Leeds is a lively city that is full of exciting cultural and historical sites, which are thrilling to explore. More than 100,000 people come to work in the city centre every day, while thousands of more come to shop, eat out or just to enjoy the variety of attractions Leeds has on offer.

Some History

Many industries have added to Leeds’ riches, but the city is particularly famous for its clothing trade. There are some very famous names associated with the city, which include Thomas Chippendale who began making his famous furniture in Leeds, and Michael Marks – of Marks & Spencer – who opened his first Penny Bazaar there in 1884.

The city also boasts the historical Kirkgate Market, which is well worth a visit. The market is Europe’s biggest indoor market after Leicester and is open six days a week. There are over 400 stalls inside the market and a further two hundred outside.

Kirkgate Market first opened in 1822 as an open air market and the first covered sections were constructed between 1850 and 1875. Unfortunately, most of the structure, except the Vicar Lane facade, was ruined in a 1975 fire. However, the Market was refurbished in the early 1990s and following this, Kirkgate Market was upgraded from a Grade II to a Grade I listed structure.

A Shopper’s Paradise

Leeds is a exciting place for shoppers! It boasts over 1,000 stores, which include Harvey Nicholls, Louis Vuitton and many more designer names, which are scattered around the city’s fashionable high streets, state-of-the-art shopping malls, Victorian shopping arcades, historic buildings and Edwardian markets.

Something for Everybody

If you don’t like shopping, you will be happy to know that Leeds has plenty more places of interest. These include the truly insightful Leeds City Museum and the Henry Moore Institute, which caters to the artistic tourist. Alternatively, you could visit one of the city’s superb parks or even the gorgeous Mandela gardens, which are located in the heart of the city.

These good looking gardens were built to mark the year 2000 at a cost of £12 million and were funded by Leeds council and the Millennium Commission. The gardens won a prize at the 2004 Chelsea Flower Show, but they were seriously damaged earlier this year due to a huge water fight.

It goes without saying that any tourist visiting Leeds should ensure that they taste its nightlife. With wonderful restaurants, vip bars and unforgettable nightclubs, you will have an out of this world evening in this divine city. Needless to say Leeds boasts a massive gay community, so you will find some fantastic gay clubs, too.

After the nightclubs close, why not head to one of the city’s plush hotels for some beauty sleep? There are some great hotels in the city, so you will be spoiled for choice. If you choose a hotel with a free breakfast, you will be able to eat away your hangover, too.

How to Find Leeds

You will find Leeds is easy to get to by car, bus, coach and train. Train connections run from Leeds Railway Station to Central London, Southampton, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool and many more locations throughout the UK.
About the Author:

Author: Haley Softie

Haley Softie is a former nail technician from Leeds. Previously she worked as a professional Leeds glamour model for a reputable modelling agency in Leeds.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Shopping, Night Clubs and Culture – the Ultimate Guide to Leeds

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