Explore the UK
Leeds
The second commercial city in the UK after London Leeds is a lively city, rich in culture and heritage with lots to explore. 750,000 people live within the Leeds city boundaries and over 100,000 commute to work in the city every day. Leeds is very popular with tourists where these visitors shop, eat and enjoy the very many attractions that are offered by Leeds.
Granted city status in 1893 elaborate building grew buildings like the Public Library and the General Post Office and with its famous arcades threading through the blocks on either side of the main streets, these were undoubtedly the best to seen at the time. Based on the Aire and Calder canals, which linked Leeds with rivers Ouse and Humber to the sea, rapid development was not long in following and when the Leeds to Liverpool canal was completed it was possible to travel from the west to the east coast across the country by water. These communications made Leeds ideally situated for the development of an engineering industry, making machinery for spinning, machine tools, steam engines and gears as well as other industries based on textiles, chemicals and leather and pottery.
The two hospitals in Leeds gained international reputation and St James hospital grew to be the largest teaching hospital in Europe. The town centre became a commercial centre for retailing and offices and now can claim to be the commercial capital of the North.
Without doubt Leeds has top class nightlife and great shopping; it is full of fascinating architecture, world renowned sports venues and within close proximity to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales making it an ideal base for touring the Yorkshire region. Leeds can offer over 100 bars and 25 night clubs, with 75 renowned restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine in the city centre alone. Culture is not short and the world famous the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition is held annually, international touring companies amongst whom include Opera North, Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre perform regularly.
People travel to Leeds for many reasons, but prime amongst these is the shopping, Leeds has more than 4.3 million square feet of retail space, set in stunning architectural surroundings such as the Victoria Quarter, Corn exchange, Headrow Centre, Leeds Shopping Plaza and The Light, some of London’s top names are based here and Leeds can boast that one or two are the only ones outside of the capital. Now known as the Knightsbridge of the North, Leeds boasts famous names such Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton, as well as one off boutiques and department stores. Leeds is the shopping capital of Yorkshire and Humberside.
Because of the commercial importance of Leeds, accommodation is varied and plentiful for both the business man as well as the tourist. There are some delightful Victorian pubs to eat in at lunchtime taking on their old time character as well as serving good Yorkshire fayre and fine locally brewed ales. The road, rail and air network to Leeds are excellent, London is less than two hours away by high speed train and the M1 motorway runs right into the city, allowing visitors and business men easy access to and from the city.
