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Leeds Hotels
A stay in a Leeds hotel puts you at the beating heart of one of the country’s fastest growing cities. Described by Dickens “as one of the nastiest cities I know”, it’s had more than half a billion pounds of investment to spruce up its northern grit. And there's hardly anybody left around who starts a sentence with word “ark”.
Leeds neighbourhoods
The huge student population throngs amongst the green parkland in the heights to the north-west of the city. The Headrow with its Edwardian buildings is a vast shoppers’ paradise. There’s post-industrial chic along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, where converted warehouses and railway arches created a vibrant pavement café culture.
Shopping in Leeds
Dubbed the Knightsbridge of the North, the city was the first outside London to have a Harvey Nichols department store. The classy Victoria Quarter with its restored marble and stained glass buildings is home to top names including Vivienne Westwood. If you’re dragging reluctant kids from your Leeds hotel, Granary Wharf has distracting street performers and sells everything from Goth make-up to wardrobes. Behind Kirkgate Market was where Michael Marks set up M&S with his slogan “don’t ask the price, it’s a penny”. The market is now the largest in northern England. Musos head for Music Ground, the legendary dealer in vintage guitars bought by the likes of Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and George Harrison.
Eating and drinking in Leeds
The relaxed licensing laws and Leeds’ especially dry summer climate (yes, really) have led to a boom in al fresco dining. Where Harry Ramsden once ruled with his original fish bar in Guiseley, nowadays there are other options. The Bird, run by the first Michelin-starred Indian chef, Vineet Bhatia, takes a contemporary look at curry. At American fifties-style Shaky Jakes milkshake bar you can have your fave choccie bars and sweets whisked into tasty combos.
Culture and nightlife in Leeds
The thriving arts scene is characterised by the West Yorkshire Playhouse, recently voted the best rep company in the country by The Times. Opera North is based at the Grand Theatre, as is Northern Ballet, a must for budding Billy Elliots and one of Britain’s most important classical companies. The City Varieties off Briggate is in Guinness World Records as the longest continuously running musical hall and once hosted Charlie Chaplin. The HydePark Picture House screens art-house films, and there’s live comedy at the trendy Seven venue.
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