Ey Up, Leeds
Ey Up, who knew Leeds was such a lovely City to spend a couple of days? I’m sure many do but for those who don’t this mini guide may be for you!
It’s always good to explore and often we don’t do it enough in our own country. Here is to getting out and exploring more of what is on our doorstep.
This trip was a fleeting visit where I stayed in the fantastic Art Hostel by East Street Arts which offers a combination of hostel dorms and private rooms for affordable prices about fifteen minutes from Leeds Train station.
From arrival to exit The Art Hostel experience was such a positive one, hostel stays can vary depending on the place and people but this one did not disappoint, it was welcoming, friendly, cosy, comfortable and all on a budget too.
The concept and creation is such a brilliant one, each room created by an artist/s and has it’s own unique theme, one in particular stood out due to its inclusive and fully accessable twin room design, ‘Room 1 - Rooting By Sayang’, you can read more about East Street Arts and the artists behind the rooms here. The hostel itself is an L9 postcode but only a short walk from the bus station and is well signposted the closer you get. Another thing I loved about this hostel (there were many) was the map available at reception with recommendations including things to see and do, places to eat, transport, local support groups and more. I’ve seen this once before at the wonderful Ecomamahotel in Amsterdam and love the idea for many reasons, one being, it gives guests with no ideas about a City a place to begin, a guide or a base to start from.
Are we nearly there?
Light display in the multi sensory room
Room 3
Summer Projects by East Street Arts
Beautiful bathrooms
Inventive lighting
With this being a short trip I wanted to take full advantage of my time here but this doesn’t always mean rushing about seeing everything, this can be cool conversations and connections too, I’ve always got time for those and managed some brilliant conversations in the cosy hostel lounge and kitchen. Another reason why hostels are a great place to stay, if you’re open there are always excellent chats to be had (and random ones too).
My first and only full day in Leeds began at Leeds Dock as I heard rumours Open Water Swimming had just been introduced and was hoping to take a dip in, no such luck the day I was there but if you want to book in advance you can do so here. This area is a lovely one to explore with places to visit, eat, walk and relax, no matter what you’re interested in there will be something for you including The Royal Armouries which is free admission, the canary for a hot or cold drink (season dependent), art installations, beautiful canal boats or if you want to see the City from a different perspective take the Taxi Boat to Leeds station for a bargain £2. I’m a huge fan of exploring anywhere by boat and this was a great way to see Leeds from the water along with the old buildings and glorious streetart which the City has a lot of.
The taxi boat drops off (and picks up) at Leeds central station where you’ll see some more magnificent streetart first hand with the iconic piece, ‘Athena Rising’ by Nomad Clan and a new piece by Hixxy.
If you want to explore more of Leeds through a streetart trail there are websites where someone has kindly mapped out a lot of the iconic pieces the City has to offer right here. Leeds Station and the Nomad Clan piece is a great place to begin. Streetart adds hugely to Leeds City Centre (and other Cities too) and acts as a great reference point as to where to meet people too, meet me by the colourful streetart of ‘whatever it is’ or is this just me?
Close to the station there is a street (New Station street) where you’ll find some lovely eateries, one in particular stood out named Friends of Ham, which I didn’t get to try this time but it looked so good from the outside and could be one of the reasons to head back to Leeds soon.
From here there are many options of things to do depending on what you enjoy, if you’re an art lover head to Leeds Art Gallery, love a beautiful building and partial to a book, then Leeds library is in the same area, Millenium Square is close for a wander or a bite to eat or if shopping is your thing check out the Trinity centre for loads of great shops and the roof is not bad either. The wonderful thing about this shopping centre is there are many exits leading to different parts of Leeds to explore.
On this occasion I went to Leeds art gallery which is worth a visit whether you’re into art or not, the building is a beauty and leads through to Leeds library where you’ll find gorgeous tile work and when I was there, a brilliant free exhibition called ‘Rebellion to Romance’ curated by Susan Pitter and on the outside an impromptu performance ‘This is Us’ as part of the Rugby World Cup, both brilliant and happy I got to experience them.
Canal Boats
Into the light, Trinity Centre, myrodoodles
Leeds station by Hixxy
MF DOOM tribute by Two Times
Gorgeous tile work, Leeds Library
Window displays
Awesome architecture
Leeds is full to the brim with history, it can be seen in the buildings throughout the City but a few places which stand out are Leeds Kirkgate Market built in 1875, The Corn Exchange and The Arcades including Queens, Thornton’s first built in 1878 and Grand arcade, beautiful examples of Victorian architecture, read a bit more about the history here.
All offer a unique shopping experience, the market has loads of stalls to peruse from plants to bakeries and the best thing about it is the amount of food on offer, you’ll find a huge food hall with Vitenamese, Lebonese, Greek and many other options, I ate in the main market at a place called Eastern Oven and wow, it was incredible. Outside the market there is beautiful tile work, haberdashery, teapots, clothes, tools and more. The Corn Exchange offers an independent shopping experience, filled with creatives, crafts and a great place to pick up a gift. The Arcades are a grand, decedent and gorgeous experience, like stepping back in time for a moment from the colourful tile work, fancy shops and window displays to match, roof and floor detailing, piano in the middle (Victoria Quarter) and if you’re lucky you might find someone playing the keys making the whole experience even more brilliant, if possible.
Arcades
If all of this isn’t enough to make you want to visit Leeds soon then next year Leeds will host Leeds 2023 a year of art, music, culture and celebrations where you’ll be even more spoilt for choice for things to see and do, read more about it here.
So if you’ve always thought it’s grim up North, I mean that’s what they say isn’t it? whoever ‘they’ are, this could be the moment to change the perception, if it needs changing. Leeds has been named the London of the North too, so 2023 could be the year to find out and see the North in a new light. I’ll see you there.
Owl in Kirkgate market by Nicolas Dixon
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