Shopping, Culture and Clubs - a Tourist Guide to Leeds

Leeds is a fun city that is full of wonderful cultural and historical sites, which are great fun to look around. over 100,000 people visit the city to work in the city centre every single day and 1000s more visit the city to shop, dine out or just to enjoy the range of attractions Leeds has on offer.

many industries have contributed to Leeds' wealth, but the city is particularly renowned for its clothes trade. There are {six} renowned names associated with the city, which include Thomas Chippendale who began making his renowned furniture there, and Michael Marks - of marks & spencers - who opened his first Penny Bazaar there in 1884.

in addition to this, it is also home to the historical Kirkgate Market. The market is Europe’s {1six} biggest indoor market after Leicester and is open six days a week. There are over 400 stalls inside the market and a further 200 outside. It attracts over 100 thousand visitors every week.

Kirkgate Market first opened in 1822 as an open air market and the first covered sections were built between 1850 and 1875. Unfortunately, much of the building, except the Vicar Lane frontage, was destroyed in a 1975 fire. however, the Market was refurbished in the early 1990s and after this, Kirkgate Market was upgraded from a Grade II to a Grade I listed building.

From the high fashion found in the Victoria Quarter to the excellent designer shops of The Light and the independent boutiques of the shopping arcades, Leeds gives visitors many wonderful shopping opportunities. Whether you are looking for a new outfit or even an amazing birthday gift, you are sure to find it in this playful city.

If you do not like shopping, you will be happy to know that Leeds has plenty more places of interest. These include the very interesting leeds city museum & the henry moore institute, which caters to the arty visitor. alternatively, you could visit one of the city's fabulous parks or even the stunning mandela gardens, which are located in the heart of the city.

These good looking gardens were constructed to commemorate the year 2000 at a cost of £12 million & were funded by leeds council & the Millennium Commission. The gardens won a prize at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, although they were damaged this year due to a huge water fight that was organised on the social networking site, Facebook.


In addition to exciting shopping and culture, Leeds also boasts fantastic night life. From elite wine bars and rustic pubs to gay bars and unforgettable clubs, the city really boasts something for everyone.

If you would rather have an early evening, you'll be happy to learn that the city also boasts some exciting luxury hotels, which include the radisson sas hotel. These hotels offer a real treat, so you cannot fail to get a exciting sleep and a great breakfast.


So, whether you are visiting Leeds for a lively evening out, a glam shopping trip or even a cultured weekend away, you'll be spoilt for choice by the vast variety of wonderful things to do. For further information on things to do in Leeds & the areas nearby, just telephone the local tourism information board.

You will find Leeds easy to get to by car, bus, coach & train. trains run from Leeds Railway Station, also called Leeds City, to central london, Southampton, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool & plenty of other locations throughout the UK.