Leeds is a vibrant and beautiful city in the county of West Yorkshire, England. It’s a city that is teeming with history, a cosmopolitan vibe and the sprawling Yorkshire Dales National Park, only a stone’s throw away. Leeds is also the city where we met at university, fell in love and embarked on a journey that has taken us across the world.
We recently took a nostalgic trip back to Leeds in search of the best things to do in and around the city. In this guide we will walk you through how to spend the perfect weekend in quite possibly the most underrated city in the United Kingdom.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Leeds who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.

When is the best time of year to visit Leeds?
Leeds is great for a city break any time of year. However, being located in the north of England the weather can be unpredictable especially in Winter or Autumn. If you want to visit with a better chance of good weather, then we recommend visiting Leeds in Spring or Summer. This way you’ll get to see the city come to life as the warmer weather approaches.
Moreover, if you want to get out into the Yorkshire Dales on your visit. Then coming to the area in Spring/Summer, is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and beautiful views across the Dales.
How to reach Leeds and get around
Leeds is fortunately very well connected to the rest of the country. If you are travelling from other major cities in the UK, you will easily be able to hop on a train and arrive in the city this way. For instance, the journey from London to Leeds takes approximately 2.5 hours. If you book your tickets well in advance you will be able to secure some great deals, making it a super budget friendly way to travel.
Once in the city of Leeds, public transport is easy to navigate using the buses that link the city and surrounding neighbourhoods. The majority of activities that we will discuss in this guide, are reachable on foot or by taking a short bus or train journey.
However, if you wish to explore more of the Yorkshire Dales National Park then renting a car will be your best option, as it will give you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and head off the beaten path. We always use Discover Cars to compare car rentals wherever we travel. We find their rates to be competitive and affordable. Not to mention, they offer a brilliant full insurance package for an affordable price in most destination.
Where to stay in Leeds
There is somewhere to stay for every budget in Leeds from hostels to luxury hotels. However, we chose to stay at the incredible Leeds Marriott Hotel located in the heart of the city centre. From here you will be in walking distance of all city centre attractions, restaurants and even the train station, making it the perfect location for a weekend in the city.
What is brilliant about the Leeds Marriott is that you can also upgrade your stay to have access to the executive suite, which means you will be able to access FREE drinks and snacks all day long, as well as a different breakfast to the standard one provided. We thought it was well worth it and certainly made the most of it. You will also receive a 50% discount on parking in the nearby car park when you stay here.

Day 1: Arrival and Leeds City Centre Exploration
On your first day in Leeds, it’s best to start your trip off by exploring the city centre, to get to know the city. Leeds is full of history around every corner, with beautiful buildings to admire and plenty of opportunities to shop in it’s many shopping centres and arcades.
Kirkgate Market
On arrival, head to the Kirkgate Market for lunch. This Grade 1 marketplace dates back to 1857 and is home to the birthplace of the much-loved British supermarket Marks & Spencers. On a visit here, you will be able to see the very first Marks & Spencers stall that has now grown into the huge nationwide brand.
Inside Kirkgate Market you’ll find plenty of food stalls, serving cuisine from all over the world, you really are spoilt for choice here! We definitely recommend that you check out, Sweet Saeeda for a taste of Tunisia. We had an incredible Halloumi and Falafel wrap here, that we’re still dreaming about.
Corn Exchange
After lunch, head across the road to the historical Corn Exchange. This unique building houses some beautiful boutique and vintage shops, making it the perfect place to pick up something quirky. Moreover, even if you aren’t here to shop, the Corn Exchange itself is a pretty impressive building from the inside and makes for a great photo spot. Just check it out below…
Water Taxi to Leeds Dock
Taking a water taxi to Leeds Dock is a lovely way to see this corner of the city. The water taxi leaves from here and costs just £3 per person one way. The journey to Leeds Dock will take roughly 10 minutes. As you float down the River Aire, it’ll give you the opportunity to experience the city from the water, which always gives a unique perspective.
Once at Leeds Dock you can take a leisurely stroll around the Dock, maybe popping into a pub of cafe for an afternoon drink. Before making your way back towards the city via the walkway that runs alongside the river. This is a lovely walk that takes in some great views alongside the River Aire.
Evening entertainment
On your first evening you should take advantage of the many bars on offer in Leeds. We highly recommend that you head to the Domino Club, a casual speakeasy that also has live music on certain days. They have a delicious cocktail menu and even for those who aren’t drinkers, their mocktails are just as good.

