Waarom Leeds op je zomer bucketlist moet staan
Leeds is een stad met cultuur om elke hoek en het beleeft absoluut zijn beste moment, maar voor het geval je nog twijfelt, zijn hier een paar redenen waarom je Leeds zou moeten overwegen voor je volgende stedentrip:
Het is een bruisende stad en veel recreatiebedrijven kiezen ervoor om hier hun deuren te openen.
De stad staat bekend als de culinaire hoofdstad van het noorden en er zijn ongelooflijk veel smakelijke opties, van Michelinsterrenrestaurants en voedselfestivals tot straatmarkten om er maar een paar te noemen. Bovendien is het verbazingwekkend hoeveel nieuwe openingen de stad de afgelopen jaren heeft gehad, zoals Tada en Blue Pavilion die respectievelijk het beste van de Japanse en Chinese cultuur en gastronomie beloven te brengen;
Golf Fang, een geweldige locatie met een 18-holes minigolfbaan waar je ook kunt genieten van het beste streetfood, cocktails en ambachtelijk bier, allemaal begeleid door een geweldige DJ line-up. De veelgeprezen wijnwinkel Martinez Wines heeft Leeds gekozen om zijn expansie voort te zetten, met zijn zorgvuldig geselecteerde wijnen en zijn begeerde proeverijen en koppelsessies. Dit zijn maar een paar voorbeelden, die vergezeld worden door grote hotelketens en andere ontwikkelingen die van Leeds een van de beste steden in Groot-Brittannië moeten maken om te bezoeken.
Het biedt een van de beste winkelervaringen van het land
Leeds is een paradijs voor shoppers met de perfecte mix van high street fashion, chique boetieks, onafhankelijke labels en eigenzinnige winkels. Fashionista's moeten naar Trinity Leeds gaan en vervolgens naar de Merrion Centre om de grote merken te bekijken. Voor iets meer eclectisch is het historische Corn Exchange staat vol met onafhankelijke winkeliers en creatieve winkels. En dan is er nog de beroemde Kirkgate Market, een van de grootste overdekte markten van Europa, met van alles en nog wat, van vintage mode tot Aziatische bazaars en boerenmarkten. Als kers op de taart kun je een bezoek brengen aan de Victorian Quarter is een must, waar luxe merken zoals Harvey Nicholls en Vivienne Westwood zijn gehuisvest in prachtige Victoriaanse arcades vol originele mozaïeken en prachtige gebrandschilderde plafonds.
The city's love of green and natural spaces is evident in every neighbourhood.
Leeds is a city that respects and protects its outdoor spaces. The most famous is Roundhay Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, with over 700 acres of gardens and woodland. Within the park you'll find lakes, adventure playgrounds, bird-watching trails, tropical animal houses, sports fields and Roundhay Castle. Elsewhere in the city, you'll find Park Square, a popular spot for lunching office workers, and Woodhouse Moor, which will be offering an extreme circus event in the park this summer.
It's the gateway to charming countryside, stately homes and places of great history.
Leeds is the perfect starting point to explore some of the most charming parts of the country, such as Yorkshire and its charming villages, the famous Yorkshire Dales. Visit Harrogate, a small town full of award-winning flower gardens, or even take a boat trip on the famous Liverpool and Leeds Canal, the longest stretch of single-track canal in the UK. It is also home to majestic stately homes that are well worth a visit, such as Temple Newsam, where there is a working farm surrounded by parkland; or Harewood House is a luxurious 18th century house with over 100 acres of grounds and gardens, bird garden and deer park! Its majesty has made it the setting for major film and TV premieres such as Downton Abbey, to name a few.
It's known for its great festivals.
You've heard of the Leeds Festival, right? It's one of the most famous music festivals in Europe, which brings together the most important rock, indie and metal headliners? Well, it's held every August bank holiday in Bramham Park, and it's, frankly, epic! But it's not the only festival in town. Leeds has a fantastic calendar of events throughout the year just waiting for you to enjoy. Since 1967, Leeds has celebrated Europe's oldest West Indian Carnival, with parades, masquerades, music, food and dancing. Leeds Pride attracts more than 50,000 people each year, and the International Film Festival is the biggest of its kind outside London. And no one should miss Light Night, the UK's biggest festival of art and light. For two nights in October, the city lights up with giant light projections and art installations, and the streets are filled with performers. And the best part? Most of the events and attractions are free.
Its nightlife is one of the most acclaimed in the UK.
Leeds has a stellar reputation for music, with a number of international artists born there. This reputation continues with some incredible live music venues. From the huge O2 Academy to the cult venue Brudenell Social Club, the Belgrave Music Hall, which promises all the fun of a festival, and the many independent venues that host up-and-coming local bands. But if there's one recommended area for a night out, it's Call Lane, where you can party until dawn on the city's most famous nightlife strip. Here you'll find everything from laid-back venues to nightclubs. Rock n roll dive bars, lgbtq+ parties, secret cocktail bars, burlesque shows, student nights, rooftop lounges... whatever your nightlife vibe, you'll find a venue to suit it in Leeds, a city that definitely knows how to party.
It's got some noteworthy architecture.
Leeds has more listed buildings than any other city outside of London. The building heritage here is a marvel to enjoy as you stroll through the city centre; you'll come across the iconic Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Corn Exchange with its impressive vaulted roof, Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Central Library, a Gothic masterpiece with spectacular staircases and arches and mosaic tiles. Kirkgate Market is undoubtedly one of the city's most recognisable and beloved landmarks. The majestic Grade I listed building dates back to 1857 and is home to the home of one of Britain's biggest global brands, Marks & Spencer, which is still present today. As soon as you enter this impressive Victorian masterpiece, you feel alive! There is nowhere else like it in the UK. Leeds is famous for its spectacular Victorian arcades: Queens Arcade, Thornton's Arcade, Grand Arcade and the magnificent Victorian Quarter, all steeped in history, but each with its own atmosphere and identity.
It doesn't get more accessible than this.
You don't have to walk for miles between attractions, or hop on and off trams, trains and shuttles to get around the city centre. Leeds is a truly walkable city, where you can go from a big gig at the First Direct Arena in the north to the cocktail bars by the river Aire in the south in less than 12 minutes on foot. This makes it the perfect place to explore as part of a walking tour.
-ENDS-
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