a privately-operated international ferry from Cape Vincent NY to Wolfe Island which operates seasonally.
 * Cruising on small craft is possible on the Rideau Canal, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

Get around
Local city bus service of varying quality is available in cities including Kingston, and Brockville.

Megabus and Via Rail offer services between Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall.

See

Fort Henry in Kingston is a 1850s stone fortress with cannons to defend access to the Rideau Canal against US attacks. Bellevue House National Historic Site is a finely-maintained Italianate villa with lush gardens which served briefly as the home of first Canadian prime minister Sir John A. MacDonald.

The Brockville Railway Tunnel, Canada's first railway tunnel, passes under City Hall. Visitors can walk the 500-m length.

The Lost Villages Museum in Cornwall hosts ten restored and relocated heritage buildings from villages that were flooded during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

In Gananoque, the Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands and the 1000 Islands Boat Museum have exhibits on the natural, cultural and nautical history of the region.

In Morrisburg, history buffs can visit the Crysler Farm Battlefield Natiobal Historic Site, commemorating the important War of 1812 battle, and Upper Canada Village, an 1860s pioneer village. If you haven't had your fill, continue to Prescott to visit the Fort Wellington National Historic Site, and the Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site.

Leeds and the 1000 Islands is home to the Mallorytown Heritage Gardens.

Itineraries

 * Rideau Canal
 * Windsor-Quebec corridor

Do
The Waterfront Trail is a series of cycle paths and trails along the north shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Signed route covers 780 km (485 miles) of the 900 km of trails (including parallel or alternate routes) from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border, with some gaps.

Cruises of the Thousand Islands are popular, especially in the summer. They start from Kingson, Gananoque and Brockville, and some include a tour of the historic Boldt Castle, which sits on one of the islands.

Kingston has some of the best freshwater sailing in the world (it hosted the sailing events for the 1976 Montreal Olympics). Wind-surfing and kite-boarding are also popular, and for scuba divers, Kingston has many excellent fresh water wrecks.

title: Seaway Region


text:
Leek

Leek is a town in North Staffordshire in the English Midlands.

Understand
Known at the Queen of the Moorlands, Leek is the administrative centre of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The main industry was silk and textiles, but it has now diversified into tourism and food processing.

By bus
Leek's train station closed in the 1960s so the only real public transport option is the bus.

There are occasional services to Buxton but the most practical option for most visitors is the number 18 bus from Hanley bus station in Stoke-on-Trent (£2 one way, £8.50 for unlimited travel on First Potteries buses all day). This runs once an hour via Stockton Brook, Endon and Longsdon, during the day and runs until just after 6PM. Very limited Sunday service is run by D&G.

The D&G 16, runs from Stoke (Hanley bus station) via Cheddleton and Werrington, roughly twice an hour M-Sa 7AM-8PM. single fare £2, day ticket £3.50 (Feb 2024).

There is an Aimees 109 service every two hours from Macclesfield. No Sunday service and finishes early on a Saturday.

By train
Plans are being considered to reintroduce train links into town. Nearest useful stations are at Stoke on Trent & Macclesfield.

Get around
There is little public transport in Leek though the centre is easy to walk round, taxis are an option. The one bus service within Leek travels through Haregate, which offers exceptionally little in terms of sights or activities. This service is primarily aimed at elderly locals.

See

 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.
 * Rudyard Lake is a reservoir built in 1797 to supply water to the Trent and Mersey canal. It got its name from Ralph Rudyard, who is reputed to have killed Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. It's a place of great beauty with and romance. Rudyard Kipling was named after it, as his parents first met at a picnic by its shores. The lake was developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900s by the local North Staffordshire railway company. They took Blondin to tightrope walk across it and Captain Webb to swim after he had first swum the English Channel. It's a mile north of Leek, park in the free station car park.

Do
Take the steam train ride along the lake on the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway.

Take a boat ride on the lake from the Dam Head and walk around the lake.

Support Rudyard sailability, a national centre of excellence for disabled sailing.

 * Leek Blues & Americana festival runs late September.
 * Leek Blues & Americana festival runs late September.

Buy
There is plenty to buy in Leek. There is a market, indoor and outdoor, on Wednesdays and Saturdays in, as you'd expect, the market place - although the quality of the goods on sale varies wildly.

Leek also considers itself a great place to purchase antiques and as much there are numerous antique shops - many of these are clustered on and around St Edwards street and parts of Cheddleton Road.

For day to day needs, Leek has the usual array of supermarkets - Morrison's is on Newcastle Road. There is a small Asda near Haregate, as well as an Aldi, which is closest to the town centre on Haywood street; however, there have been issues involving unfair fines being issued in their car park.

Eat
Leek isn't renowned for its culinary delights but many options do exist. There are a series of the usual Indian and Chinese restaurants throughout the town, as well as the ubiquitous takeaways you'd find in any English town. In addition, many pubs now serve food as well.

Takeaways
These are found throughout the town and many do delivery on orders over £5. Two of the most popular are on the top of St Edwards street.
 * Stake-out (01538399441) - St Edwards street, quick home delivery, friendly service, good quality.
 * Pizza Line(01538398700) - As above.
 * Abbies - Just around the corner, generally good.
 * Moorlands Takeaway - Stockwell Street, could be better.
 * Tangs Dynasty - Stockwell Street Chinese.
 * Emperors Court - Chinese restaurant on West Street, good food.
 * Rudyard - at the Platform 2 cafe at Rudyard Station. Open at weekends year round. Bar meals or carvery at the hotel.

Drink
Leek once boasted the most pubs per capita in the whole of England. Unfortunately economic circumstances have resulted in many of these closing down, the following are all open as of October 2010 (there are more pubs, but these are the highlights). Most of the pubs are centred around St Edwards street, while the bars are largely around the market place.

Pubs

 * Benks (Stockwell street) - Offers multiple pool tables, a jukebox and a good variety of lagers. Also occasionally referred to as the Union, as this was its former name. The rear entrance is on Union street which adjoins Stockwell street

 * The Valiant - Unofficial Stoke City supporters pub. Do not go in there wearing a Port Vale shirt, especially on a match day. Perfectly fine apart from that although it does get loud on match days.

Sleep
There are several hotels in Leek, and the local Tourist information centre (at the Nicholson Museum & Art Gallery) will happily book you a room for a small fee.

Stay safe
Leek is a relatively safe town with little crime. On Friday and Saturday nights the usual drunken chaos occurs, which is to be expected in any English town. There are occasional fights in the Market Place or in the Elmos bar, but these are usually quickly broken up. In addition most are between people who already know each other. There are sometimes large groups of young people hanging around in the evening, but 99% of the time if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone.

Go next
If you're driving then Buxton in Derbyshire is a worthwhile visit and boasts a Theatre amongst other things.

Alton Towers is another favourite among visitors.

Stoke-on-Trent boasts the nearest train station and has the most frequent bus services to/from Leek. This is the easiest route for people without their own car.

title: Leek