Updated on March 2, 2023 by Axel Hernborg

Axel Hernborg

If you’re gearing up for an adventure in the vibrant and expansive city of Leeds in North Yorkshire, the good news is that this part of England is packed full of attractions and activities to enjoy, especially considering how historically important the city has been throughout the centuries, giving it a very unique and rich culture that is such a joy to experience for yourself. 

Before you land in Leeds, keep reading to find out about some of the best ways you can spend your time in this popular city and where the best places to visit are, not only in the city itself, but also in the countryside.

1) Tropical World

Location: Princes Ave, Roundhay, Leeds

Leeds may be very well known for its economic importance throughout the years, but this isn’t to suggest that it’s lacking in natural beauty and exotic wildlife, and if you do want to get up close and personal with some exciting creatures, you’re definitely going to want to head to Tropical World which can be found near the end of Princes Avenue. 

Tropical World contains one of the largest animal collections in all of the UK, from meerkats and monkeys, all the way to piranhas and even crocodiles.

No matter what animal you can think of, there’s a high chance you will be able to find it at Tropical World, making it a must-visit when you land in Leeds. 

On top of all this, it is also incredibly cheap to enter Tropical World being just £7.60 for adults, £3.80 for kids between 5 and 15, and completely free for children under the age of 5, making this one of the very best family attractions Leeds has to offer. 

2) The Emmerdale Bus Tour

Location: Eccup Lane, LS16 8AU, Leeds

Even if you’re not a huge fan of the long-running soap opera Emmerdale, this bus tour is still a relaxed and cosy way to spend a weekend, and if you are a fan of the show, then this is definitely an opportunity you’re not going to want to miss out on. 

The 90-minute bus journey starts at Eccup Lane and guides visitors through some of the most familiar areas and locales from the popular soap opera including The Woolpack, Cafe Mainstreet, and David’s Shop. 

When you stop off at the village, you’ll be able to pick up any souvenirs, refreshments, and snacks before heading back onto the coach which will then drive back around to New Inn.

The tour does include some uneven ground and fairly steep hills, so it’s advised for visitors to wear the appropriate clothing to make the journey as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

3) Elland Road Tour

Location: Elland Rd, Beeston, Leeds

The residents of Leeds are very passionate about their local football team, especially in recent years when they have been playing against some of the most prestigious teams in Europe in the Premier League. 

Even if you aren’t a huge football fan, because this stadium was constructed and opened back in the 1990s, the architecture still has that very vintage and traditional look to it that really makes it a structure that you can’t help but admire when seeing it in person. 

This has made Elland Road one of the most popular stadiums in the UK, and whether you visit during a game where you can experience the vibrant and passionate atmosphere of Leeds fans, or you go in the summer and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the interior where you can see the changing rooms and the dugouts for yourself, it’s considered a must-visit attraction for anyone who takes a trip up to Leeds. 

4) Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

Location: 99 Portland Cres, LS1 3HJ, Leeds

Leeds is such a big and expansive city full of wonders that it can make it a little hard to know where to start when you want to feast your eyes on some of the best attractions and viewpoints it has to offer, so to make it easier, why not join in on a scavenger hunt around the city?

The team at Operation City Quest provide one of the best and most accessible scavenger hunts in all of Leeds, allowing you to discover the city in a fun and exciting way.

When you arrive at the meetup spot at Portland Cres, you’ll be guided by the team on the instructions and layout of the hunt where you will use an app on your phone to find several unique items around the city to score points. 

There are also a few optional exciting challenges along the way that you can partake in to raise your score even higher. 

So, rather than aimlessly walking around the gorgeous city of Leeds without a real sense of direction, why not take on this fun and challenging scavenger hunt to make exploring even more fun, and a little competitive. 

5) Leeds City Museum

Location: Millennium Square, LS2 8BH, Leeds

Leeds is a city that is packed full of history and culture, starting out as a small manorial borough in the 13th century and growing into one of the biggest economic production centres by the time of the Industrial Revolution.

A lot of this history has been documented and archived in the many museums dotted around Leeds, however, the City Museum is by far the biggest with a fantastic selection of photographs, sculptures, antiques, and much more across four floors, and the best part is entry is 100% free. 

While there is plenty of information and items highlighting the rich history of Leeds and the part it has played in Britain’s economy for many decades, this museum also provides plenty of insight into British history in general including antiques retrieved from the World Wars, items from the Industrial Revolution, and even fragments dating back to the time of the Romans. 

For a fun-filled day where you can learn all about Leeds and its place in history, head on down to the Leeds City Museum in Millenium Square today. 

6) St Aidans Nature Park

Location: Astley Lane, LS26 8AL, Leeds

Leeds may be well known as an industrial city full of sky-reaching buildings and bustling city squares, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few areas where you can sit back and relax while enjoying some of the natural beauty that surrounds this beautiful city. 

St Aidans Park can be found on the outskirts of Leeds and on the banks of the River Aire where you can gaze across the calm and peaceful river while either taking a leisurely stroll across the dirt road that circles around it, or even enjoying a picnic on the banks while watching the ducks and geese swim by. 

There’s actually a lot of history to this nature park as the land was once used as a coal mining area until it was flooded in 1988 after the riverbank collapsed. 

Rather than making the entire area uninhabitable, this only meant that the river grew in size, but didn’t overtake the banks surrounding it, with it now being incredibly vast and stretching as far as the eye can see, making this one of the most relaxing spots in all of Leeds. 

7) The Donkey Sanctuary

Location: Swan Lane, LS16 8AZ, Leeds

Right next to Swan Lane, you will find The Donkey Sanctuary which is the home of over 20 rescued and relinquished donkeys who love nothing more than seeing new visitors arrive to visit their herd. 

The staff at this sanctuary are incredibly friendly and informative, greeting you as soon as you step foot into the sanctuary and guiding you through the different ways you can interact with the donkeys.

Whether you want to feed them or simply pet them, it’s such a relaxing experience being up close and personal with these gentle creatures that it makes for a good change of pace from the business of the city centre. 

They are open every Saturday between 10 am and 12 noon, however, they do often allow visitors to stay for a lot longer, giving you plenty of time to hang around with the donkeys before you head back. 

Additionally, the Donkey Sanctuary has even begun letting visitors in on Fridays as of the beginning of 2023, providing even more opportunities for you to come and visit this relaxing part of the Leeds countryside for yourself. 

Summary

Whether you want to learn about the history and culture of Leeds within its cities and museums, or you would prefer to admire the natural beauty that surrounds it, Leeds is such a big area that the options of what you can get up to when you arrive are pretty much endless. 

Pay a visit to some of these stunning areas when you visit Leeds to make your trip as fun, exciting, and enjoyable as possible.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Leeds, West Yorkshire | England - English