A guide to Leeds

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Unlike many cities which enjoyed massive growth in the industrial revolution, Leeds has found a way to evolve and develop in the post-industrial age that today sees it established as one of the most dynamic and thriving cities in the country. With a city population of 457,000 at the last census, and the wider metropolitan district home to just below three-quarters of a million people, Leeds has become one of the eight “core cities” in England. This resident population is augmented by commuters arriving every working day from dormitory towns and villages in the district around the bustling city, and the numbers using the city-centre at night keep on increasing, enjoying the entertainment and shopping facilities that have seen Leeds dubbed “the Knightsbridge of the North”, its club and bar scene helped by the growing student population from Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan Universities. There has been a settlement in Leeds since at least Saxon times, when it was a country seat for the kings of Northumbria. Its position by a crossing of the Aire helped the development of commerce, a cloth market for the woollens made in the region growing up at the bridge. When that market moved up the road to Briggate in 1684 the location of the modern settlement was established. Leeds was given city status in 1893, as befitted a place of its commercial power and size. It had mushroomed during the industrial revolution, benefiting from its natural resources – the grazing lads of Yorkshire produced the wool for the textile industry; the coal found in the area helped power industrial machinery, and Leeds became a centre for making the machinery itself. When the Aire and Calder Navigation project began in 1699 the communications network that still centres on Leeds began to develop, linking the city with the Ouse and Humber by making the Calder and Aire rivers navigable. In 1816 the magnificent coast-to-coast Leeds-Liverpool canal was added. In 1812 the railway came, the Middleton Railway bringing coal to the city centre being the world’s first successful steam locomotive powered line. Today Leeds City Station boasts 17 platforms, and is the biggest in England outside the capital. These days Leeds is served by the M1 and M62, and has Leeds-Bradford Airport connecting the city with the major hubs of Heathrow, Schippol in Amsterdam, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. The city’s past has left a legacy of fine buildings. Outside the city but within easy striking distance is that grandest of country houses Harewood. The ruins of the 12th century Kirkstall Abbey, built by the Cistercians, lie to the west of the city, and the gatehouse now houses the Abbey House Museum with exhibitions from Victorian times as well as medieval. Perhaps the city’s best known modern attraction is the Royal Armouries, housing a fantastic collection moved from London in 1996, the historical nature of the contents contrasting dramatically with the exciting modern building. Leeds can also boast a fine cultural heritage, ranging across art forms and genres: among many others there is the three-yearly international piano competition started in 1963; the Grand Theatre hosing Opera North; the City Varieties that for many years hosted BBC’s “The Good Old Days,” and Roundhay Park is the venue for many major rock and pop concerts and festivals. As befits a major city, Leeds has a great sporting tradition too, though Leeds United FC now languish in the third-tier of national football. Leeds Rhinos have fared better, last winning Superleague in 2004, whereas their round ball rivals won their last top title in 1992. The city has a great past, but it seems to be destined for a greater future. The city centre already has some stunning new high-rise buildings like Bridgewater Place, with more under construction or planned to start in the next few years. The economy has successfully been transformed from industrial to commercial and service based businesses, though there is still an important engineering sector there. And of course it is not just for those living and working there to enjoy – every year more than ten million visitors flock to Leeds to see this brilliant mix of the old and the new.

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Leeds Freestyle Kickboxing (Martial Arts)
Leeds Hockey Club (Men's Hockey)
Leeds Hockey Club (Women's Hockey)
Leeds Metropolitan University (Men's Hockey)
Leeds Metropolitan University (Women's Hockey)
Leeds RC (Rowing)
Leeds Rhinos (Rugby League)
Leeds Sikh CC (Cricket)
Leeds Tigers Basketball Club (Basketball)
Leeds United Football Club (Football)
Leeds Womens CC (Cricket)
Leodiensian RUFC (Rugby Union)
New Farnley CC (Cricket)
North Leeds Cricket Club (Cricket)
Pool Tennis Club (Tennis)
Ramgharia Leeds (Men's Hockey)
Rothwell Judo Club (Martial Arts)
West Park Bramhope RUFC (Rugby Union)
Yarnbury RFC (Rugby Union)
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (Cricket)

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Yorkshire RC (Cycling)

Shops

Debenhams
Acorn Books
Books At The Park
The Bookshop Kirkstall
Garforth Bookshop & Stationers
Howard Philip Books Ltd
Just Books
Leeds Academic Books
Manor Books & Music
Owen Wesley
Jones the Bootmaker
Allsports
Rawcliffes Intersport
Flower Court
Daisy Chain
Fiori
Boots
Wilsons
J B Meays & Son

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Early Learning Centre
La Senza
Paradise Plant Nursery
Hayes Garden World
High Trees Garden Centre
Palmer Plants
Rothwell Garden Centre
William Strike Ltd
Beano Wholefoods
Love Organic
Organic Foods
Out Of This World
Vinceremos Wines and Spirits Ltd
Austin Reed
Whittard of Chelsea
High and Mighty
Gieves and Hawkes
Dorothy Perkins
Forbidden Planet
Andrew Tylee Ltd

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David H Myers Opticians Ltd
Barca Shoes
Firetrap
Radish
Shared Earth
J D Sports
Staples
Carphone Warehouse
Halfords
Fifi's
BodyShop
Blacks
Majestic Wine
Thorntons
The Loony Bin
Hawkesworth Butchers
PC World
ICHOR Gallery
Craft Centre & Design
North Street Gallery

