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Leeds is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. It has a lively international arts and sporting scene and vies with Manchester in claiming to be the pre-eminent city in the North of England or ‘The London of the North’. Over the last ten years Leeds has undergone a massive regeneration with new shops, bars, clubs, and apartments springing up on an almost daily basis. The city centre itself has seen major changes in the quality of the shopping, and residents have moved back to the city centre in popular locations such as K2 near The Light and many luxury apartments overlooking the Leeds Canal Basin. Leeds is a big student city with two excellent universities and many local colleges. Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University have over 75,000 students between them. The large student population has contributed to the explosion in the number of places to eat, drink, and take in the arts. There have also been major developments to boost the tourism industry. The Royal Armouries Museum opened in 1995 and Thackray Museum followed in 1997. The Monet Garden in Roundhay Park was opened in 1999. For theatre and art lovers the West Yorkshire Playhouse opened in 1990. Not forgetting the perennially popular Leeds City Art Gallery and its neighbour the Henry Moore Institute. Leeds City Council has been pushing a major initiative, including a website (www.no-ordinary-city.co.uk), to assist business people to relocate to Leeds. The city now has all the facilities to attract the modern urban professional, and the population has recently increased to more than 700,000.
Forgo the hotel croissant and head over to The Fat Cat, on South Parade (+ 44 (0) 113 245 6288), for a slap-up ‘Full English’ breakfast with the papers. Don’t forget to order extra black pudding. Walk off this hearty breakfast by heading just around the corner to the north of The Headrow where a group of civic, cultural, and medical buildings from the second half of the 19th century greets you. Towering above the rest is the magnificent Town Hall, probably the finest of all Victorian civic buildings. Now head for the Henry Moore Institute at 74 The Headrow to check out the latest modern sculpture exhibition. Continue down to shop at The Victoria Quarter, and mix it with the footballers’ wives in Harvey Nicks’ before tucking into some hearty pub grub and a pint or two of Theakstons at Whitelocks. If you have the energy for a walk in the afternoon then head out to Kirkstall Abbey for a stroll around the pathways or take a wander round Roundhay Park to feed the ducks. Back into town for a dish of noodles at Fuji Hiro, then head for Mojo for a drink, ending up in The Wardrobe for cocktails in the upstairs bar and a boogie downstairs till late. For those of you with some energy left, grab a late-night curry with drunken students in Nafee’s.
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There is a good range of accommodation in Leeds and Bradford, and you can choose upmarket, historic, or budget options. The Malmaison Hotel located in the city centre, is only a short walk away from the business district and in the middle of the new commercial area. All rooms encompass two plasma TV screens, a king size bed with a private curtained seating area, moody lighting, and a large centrepiece window. Other features include gymtonic and meeting facilities. The train station is only two minutes away. Book on +44 (0) 845 3654 247. www.malmaison.com If you are looking for a hotel which is modern, luxurious and stylish, then look no further than The Queens Hotel, Leeds. Located in the heart of the city centre, it has a total of 217 rooms offering views of the Leeds city. The Leeds/Bradford Airport is only 12 miles away. Book on www.qhotels.co.uk The De Vere Outlon Hall is a five-star hotel located in the Yorkshire countryside combining the elegance of a Victorian mansion together with modern facilities. The entire infrastructure offers a unique charm with traditional character providing all facilities to remove the stress of everyday life. It also features a golf course and swimming pool. www.devere.co.uk For a perfect weekend break, book the Village Hotel and Leisure Clubs, just outside the city centre and close to the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. Features include a gym and swimming pool. The Ramada Jarvis Leeds North offers four-star luxury and comfort closer to the city centre, while the three-star Sleep Inn is just a few paces away from the city’s buzzing nightlife and shops. Book on +44 (0) 871 900 8297. www.flybehotels.com