Day 2: History and Headingley
For your second day in Leeds, it’s a great idea to head slightly out of the city centre to the neighbourhoods of Kirkstall and Headingley. It’s here that you will find open green spaces, beautiful streets lined with cafe’s, bars and shops, as well as the historical Kirkstall Abbey.
Kirkstall Abbey
After breakfast at your hotel, you should start your day by heading over to Kirkstall Abbey. Kirkstall is only a short drive away from the city centre, around 20 minutes by car and 40 minutes by bus. Once you arrive at Kirkstall Abbey, you can park right across the road at this car park, for free!
Kirkstall Abbey is an incredible ruin of a medieval Abbey; in fact, it is one of the most complete that you will find in the United Kingdom. The Abbey is set in beautiful parklands, nestled on the banks of the River Aire, making it the perfect place to wander in the early morning light.
Take in the exterior of the Abbey, admiring the architecture and picturesque setting. If you visit in the early spring, you may even get lucky and spot the Crocus that bloom right in front of the Abbey. They make for some stunning photos, with the dramatic backdrop of the Abbey.
Move inside and you’ll feel as though you have stepped back in time. The nave offers spectacular scenery and again a great backdrop for photos, with its high walls and open ceiling, draping the whole area in sunlight. A visit to Kirkstall Abbey is a highlight of any trip to Leeds, that’s for sure.
Entry fees: £6.20 per adult or FREE for Leeds residents.
Lunch in Headingley
Headingley is the perfect place to grab lunch after your visit to Kirkstall Abbey. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from in the area. Just walk down the high street and you are bound to find something you like. However, our recommendation is that you pop in Jino’s Thai, they serve the best Pad Thai we have had outside of Thailand. They also have a great lunch deal, that consists of a starter, main and a drink for only £13!
Roundhay Park
In the afternoon, you could take a walk in Roundhay Park. This park is one of Europe’s largest, with plenty of trails to follow and even a couple of lakes to enjoy a peaceful stroll around. It is also a lovely spot to have a picnic if that is more your style for lunch. There are quite a few places to park the car at Roundhay Park, including on street parking, because it is so large. Be aware, that it is paid parking in this area.
Dinner at Kerala Canteen
A lovely way to finish off your day in Leeds is by having dinner at Kerala Canteen in the city centre. They focus on serving Southern-Indian inspired dishes in a tapas style, which is a pretty unique experience in itself. The food at Kerala Canteen is undoubtedly delicious. We particularly loved the Chicken Biriyani and the blend of flavours in each of the dishes we tried. Moreover, they serve giant mocktails that absolutely hit the spot.

Day 3: The Yorkshire Dales
On your final day in Leeds, it would be rude not to check out the nearby Yorkshire Dales. Leeds is very fortunate that the city sits just on the edge of the National Park. You can reach the Dales in around 45 minutes, by car. As you meander your way towards the rolling hills and quaint stoned villages, you will begin to feel as though you have stepped into a real-life Bronte sisters’ novel.
Cow & Calf Rock at Ilkley Moor
The most accessible hike from Leeds is just outside of Ilkley. The Cow & Calf Rock trail takes you through the breathtaking Ilkley Moor, with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. You can park your car here and then follow the trail into the moor. On your walk you will pass by unique rock formations, trickling waterfalls and beautiful flora and fauna synonymous with the Yorkshire Dales.
After your walk, pop across the road to the Cow & Calf Pub, for some lunch. It’s a super cosy setting with spectacular views out across the Yorkshire countryside. The perfect place to sip on some drinks in the sunshine too.
Other areas to explore in the Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is huge, covering an area of 2,179 square kms. There are plenty of adventures to be had here, from pretty villages to nature walks. Below you will find a few more suggestions for if you plan to stay a little longer in Yorkshire.
Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss – A beautiful cliff walk along with a deep gorge and a pretty little waterfall to top it all off. You can reach all of these spots on an easy walk. Harry Potter fans will love this one as Malham Cove was used as a filming location for the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
Ribblehead Viaduct – This impressive viaduct stands out amongst the surrounding scenery. The Settle to Carlisle railway has been dubbed as one of Britain’s great journeys, that takes in this dramatic viaduct along its route.
Aysgarth Falls, Hardraw Falls and Ingleton Waterfalls – A three stepped waterfall, England’s highest single drop falls and a classic Yorkshire favourite. All of which are accessible via relatively easy walks to them.
White Scar Cave, Ingleborough Cave and Gaping Gill – Are all show caves that you can have a peek inside of and are the most popular caves to visit in the Yorkshire Dales. The first two are accessible via guided tour and the third is only accessible at certain times of the year, so plan your trip accordingly.
Grassington – Is the main town in the Yorkshire Dales, making it a great place to base yourself whilst you are here. The town itself is beautiful, lined with quaint shops and cafes, and nearby there are some great walking routes into the Dales. Such as to Grassington Moor and the popular Dales Way that follows the River Wharfe.

Final thoughts on a visit to Leeds, West Yorkshire
Overall, Leeds is an incredibly underrated English city. Not only is it part of the friendliest county (Yorkshire) in the country, but it has a little something for everyone. Whether that is a vibrant food scene, great shopping, interesting history or spectacular nature, there is no shortage of things to do in the area.
We may be biased because we lived in Leeds for three years, but it really is a wonderful place to explore. Which is why it needs to be added to your UK bucket list.

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