Leeds! What an experience! (Leeds)

Member Name: ukusa

Product:	Leeds
Date:	07/04/05 (455 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: shopping, drinking, shopping

Disadvantages: Same problems all cities have!

During a conversation with a London couple recently, they had said they like to spend odd weekends in different parts of England between their main holidays. We started to discuss the various places around England like York and Harrogate among other places. When I mentioned Leeds, they were a bit surprised. Then my husband and I decided to "educate" these Londoners. After that I thought, "Hmmmm..... I wonder who else would like to know about Leeds?"

According to the Conde Nast Traveller- the City of Leeds has been voted the UK's favourite city. The Yorkshire city left London trailing. The Lonely Planet guide recently dubbed Leeds the "Knightsbridge of the North".

~History~

Leeds began as a Saxon village. The little town probably had a population of around 1,000 people. In the 16th century things began to change. It became the centre of the wool industry and the little Saxon village grew! By the 17th century, Leeds was a wealthy city. Leeds continued to grow and more industry came to the town. Pottery and penny arcades flourished in the ever growing towns. In 1884, Marks and Spencer’s opened their 1st penny arcade in Leeds! In the 20th century the main industry became engineering and a major employer became tourism. Now, in the 21st century, Leeds continues to grow and become a sparkling gem in England’s growing economy!

~What is there to do in Leeds?~

#1 Shop, shop and shop again!
Leeds has 5 covered shopping arcades- Grand, Queens, Thorntons, Victoria Quarter and Market . These beautiful gems from days gone by have been loving preserved and make for a day out just to look at the architecture. However, they also house a treasure-trove of shopping opportunities. Leeds has it's own Harvey Nichole's as well as all the other designer label stores!

Also, there is the Corn Exchange that offers a variety of alternative shopping. Then there is the Granary Wharf, Leeds shopping Plaza, Merrion Centre, St. Johns Centre and Headrow Centre. They sell everything from hip-hop trendy clothes to the more "posh" threads of high society. One can get jewellery of every kind that are top quality and range in prices from the affordable to the "WHAT?"

#2 Having a night out!
Leeds has pubs, bars and nightclubs for EVERY taste! You can go to the local for a pint or find your way to the posher wine bars for a nice glass of Merlot. If dancing is your fancy, just take your pick- Gay or Straight. These are the places to be!

#3 More refined entertainment!
There are museums, such as the Royal Armouries (Free), Thackray Museum, Temple Newsam House, Oblong (free), Leeds City Art Gallery (free), Abbey House Museum, Collective (free), Leeds International Concerts, Theatres and Cinemas! Take your choice!

#4 All the rest!
Art Galleries
Henry Moore Institute
Liston Studios
University Gallery

Great Houses
Lotherton Hall

Guided Walks
A selection of City Centre walks
Misc Canal Gardens
Kirkstall Abbey
Middleton Railway
Town Hall
Tropical World
Leeds United Stadium Tours

Museums
Armley Mills Industrial Museum
Horsforth Village Museum

Parks
Bramley Falls
Chevin Forest Park - Otley
Golden Acre Park
Middleton Park
Pudsey Park
Rothwell Country Park
Rounday Park,
Springhead Park - Rothwell

~Hotels~

Leeds offers a wide variety of hotels from the cheap to the outrageous. Just the city centre offers rooms from the ever popular Park Plaza Hotel as well as the Hilton Hotel, Comfort Inn, Marriott Hotel, Travel Lodge, Golden Lion Hotel, Malmaison Hotel, Jury's Inn Hotel, The Calls Hotel, Sleep Inn Hotel, Merrion Hotel, Radisson SAS Hotel, Metropole Hotel, Novotel Hotel, Queens Hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Express by Holiday Inn Hotel.

~How to get to Leeds?~

Airport- Leeds and Bradford International Airport (LBA) is approximately 11 miles to the North West of the city of Leeds, near Yeadon, Rawdon, Horsforth. Allow about 22-25 minutes by car, longer in "rush hours" especially the evening one. There is only 1 terminal. Arriving by the one way road the terminal stretches along the road, you reach the departure area first, arrivals being further along the building. Leeds and Bradford International Airport has flights to and from a wide range of UK and European cities.

Train- The Leeds train takes you directly to the City Centre is is neer the Queen's Hotel.


~Other bits and bobs~

Leeds is a cheaper city to explore than London. It is not as large and provides a maximum variety of things to do. It is perfect for a romantic weekend away to a full hen or stag do!

Leeds is a growing city and everyday it seems to change. At the moment, it seems like the place to be. It lends itself to all tastes!

Come on! Give a try! You know you want to!!! :)

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