The City of Leeds
As the regional capital of Yorkshire and Humber, the largest county in the UK, Leeds is situated
at the heart of the country. The city is considered to be one of the greenest places to live in
Europe. The population of the third biggest city in the UK there are more than 790 000 of
people.
History events: It originated as an Anglo-Saxon township and was incorporated as a city in 1626,
becoming an early centre of the woolen industry. The completion in 1816 of the Leeds and
Liverpool Canal stimulated its growth, and the factory production of ready-made clothing
expanded rapidly at the end of the 19th century. It is the seat of the University of Leeds.
Mechanical engineering, initially to supply tools and machinery for the textile sector, rapidly
became a diverse industry.
Leeds has a climate that is oceanic and influenced by the Pennines. Summers are usually mild,
with moderate rainfall, while winters are chilly, cloudy with occasional snow and frost.
Economy: Leeds has the most diverse economy of all the UK's main employment centres and has
seen the fastest rate of private sector jobs growth of any UK city and has the highest ratio of
public to private sector jobs of all the UK's Core Cities. The city had the third-largest jobs total
by local authority area with 480,000 in employment and self-employment at the beginning of
2015.
What is Leeds famous for?
Leeds United formed in 1919 – to these days they are participating in World
championships. (Football team).
Leeds has the world’s largest animal armour
Talking about animals, the Royal Armouries is home to incredible collections of Arms
and Armor. Among other artefacts, the elephant armour is the most impressive. It was
acquired in India by Lady Clive, wife of Governor of Madras, and moved to Britain in
1801.
Leeds has the oldest running commercial railway in the world
Middleton Colliery Railway is the world’s oldest running public railway, situated in
Leeds. It was established in 1758 to transport coals to neighboring quarries. But today,
it’s a railway operated to re-create history and events. It’s kept in form over the years by
friendly volunteers and locomotives.
You can ride the same tour from Moor Road to Park Halt Station, and just explore the
Middleton park museum
Marks & Spencer is a hugely famous chain of stores that can be found all over the
world. They are known for their high-quality products and their unmistakable Britishness.
You might be surprised to know that it all started right here in Leeds!
Back in 1884, a market stall was opened in Leeds Kirkgate Market that would later move
to Briggate and become the first Marks & Spencer, both of which you can still visit in the
city today.
The Leeds Town Hall Ghost
Leeds Town Hall is said by some to be haunted by a ghost that will tug on your clothes or
push you. Legend says that it is likely to be the ghost of Mary Blythe, a young woman
who threw herself from the clock tower in 1876. Some even believe that she is the reason
the Town Hall clock doesn’t strike at midnight – in the hope that her ghost won’t wake
up. While it’s definitely true that the clock doesn’t chime at midnight, others think that it
could be an attempt to keep the stone lions outside from waking.
Famous people:
Alan Bennett – playwriter, writer, actor and screenwriter
Charlie Heaton – singer and actor, famous for the role in “Stranger Things” (Jonathan Buyers)
Melanie Brown – singer (ex-spice girl, Scary Spice); songwriter, actress, TV presenter.
This is something that Leeds should be more famous and known for! Its green and lush
surroundings may well have inspired the creation of the ‘Shire’ of the Hobbits in The Lord of
The Rings.
The author of the book that turned into one of the most successful movie franchises of all time –
J.R.R Tolkein, established his academic career at the University of Leeds and was a professor
there until 1925. Only after taking in the beautiful Leeds landscape did he go on to write his
world-famous books.
What places are we going to visit?
Leeds City Museum in Millennium Square is the perfect place to spend a rainy day in
Leeds, and even the kids will enjoy it.
Alternatively, Leeds Art Gallery has one of the largest collections of 20th-century
British art in the UK. After your visit, pop down to The Craft Centre and Design
Gallery beneath. Entry is also free for The Gallery at 164, which showcases
photography and illustration.
Also, we are going are visit Harwood House and Kirkstall Abbey.
RIDE THE YELLOW TAXI
Touristy? Yes. Fun anyway? Also, yes. The yellow water taxi goes from Granary Wharf
to Leeds Dock and offers a chance to see the city from the water.
It only costs a quid per person and is one of the best cheap things to do in Leeds.
EXPERIENCE LEEDS NIGHTLIFE
It’s a university city so it’s no surprise that Leeds’ nightlife is part of its lure. Get your
night started at Millennium Square and Park Row then head to Call Lane. If you prefer a
quieter night, Briggate has plenty of pubs and you’re sure to find a gig somewhere, no
matter what day of the week it is.
The Calls and Lower Briggate cater to the LGBT crowd. Our visit coincided with Pride!
If you don’t fancy bars or clubs, you can head to Hyde Park Picture House to catch an
indie flick or buy tickets for a show at The Grand Theater and Opera House.
Roundhay Park is now one of the biggest urban parks in Europe, but it’s history goes back
centuries. It was originally created by William the Conquerer. He passed the land on to the De
Lacy family before it came into the possession of John of Gaunt and Henry IV. It was used as a
royal hunting ground until Leeds City Council bought it in 1871. Now it’s the city’s most
popular park.
Kirkgate Market was started in 1857 and is now home to more than 600 stalls, making it the
largest indoor market in Europe. It is located conveniently right next to the major train and bus
station in the city center.
You can find everything imaginable here – clothes, jewelry, hardware, souvenirs, groceries, and
of course a huge variety of hot food and snacks.
