Leeds is the perfect city for days out with kids.
I know I have shouted from the rooftops just how much I loved Leeds, and the wonderful Queens Hotel. But I have one more thing to share with you.10 Things to do in Leeds with kids.
I always thought the obvious; Leeds is a university town, the perfect place for a romantic weekend, or a night on the tiles with the girls. But I have never been, why? God only knows because I have missed out big style. Yes, I will be visiting with Chris for a romantic weekend. And next time my great buddies, Ruth, Suzie, Cheryl and I have a girly weekend away I am going to put forward Leeds as an option. But Leeds is also great for families.
There are so many things to do in Leeds for kids and teens.
We must take the boys to London 3 times a year, and visit Manchester regularly. They are city kids, and love the buzz of a busy city. We need to plan more days out in Leeds.
We were so lucky that Jacquie the manager from the Queens hotel was one step ahead of us and arranged for us to have a guided tour around Leeds with the lovely and very knowledgeable Beverly from Conference Leeds. I will be honest? I didn’t know what to expect. I was not sure if the boys would enjoy it. But we all absolutely loved the tour.
Beverly was just so knowledgeable and so so passionate about Leeds and it totally transferred onto us. She knew all the best places to visit in Leeds. The tour was meant to take 1 hours and not one of us notice that we were on the tour for 1 hour and 45 minutes. We had so much fun and found it so interesting, and the fact that we lost time said it all.
So here are 10 Things to do in Leeds with kids
- Visit the Leeds Rhinos, we are going to visit and train with the Rhinos in the summer. We are so excited, and a little nervous if I am honest. But the boys are beside themselves with excitement.
- The Leeds Armouries, can you believe it is free to get in? No neither can I, it looks incredible. This has to be every boys dreams, full of soldiers and armour.
- The original M&S on Leeds Market, yes right in the spot the original M&S penny bazaar stood. It’s amazing to think such an empire started on that little stall.
- The Leeds Art Gallery, again this is a free gallery. We only had a quick tour but are desperate to get back. The tiled cafe is incredible. The building is just stunning. The boys were so interested in all that we got to see, and can’t wait to revisit.
- Shopping, there are several shopping centres and Victorian arcades. The choice of shops is amazing. Leeds really has so much to offer in terms of shopping. All of the shopping centres link and all have incredible architectural features.
- The Thackray Medical Museum all things medical, perfect for kids. They just love the gory and scientific don’t they?
- The starting point of the Tour De France, the boys were fascinated by this. It’s only a fleeting activity but a moment of history that can’t be missed.
- The Corn Exchange, seriously this building blew my mind. It was designed by Cuthbert Brodrick and completed in 1864. The structure looks round from the outside but oval on the inside, and was designed for traders to sell corn. This building is incredibly beautiful, the boys loved it, it is like being in a time warp.
- The Leeds City Museum. There is so much going on here, so many exhibits to see, and again free offering great half term activities too.
- Lastly Millennium Square, it is beautiful and holds events all year-long.
On top off that there are so many amazing places to eat or enjoy a glass of wine. I just can’t wait to revisit in the summer. Leeds really is the most stunningly beautiful city. And a secret I have missed out on for far to long. There is so much to do in Leeds with kids.
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I love Leeds too! I’m from Ilkley which isn’t far away so spent a lot of my teenage weekends in Leeds shopping, especially round the Corn Exchange. Fab x
It amazing, I can’t wait to go back Julia x
I had no idea M&S started out in Leeds. I’ve only ever been there once, very briefly, but seemed a lovely city.
Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx
No neither did I Jenna, the staff was fab like stepping back in time x
We have friends up in Leeds, will have to arrange to go there for another long weekend so we can see all these fab places!!
Katie, its fab especially when the girls get to Jack and Joe,s age xx
I thought Leeds was a University town too. So many fun things to do there, will bookmark for sure!
Tirana its fab, so much to do and perfect for shopping for us Mums too, thats if you are like me and loooove a shop x
Ah I love Leeds, it is one of my most favourite places in the world. I went to uni there, but in all I lived there five years. It’s where I met my husband and I just love it so much. I wish sometimes we could still move back up there, but I just love being near my family down South. It hold so many special memories for me.
Thanks Katie, i can’t believe how incredible it was. I have just dismissed it all these years in favour of Manchester, more fool me. So we have a lot of catching up to do x
I’ve never been sounds brilliant though i love that there are lots of free things to do as well! x
Yes it makes a difference when you can just nip in and out of attractions for free doesn’t it, any Amy the shops are amazing xx
I have never been to Leeds and I have always wanted to. Maybe I should plan a trip!! Sounds like an amazing place! Xxx
Its fab Kat, maybe we should do a Girls meet up there xx
These are amazing structures here! I would want this place too and see these personally! Sadly its too far from us here. #countrykids
Yes there are, well if you are ever up this way its a fab place to stay x
I have never been to Leeds but I have heard some great things about it. I love that there are free activities you can do.
Yes its great and makes all the difference if its free doesn’t it xx
I spent many my teenage years in the corn exchange. The armouries are so much fun, especially their horse shows they put on
Ooh will have to take Joe to the Horse show, he loves Horses x
I’ve never been and think of myself as a real bumpkin but I so enjoy a visit to London and Birmingham, perhaps I will make it to Leeds one day too! the city museum looks very grand
Thanks Fiona, yes it is such an impressive city x
I didn’t know that about M&S! I’ve never visited Leeds, it is on my list of places I want to visit though, maybe this year.
Back it is fantastic, there is so much to do in Leeds xx
Wow I didn’t know M&S started out in Leeds . I have been to Leeds a few times but not really seen many of the places o you post. Will definitely have to go back and try a tour.
It is worth it Shahida, it is so great for a day out x
I have never been to Leeds, but you make it sound exciting! #CityTripping
It really is, we have some wonderful cities in the Uk don’t we, its just finding the time to visit them all x
Leeds is very close to us and I haven’t tried it. But after a recent experience to Nottingham where I discovered all sorts of delights it wouldn’t surprise me that it was filled with hidden gems. Perhaps it is time for a visit.
Kirstie there is so much to do, we thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent there x
I don’t know why Leeds does get forgotten a bit – I think I was in my 30s before I got there! But I loved it, such a great atmosphere and loads to do, the Corn Exchange is wonderful. I shall have to head back with my daughter! Thanks for linking up to #citytripping
Cathy it so does and yet there is so much to do it is a beautiful city x
Oh Leeds! I love Leeds!
I used to have a boyfriend in Leeds many moons ago – was a great place for weekend romance
Ha ha happy memories then Alice, yes I think Chris and I need a romantic weekend away there too x
Oh wow, the architecture in Leeds is amazing! The corn exchange is fabulous & the last photo is also stunning. The medical museum sounds like kiddie heaven – they do love all the gory stuff lol #citytripping
Becky is is just a beautiful place, and yes ha ha my two love all things gory x
My hubby is from Leed!!! I’ve spent some time at the many bars there and the odd Leeds Utd match but he’s never taken me on a proper sightseeing tour! Can you believe it? Sounds like he has some work to do! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
Ha ha he has Elizabeth, there is so much to see and so many lovely cocktail bars too x
I have been to Leeds as part of my family were from there and I went to see where they lived when doing some genealogy research. I ended up is some rather dodgy parts (it was a good few years ago) and it looks like I missed all the good bits! #citytripping
Rosie there are some fab really cool bit you need to go again and enjoy all the lovely cocktail bars x