Leed’s Appeal
Leeds is a mix of a vibrant, fast-paced city centre and peaceful countryside just a short distance away. Its local history, incredible shopping, first-rate sports, and sundry programme of public events are just a few of the things that make it such an immense pleasure to stay. Visitor appeal and unique experiences are something Leeds can easily cater to and, as it is home to more than 75 different nationalities, it provides an interesting diversity and multiculturalism. Leeds is perfect whether you are in the city on a family break, with a lover, or here with a group of friends to sample the exciting nightlife.
Leeds covers such a large area that more than two-thirds of it is designated green belt land and there are acres of parkland to explore. Another bonus is that the city centre is less than 20 miles from the Yorkshire Dales National Park. One of England's great historic estates, Temple Newsam has over a thousand acres of woodland, farm and gardens and welcomes visitors for guided tour of the magnificent Tudor-Jacobean house. Or take a trip to Roundhay Park to admire its rolling parkland, lakes, woodlands and gardens, and the stately Harewood House has some spectacular art collections and exhibitions, formal gardens, a bird garden and an adventure playground, as well as the new Yorkshire Planetarium.
The cultural, historical and architectural heritage of Leeds is well represented by a host of museums, theatres, stately homes and art galleries, from the national attractions of the Royal Armouries and the Thackray Medical Museum to the fine mansions of Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall. Visiting the local museums can easily fill up your days, a few of the most notable ones include Abbey House Museum that has lots of fascinating items and objects that tell all about the history of the city and its people. At Armley Mills, return to the past and find out for yourself what the Industrial Revolution was really like.
Leeds City Art Gallery was founded in 1888 and now houses an impressive collection of art dating back to around 1820. The gallery has works from many local artists such as Atkinson Grimshaw, Jacob Kramer, David Hockney and Damien Hirst. Leeds City Museum was a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Leeds City Council, and Yorkshire Forward transformed the Grade II-listed Civic Institute building off Millennium Square into a state-of-the-art museum that is free to everyone.
The Royal Armouries opened in 1996 to house the national collection of arms and armour. There are 5 themed galleries covering War, Tournament, Self-Defence, Hunting and the arms and armour of the Orient, as well as artifacts such as Henry VIII's tournament armour and the only surviving elephant armour on display anywhere. Visitors can also watch live displays of jousting, falconry and hand-to-hand combat.
The City Varieties Music Hall is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as being the longest continuous running music hall in the UK today. Listed as a Grade II* historic building of extreme rarity, The City Varieties can trace its origins back to 1865 and is now a top venue for comedy, cabaret, musicals, live music, light opera, hypnosis acts and more.
The Carriageworks houses an exciting mix of plays, musicals, dance, film, exhibitions, community events and workshops. The state of the art venue is an important space for local and regional artists, and home to key festivals such as the Leeds International Film Festival and the Breeze International Youth Festival.
