Leeds walking tour & city guide
Victorian arcades, markets and Yorkshire spirit.
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Leeds is the largest city in Yorkshire, a confident northern city that grew rich on wool and cloth. Its center is full of grand Victorian buildings and ornate shopping arcades, and it has a lively nightlife, a big student population and easy access to the moors and dales of Yorkshire.
Arcades and markets
The Victoria Quarter is a network of beautiful Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades with mosaic floors, carved wood and stained-glass roofs. Nearby, Kirkgate Market is one of the largest covered markets in Europe, and it was here in 1884 that Michael Marks opened the stall that grew into Marks & Spencer.
Briggate is the main shopping street, and Trinity Leeds is a modern shopping center under a glass dome.
Civic Leeds and the waterfront
Leeds Town Hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1858, has a tall clock tower and stone lions on its steps. Next door, Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute are free to visit. Down by the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the Royal Armouries museum holds the national collection of arms and armor.
A classic city walk
Start at Leeds Town Hall and the Art Gallery, then walk down the Headrow to Briggate. Explore the Victoria Quarter arcades and continue to Kirkgate Market, with its ornate iron hall.
From the market, head south through the Calls, a district of old warehouses by the river, and follow the riverside path east to the Royal Armouries at Clarence Dock. The walk is about 3 kilometers.
Visiting tips
Leeds is about two and a quarter hours from London by train, and York is just 25 minutes away. Harewood House and Kirkstall Abbey are close to the city, and the Yorkshire Dales are an easy day trip.
Top sights in Leeds
- 1
Victoria Quarter
Ornate Victorian shopping arcades.
- 2
Kirkgate Market
A huge historic market hall.
- 3
Royal Armouries Museum
The national collection of arms.
- 4
Leeds Town Hall
A grand Victorian landmark.
- 5
Leeds Art Gallery
A free art collection.
- 6
Kirkstall Abbey
Romantic medieval ruins.
Food markets & where to eat in Leeds
Kirkgate Market
Food stalls and street food.
Call Lane
Bars and restaurants.
Trinity Kitchen
A rotating street food hall.
Food to try in Leeds
Yorkshire pudding
Best with a Sunday roast.
Yorkshire ale
From local breweries.
Fish and chips
A northern classic.
Parkin
A sticky ginger cake.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Leeds
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in LeedsCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Leeds.
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