Airport Information : Leeds/Bradford Airport is located approximately 8 miles from Leeds and 7 miles from Bradford. Flybe Flight Enquiries: 0113 250 9696. www.lbia.co.uk Public Transport: By road: The airport is signposted on all major roads over a wide area, including the M1 and M62 motorways and the Yorkshire section of the A1. By bus or coach: By bus or coach: Bus services are available to and from the airport between Leeds City Centre, Bradford City Centre, Otley, Harrogate Bus Station and from March 2007 – a new direct coach service to York Rail Station with Yorkaircoach.com. www.yorkaircoach.com By rail: Train links are available from all main line stations to Leeds City Centre , York Rail Station or Bradford Interchange and the bus/coach services detailed above are available for the onward journey to the Airport. Rail tickets can be purchased in advance to include the bus/coach sector. By taxi: Taxi's are available from the terminal forecourt. Car Parking: Car parking at the airport is clearly signposted as you approach the terminal building, and it is conveniently close to the airport terminal. You can pre-book your car parking by using our on-line booking service. www.lbia.co.uk Car Hire: Avis offer special rates for flybe passengers www.flybe.com/avis Leeds city centre is pedestrianised so the main areas are easy to get around. Gateway Yorkshire, the Tourist Information Centre at Leeds City Station, provides maps for drivers and cyclists, and advice for travelling around Leeds and the surrounding area. Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 17.30, Sunday 10.00– 16.00 (+ 44(0) 113 242 5242) Email: tourinfo@leeds.gov.uk For online timetables and public transport information visit www.wymetro.com Leeds Cycling Action Group offers guides and links to cycling around the county, including the West Yorkshire Cycle Route. www.leedscyclists.org.uk Leeds is awash with taxi firms, but the oldest, and probably most reliable, is Streamline. Taxis (+44 (0) 113 2443322). Climbing: The Leeds wall is run by qualified professionals and caters for all abilities. With over 200 varied routes for different abilities the largest climbing wall in the region is often busy with new and seasoned climbers looking for an adrenaline rush. Phone +44 (0) 113 234 1554. www.theleedswall.co.uk The Carnegie Stadium: Home of Leeds and Yorkshire’s finest sports teams, the Headlingly complex houses the Yorkshire cricket team, Leeds Rhinos RLC and Leeds Tykes RFC. Hosting a range of events through 2007 and 2008, most notably the cricket ODI between England and India on September 2nd. www.yorkshireccc.com Golf: Gotts Park Golf. Club is three miles from the city centre and has 18 holes which suit both beginners and advanced golfers, offering a challenge on each hole. Phone +44 (0) 113 231 1896 for more information. Around the area: Leeds and Bradford are surrounded by glorious countryside. The Yorkshire Dales encompass Herriot country to the north and Bronte country to the south west. To the north east lies the North York Moors National Park and to the south the Peak District National Park. To the east, the Yorkshire Wolds and Yorkshire’s historic Heritage Coast dotted with picturesque fishing villages, sweeping beaches and soaring cliffs. To explore these areas is by car, contact Flybe’s car rental partner Avis for the best available car hire rates. www.flybe.com Alternatively, Traveline (+44 (0) 870 2 608608) provides advice and help on getting around the region by public transport. www.pti.org.uk
Around Bradford: Just 6km (3.5 miles) north of Bradford on the A650 is a little-known gem: the World Heritage Site of Saltaire. A model village created by philanthropist and mill owner Titus Salt, the village remains as it was when it was built and Salt’s Mill has been rescued from dereliction and now boasts three public floors of art, music, and crafts. It also includes the 1853 Gallery with the largest collection of the works of Bradford-born David Hockney (+44 (0) 1274 531163) www.saltsmill.org.uk Around Leeds: Just 12km (7 miles) north of Leeds is Harewood House, home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood. The House has an outstanding art collection, splendid State Rooms, and a fascinating 'Below Stairs' exhibition. It is set in spectacular grounds, which include formal gardens and woodland walks (+44 (0) 113 218 1010). www.harewood.org Coming soon.
