Location: Leeds
Top Things to do in Leeds
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10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Leeds That You Shouldn't Miss
Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire, England, was one of the leading centers of industry in Victorian England. The Leeds City Museum is a great place to brush up on local history, and many TripAdvisor travelers say no visit to town is complete without exploring the Royal Armouries. You’ll also find lovely parks and a lively restaurant scene, with many eateries specializing in international cuisine.
Restaurants in Leeds
1. Quirky Ales
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Quirky Ales is a small independent craft brewery based in Garforth (8 miles East of Leeds). The Quirky Ales tap room is open every weekend, offering a range of cask-conditioned real ales and bottled conditioned beers (all brewed on the premises). Brewery tours and experience days are available and can be arranged in advance. Visitors can also purchase beers to take home from the bottle shop.
2. Royal Armouries Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,530 reviews
Home for the national collection of arms and armour that features five theme-galleries: War, Tournament, Self-Defense, Hunting, and arms and armour of the Orient.
Reviewed By Jodiedonny
This was a great interesting place with loads of different things to see & do really big place with five floors loads of war weapons and different sections to see, a lot of armour & plenty of places to listen to stories from over time, the museum has many places to sit in the glass front edge to look over the river which was lovely. Great enjoyable day, cafe staff downstairs very friendly & biscuit & cuppa lovely.
3. Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Housed in what was once the world's largest woollen mill, Leeds Industrial Museum houses a wealth of gems located in a beautiful riverside setting. Step back in time to learn about the industrial history of Leeds from manufacturing textiles and clothing to printing, engineering and locomotives, which the city was world famous for.
Reviewed By 912J0hn - Pattaya, Thailand
Visited the museum yesterday for the first time. The visted was enjoyable and informative. A one way system is in operation. Some very interesting exhibits. Photography is allowed but without flash. All in all a good morning.
4. Thackray Museum of Medicine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 823 reviews
After completing our exciting four-million-pound redevelopment, we can’t wait for visitors to explore our new galleries. Follow the story of medicine as you wander through the grimy streets of Victorian Leeds, watch gruesome operations taking place in our 19th-century operating theatre, visit a 70s-style sexual health clinic, chart how well the world responds to crisis, and discover the medical innovations that changed the world. We’ll be operating a timed entry system so booking is essential.
Reviewed By JTJD
This is a really fascinating museum adjacent to St James’s Hospital, Leeds. The car park isn’t huge & is used by people attending the hospital but didn’t have a problem finding a space. The museum is fascinating for all ages from school children & students up to adults adults & especially anyone employed in health care. There is also a small cafe & gift shop.
5. Thornton's Arcade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By SharonJT67 - Durham, United Kingdom
Worth a visit, filled with lots of small independent retailers, don’t forget to look up & admire the gorgeous glass canopied ceiling, so pleasing on the eye!
6. Leeds Town Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
Reviewed By Big_Jeff_Leo - St Helens, United Kingdom
Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858 to a design by architect Cuthbert Brodrick. Imagined as a "municipal palace" to demonstrate the power and success of Victorian Leeds, and opened by Queen Victoria in a lavish ceremony in 1858. The Town Hall is one of the largest town halls in the UK and is Grade I listed. With a height of 225 feet, the distinctive clock tower is very impressive and is currently under restoration. The highlight is of course the absolutely magnificent main hall which is now used for concert and civic events such as weddings and other ceremonies. The ceilings are amazing and a well worth the visit alone. I visited on spect and went up to receptions and asked could I have a look around to which the answer was yes the staff even pointed out some highlights including the long corridor which is full of wall plaques to the local fallen of the World Wars. A magnificent building that sits proudly on the roster of the cities premier locations.
7. The Turk's Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By TheRedMarauder - Leeds, United Kingdom
Visited late afternoon on Sunday more in hope than expectation of getting in for their Sunday dinner. The place was busy and we were advised that that it would be around 25 minute wait for a table to be available. That will do nicely as it gives an opportunity to sample some of the excellent beers available. Northern Monk Eternal is a light & citrusy session IPA that was a good thirst quencher and perfectly suited to Sunday drinking. Our table became available after only 5 minutes so were seated in one of the booths at the end of the room. This suited us since we had a fair haul of Xmas shopping so needed some extra space. The Turk’s Head does offer table service, but we had to request the waiter to place our food order. From this point onwards service was excellent without being intrusive. Food now ordered; rump of Nidderdale lamb with all the trimmings (Yorkie pud/roast spuds/parsnip/red cabbage etc.). This was delicious! See accompanying photo. You have to pay for quality, £15 in the instance but this reflected in the quality of the ingredients particularly the lamb. Is this the best Sunday roast in Leeds? It could be... try it yourself to decide! Very good beer selection, a couple of red wines by the glass and mulled wine. This all makes for a very relaxing Sunday. Looking forward to future visits.
8. Victoria Leeds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
Victoria Leeds is the go-to shopping and leisure destination in Leeds city centre. Combining the 1990 Victoria Quarter and the 2016 Victoria Gate, it includes a John Lewis & Partners, Harvey Nichols, Super Casino & over 70 beautiful boutiques as well as rooftop restaurants.
Reviewed By AdamSaun - York, United Kingdom
Victoria Leeds has some gorgeous shops, not to mention my favourite bar in Leeds, Issho. The arcades are absolutely stunning and the staff are always lovely. With the Victoria Leeds app there are several in-store events I get invited to, competitions I can enter and much more.
9. Leeds Playhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 390 reviews
Reviewed By richardhE6113OT - England, United Kingdom
I travelled a long way to Leeds Playhouse because I wanted to see Pride and Prejudice (sort of...). I was not disappointed. The show was superb and the venue was great too. We arrived early and used the convenient parking just over the road in the John Lewis car park. We then enjoyed some great food in the restaurant before taking our seats. The staff were helpful and friendly throughout. I hope I’ll be able to visit Leeds Playhouse again soon.
10. Abbey House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
Step back in time and wander through the enchanting streets, shops and houses and experience life as a Victorian. As a fun, family-friendly and interactive museum, Abbey House Museum is a great day out for all the family. Come to one of our many family sessions as advertised on our website or pop in with friends for a trip down memory lane.On the ground floor visit Stephen Harding Gate, the 19th century equivalent of a modern high street, for some old fashioned retail therapy. In the back streets, see the home of the window washer woman or pop into the Sunday-School. On the first floor, see our Childhood and Community Galleries along with the changing programme of exhibitions. Abbey House Museum is situated directly across the road from the historical site of Kirkstall Abbey, set in wonderful parkland along the banks of the River Aire.
Reviewed By Getaway700009
We loved our first visit to Abbey Hall museum. Free parking, great value family ticket, great facilities and the Victorian streets were so interesting. Lots of fun playing with the penny slot machines. Take advantage of the free parking to go for a stroll round Kirkstall Abbey too. It's very impressive.
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