Leeds has so much to offer, it has a beautiful city centre with a vibrant nightlife and a wealth of top quality dining choices. With Leeds Loves Food in July, Leeds Pride in August, and Leeds International Film Festival in November, there are plenty enjoyable events for Leonardo Hotel guests throughout the year.
See what Leeds has to offer and book a city break.
Best Bar: Hidden away in the city centre is The Angel Inn (Angel Inn Yard). Just off the main shopping street, it has a lively mix of locals, students and tourists utilising the seating inside and outside.
Best Restaurant: Just a stone’s throw away from Leonardo Hotel Leeds is Viva (9 Bridge End), the best Italian restaurant in the city. You’ll often find Italian visitors to Leeds making this their home away from home.
Best Kept Secret: Clarence Dock offers fantastic views of the River Aire away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. There are also several shops and restaurants on the dock, making this a must see on any visit to Leeds.
We've asked our teams to create short videos on how to see the best of their cities in just 36 minutes on foot or just a short car ride from the hotel!
City Art Gallery
This Leeds gem is the region's premier visual arts venue with a plethora of exciting collections to discover, from paintings and watercolours to sculpture and 20th century art. Enjoy an inspiring and entertaining day out with some of the most outstanding works of British Art outside of London. Leeds City Art Gallery also offers unique places to eat and drink with the Tiled Hall Café or the ‘Brew Bar’.
The City Art Gallery offers free admission, is open 10am -5pm every day except Sunday when the gallery opens 12-4pm. Leeds Art gallery can be found in the heart of Leeds next door to the town hall, up the road from Trinity Leeds and just a 15 minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Leeds.
Kirkstall Abbey
Enjoy a wander around Kirkstall Abbey, once home to the Cistercian Monks, and one of the best-preserved monastic sites in the country. The abbey has beautiful parklands to discover as well as the stunning historic architecture of the remaining structure. The visitor centre holds Kirkstall Abbey’s rich story starting from its construction in the 12th Century, making a trip to this site a truly fantastic day out.
The Abbey is open Tuesdays to Sundays 10am until 4/4.30 depending on the time of year. Admission is free but is located a short 22 minute drive outside the city centre.
Royal Armouries
Discover something a little different and visit a Britain’s national museum of arms and armour. This Leeds treasure offers five galleries filled with over 8,000 artefacts, from war, tournament and self-defence to oriental and hunting! Immerse yourself in the Royal Armouries’ 3,000 years of history with breath-taking displays, dramatic interpretations, live action events, entertaining films, interactive technology and thrilling exhibitions for an experience you’ll never forget.
Admission is free with the museum opening 10am to 5pm every day. Situated along the River Aire, the royal Armouries offers a leisurely seven minute stroll from Leonardo Hotel Leeds.
Thackray Museum
This award-winning museum offers some serious family fun. Interactive, engaging, entertaining and inspiring, the Thackray Museum is the bee’s knees of museums! Discover the history of medicine- its developments over the years as well as the gruesome details of the 19th Century. The museum also has plenty to explore as you immerse yourself in the inner workings of the human body…
This fantastic day out costs £8 for an adult and £5 for children, and the museum is open every day 10am until 5pm. The Thackray Museum is 14 minutes by car from our Leeds hotel.
Tropical World
From Meerkats to crocodiles, Leeds Tropical World is an exciting day out for all to explore a range of flora and fauna. Housing largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew Gardens, this garden attraction will not disappoint with its ‘tumbling waterfalls’, tropical fish and exotic plants. Travel together around the world from the Amazon to the desert of South Africa for a day to remember.
Admission cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children aged 5-15. Leeds Tropical World is a 24-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Leeds.
Leventhorpe Vineyard
Established in 1985, Leventhorpe Vineyard is Britain's most northerly vineyard known for producing wines with unique character. The 5-acre wine estate produces dry white and red wines, which visitors can sample before purchase, saving you from buying a bottle that isn’t to your taste!
Leventhorpe Vineyardis open Monday to Saturday 11am-4 pm and Sunday 12-4pm, and is situated a little outside of Leeds with either a 19 minute drive or 40 minute train journey.
Temple Newsam House
The Hampton Court of the north - this truly magnificent house has an interesting and unique history. This huge Tudor-Jacobean stately home offers 30 rooms displaying paintings, renowned Chippendale furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles, and much more. Temple Newsam House also has 1,500 acres of stunning parkland, including a beautiful walled garden, and a farm which features over 400 animals from pigs to poultry.
The house and farm is 19 minutes by car, and admission costs £7.40 for adults and £4.00 for children.
Discover the eclectic shopping scene within Leeds, where a variety of stores, boutiques, and markets beckon. Join us on a journey through the shopping area within Leeds and indulge in the city's retail delights.
With plenty to explore, shopping in Leeds is the perfect activity for retail lovers!
Victoria Quarter
Starting with the Grade II listed Victoria Quarter, you can discover big designer brands from Vivien Westwood to Louis Vuitton.
Corn Exchange
If you’re a vintage, independent craft store sort of person, the Corn Exchange is the perfect place to peruse and is housed in a beautiful building.
Kirkgate Market
The famous Leeds Kirkgate Market is definitely worth a visit for the history of an older market which offers everything from fresh produce to materials and clothes
Trinity Leeds
For your big brands and favourite high street store, check out Trinity Leeds - described as a ‘retail beacon’ and sure to meet all your shopping needs.
Leeds, the vibrant heart of West Yorkshire, is a city renowned for its dynamic shopping scene, where a rich tapestry of retail experiences unfolds against the backdrop of northern charm. From historic arcades to modern shopping centres, Leeds invites shoppers to explore a diverse array of stores, boutiques, and markets. Join us on a journey through the many shops in Leeds and enjoy the retail delights the city has to offer.
As one of the most scenic regions in Scotland, Perthshire is unsurprisingly packed with beautiful trails ideal for both a leisurely stroll or a serious hike. If you’re making a trip up to the country’s heart sometime soon to stay at our conveniently located Leonardo Boutique Hotel Huntingtower Perth, why not check out one of the following memorable walks in Perthshire?