Leeds youth guide
About Leeds
A modern, exciting city, Leeds is bursting with energy and lives life to the full. It’s somewhere that maintains the balance between proud heritage and a young, 'Do-It-Yourself' attitude. The result is an essential stop on any tour of Britain.
Well-preserved Victorian buildings reflect the civic pride that’s a hallmark of Leeds, but in the last decade this has been complemented by impressive development that’s produced stunning modern architecture and invigorated the cityscape. Fun-seekers from miles around, locals and a large student population ensure wild nights out. Leeds is a major regional cultural destination, with everything from England’s last old-fashioned Music Hall to cutting edge theatre and opera.
Seeing
Must Do
A purpose-built, castle-like building houses the impressive Royal Armouries (www.armouries.org.uk/) on the banks of the Leeds–Liverpool Canal and is free entry. The interior includes four floors of exhibits centred on the themes of war, tournaments, self-defence, hunting and the Orient.
City Art Gallery (www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/) has a good collection of 20th-century art, including works by Stanley Spencer and Anthony Gormley.
One of the last century’s greatest sculptors, Henry Moore (1898-1986) was a Leeds School of Art graduate and the adjoining Henry Moore Institute stages exhibitions of 20th century sculpture.
Off The Beaten Track
In 1152 Cistercian monks from Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire began work on a new abbey, later called Kirkstall Abbey. The dark, severe Norman ruins are striking and romantic, and make for an evocative wander.
Insider Info
Not just a great place to pick up fresh produce at cheap prices, Kirkgate Market is a lovely building in itself, covered in wrought-iron with turrets and towers on the outside. It’s one of the city’s last bastions of traditional Yorkshire culture and is a super place to people-watch.
Shopping
Known as the ‘Knightsbridge of the north’, Leeds is a real treat for shopping. With over 1000 shops in a compact city centre this is where to come to get fitted out for a night on the tiles. Victorian arcades like Victoria Quarter house designer shops and branches of upmarket stores which rub shoulders with down-to-earth markets and shops reflecting the city’s industrial heritage.
If Harvey Nichols isn’t your scene, the beautiful Corn Exchange building is home to independent shops selling clothes, unusual jewellery and records. A short drive or bus ride out of town is the enormous White Rose Centre, with a huge choice that’s perfect for a rainy day.
Eating
Leeds is a great place to mix the traditional with the modern, and nowhere more so than when dining out. Don’t miss some of Leeds' great traditional pubs; alternatively the young and hip hang out around Call and Boar Lanes.
Whitelocks
Down a tiny side alley in the city centre, dates from 1715 and reeks of Yorkshire heritage. Expect to find courtyard tables and pub grub such as the giant Yorkshire pudding. Tel: +44 (0)113 245 3950; Turk’s Head Yard.
Arts Café
A bohemian vibe and unpretentious modern British cooking amid warm yellow walls. Tel: +44 (0)113 243 8243; 42 Call Lane.
Oporto
Informal and popular, with poppy-red sofas, exposed brickwork and tasty food. Tel: +44 (0)113 243 4008; 31-33 Call Lane.
Darbar
Large, opulent restaurant serving delicious Indian specialities. Tel: +44 (0)113 246 0381; 16 Kirkgate.
Nightlife
Leeds takes its nights on the town seriously – get the monthly Leeds Guide or Absolute Leeds for current listings. Glammed-up hordes crawl the clusters of pubs and clubs around Boar Lane and Call Lane but there are plenty of other hotspots throughout the city.
Mojo
Easygoing, trendy but not try-hard, the walls here are plastered with groovy maestros from Frank Zappa to the Dalai Lama. Tel: +44 (0)113 244 6387; 18 Merrion Street.
North Bar
This is a busy, refreshingly unglitzy bar with a background of rare groove, soul and jazz. It offers a formidable Belgian beer selection to an artsy crowd. Tel: +44 (0)113 242 4540; 24 New Briggate.
Rehab
This is set in a 17th century building with a clinical theme and hosts Basics once a week, a hard-house institution that packs them in from all over the North. Tel: +44 (0)113 244 9474; 2 Waterloo House, Assembly Street.
Warehouse
This club hosts the mixed bootie-shaker Speed Queenevent, featuring an outrageous crowd against a hi-energy soundtrack. Tel +44 (0)113 246 8287; 19-21 Somers Street.
Sleeping
The local Tourist Inforamtion Centre (www.leeds.gov.uk) has a special booking line for accommodation and has numerous special offers. The city doesn’t have any hostels but there are plenty of good-value city centre hotels. B&Bs are found to the north of the city, around the University or in Headingly by the cricket and rugby grounds.
City Centre Hotel
Well located with simple rooms. Tel: +44 (0)113 242 9019; 51 New Briggate.
Boundary Express
The halls here are decked out with cricket memorabilia. Tel: +44 (0)113 275 7700; 42 Cardigan Road.
Travelodge
Don’t be put off by the outside, the basic rooms here are a good deal. Breakfast is extra. Tel: +44 (0)113 244 5793; Blayds Court, Swinegate.
42 The Calls (www.42thecalls.co.uk/)
A converted Victorian grain mill overlooking the river. The heavily designed rooms are great for a trendy-living treat. Tel: +44 (0)113 244 0099; 42 The Calls.