Recommended Tours

Tour 1: Hitting the City

Leeds is a thriving city, with something for everyone. It's regarded as a Mecca for shoppers, drinkers and diners. New, innovative places spring up constantly. Here's one way you could spend the day seeing what all the fuss is about.

Break yourself in slowly with a browse round the quality, high profile stores and delightful independent shops clustered in and around Victoria Quarter. Premier retailers, like Karen Millen, Jigsaw Womenswear, Jigsaw Menswear, French Connection and Space NK Apothecary are represented here. Stop off at Harvey Nichols coffee bar, Caffe Uno or the Bagel Bar for a quick refreshing drink or snack and then hit the jewel in Leeds' crown, Harvey Nichols. From here, wander further into the shopping heart of the city. Take in Thornton's and Queen's Arcades—both havens, housing delightful independent shops, selling everything from designer street wear and top quality leather goods, to photographic equipment and wonderful designer jewellery.

Lands Lane runs across the top of the arcades. You're in pedestrianised high street shopping heaven here. You can strike in any direction and you won't go wrong. The Headrow Centre is opposite and Leeds Shopping Plaza sits on Commercial Street. The gamut of high street stores are situated in this area; Warehouse, Boots, HMV, Oasis, Virgin, W H Smith and Next, to name but a few. Be warned, it's pretty frantic here most days and if it's a sedate shopping experience you're after, Saturday is a definite no-no. Now you must be in need of substantial refreshment. Head slightly away from the shops towards the Corn Exchange and enjoy a nice long lunch in any of the wealth of the Exchange Quarter's cafe-bars; Moderno, Norman, Metz, Arts Café, Oporto, Velvet and Revolution can all be found here.

Right, that's enough watching the world go by! Get back out there and take in some of Leeds smaller independent and alternative shops and boutiques. A must for all visitors is the Corn Exchange. Everything, from designer dresses to handmade pottery, is sold here from small converted shop units. It's worth going for the building alone—an impressive structure on three levels with a huge dome roof—the heart of Leeds' trading life in bygone days. For those interested in retro, browse around Blue Rinse, situated just outside the Corn Exchange.

At this point, you could take a detour to Granary Wharf, particularly if it's a sunny weekend day. Enjoy the great street entertainment and treat yourself to an ice cream. Then, head over to the Market to stare—another impressive building. Wonder at the great sprawl of stalls where you can get anything you might want as long as you look hard enough!

You must be tired now. Go and grab a coffee somewhere or head back to your accommodation. You've already pre-booked a table at any one of Leeds quality dining establishments; Rascasse, Pool Court at 42, Brasserie 44, Shears Yard, and Leodis, number among them. Dine in style wearing the fine garments you've bought yourself today and plan your next visit!

E. Hill

Tour 2: Museums and Galleries

If you believe the hype, the arrival of The Royal Armouries in Leeds four years ago, boosted the city's cultural scene and heightened interest in the its museums and attractions for tourists and residents. The truth is, a trip to the Royal Armouries is not to everyone's taste and there's plenty to do besides, but we'll start our tour off there anyhow:

The Royal Armouries sits on Leeds' waterfront at the bottom of The Calls. Stare at it from Crown Point Bridge to appreciate the building's massive battleship-like splendour. Once inside, it's worth visiting for the interior alone. Children (and some adults) may bore easily here, so think twice before planning your day around a visit here. The temporary exhibitions, which are usually well publicised are of greater general interest (past exhibitions have included The World of James Bond and Dinosaurs Alive).

If you're on foot, walk along the waterfront, following signs for The Calls. When you're on The Calls, head for the Corn Exchange. Now strike up to The Headrow. Here you'll find the Henry Moore Institute and the City Art Gallery next to one another. If you're without transport, or it's a rainy day, you could visit both and then dine in the gallery's cosy cafe before heading home.

Lovers of sculpture who still want more after the Henry Moore Institute, get on the bus or in the car and head down the A61 for Wakefield Art Gallery. Here there is a room dedicated to former Wakefield residents Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth and a restful, if small, sculpture garden to contemplate all that great art you've just beheld. And now for the jewel in your non-stop sculpture tour, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It is accessible by public transport but it's far easier to get there by car. Bear the weather in mind before you go—the sculptures are exhibited outside. Permanent and temporary displays can be enjoyed in splendid countryside surroundings, and the kids can run around and enjoy themselves, too!

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