Our Neighbours
WAKEFIELD
Wakefield is the birthplace of renowned sculptors Dame Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. The Hepworth Wakefield is Yorkshire’s landmark gallery for the visual arts, while Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Take in the splendour of an 18th century National Trust mansion and discover the stories of the local people at Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield museums.
Fancy a festival? There’s lots to choose from. Sample the local produce at the Festival of Food, Drink & Rhubarb, and delight your sweet tooth at the Pontefract Liquorice Festival.
Frequent trains run from Leeds Train Station to Wakefield, the journey takes just over 10 minutes. Alternatively, the 110 bus from Leeds to Wakefield and takes 37 minutes.
HARROGATE
The Victorian spa town of Harrogate lies just on the North Yorkshire border. In its rural district, you’ll find the medieval city of Ripon, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and four charming yet unique market towns: Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Masham and Pateley Bridge.
If you’re on social media, you may have already seen the Insta-famous Knaresborough Viaduct. Pose for the camera as you row your way down the River Nidd, or head up into town to look out over the awe-inspiring landscape.
Bradford
Venture out to Bradford, the 2025 UK City of Culture, and enjoy the city’s combination of incredible urban architecture, stunning rural scenery, esteemed museums and their packed calendar of cultural events. There’s no shortage of high quality events and festivals happening in the Bradford district. Whatever time of year you visit there will be something to inspire, entertain and excite. There’s a flourishing arts scene, fascinating exhibitions, world-famous theatres, and plenty of live music to keep you enthralled.
If you’re a literature fan, walk in the footsteps of the Brontë family at the historic Brontë Parsonage Museum. Booklovers will be spoilt for choice at Bradford Literature Festival. You’ll find the hottest creative talent around showcased in our many galleries too. Be sure not to miss the ever-popular festivals at the National Science and Media Museum – Yorkshire Games Festival, the Bradford Science Festival, and Widescreen Weekend.
HUDDERSFIELD
The birthplace of the international sport, Rugby League, Huddersfield is home to beautiful Yorkshire architecture and the Huddersfield Giants Rugby Team. Huddersfield is a true Yorkshire town with bags of character and charm.
The district also comprises a number of riverside town and villages offering visitors a taste of the Yorkshire countryside. Highlights in Huddersfield include; Holmfirth, Standedge Tunnel, and Yorkshire’s Kirklees Light Railway.
There are direct trains from Leeds to Huddersfield which take 19 minutes. It is possible to take the 202 or 203 bus from Leeds to Huddersfield but this takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
YORK
York is a beautiful historic city with quaint cobbled streets and plenty to see including York Minster, Jorvik Viking Museum and Railway Museum. Delve into the city’s vibrant café culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country’s most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river. Visitors to York can enjoy hundreds of attractions, museums, historic buildings, tours, shops, restaurants and bars within the compact walled city.
York is easy to access by train from Leeds Train Station and takes just 22 minutes. If you’d prefer to take the bus, the ZAP service runs from Leeds Bus Station and takes approximately 1 hour.
Sheffield
Sheffield is the UK’s greenest city, on the doorstep of the historic Peak District National Park, the spiritual home of the country’s climbing scene.
Head to Meadow Hall for a day of shopping, or discover the city’s indie scene in the Antiques Quarter.
Trains run throughout the day between Leeds and Sheffield, taking just 45 minutes.
Ilkley
The picturesque town of Ilkley is situated in the Wharfe Valley, at the southern end of the Yorkshire Dales. The former spa town rose to fame in the nineteenth century when thousands visited for the fresh invigorating air and first class hotels. And while the town may no longer be a premier health resort, it’s still renowned for its fresh air, moorland and beautiful countryside.
You’ll find fantastic countryside and walks for all abilities, while there are excellent restaurants and independent shops in the town selling everything from handmade gifts to vintage clothes and books.
There are frequent trains running between Ilkley and Leeds every day, taking no more than half an hour.