72 HOURS IN LEEDS
With 72 hours in Leeds, you can explore the city centre, the suburbs and head out even further afield to the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. Throw in some excellent food, and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with city and be straight back for more!
Day 1:
Morning
Start your day with brunch at the opulent Lost and Found Leeds Club, it’s the perfect way to begin your trip. Once you’re satisfied and ready to go, join onto one of the walking tours in the city centre. This is the perfect way to find your way around the city whilst learning about its varied and layered history.
Leeds Walking Tours are run by Blue Badge guides on Saturday mornings and give you the opportunity to discover the story of Leeds through its buildings, spaces and people. Leeds City Walking Tours have an extensive range of walking tours, and you can book a bespoke, private tour too. For a unique cultural walking tour Leeds Black History walk, meet at the University of Leeds Parkinson Building the first Saturday of the month at 11am. The tour tells the unseen stories of Yorkshire’s African community, from ancient history and empire through to contemporary identity.
Afternoon
After exploring the city and its rich history, journey out to Temple Newsam for the afternoon. There’s plenty to explore so start with a light lunch at the Café before taking a look around Temple Newsam House, which captures over 500 years of history by telling the stories of the people who lived and worked there through various art forms.
Next to the house you’ll find Home Farm, where you can meet rare breeds of farm animals including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
The grounds surrounding Temple Newsam House and Home Farm are worth a wander around too: The Rhododendron Walk is particularly beautiful, there’s a lake, and the Walled Garden is home to produce used in the Tea Rooms and shop.
If you have still have plenty of energy, it’s time for a treetop challenge at Go Ape, situated in the woodlands of Temple Newsam. Cross from tree to tree using high ropes, zip lines and even a free-falling plummet, safe in the knowledge that you’re always hooked on.
Evening
Back in Leeds, spend the evening getting a little bit competitive with one of many gaming experiences. There’s bowling at Tenpin or Roxy Lanes, Shuffleboard at Box Leeds and Electric Shuffle, darts at Flight Club, crazy golf at Junkyard Golf Club or beer pong at Roxy Ball Room. Pixel Bar and NQ64 offer cocktails with retro gaming and arcades, try out axe-throwing at Whistle Punks and Boom Battle Bar, or for games and karaoke try out Carousel.
Of course you’ll need a good meal to fuel your evening activities, so pop into Northern Market, where you can find a fully stocked bar alongside with Northern Monk’s own alongside food vendors Six Slice pizza, Falafel Guys, Big Buns and Yuzu Streetfood.
Day 2:
Daytime
IMAGE: Ilkley Moor credit James Mulkeen | Studio Bokehgo | Visit Leeds | Visit Britain
Mornings are better with brunch. Head to Nordic-inspired restaurant FINT Leeds; they do lots of tasty veggie and vegan options!
Leeds is perfectly situated for day trips exploring wider Yorkshire, providing the perfect excuse for a visit to the beautiful countryside. Hop on a train and you can reach Ilkley in 25 minutes. Set out on a scenic walk on the famous Ilkley Moor and find the Cow and Calf; a large rock formation consisting of an outcrop and boulder, also known as Hangingstone Rocks. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, call into the famous Bettys Tea Room for some quintessentially English refreshments and explore the town.
Evening
Head back into Leeds for a relaxing evening of dinner and drinks. If you’re looking for a real treat, indulge in a fine-dining, multi-course menu at Six by Nico or Chef Jono at V&V. Or, if the sun is shining, there are lots of places for Al Fresco dining too.
DAY 3:
Morning
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you won’t go hungry in Leeds. Farmhouse serves up wholesome food including all your favourite breakfast dishes. Or try something different and transport your tastebuds to Thailand with breakfast at Chaophraya.
Enjoy a morning of culture with a visit to Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute; all within minutes walk of each other and all free entry! Begin at Leeds City Museum, where you can uncover fascinating exhibits from natural history and ancient civilizations to Leeds’ own diverse heritage—don’t miss the iconic Leeds Tiger and the Life on Earth gallery. Just a short stroll away, step into Leeds Art Gallery, home to an outstanding collection of British 20th-century and contemporary art, including works by Turner, Constable, and modern innovators. Whilst here, visit Leeds Central Library just across the road. The 19th century, Grade II listed building isn’t just packed with books, but also home to some stunning architecture inside and out. Don’t miss the Tiled Hall Café for a coffee and a slice of cake, enjoyed amongst marble columns, Victorian tiles and a mosaic ceiling in what used to be the main library reading room. Complete your morning at the Henry Moore Institute, a world-renowned centre for sculpture, where you can explore thought-provoking exhibitions and sculptures by modern and contemporary artists.
Afternoon
You’ll also want to include some of Leeds’ most beautiful shopping spots on your sightseeing tour. The city is home to several stunning Arcades, full of independents selling everything from crafts to clothing. A visit to the iconic Leeds Corn Exchange. is a must. Built in 1863 as a traditional corn exchange and reopened in the late 1980s, this round building is now packed with independent retailers and is a joy to walk around.
Just around the corner from the Corn Exchange is Kirkgate Market, another must-see in Leeds. One of Europe’s largest indoor markets, it boasts over 800 stalls offering everything from fresh produce and global street food to fashion, homewares, and unique gifts. The market is also the birthplace of Marks & Spencer, commemorated by the iconic Market Clock in the ornate 1904 hall! The Kirkgate Market Kitchen is the perfect pit stop with cuisine from across the world!
Evening
In Leeds you’ll find live entertainment every night of the week. Take your pick from dance, music, comedy, theatre, film, performance, and a jam-packed programme of unmissable headliner events and festivals. Alongside first direct arena which hosts major events year-round, the fabric of our city is made up of proudly independent venues – Project House, Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave Music Hall, The HiFi Club, The Wardrobe and The Viaduct to name just a few! Our amazing spaces host thousands of events and are the lifeline of our city’s vibrant culture. And that’s not to mention our fantastic theatres – Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Carriageworks and the longest running music hall in the country – Leeds City Varieties. There’s plenty to do in Leeds and guaranteed fun every day (and night!) of the week.