Close

VisitBritain Survey

VisitBritain would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes

Go to the survey
  1. Home
  2. England
  3. Northern England
  4. Leeds

Leeds

The Tetley brewery building, Leeds © Jules Lister / The Tetley

Leeds

One of the fastest growing cities in England, Leeds is renowned for its glitzy array of shops, pubs, restaurants and clubs.

Leeds at a glance

  • One of the biggest shopping spots outside London, Leeds has elegant arcades, designer boutiques and high street stores aplenty. For luxury, check out Victoria Gate and Victoria Quarter. Or for vintage, try Leeds Kirkgate Market or Leeds Corn Exchange.

  • It’s a fun place for a night out, with lively bars and gig venues. The Wardrobe hosts world-class DJs, while Headrow House, a textile mill turned beer hall, is a great place to see bands. Opera North and Northern Ballet cater to the classical crowd.

  • Explore the city's history. It has more listed buildings than any city outside London, best enjoyed strolling through the streets. To delve deeper, visit the City Museum, The Royal Armouries or Thakray Medical Museum.

  • Did you know? Leeds has a thriving independent scene, from music and arts to food and fashion. Don't miss Leeds Indie Food, a huge celebration of independent food and drink culture, or Thought Bubble Festival, the UK's largest comic arts event.

  • Take a look at Visit Leeds for more fantastic things to do.

  • The city is around 2 hours 15 minutes north of London by train.
Leeds Art Gallery © Art UK and Leeds Museums and Galleries
We love

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find an abundance of things to do in Leeds - from exploring the grounds of impressive historical houses to hunting for bargains in Trinity Leeds and the Grade I listed Kirkgate Market. A key cog in the Industrial Revolution, many of the main Leeds attractions tell the story of the city’s rich heritage. Browse a stunning collection of visual art at the Leeds Art Gallery, catch a musical at Leeds Grand Theatre or ballet at the Leeds Playhouse or take in an array of public street art, including the UK’s tallest mural Athena Rising. Delve back in time at the Royal Armouries Museum or while exploring the riverside ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, embrace the past at the Leeds City Museum or relax in the vast surroundings of Roundhay Park, one of Europe’s largest city parks.

Things to do in Leeds

Bestselling deals

Visit the VisitBritain Shop

Where is Leeds?

As the largest city in West Yorkshire, the nearest main airport to Leeds is in Manchester, which serves around 200 destinations globally. Direct trains from Manchester Airport to Leeds take around 90 minutes, with driving taking a little longer. Leeds Bradford Airport, around eight miles to the northwest of Leeds city centre (a 30 minute drive), also has connections to more than 75 European destinations, while National Express coaches provide routes into Leeds from both airports.

Getting around Leeds

Leeds is highly accessible from all corners of Britain. Frequent train services are available from London - the fastest of which takes just over two hours - alongside TransPennine Express and Cross Country train links to Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and York. An excellent bus network provides routes to the surrounding area, while much of Leeds city centre is pedestrianised.

  • Visit Leeds has a range of maps and guides to help you plan your trip to the city
  • The Visit Leeds and Art Gallery Shop, near to Leeds Town Hall, acts as the city’s tourist information centre with leaflets, up-to-date information and more
  • Train services from Leeds run on the Settle-Carlisle railway, one of Britain’s most scenic journeys passing through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines

BY FOOT

Much of central Leeds, including the shopping areas at Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate, is pedestrianised, meaning the city is best explored on foot. In fact, you can get from one side of the city centre to the other in just 20 minutes.

BY BUS

An extensive bus network connects the main places to visit in Leeds. First Bus operates more than 60 routes in the city, while Arriva and Stagecoach also provide regular services. Cash and contactless payments are accepted on these buses, providing a quick and convenient means of travel.

BY TRAIN

The far-reaching Metro network serves towns and villages in the surrounding area, providing reliable links to the abundance of things to do in West Yorkshire.