The Best Cultural Attractions in Leeds

1. Tips and advice for living in Leeds
2. How to get to Leeds - Getting to Leeds by train, plane or coach
3. Public Transport in Leeds - How to get around Leeds by train or bus
4. First things to do when you arrive in Leeds
5. Student life in Leeds
6. Cost of living in Leeds
7. Save money in Leeds - Tips for living in Leeds on a student budget
8. Accommodation for students in Leeds - top tips and advice
9. Neighbourhoods in Leeds - The most important areas in Leeds
10. The University of Leeds - Everything you need to know about studying at the University of Leeds
11. Top 4 Best Student Events in Leeds
12. Top 15 Leeds Attractions - The best things to do and see in Leeds
13. Activities in Leeds
14. The Best Cultural Attractions in Leeds
15. Sports in Leeds
16. Nightlife in Leeds - Nightclub guide and going out in Leeds
17. Where to eat in Leeds - Leeds specialities and British cuisine
18. Shopping in Leeds
19. Festivals in Leeds - Festivities and celebrations Calendar
20. Music Scene in Leeds
21. Day trips from Leeds - Places to visit and excursions around Leeds
22. Visiting Leeds in 3 days - What to see in Leeds in 3 days?

Leeds City Museum

Where: Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH

Leeds City Museum is a fun and interactive experience, with 6 different galeries to visit. You can explore the history of Leeds or learn about the Leeds Tiger. Admission is free so there is no reason not to visit!

Royal Armouries Museum

Where: Armouries Drive, LS10 1LT

The Royal Armouries Museum showcases the National Collection of Arms and Armour located in Leeds Dock, which is free to enter. There are various activities on offer, some of which are paid for, such as an escape room.

Leeds Town Hall

Where: The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AD

Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858 and is a Grade 1 listed building in classic and baroque style. It hosts a range of cultural events such as live music, comedy shows, film screenings and more.

Kirkstall Abbey

Where: Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3EH

Kirkstall abbey is a well-preserved medieval abbey which has stunning architecture and some great ruins. It is set in parkland and it is the perfect place for a walk.

There is also an outdoor deli market where you can try some delicious food, such as a hot spiced wine or a fresh stonebaked pizza, or buy an artisan gift for your friends.

Leeds Corn Exchange

Where: Call Lane, LS1 7BR

Leeds Corn Exchange is a beautiful Victorian, grade 1 listed building. In the past it was used to trade grains, but it is now home to lots of independent shops, such as music stores, vintage clothes shops and a tattoo and piercing salon and some food outlets. It even hosts some cool events such as roller discos!

It is a lovely place to enjoy a coffee and admire its domed roof and its shops all around the curved edges of the building.

Leeds Central Library

Where: Municipal Buildings, Calverly Street, LS1 3AB

Leeds Central Library is more than just a library. It is very grand and is actually a grade II listed building. There are over 12,000 books, computers, an art space, super-fast wifi.

As well as that, in between the art gallery and the library there is a dedicated cafe called The Tiled Hall, where you can enjoy a nice mug of Yorkshire Tea and a sandwich.

Kirkgate Market

Where: Vicar Lane, LS2 7HY

Kirkgate Market is the largest covered market in Europe with over 800 different stalls. The Edwardian building itself is beautiful, with a glass roof and it is Grade I listed. It has lots of fresh food stalls, such as fruit and veg and fishmongers, and it was also home to the first ever Marks and Spencer’s shop, which was a penny bazaar.

It is a great place to go to get local fruit and veg for an affordable price. It is also home to some delicious street food outlets, such as Kanassa, a vegetarian Colombian eatery and a crepe stall, so you can enjoy some great nosh after doing your weekly shop!

To find out more, here’s a blog on the vibrant Kirkgate Market!

Millennium Square

Millennium Square is at the heart of Leeds and is close-by to many of the city’s most important buildings, such as Leeds Town Hall and Leeds City Museum.

The square hosts many cultural and leisure activities over the course of the year which attract both local and international visitors, with events such as the Christkindelmarkt German Christmas Market, Live Music concerts, Leeds Pride and an outdoor seasonal ice-rink.

For more information and to see some pictures, read this Millennium Square Erasmus blog.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a canal which links the two cities of, you guessed it, Leeds and Liverpool. It spans 127 miles and has 91 locks.

It is a perfect place to visit for nature-lovers or walkers, or even just to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre for a bit. Moreover, after a regeneration, Leeds Waterfront is now a very popular place in the city, with a host of indoor and outdoor activities on offer. Here are a few:

• Canoeing

• Museums, such as Leeds Art Gallery

• Boat trips along the river

• Restaurants

• Picnic spots

Historic Quarter

Leeds’ historic quarter is one of the most beautiful areas in the city, characterised by magnificent architecture and artisan shopping opportunities. It is made up of three different shopping arcades: Queens Arcade, Grand Arcade and the Victoria Quarter.

Queens Arcade

Queens Arcade is a Grade II listed shopping arcade which is located on one of the main streets in Leeds, Briggate. It is a very grand building, with iron arches and a glass roof. It is full of independent clothing shops, as well as big brand names such as Levis and Office.

Grand Arcade

Grand Arcade is another beautiful Grade II listed building, with a beautiful Victorian architecture consisting of arched windows and wooden floors.

It is again home to lots of independent shops, such as a wedding dress shop, as well as some well-loved eateries like Zaap Thai Street Food.

Victoria Leeds

The Victoria Quarter is one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in Leeds, as well as being a food-lover's haven.

It has over 80 shops with many of them high-end, such as Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Vivienne Westwood, to name a few. Maybe not somewhere you’ll be gracing too often on a student budget, but it's the perfect place to window-shop or even take Mum when she comes to visit!

As for food, the Victoria Quarter has you sorted for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You have the choice of cafes or even some fine-dining if you visit the Harvey Nichols fourth-floor restaurant, where you can dine to beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Hyde Park Picture House

Where: 73 Brudenell Rd, LS6 1JD

As you may already be able to tell, Leeds is full of beautiful buildings, and the Hyde Park Picture House is no exception. Another Grade II listed building, the cinema first opened in 1914 and still has many of its original features, such as its white columns and outside box-office.

It is known for showing a far more varied range of films than its more modern counterparts, such as foreign, indie and international films. It is a brilliant place to go if you are a film-lover, and they also offer reduced ticket prices for students.

Leeds Art Gallery

Where: The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA

Leeds Art Gallery showcases modern and contemporary art with its permanent collection and temporary exhibits. It hosts a range of events, such as art spaces for children, lunchtime talks and special exhibitions.

It is also home to the Tiled Hall Cafe, a Victorian Hall with magnificent architecture, full of columns and a beautiful ceiling design. And if all of that wasn’t enough to convince you, Leeds Art Gallery is free to enter too!

Northern Ballet

The Northern Ballet is a touring dance company which performs locally, nationally and internationally, with its home in Leeds.

They are well-known for transforming popular stories into Dance, such as The Little Mermaid and The Great Gatsby. You should definitely take up the opportunity to watch one of their mesmerising ballets if you have the chance.

Leeds Playhouse

Where: Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, LS2 7UP

Leeds Playhouse is a theatre and events space in Leeds which is a must visit attraction. It shows a range of shows, varying from performances for children to modern European theatre. The theatre underwent a major renovation in 2018 and now has an eye catching front which is decorated with ceramic tiles.

If you want to go and watch one of their great productions, visit their website to see what’s on.

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