The must-see sights of Leeds – England

March 15, 2010 by admin

My guest post today is from Darren Cronian who champions the travel consumer over at TravelRants, but today is sharing some of the must-see sights of his home town of Leeds.

To anybody who is visiting Leeds for the day there are plenty of things to see and do. Here is a review on some of the best must-see attractions of Leeds and its surrounding areas:

The Royal Armouries in Leeds

The Royal Armouries, situated in the recently renovated Clarence Dock canal-front development, is the home of the UK’s national collection of armour. Entry is free, and you can enjoy not only looking at the superb museum displays but also Jousting Tournaments, Pirate Days and, in the spring, Falconry Displays. Once you’ve had your fill of the medieval, there are plenty of great restaurants and bars on Clarence Dock to relax in, including the award winning Mumtaz Indian restaurant.

Clarence Dock Canal in Leeds

Further from the centre of town, but well worth a visit, is Tropical World in Tropical World in Roundhay Park. It contains the largest collection of tropical plants in the UK, with the exception of Kew Gardens. You can walk around a mini rainforest, as butterflies flit past and birds fly overhead; check out the turtles and fish in the waterfall pool and see a variety of weird and wonderful creatures in the nocturnal area. As an added bonus given the recent harsh winter, it’s lovely and warm inside. Come out and have a walk around Roundhay Park, which has recently undergone an £8.2 million Heritage Lottery improvement project and been awarded a Green Flag.

The Royal Armouries in Leeds

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, especially as the weather (hopefully!) improves, you could venture a little further from the city and visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, a stunning place situated just off the M1 near Wakefield. Stroll around the 500 acres of 18th century parkland admiring the fabulous sculptures, and visit the four indoor galleries. Admission is free but there is a £4 car parking charge for the day.

Finally, another popular attraction for the city can be found in Temple Newsam. “One of the great historic estates in England”, the house is a magnificent Tudor-Jacobean edifice set within 1500 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland. The gardens were landscaped by Capability Brown in the 1700s, and the house has recently undergone extensive restoration. The Home Farm on site is Europe’s largest working Rare Breeds Farm with over 400 animals. Each summer two free concerts are held on the grounds: Opera in the Park and the slightly more mainstream Party in the Park. Get lucky with the weather and this is the perfect venue. There are regular family activities taking place throughout the year too, such as guided walks and even funfairs.

Darren Cronian is the editor of My Life in Leeds, a locally written travel guide providing locals and tourists with ideas on things to do in the city. The Daily Leeds blog features events, and discussions about life in Leeds. You’ll find everything you need to organise the perfect break in Leeds

Photos by Darren Cronian on My Life in Leeds