Delegate information
Visiting Leeds and Yorkshire
Leeds is a vibrant and multicultural place, and one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the UK. This video produced by the University of Leeds provides a Leeds city tour. There are plenty of exciting things to do in Leeds. For more comprehensive information and ideas, see the Visit Leeds website.
The city has a fantastic food and drink scene, with world cuisines from all corners of the globe. Venues like Kirkgate market and Trinity Leeds food court offer a variety of street food. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs on and near the University campus. Shoppers can shop ‘til they drop on Briggate and at Trinity Leeds shopping mall, Victoria Leeds shopping centre, as well as the Grand Arcade and Leeds Corn Exchange, where lots of independent retailers can be found.
Leeds has a thriving theatre and cinema scene. The city is home to Leeds Playhouse, The Carriageworks, City Varieties, and Hyde Park Picture House. Leeds Grand Theatre shows major touring productions including those from Northern Ballet and Opera North.
Leeds is also a hub for arts and culture, with plenty of outstanding museums and galleries to visit. The city is home to Leeds City Museum, the Royal Armouries, Leeds City Art Gallery, and the Henry Moore Institute.
For live music lovers, Leeds’ First Direct Arena and the O2 Academy attract some of the world’s best-known artists. Smaller venues include Brudenell Social Club, Belgrave Music Hall and The Wardrobe. Leeds Town Hall regularly hosts classical musicians and orchestra performances. The Howard Assembly Room hosts jazz, world music, folk and classical acts.
Sport is a big part of Leeds’ history and identity. Leeds is a famous hub for rugby league, and home of Leeds Rhinos. Leeds United Football Club is one of the longest established football teams in the UK, with Elland Road a short bus ride from the city centre. For cricket, Headingly Carnegie Cricket Ground is a thirty-minute walk from campus, hosting international Test matches and Twenty20 games.
Leeds also has plenty of parks and countryside to enjoy, easily reached by foot, bike, or public transport. In the city, Roundhay Park and Woodhouse Moor are close to campus. The Leeds Liverpool canal is popular with walkers and cyclists. Outside of the city, Yorkshire is a region of outstanding natural beauty, offering stunning peaks, lush valleys, gentle rolling hills, moorland and a jigsaw coastline - the great outdoors is brimming with opportunities for fun and exploration. There is easy access to the Peak District, The North York Moors, and Yorkshire Dales, which are all National Parks. More information about visiting Yorkshire can be found on the Welcome to Yorkshire website.
Getting to Leeds
Leeds is well-served by multiple forms of transport. Within the UK, it is easily accessible by train and is also close to the M1 motorway. For international visitors arriving by air, Leeds Bradford is the closest international airport. Leeds is also accessible by train from the much larger Manchester Airport. Comprehensive guidance on reaching the University is available here. Regular buses serve the University from the central rail station.