When I first started getting acquainted with this English city, my initial exposure to its name had been largely restricted to the world of football. I mean, everyone who follows the English Premier League must have heard about the Leeds United Football Club, right? Then, as I probed further, I found out that Leeds was quoted by the famous English writer, Charles Dickens, as one of the “beastliest” of places in all of England, a statement that, I’m glad to say, is now far from the truth! More on this later…
In a nutshell, the city of Leeds is the commercial and financial capital of Yorkshire County Leeds in which textiles and furniture; such as the famous Thomas Chippendale (of the Chippendale Sofa popular in America) originate from. But to the world at large, Leeds represents different images to different people, and has much to offer in terms of the cultural scene and nightlife.
Leeds Liverpool Canal – Centre of Excitement
A visit to Leeds invariably has to begin at the restored warehouses along Leeds Liverpool Canal, where one will find The Victorian Center, a trendy collection of bars, cafes, and restaurants such as Harvey Nichols on Briggate Street, the renowned West Yorkshire Playhouse, the stately Harewood House, and the archaeological site of Kirkstall Abbey, a location for many historical-themed movies, documentaries and television series such as the Dark Night (a fantasy spin-off of the Ivanhoe tales).
Cricket Universe
And even though for most, who only know of Leeds as having one of the best football teams in England, it would be a surprise to most to know that this city is better known for the sports of cricket, where it was played for the first time in 1890 at the Headingly Cricket Stadium. Since then, its popularity grew so much so that a venue for Test matches was selected and Leeds also doubled up as the bastion for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Music to the Ears
To those who follow British pop music exploits, and to a certain extent, classical music; Leeds is the venue for both the “Opera In The Park” events and “Party In The Park” concerts, which literally means setting up a huge, free outdoor arena of music that is capable of accommodating an audience of up to 40 000 a show, touted as one of the biggest in the UK. There are even places and events to go to if you are into films and the arts. Some of those worth mentioning include England’s one-of-a-kind, theme-based film festivals called the Leeds International Film Festival, held at all cinemas every October; the Leeds City Art Gallery, established circa 1888, housing some of the best 20th century art products outside of London, and also its equally impressive counterpart, The Henry Moore Institute, situated next to the former so one doesn’t have to move too much to see both.
History Buffs Dream Comes True For history buffs such as I, the museums to visit must be the Bradford Industrial Museum and Horse at Work, quaintly housed within a restored previous millennium windmill. This is where one can witness how the city looked like during the Industrial Revolution Era. One can go for horse rides or see labor exhibits of how life had been back then. And last but not least all “thirsty travelers”can try sampling Leeds’ famous Tetley’s ale when they visit its facilities on
Brewery Wharf, the place that supplied and quenched the thirst of the city folk through all their days and nights since 1822.
Well, this is the place to start for all you travelers with a penchant for a city with the best of everything, but don’t take my word for it. Pay Leeds a visit, especially outside of the football season.
When I first started getting acquainted with this English city, my initial exposure to its name had been largely restricted to the world of football. I mean, everyone who follows the English Premier League must have heard about the Leeds United Football Club, right? Then, as I probed further, I found out that Leeds was quoted by the famous English writer, Charles Dickens, as one of the “beastliest” of places in all of England, a statement that, I’m glad to say, is now far from the truth! More on this later…
To those who follow British pop music exploits, and to a certain extent, classical music; Leeds is the venue for both the “Opera In The Park” events and “Party In The Park” concerts, which literally means setting up a huge, free outdoor arena of music that is capable of accommodating an audience of up to 40 000 a show, touted as one of the biggest in the UK. There are even places and events to go to if you are into films and the arts. Some of those worth mentioning include England’s one-of-a-kind, theme-based film festivals called the Leeds International Film Festival, held at all cinemas every October; the Leeds City Art Gallery, established circa 1888, housing some of the best 20th century art products outside of London, and also its equally impressive counterpart, The Henry Moore Institute, situated next to the former so one doesn’t have to move too much to see both. 
For history buffs such as I, the museums to visit must be the Bradford Industrial Museum and Horse at Work, quaintly housed within a restored previous millennium windmill. This is where one can witness how the city looked like during the Industrial Revolution Era. One can go for horse rides or see labor exhibits of how life had been back then. And last but not least all “thirsty travelers”can try sampling Leeds’ famous Tetley’s ale when they visit its facilities on
Brewery Wharf, the place that supplied and quenched the thirst of the city folk through all their days and nights since 1822.