Ten things to do in Leeds
Leeds is packed with great things to do, whether that includes indulging in a spot of retail therapy, delving into the city's thriving theatre and arts scene, or exploring stately homes and historic ruins.
Leeds also has an impressive calendar of cultural events including the Leeds Film Festival and Leeds Carnival, a Yorkshire version of London's Notting Hill Carnival.
For more about what's on in Leeds, download the WoZZon app for your smartphone or pick up a copy of the Leeds Guide.
1. Discover retail paradise
With mile upon mile of shopping streets and one of the UK's largest pedestrianised zones, it is easy to see why Leeds has become a magnet for savvy shoppers.
Take a stroll around the compact city centre and admire some of the carefully restored Victorian architecture while browsing the array of high-street names, boutiques and department stores.
Dubbed the Knightsbridge of the North, the Victoria Quarter is home to 76 upmarket brands including Vivienne Westwood, Mulberry, Agent Provocateur and Harvey Nichols (the first outside London). http://bit.ly/dxQ4mS
The elaborate arcade with its glass roof, polished mahogany and wrought iron flourishes was designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham in the early 20th century and painstakingly restored to original glory in the 80s.
The newly renovated Corn Exchange is the perfect destination for shoppers in search of smaller, independent labels. http://bit.ly/a67crg
Soak up the domed building's abundance of light and space while refuelling at the Piazza food emporium which occupies the entire ground floor. Then head up the sweeping staircases to explore the quirky clothes and jewellery shops on the upper levels.
Bargain-hunters should check out Leeds City Markets where you can snap up everything from cheap suitcases to fresh lobster. http://bit.ly/ak1EhI
The bustling Victorian market hall houses Europe's largest indoor market, with more than 400 stalls undercover and a further 200 outside.
2. Brush up on the art scene
Leeds Art Gallery, located on the Headrow in the heart of Leeds, boasts a world-class collection of works by Rodin, JMW Turner, Antony Gormley and Yorkshire sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth among others. http://bit.ly/bxvRXU
Admission is free and no visit is complete without breaking for coffee and cake in the lofty Tiled Hall cafe.
The Henry Moore Institute is connected to the Gallery by a walkway and is also free of charge. The exhibition space specialises in contemporary sculpture from Britain and around the world. http://bit.ly/9QajVV
The Craft Centre and Design Galley, down a flight of steps from the main gallery, exhibits prints, jewellery and ceramics by up-and-coming designers and is a good place to buy gifts. http://bit.ly/cgiHD0
3. Become a knight in shining armour
For a fun family day out, head for the Royal Armouries which houses an incredible 70,000 pieces of armour and weaponry dating back to ancient times. Highlights include elephant armour and a gold, bejewelled sword from China's Ming dynasty. http://bit.ly/ayjkrv
The riverside museum also offers all kinds of activities designed to bring out the Sir Galahad in you, from sword fighting to jousting displays.
As well as being a major children's attraction, the museum serves as an important national military history archive.
4. Check out the Chippendales
Harewood House easily lives up to its majestic label of a 'St Petersburg palace on a Yorkshire Hill'. This 18th century stately home has sumptuous interiors by Robert Adam, furniture by Thomas Chippendale and paintings by JMW Turner, Reynolds, Titian and El Greco. http://bit.ly/9EZwOa
Take in the stunning views of Capability Brown's landscaped gardens, parkland and lake from the Italianate terrace which stretches along the south front of the house. Alternatively, admire the magnificent property from a different vantage point by catching one of the open-air concerts hosted in the grounds. The venue is a draw for big acts from Eric Clapton to Girls Aloud.
5. Eat, drink and be merry
Crammed with awarding-winning restaurants, traditional pubs, trendy bars and pulsating clubs, Leeds guarantees a great night out.
