Not very long ago the West Yorkshire city of Leeds was a grim,
grey industrial town, which visitors could well describe as the
'dead centre' of England, and not just because of its location. In
little more than a decade, however, Leeds has enjoyed an economic
boom and its transformation has earned it accolades from all
quarters; it is now recognised as one of Europe's most successful
cities. Along with this has come a tide of tourism, spurred along
recently by a 'UK's favourite city' award from Conde Nast Traveller
magazine.
Leeds currently attracts an average 1.4 million sleep-over
visitors a year, and 18 million more who come on day trips. The
reasons they come to Leeds are many and varied, because this is a
city with plenty to offer, from its renowned wild nightspots to its
cultural events, and its abundant shopping to its fascinating
collection of museums.
For shopaholics Leeds is pure paradise, its retail areas like
the Victoria Quarter, Corn Exchange, Headrow Centre and Leeds
Shopping Plaza packed with top quality big name stores. With
development ongoing, shopping opportunities are continually getting
bigger and better. For culture vultures Leeds offers major national
and international theatre, dance, opera and music events in a
variety of top-class venues, as well as a major art gallery housing
an important collection of traditional and contemporary British
art.
Among the city's dozens of museums there is the intriguing
Thackray, offering a vivid insight into Victorian medical
practices; the Amley Mills, housed in an old woollen mill and
demonstrating industrial and railway history; and the Royal
Armouries, oldest museum in the UK, containing a fascinating
collection of ancient weaponry and torture instruments.
Plenty to do and see means there is never a dull moment in
Leeds, and at night the action shifts to the hundreds of pubs,
bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Some of the live band venues,
like The Cockpit, Joseph's Well and The Wardrobe, are
internationally renowned; not for nothing is Leeds recognised as
one of the UK's clubbing capitals.
Sharing access to the nearby international airport is the
neighbouring historic Yorkshire city of Bradford, also a vibrant,
cosmopolitan city offering plenty to amuse and entertain visitors.
Bradford has attractions like the National Media Museum with its
Imax cinema, and industrial museum, and a splendid art gallery
contained in beautiful Lister Park.
These two complementary Yorkshire cities, with their packed
calendars of festivals and events, have become the beating heart of
England.
