Neighborhoods in Leeds

The Armoury.

Visit Harrogate.

Go to Betty's in Harrogate.

Visit RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate.

Visit Holmfirth and see if Nora Batty's stockings are still wrinkled.

Nigel. Thank you very much. Just reading about the Armoury. I’m in in that.

Any guidance on where to stay (or not stay) for my one night in Leeds? Or best to just take a train back to Manchester

Leeds doesn't really have a RLD in the sense you might be thinking of Amsterdam or Hamburg. It's more a zone where the police are "managing" prostitution to make it safer for the workers. It's in Holbeck which is well away from the centre, though not far from Elland Road.

Assuming you arrive at the main Leeds station, this explains transport to the stadium

https://www.wymetro.com/plan-a-journey/sports-grounds/elland-road-leeds/

The mentioned Hilton Hotel is very close to the station.

If you decide to stop overnight in Leeds, I'd stay in the centre, in or around the area (if you look on a map) between the station and Victoria quarter. That'll be convenient for the train next day to London.

Thank you, Nick. Assume that’s a decent area to stay in then?

All I know about Leeds is Elland Road and the Damned United. It actually looks like a nice little town - not the industrial zone it was back in the 70s it appears.

To add - I've never had to stay in Leeds, as I've family in the suburbs to stop at, but I'm sure all the usual suspects are within easy distance of the station - Premier Inn, Marriot, Malmaison, etc, depending on how much you want to spend.

Also, Harrogate is pleasant and Holmfirth is also nice enough, but they both involve a trip out of the city (and back). I don't think you are staying long enough to visit them or anywhere else in God's Own County. So I'd just mooch around the centre, including the aforementioned Armouries. The Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute may be of interest. Or the Arcades in the Victoria Quarter are interesting. Leeds has definitely had a renaissance in recent decades. It's not York or Edinburgh in tourist terms, but it's worth a walk around for a while.

I will say that my impressions of Leeds are based on too many visits to my solicitor there - hence the suggestions for Holmfirth and Harrogate.....

You guys are great.

When I started looking into Leeds as an overnight, I was surprised at the pictures. Reminds me a bit of Sheffield or another college town like that.

Thanks again everyone.

. It actually looks like a nice little town - not the industrial zone
it was back in the 70s it appears.

Leeds is a fantastic big city. The city centre has the most wonderful Victorian retail and market buildings. It’s buzzing, lots of new investment, and a great place to be around.

Lots of decent hotels near the station. For good food, try Bundobust for excellent well-priced Indian street food.

Also the area along the river (The Calls) is good for restaurants.

Sheffield is a good comparison but Leeds (in the centre at least) is shinier and more affluent. It even has a Harvey Nicholls.

Great response. Thank you. May just make a full day of it there and head up from Manchester in the morning.

Hi Kevin -

Leeds born and bred here. I would suggest that those who are suggesting moving out of the city are onto something. The centre of Leeds is very busy and thus rowdy at night and, in my opinion, and I wouldn’t stay there out of choice. It has lots of drinking outlets and entertainments but that might not be your scene. However, Harrogate, which is like a ‘Bath of the North’ in so far as it is a former spa town is rather nice and has plenty of hotels as it is something of a tourist and conference destination (there’s a big conference centre there). Like Leeds it can be rowdy at weekends, but has a more genteel feel generally and also has excellent and frequent links to Leeds by rail and bus.

Ilkley near my own home is smaller than Harrogate and has a similar feel, but it not as touristy and doesn’t have as many hotels, and being local I can’t speak for or against them as obviously I’ve never stayed in them. What Ilkley does have going for it is a very quick rail access to the centre of Leeds. Far enough out to get a feel of the countryside without being too distant from the centre of Leeds.

Hope you get fixed up, and if in any doubt feel to get in touch with me and I’ll try to offer any help or advice I can!

Ian