Claims to Fame:
Knightsbridge of the North Leeds has built on a tradition of wool, textile and clothing manufacture to become a major fashion hub. Glamorous shops are housed in some of the most splendid Victorian arcades in Europe. Famous Harvey Nichols established its first store outside of London here.
Internet central About a third of all UK Internet traffic is hosted in Leeds, the UK's first fully broadband and digitally wired-up city with more ISDN lines per head of population than any other major city - in the world. A new Internet Quarter is planned for Leeds many call centers and server farms.
Internet central About a third of all UK Internet traffic is hosted in Leeds, the UK's first fully broadband and digitally wired-up city with more ISDN lines per head of population than any other major city - in the world. A new Internet Quarter is planned for Leeds many call centers and server farms.
Population Facts:
With a population of about 726,000, the UK's third largest city, is also its fastest growing. About 500,000 people in the metropolitan area are of working age and more than 100,000 are university and college students.
Location:
In West Yorkshire, at virtually the geographic center of the UK, Leeds sits on the River Aire, 24 miles SW of York and 201 miles NW of London. It's about 20 miles from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, east of the Pennines.Climate:
One of the dryest places in the UK, Leeds rainfall is about 2" a month. Temperatures rarely drop below the 40s or rise above the 70s farenheit.Nearest Airport:
Leeds Bradford International Airport , 11 miles northwest of Leeds, has daily flights to about 60 destinations in the UK and Europe with connecting flights onward. The 757 Metrocoach bus service from the airport to the city center takes about 40 minutes and costs £2.50 each way. Licenced, metered taxis, bookable round the clock from a desk in the International Arrivals area, cost about £20 to most city center addresses.
Principle Train Stations:
Leeds StationLocal Transportation:
Catch these buses at Leeds City Bus Station, near Kirkgate Market:
Taxis Licenced and metered black or white taxis have illuminated TAXI signs on their roofs.
More local transportation information from Metroline on +44 (0)113 245 7676
- freecitybus Free minibuses, between 6:30a.m. and 7:30p.m., connecting the bus and rail stations, business and shopping districts, universities and other locations
- First Group buses About 121 bus routes throughout Leeds. Day passes cost between £2 and £3
- Arriva buses To the suburbs and nearby towns
- Dales Bus An association of operators between Leeds and the Yorkshire Dales.
Taxis Licenced and metered black or white taxis have illuminated TAXI signs on their roofs.
More local transportation information from Metroline on +44 (0)113 245 7676
Stores R Us:
Leeds is one of the UK's great shopping cities and getting better all the time. The city is blessed with a legacy of fabulous Victorian and Edwardian arcades and markets, filled with all manner of colorful and desireable goods. The historic shopping precincts themselves are such a visual feast that even non-shoppers will find them irresistable. In particular visit:
- The Victoria Quarter and nearby Victorian arcades for luxury shopping in an extravagant setting.
- The Kirkgate Market and The Corn Exchange- One of Europe's biggest markets, and nearby, Leeds newest foodie destination.
The Big Feed and More Fun Facts About Leeds:
In 1952, a Harry Ramsden fish and chip shop in Leeds celebrated its 21st Birthday by serving 10,000 people in one day - a world record apparently.
Here are a few more things you'd never have guessed about Leeds:
Here are a few more things you'd never have guessed about Leeds:
- Inventor and cinema pioneer Louis Aimé Augustin Le Prince shot the first motion pictures "Crossing Leeds Bridge" in the city center in 1888.
- In its feature, "Know Your Leeds", BBC Hereford & Worcester reports that the first permanent set of fully automatic traffic lights was installed in Leeds in 1928.
- Leeds is a UFO spotting hotspot, with more sightings since 1961 than anywhere else in Britain.
Five Famous People From Leeds:
- Alan Bennett, playwright, actor, scriptwriter of The Madness of King George
- Mel B, one of the Spice Girls
- Helen Fielding, creator of Bridget Jones Diary
- Malcolm McDowell, star of A Clockwork Orange and, more recently, "Daniel Linderman in television's Heroes
- Peter O'Toole, born in Connemara, Ireland, O'Toole was raised in Leeds.
