With plenty of attractions, tours and restaurants, finding things to do in Leeds is easy. Located in the county of West Yorkshire, Leeds was once a major centre of industry in the UK, and it continues to celebrate its rich history to this day. Discover the city through its museums, historical sites and beautiful parks for a trip that’s sure to be unforgettable.
Things to do in Leeds for history buffs
Leeds is a city that is proud of its deep history and loves to celebrate it both through museum collections and by maintaining historical sites. Leeds was a thriving industrial hub in Victorian times, and you can discover the city’s history at the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Hills, where Leeds celebrates its title as “The City of 1000 trades”. The Thackray Museum of Medicine takes visitors on a tour of the sometimes gruesome but always fascinating world of Victorian medicine.
The Royal Armouries Museum
A must-see for any traveller interested in history is the Royal Armouries Museum. Although this particular museum isn’t dedicated to the history of Leeds specifically, it’s the UK’s national collection of weapons and armour. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions, you can wander the galleries and witness historic artefacts, including armour made for Henry VIII and the famous Tula Garniture weapons that belonged to the Empress of Russia in the 18th Century.
Not only is it at the top of many Leed’s visitor’s itineraries, the gallery is also free to visit, and it’s open from 10am to 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday. If you are visiting during school holidays, the museum may be open every day of the week. Due to its popularity, it’s recommended that you book a slot ahead of time which can be done via their website.
Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey is located a short trip outside the city centre in Kirkstall, Leeds. It is a Cistercian monastery that dates back to around 1152. Today, it boasts a visitors centre including interactive exhibits to give visitors a sense of the Abbey’s story and a taste of what life was like for the monks that once lived there. Entry to the Abbey is free, and free guided tours are occasionally available to help you fully understand its history.
Step back in time at the Abbey House Museum
For a fun, immersive experience that’s great for families, check out the Abbey House Museum, located near Kirkstall Abbey. A recreation of life in Leeds during the Victorian Era, it includes a recreation of a Victorian street – equivalent to a modern-day high street – where you can see the shops and houses of Victorian Leeds and do a bit of shopping yourself. There is also a faithful recreation of a Victorian drinking house.
The museum also includes a section known as the Childhood Galleries. Here, you can find a curated collection of toys and memorabilia from the 19th Century. View dolls and games that Victorian children used to play with and see if you can spot ones similar to your own or even your child’s toys. If you’ve visited the museum before, you might still want to check it out again – its special exhibitions change annually, so there’s always something new to see.
Guided tours in Leeds
One of the best ways to experience Leeds is through guided tours. You’ll find a variety of tours in Leeds focused on different aspects of the city. Guided tours let you immerse yourself in the city through a local’s eyes and can help you discover hidden gems. You may even get some personal recommendations that you won’t find in the regular city guides.
Guided tours can be a great way to begin your holiday as you’ll benefit from the guides’ knowledge for the entirety of your trip. The Leeds City Centre Walking Tour is a great way to acquaint yourself with the main areas of Leeds as soon as you arrive. There’s one at around 10:30 am every day, lasting about 1h 30min.
Leeds Scavenger Hunt Tour
For a bit of fun, there’s a Leeds Scavenger Hunt where you can search for the city’s icons by solving clues on your smartphone. For around £10, the tour will take you to some of Leeds’ must-see locations, including the Kirkgate Market, City Square and Civic Hall. By solving the clues and finding the locations yourself, you’ll not only gain a sense of achievement once you’ve solved the clues, but you may also have a stronger sense of how to get around the city yourself. Along the way, you’ll learn all about the historical and cultural backgrounds of the locations, and you’ll find yourself immersed in the city.
Parks and Gardens in Leeds
Leeds is a city filled with beautiful parks perfect for taking a stroll or taking a break. The most well known of these is Roundhay Park, one of the largest city parks in Europe. You will also find parkland and gardens belonging to many of Leeds’ historical country houses, where you can combine historical education with a connection to nature.
Roundhay Park
Boasting more than 700 acres, including both parkland and woodland along with lakes and carefully cultivated gardens, Roundhay Park is located on the northeast side of the city. Here you can discover multiple historical gems, including a small decorative building from 1811 built to look like a castle gate and Soldier’s Field, where troops gathered during World War I. There are two main lakes connected via a waterfall. The larger one is known as Waterloo Lake and was man-made by soldiers looking for employment after the Napoleonic wars. One of the city’s most popular attractions, whether you settle in for a picnic, explore the park to its fullest or just wander through, you’ll likely find yourself at Roundhay Park sooner or later.
Temple Newsam
Explore the interior of this country house in Leeds, comprising over 30 rooms that have been carefully restored, and admire a collection of household art, silver and furniture before stepping out into the gardens. Here, roam the hundreds of acres of open parkland and carefully designed gardens with a variety of flowers, herbs and hedges. One of the highlights of the visit is Home Farm, a working rare breeds farm. All the farm animals here are rare breeds, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy some animals they might not encounter elsewhere.
Food and drink in Leeds
Of course, at some point, you’ll need to stop and have a bite to eat and something to drink. You won’t be short of places to choose from in a city like Leeds. The Bengal Brasserie is a hugely popular Indian restaurant, with visitors noting both the excellent food and high-quality care from the staff. The Canal Club is a popular brunch destination and is perfect if you’re looking for a lighter meal to go with some fun cocktails.
If you’re on the go, LS6 Dutch Fries is a great option for some takeaway street food. With chips and a burger setting you back around £6, it’s a great way to get a less expensive meal while you’re out and about.
Immerse yourself in a world of food and drink
Guided tours aren’t just for the city sights or historical interests; you can also find tours focused on the city’s fine dining and drinking experiences. For example, the Local Leeds Food Tour takes you on a journey through Leeds’ top independent pubs and restaurants. It costs around £66 and includes food in all six stops covered on the tour as well as drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at three of the stops. With a focus on local produce and trusted suppliers, you’ll truly be getting a taste of Leeds when you check out a guided food tour.