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ARTCO
Headrow Gallery
The Art-House
Autosports GAalery
Pictures & Posies
Reubens Gallery
Bruton Gallery
Deakin Guitars
Doorstep Organics
Love Organic!
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Org
Hawthorne House Farm
Wallis
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Agent Provocateur
Peacocks
All Saints

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Mothercare
Gamestation
Superdrug
B&Q
Goldsmiths
Urban Outfitters
Harvey Nichols
Lloyds Pharmacy
Hotel Chocolat
Barratt Shoes
Specsavers
Fat Face
T K Maxx
Crabtree and Evelyn
Millies Fresh and Organic
Tops Tiles
White Stuff
Sound And Vision
J J B Sports
House of Fraser

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Lush
Pets At Home
Pets At Home
Hallmark Electrics
Beauty for You
River Island
Chiltern Mills
Chiltern Mills
Topman
Topman
Topshop
BHS
Office
Bikesnbits
The Entertainer
The Entertainer

Antiques

Woodstock
Windsor House Antiques (Leeds) Ltd
Victoria Antiques
Swiss Cottage Antiques

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Cottage Antiques
Acorn Antiques
Carleton Clocks of Leeds
Trash and Treasure
Kolekt

Activities

Ministry of Paintball(Adventure)
Bowmen of Adel(Archery)
Bowmen of Leeds(Archery)
Panda Bowmen Archery Club(Archery)
Leeds City Cruisers Ltd(Boat Trips and Cruises)
Leeds Mercury RT(Cycling)
Leeds Premier ATR(Cycling)
West Yorkshire Rough Riders(Cycling)
Knotford Lagoon(Fishing)
Goals Soccer Centre(Football)
Motor Sport - Harewood Speed Hillclimb(Motor Sports)
Curious About Leeds?(Walking)

Places to Stay near Leeds

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Vista Serviced Apartments (0.20 miles)

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Vista Serviced Apartments set the standard for executive luxury without the price tag! Each apartment is interior designed with its own balcony and contemporary furnishing. If you are staying in ... More

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Storm Jameson Court (0.28 miles)

Storm Jameson Court is a hotel-style residence, built in 2010 to a very high standard. The building is at the heart of the main campus, close to the city centre. The impressive foyer has ... More | visit website

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Merrion Hotel (0.33 miles)

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This modern, friendly city-centre hotel is 5 minutes' walk from Leeds Met and Leeds University, and is ideal for the city’s shopping and nightlife The Merrion, part of Brook Hotels, has reduced ... More

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Radisson BLU Hotel Leeds (0.35 miles)

In central Leeds, this elegant hotel is located in The Light shopping and leisure complex. The rail station is a 5-minute walk away. Radisson BLU Hotel Leeds has individually themed bedrooms, each offering free Wi-Fi and ... More | visit website

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Leeds City Centre Apartments (0.44 miles)

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Beautifully preserved period features meet chic contemporary design in these exquisite apartments - all lovingly restored from a Victorian building in the heart of Leeds city centre. Sophisticated ... More

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The Wrens Hotel (0.45 miles)

The Wrens Hotel is in the heart of Leeds City Centre. We are 1 minutes walk away from the Grand Theatre as well as several bars and restaurants. The main shopping areas are also within ... More | visit website

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The Ellington (0.45 miles)

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The Leading Small Hotels of the World – The Ellington is a new luxury boutique hotel, offering contemporary style and elegant design, and combining a vibrant atmosphere with an intimate ... More

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Residence 6 Luxury Serviced Apartments (0.45 miles)

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Stay at Residence 6* and discover an unrivalled experience which will exceed the expectations of even the most discerning clientele, setting new standards for opulence, exclusivity and luxury living. Each individually air-conditioned ... More

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Travelodge Leeds Central Vicar Lane (0.50 miles)

Sitting opposite the Grand Theatre and just a short walk away from the bustling centre, the Travelodge Leeds Central Vicar Lane is the ideal hotel for your next city break. With lots of shops, bars, ... More | visit website

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Apart From Home - Wellington Street (0.50 miles)

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Apart from home offer contemporary 4* studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartments conveniently located in the heart of Leeds city centre just moments from the train station, the main shopping ... More

Brit Quote:
Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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On this day:
First Post Office Pillar Box - 1852, Manchester Martyrs Hanged - 1867, Launch of the Cutty Sark - 1869, Far from the Madding Crowd Published - 1874, First Royal Command Performance - 1897, Crippen hanged - 1910, First Episode of Doctor Who - 1963, Oxford Circus Tube Fire - 1984
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Places to Stay near Leeds

Vista Serviced Apartments (0.20 miles)

Storm Jameson Court (0.28 miles)

Merrion Hotel (0.33 miles)

Radisson BLU Hotel Leeds (0.35 miles)

Leeds City Centre Apartments (0.44 miles)

The Wrens Hotel (0.45 miles)

The Ellington (0.45 miles)

Residence 6 Luxury Serviced Apartments (0.45 miles)

Travelodge Leeds Central Vicar Lane (0.50 miles)

Apart From Home - Wellington Street (0.50 miles)

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