The discerning beer drinker should put North Bar's http://bit.ly/biF7yG claim to have the 'finest selection of beers in the North of England' to the test, while music fans intent on discovering the next big thing should head to The Cockpit which has played host to dozens of successful bands before they became famous including The Killers, The White Stripes, My Chemical Romance and Amy Winehouse. http://bit.ly/cr60MB
For a more intimate atmosphere and an excellent cocktail menu – try the dubiously named Pornstar Martini – get cosy in Boutique which is tucked away in a restored townhouse close to the nightlife hotspots of Assembly Street and Call Lane. http://bit.ly/cLD01i
Voted one of the UK's best cities for dining out by the Which? Good Food Guide, there is plenty on offer in Leeds to satisfy keen foodies.
Fine dining in Leeds doesn't get much better than the critically acclaimed Antony's Restaurant. For hearty, delicious Italian fare, try Salvo's in Headingley. This friendly family-run restaurant has welcomed more than two million diners through its doors since it opened in 1976. http://bit.ly/9Xie5f There are a huge number of Indian restaurants clustered around Leeds and the UK's curry capital Bradford. But Aagrah, a Leeds-based chain, stands out from the crowd with a host of regular customers coming back for more of its authentic Kashmiri cuisine. http://bit.ly/9OR772
6. Experience the life of a medieval monk
The historic ruins of Kirkstall Abbey make an impressive if slightly spooky sight. Dating back to 1152, the building fell into ruin after 1539 when Henry VIII ordered the closure of religious orders across the country. Although the roof and some of the elaborate masonry are missing, it remains one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. http://bit.ly/bcAmi4
Find out what life was like for a 12th century monk in the new visitors' centre and cross the road to the Abbey House Museum, which once served as the gatehouse.
On a sunny day picnic in the abbey grounds along the banks of the River Aire or if the weather takes a turn for the worse head for the Abbot's tearooms in the Abbey House Museum. http://bit.ly/d8NHUk
7. Set aside some play time
Leeds is the only English city outside London to have its own opera house, repertory theatre and ballet company.
Choose from dance, drama, comedy, musicals and interpretations of the classics like Shakespeare and Dostoevsky at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Carriageworks.
The Northern Ballet, which is based in central Leeds, puts on some highly acclaimed performances at its base in central Leeds and at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, while the award-winning Opera North, which prides itself on pushing the boundaries of opera, performs regularly at the Leeds Grand Theatre. http://bit.ly/bf426I , http://bit.ly/9RnLUZ , http://bit.ly/9DZk7h
8. Peek into Leeds' industrial past
Powered by the River Aire, Armley Mills was once the largest woollen mill in the world. The building fell into disuse in 1969 and was reopened in 1982 as Leeds Industrial Museum in a bid to preserve the city's industrial heritage.
Among the exhibits are giant waterwheels, a steam engine and spinning wheels. Take a peek at the mill manager's parlour and weaver's kitchen to get glimpse of life during the industrial revolution. http://bit.ly/bSm2Sa
9. Take a waterfront stroll
Granary Wharf, sandwiched between the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, is the perfect spot to enjoy a gentle riverside walk. http://bit.ly/denYbj
Once a scruffy, neglected part of Leeds city centre known as the Dark Arches, the wharf has undergone a renaissance in recent years. The mix of office space, hotels, stylish riverside apartment blocks and restaurants and bars tucked underneath railway arches, plus a footbridge connecting the area to the city centre makes the wharf a great place to live, work or visit.
On weekends browse stalls set up by local artisans and do some people watching from the canalside City Cafe. For unbeatable views of the Leeds skyline and rather pricey cocktails, take the lift up to the Skylounge bar at the City Inn. http://bit.ly/denYbj
10. Compare the meerkat
With its butterfly house, meerkat enclosure and an aquarium teeming with weird and wonderful fish, a trip to Tropical World will transport you far from the hubbub of city life.
If the weather's fine, top off the outing with a walk in Roundhay Park. The largest green space in Leeds, the park is flanked by hundreds of acres of rolling woodland and has a ravine, two lakes and a playground. http://bit.ly/9viZCo
The Lakeside Cafe overlooking Waterloo Lake is great for a scenic pitstop while the Garden Room Cafe inside The Mansion serves light bites throughout the day. http://bit.ly/d2adAt Or join the locals in the Roundhay Fox to sample a pint of excellent Yorkshire-brewed bitters such as Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor. http://bit.ly/bSP2UI
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