The Royal Armouries: Here on Armouries Drive in Leeds is the purpose-built home for the national collection of arms and armour. Interactive computer displays, videos, films, and outdoor tournaments tell the story of arms and armour in battle, self-defence, sport, and fashion (24-hour info line: +44 (0) 8700 344 34.4 www.royalarmouries.org Thackray Museum: From the horrors of the Victorian operating theatres to the wonders of modern surgery, these galleries, collections, and interactive displays on Beckett Street bring to life the history of health and disease, treatment and cures, medical discoveries, equipment and technology (+ 44 (0) 113 244 4343) www.thackraymuseum.org Yorkshire Sculpture Park: Set in 200 hectares of 18th-century parkland, YSP is the centre for modern and contemporary art in Yorkshire. It can be found 1km from Junction 38 of the M1 heading south from Leeds in West Bretton, Wakefield (+ 44 (0) 1924 832 631) www.ysp.co.uk Henry Moore Institute: This centre at 74 The Headrow is dedicated to sculpture and comprises three integrated elements: exhibitions, research, and collections, drawing a wide-ranging audience including academics, artists, and the general public (+44 (0) 113 234 3158) The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television and IMAX Bradford: Dominating the centre of Bradford, the NMPFT contains Europe's first gallery dedicated to digital media, its longest-established IMAX cinema, and the only publicly accessible ‘Cinerama’ cinema in the world. It is usually closed on Mondays except bank holidays and throughout August (+44 (0) 870 7010 200) www.nmpft.org.uk Guided Walks: Guided walks take place in the evenings and during the day at weekends (+44 (0) 113 252 6807). Harewood House: Owned by one of the Queen’s cousin, Earl Lascelles, Harewood House stands in glorious open countryside around 7 miles north of Leeds. There are guided tours around the house and garden plus a farm and other outdoor play facilities for children. www.harewood.org Pubs and Bars: Leeds is very well served with drinking establishments from the classic side-street pub, to the trendiest of cocktail bars. No tour of Leeds is complete without taking in Whitelocks. Hidden away from sight down an alley, the building dates from the 18th century. The bar has a fine selection of beers and does a giant Yorkshire Pudding with sausage, and onion gravy. Find Whitelocks in Turks Head Yard (+44 (0) 113 245 3950). To get the very best of the Leeds bar scene, visit Mojo (+44 (0) 113 244 6387), recently voted by the national press in the top 50 best bars in the World. With super strong cocktails, rock'n'roll memorabilia and psychedelic patterns all around, the music also adds to the up-for-it atmosphere. Another hidden gem is The Angel Inn, in Angel Inn Yard (+44 (0) 113 245 1428). This is owned by the Sam Smith brewery so you’ll find a full range of bargain beers to drink while you mix with drinkers from all walks of life. If you fancy something a little more sophisticated, then head to the Living Room, 5-7 Greek Street, where Joel White plays blues, boogie and rock’n’roll on his piano every Thursday night (+ 44 (0) 870 44 22 720) www.thelivingroom.co.uk
The newest hottest bar in town is Baby Cream at 153-155 The Headrow (+ 44 (0) 800 0277 171). Alternatively rock out at Mojo on 18 Merrion St, which is small and usually packed, but has a great atmosphere, quality cocktails and music from the 1960s onwards. Cocoon (+44 (0) 113 234 3777) is also a brand new venue ideal for a quick drink or bite. With some of the best music playing indoors, the large terrace on the outside is perfect to catch some rays while having a drink or perhaps enjoying lunch-break get togethers. Seeing a film: The 13 screen Ster Century, The Light, has the biggest screens in Leeds, comfy seats and a huge amount of legroom, with everything from arthouse to blockbusters, plus it’s the only cinema complex in the city centre. The rather fabulous Hyde Park Picture House, at Brudenell Road (+ 44 (0) 113 275 2045) was built in 1908 as a hotel and converted in 1914. It now enjoys listed building status and many of its original features can still be seen today, including the decorated balcony, gas lighting, and the piano and organ at the front of the auditorium. The main multiplex is Vue Cinema, The Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, on Kirkstall Road (+ 44(0) 8702 406 020). For a more independent and art-house feel try Cottage Road Cinema, at 7 Cottage Road, Headingley (+ 44 (0) 113 230 2562). Bradford Theatres comprises the three main venues in Bradford: The Alhambra Theatre, St.George’s Concert Hall, and