Leeds, United Kingdom: travel guide
Yorkshire's largest city is a thriving retail and cultural hub with a spectacular Victorian covered market, vibrant nightlife, the iconic Corn Exchange, and easy access to the Yorkshire Dales and Moors.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Nearest airport
- LBA
Top places to visit in Leeds
Royal Armouries Museum Leeds
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h
Britain's national museum of arms and armour, relocated from the Tower of London to Leeds. Over 8,000 objects in five themed galleries including the world's finest collection of oriental armour. Free entry.
Kirkstall Abbey
Monastery · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
One of the best-preserved 12th-century Cistercian abbeys in England, standing in a public park beside the River Aire. The atmospheric ruins are free to visit and the Abbey Museum opposite tells its 900-year story.
Leeds Corn Exchange
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
A spectacular Grade I listed Victorian domed building (1864) now housing independent boutiques, a street food market, and cafés. The elliptical iron and glass roof is one of the finest Victorian structures in England.
Leeds Art Gallery
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
An outstanding regional art gallery with one of the UK's best collections of 20th-century British sculpture — including Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, both born in Yorkshire. Free entry.
Leeds Roundhay Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
Roundhay Park — Leeds's spectacular 700-acre Victorian public park (one of Europe's largest), with the iconic Waterloo Lake, the historic Mansion, and the rich Yorkshire heritage.
Leeds Harewood House
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Leeds to Harewood House — the spectacular 1772 Capability Brown estate, with the iconic Robert Adam interiors, the famous Bird Garden, and the rich Yorkshire heritage.
Leeds Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Leeds to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park — the spectacular open-air sculpture gallery with the iconic Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Gormley pieces.
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
Kirkgate Market — Leeds's spectacular 1857 indoor market (Europe's largest covered market), with the iconic 800 stalls, the famous birthplace of Marks & Spencer (1884).
Leeds Tropical World
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Tropical World — Leeds's spectacular indoor tropical garden in Roundhay Park, with the iconic butterfly house, the famous meerkats, the rainforest experience, and the rich biodiversity.
Leeds Victoria Quarter Shopping
Market · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The Victoria Quarter — Leeds's spectacular Edwardian arcade with the iconic 1900 stained glass roof, the famous luxury shops, and the rich Edwardian heritage.
Leeds Yorkshire Dales Day
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from Leeds to the Yorkshire Dales National Park — the spectacular limestone landscape with the iconic Malham Cove, the famous Aysgarth Falls, and the rich Yorkshire heritage.
Leeds Thackray Medical
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
The Thackray Medical Museum — Leeds's spectacular medical history museum in the historic Leeds Workhouse, with the iconic Victorian hospital recreation, the famous medical heritage.
Where to stay in Leeds
- Town Centre about GBP 160 per night
Windsor is small — stay in the town centre to walk to the Castle and Long Walk. Very popular — book far in advance for weekends.
Hotels
- Dakota Leeds 5-star · GBP 180 to GBP 500 per night
- Radisson Blu Leeds 4-star · GBP 110 to GBP 260 per night
Where to eat
- Bundobust Leeds Indian, Street Food, Vegetarian · about GBP 22 per person
- Ox Club Leeds Modern British, Grill, Wood-fire · about GBP 70 per person
- Stockdales of Yorkshire British, Yorkshire, Deli · about GBP 25 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.