A Great Night Out in Leeds:
Rock, blues and soul bar Mojo, in Merrion Square (0844 549 9090), has been Leeds' best bar for five year's running. Andy Turner, in 2009 Leeds' reigning "Best Barman", says, "We don't do specials, we don't do happy hours and we don't do Red Bull." Instead, he and Lee Jones create an amazing range of cocktails in an unpretentious (but grownup) hang out. The downstairs bar has more varieties of rum that you've probably ever seen in your life.
Take 10 friends for a "Cocktail Masterclass" (£25 per head). Learn about,taste and smell dozens of cocktails, then compete to make the best Mojito(I won). It's a real hoot.
Take 10 friends for a "Cocktail Masterclass" (£25 per head). Learn about,taste and smell dozens of cocktails, then compete to make the best Mojito(I won). It's a real hoot.
Leeds Music:
Leeds is packed with bars, clubs and live music venues. According to one local website, Leeds Music Scene, more than 1,500 local bands are currently active in and around the city. Among Leeds musical success stories, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Corinne Bailey Rae are recent standouts.
Check out what's happening at the O2 Academy Leeds, where £3 million has been spent restoring a 19th century listed building into a new live music venue, and Find more live music clubs in Leeds
Check out what's happening at the O2 Academy Leeds, where £3 million has been spent restoring a 19th century listed building into a new live music venue, and Find more live music clubs in Leeds
Leeds Culture:
Opera, concert and chamber music, theater and dance are all well represented by top companies in Leeds.:
Five More Cool Things to Do in Leeds
- See the well-dressed elephant on a visit to The Royal Armouries
- Chill out at The Ice Cube, Europe's biggest temporary ice rink is set up in Millennium Square every winter.
- See Jack The Ripper...Maybe. At Leeds Art Gallery one artist's self portrait may - say some - be the face of Jack the Ripper himself.
- Take a chance at Alea Leeds, the city's smart new gambling and entertainment venue in the Clarence Docks District. There are three gaming pits with blackjack, roulette and poker. Bird by Vineet, part of Alea, serves contemporary Indian food devised by Vineet Bhatia, Britain's first Michelin-starred Indian chef.
- Sail Away to see Leeds' Victorian bridges and historic wharves aboard The Black Prince on the peaceful River Aire. Leeds City Cruisers run dining, family and club night cruises.
Annual Events Worth Knowing About
- Leeds Festival A multi-stage rockin' party in the park, August Bank Holiday weekend
- Leeds International Film Festival Art films, classics and cult films, shorts. Every November
- Leeds Conductors Competition
- Party in the Park
- Leeds Pride
- Leeds International Pianoforte Competition
- Light Night Leeds
Where to Eat
- Best Cheap Eats Fuji Hiro (Merrion Centre, 45 Wade Lane, Leeds, +44 (0)113 243 9184) Unpretentious Japanese noodle bar named in the Guardian's Best Cheap Eats awards for 2009.
- Best for Ladies Who Lunch Harvey Nicks Fourth Floor in the Victoria Quarter never lets you down for elegant, if pricey, snacks and lunches. Great for fashionista people watching too.
- Best for Vegetarians Hansa's Gujarati Vegetarian Cuisine is an all woman operation serving up acclaimed Indian food with East African influences. Mrs. Hansa Dabhi was voted Curry Chef of the Year in 2007.
- Best for Brunch At Anthony's at Flannels Leeds' foodie entrepreneur serves sophisticated to homey late breakfasts - from eggs benedict to bacon sarnies.
Where to Stay
- Grownup, tasteful luxury Quebecs
- Quirky boutique charm 42 The Calls
- Cheap and Cheerful University of Leeds Clarence Dock Apartments July to September only
- Compare Prices on Leeds Accommodations
- Find and Book a Room in Leeds
