48 hours in Leeds

Leeds is the perfect city for a short break this summer and while I know it sounds cliché, the city does have something to offer everyone. What I love about the city centre is that everything you need is so close together and if you are the adventurous type, you are only twenty minutes from the Yorkshire Dales.

Getting around

Leeds is one of the few cities that offer a free bus service. The free Leeds city bus operates from outside of the train station and takes you through the city centre, to the universities and then back into the city centre to the main bus station. However for journeys outside the centre I would recommend that you use the local bus or train network.

Tourist information

Both the rail and bus stations have tourist information offices. You can buy gifts and souvenirs, order theatre tickets and book hotels. If you have a mobile phone then use the LeedsCast service, a free guide to places of interest and offers and discounts.

Recommended restaurants

My favourite restaurant is La Tasca, a Spanish restaurant on Greek Street. The £10 all you can eat menu is a bargain and the food is delicious. Near the Corn Exchange you will find an Italian restaurant called Zizzi that serves up tasty meatballs and spaghetti.

Another favourite of mine is the Waterfront restaurant, beautiful views of the canal and the rib eye steak is mouth-watering. You cannot leave Leeds though without having a roast dinner at Whitelocks, the oldest pub in Leeds.

Recommended bars and pubs

To sample beers from around the world then a visit to North Bar comes highly recommended, it has a great atmosphere but pricey. For a cheaper drink head to Becketts Bank or spend the evening in a converted canal boat called the Dry Dock, a favourite with students.

For traditional pubs head down the side streets on Briggate and find the Angel, Whitelocks and the Ship, or walk towards the Oracle bar on the waterfront if you’re into trendy bars. If you are visiting the theatre then the Lounge is a nice bar to chill out in.

For the kids

Take the kids out for an educational day out with a trip to the Leeds City museum where they will learn about the history of Leeds and life on Earth. Or, the Royal Armouries, again very educational and both museums I can recommend. Oh, and free entrance too.

Leeds has loads of open spaces; I recommend a picnic at Roundhay Park, take the kids to Kirkstall Abbey, or stroll around Lotherton Hall. Spend the afternoon mountain biking through Otley Chevin or walk up Ilkley Moor to the White Wells bath house.

Shopping in Leeds

You could spend the weekend just shopping; everything is within walking distance. The Victoria Quarter with its designer shops, the Light and Headrow shopping centres. See if you can find the Victorian arcades or head down to the waterfront and the Granary Wharf.

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