the Alhambra Theatre Studio (+44 (0) 1274 432000) Nightclubbing: The supremely cheesy Bondi Beach Bar in City Square (+ 44 (0) 113 243 4733) offers the delights of a revolving dance floor, fun tunes, and cheap drink offers to tempt in the students throughout the week. The HiFi Club (+44 (0) 113 242 7353) should be the choice for funked-up soul and Motown lovers, with a sleek interior, cheap drink offers and a friendly atmosphere. The clubs popular trademark continues to be 'Move on Up', and also hosts monthly rock night called 'Pigs'. For the more discerning, the place to be is The Wardrobe at 6 St Peters Building, The legendary Back to Basics at Rehab, Assembly Street (+ 44 (0) 113 244 9474), offers old-school house, or head over to Velvet Underground, Cross York Street, on Friday nights for some funky disco house (+ 44 (0) 113 250 2065) Live Music: Joseph’s Well, at Hanover Walk (+ 44 (0) 113 245 0875 www.josephswell.co.uk) is an indie pub with live loud music on every night. It’s a lucky dip as to the quality on offer – but you may be watching the next Coldplay. For those who prefer to hear their music sitting down, Leeds International Concert Season promotes 200 annual music events in the City of Leeds, including orchestral concerts, jazz, brass bands, chamber music, family concerts, and festivals (+44 (0) 113 247 8332) www.leedsconcertseason.com Leeds is the financial hub of the North with all the major accounting and legal firms having representation there. The regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is the driving force behind the economic regeneration of the region. www.yorkshire-forward.com Both Bradford (+44 (0) 1274 772777) and Leeds (+44 (0) 113 247 0000) Chambers of Commerce provide events and networks for business men and women. Leeds city library runs a business information resource (+44 (0) 247 8266). that provides company, industry, and business information for the area. Business Link West Yorkshire (+44 (0) 845 833 6000 ) services cover both Leeds and Bradford. They offer a wide range of advice, programmes, and workshops in all areas of business. www.blwy.co.uk The website no-ordinary-city.co.uk was setup by Leeds City Council to assist business people to relocate to Leeds. It contains comprehensive information about the local economy and major commercial sectors, as well as advice and links for businesses. www.no-ordinary-city.co.uk
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Leeds has pretty much everything that you need. There are green open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation in the countryside surrounding it, and the city, plus areas like Headingley and Chapel Allerton, have all the bars, trendy restaurants, and nightlife you require. Students and younger party animals should head directly to Headingley to drink in the vast number of bars that have sprung up in the last five years. The Original Oak is a classic student boozer, but for the smarter set Trio offers a raucous bar downstairs, a modern restaurant in the middle, and a swanky cocktail bar, Skippys, on the top floor. Those of us who are slightly older head further out of town to Chapel Allerton, or we stroll through the city centre and down to the bohemian shops and cafés in the Grade I-listed Corn Exchange and then onto Call Lane for the cracking triumvirate of bars, Revolution, Arts, and Oporto. Normans, also on Call Lane, does a good lunch - a Thai dish with a beer for £5, Monday to Thursday. A fiver will also get you a show at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, but only if you are under 25, and only Monday to Thursday. If you fancy a beer late at night and a spot of mixing with the 'real' locals then head to Supa Snooker on Templar Lane for a few frames ( + 44(0) 113 243 0519). If you are stuck for where to get hold of a pizza at 4 a.m., then grab a student and ask them for Nightline’s number (+ 44 (0) 113 380 1385). This listening service run by the students for the students also has some useful information lines, including pizza delivery. Hardcore clubbers should check out undercoverleeds.co.uk for listings on the latest and greatest club nights, and the listings site alive.co.uk has details on major events and concerts that are taking place. The other Leedscentric website you will find useful is dinedirect.net, which has all the places to eat you can imagine. www.undercoverleeds.co.uk Throwing a party? Soul Circus can be hired free! This venue is on at 159 Lower Briggate (+ 44 (0) 113 247 1234). (Useful tip: Briggate is pronounced 'briggitt' if you are asking a local for directions.) |
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