Hotels in Leeds

Leeds is a busy city with a great atmosphere and plenty of fun things to do during a weekend break. From museums and stately homes like Harewood House, to lively shopping malls like the Trinity Shopping Centre – Leeds has something for everyone. Leeds has fantastic parks and outdoor spaces like Roundhay Park, and the northern boundaries of the Peak District are under an hour’s drive away. Leeds is also the home of Leeds United FC, based at Elland Road stadium.

What is Leeds famous for?
Leeds is a vibrant, modern city with plenty of parks and green areas, and is well-known for its shopping, nightlife, sports and universities. Leeds First Direct Arena is a 13,500-capacity entertainment venue that draws visitors for sports and music performances, and the city’s many museums and galleries mean there’s a wide variety of cultural experiences to enjoy. The city is also the birthplace of a string of famous faces, including broadcaster Jeremy Paxman, comedian Vic Reeves and Spice Girl Mel B.

What are people from Leeds called?
Interestingly, people from Leeds are generally referred to as Loiners. The origin of this term is something of a mystery, although one theory suggests it could derive from Loidis, which was the 8th century name for the area.

What accent do they have in Leeds?
As a northern city in West Yorkshire, Leeds locals have a northern English accent.

Is Leeds a town or city?
Leeds is a city, with an estimated population of around 780,000.

How old is Leeds city?
Leeds as a village dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, with a population of around 200 people by the time of the Doomsday Book in 1086. It officially became a town in 1207 and in 1893 was upgraded to city status, following a boom in trade and entertainment venues opening in the area.

How big is Leeds?
After London and Birmingham, Leeds is the third largest city in the UK by population, as approximately 780,000 people live in the area. The city itself, as a Metropolitan borough, covers 213 square miles. While the boundary of the city centre has no formal definition, it’s extremely easy to explore by foot or short trips on public transport.
 

Is Leeds safe?
Leeds is mostly a safe city, particularly around the city centre. As with any city break, it’s worth keeping some common sense around you, particularly if staying out late to enjoy the city’s buzzing nightlife.

Where is Leeds Castle?
This is important to note – Leeds Castle is not in Leeds, Yorkshire, but instead about 230 miles south of the city in Maidstone, Kent. Many folks have fallen into the trap of confusing the two, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other historic attractions in Leeds city, including Harewood House, with 100 acres of gorgeous gardens, and charming Edwardian country estate, Lotherton Hall.
 

How do I get around Leeds?
With a network of bus, train and tram services running throughout the city, and local bike rental services from as little as £3.80 a day, you can easily explore Leeds in a variety of ways. A free water taxi service travels between Granary Wharf and Leeds Dock and is an excellent way of viewing the historic waterfront. For longer journeys, Leeds Bradford Airport is just seven miles outside the city centre.

Find out more about getting around Leeds with our guide.

Discover more about the city with our detailed Things to Do in Leeds guide.