Leeds City Centre Area Guide

If you're a student moving to Leeds for University, but are a little unfamiliar with the area, we have put together an area guide to give you all the information you may need for living in Leeds.

Transport

Although Leeds is relatively small for a city, it is still one of the major cities in the UK, so has very good transport links for getting around.

There is a main bus station in Leeds City centre, which runs hundreds of buses regularly throughout the day, so wherever you are in Leeds you won't have a problem travelling around by bus. For info on buses and timetables please visit bustimes.org.

Leeds also has an intercity train station, and also a northern railway line, if you're wanting to travel a little further afield. So, if you don't drive or you'd prefer not to take your car with you to Uni, it's easy enough to jump on the train to Leeds instead. For Leeds train timetables please visit northernrailway.co.uk.

If you do drive into University, Leeds is very well connected via the M621, M62, M1, A1M, and A64M, so it is easy enough to get to by car.

Leeds also has their very own water taxi service, which runs every day of the week between 7am-7pm on weekdays and 10am-6pm on weekends, to ferry passengers between Leeds Docks and Granary Wharf. They run every 15 minutes, and cost just £1 per person, per journey.

Shopping

Whether you like to shop in local, vintage, or high-street shops, will be spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Leeds.

Trinity Leeds - Home to over 120 brands and shops under one roof, as well as a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. For a full list of shops and restaurants, including opening times, please visit - trinityleeds.com.

Kirkgate Market - Situated in a Grade I listed building form 1875, Kirkgate Market is Europe's largest covered market, filled with around 800 stalls from local traders offering a range of goodies; from fresh food and drinks, to fashion, jewellery, and handmade gifts.

Corn Exchange - If you're looking for quirky shops, vintage clothing, and local places to eat, the Corn Exchange is bursting with independent retailers and eateries. It is situated in a Grade I listed building on Call Lane in Briggate.

Grand Arcade - If you're looking for somewhere a little different to shop, then why not pop along to the Grand Arcade - the oldest shopping arcade in Leeds City centre - where you will find an array of local, independent retailers with quirky things on offer, that you typically won't find on the high street.

Things To Do

Royal Armouries - The Royal Armouries Museum is the UK's oldest museum, originally being housed in the Tower of London, and boasts the national collection of arms and armour across 5 theme-galleries.

Roundhay Park - Leeds is home to one of the biggest parks in Europe; Roundhay Park, which covers around 700 acres of land including woodland, lakes, parkland, and gardens; perfect for a lovely spring/summer day out. Roundhay Park is visited by millions of people every year, making it one of the most popular attractions in Leeds.

Kirkstall Abbey - This beautiful architecture is the ruins of a monastery, founded over 800 years ago. It is situated North-West of Leeds City centre, amongst lovely parkland on the north bank of the River Aire. Visiting Kirkstall Abbey is ideal on a warm summer afternoon, so that you can stroll through the parkland and take in some of the history of Leeds.

If you're a fan of the arts, Leeds City is also home to theatres, the Northern Ballet, Opera North, West Indian Street Carnival, Belgrave Music Hall, as well as Leeds Art Gallery, and Leeds International Film Festival which is held in November.

So, whatever you're interests, Leeds will have something on offer for you and your friends. Visit TripAdvisor for the top things to do in Leeds.

Nightlife

If you're moving to Leeds as a student, then one of the things you need to know is where the nightlife is. Well, you won't be stuck for things to do of an evening in Leeds; it has something for everyone.

Belgrave Music Hall - If you fancy a gig or a comedy night, check out the Belgrave Music Hall, where they are bound to have something new to discover. The hall is spread across three floors, and has an amazing roof terrace for those summer nights, and they also serve fast food and drinks, so you have everything you need for a good night all under one roof.

Tapped - With their renowned pizzas and guest ales, Tapped is the place to be when you're looking for a chilled night.

The Domino Club - Leeds is in abundance of bars with live music, but if you want a change of scenery from the norm, head over to The Domino Club for some live jazz, soul, and blues.

There are also plenty of affordable bars where you can spend the night drinking cocktails with friends such as Tiki Hideaway, Cuckoo, MOJO, Bar Soba, and many more! Or, if you're looking for a quieter night in a pub or are craving some proper pub food, you can sit back with a beer in Whitelock's Ale House, The Adelphi, The White Swan, The Brewery Tap… The pub choices are endless, wherever you are in Leeds.

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