Here’s Your Ultimate Guide For A 3 Day Weekend In Leeds
So you’re coming for a 3 day weekend in Leeds? Let me tell you, you’re going to have the best time. This northern city is down to earth, fun and full of independent shops and restaurants you could easily spend a week exploring. Not only is it a bustling city but it’s located near some of the best countryside in Yorkshire, meaning if you’re spending more than a long weekend in Leeds, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied.
However, come for a long weekend in Leeds and make use of this amazing 3 day guide to discover some of the best restaurants and things to do in the city.
What Do I Need To Know About Leeds?
Where Is Leeds?
Leeds, the 4th largest city in the UK, is a northern city in the county of West Yorkshire. With a population of 800,000, Leeds is a compact and easily walkable city thanks to its pedestrianised streets.
Read More: 10 Reasons Why Leeds Is A Great City To Live In
How Do I Get To Leeds?
Located just off the M1, you can get to Leeds either by car, train, coach or bus. Leeds Train Station is in the city centre and if you’re coming from further afield, Leeds Bradford Airport is 8 miles away.
How Many Days Should I Spend In Leeds?
You should spend minimum 2 days in Leeds to enjoy the restaurants, shopping scene, and some of the more cultural sights. However to delve more into the indie food scene, take your long weekend in Leeds at a more leisurely pace, and to potentially do a day trip from Leeds, 3 – 4 days is perfect.
Is Leeds A Good Weekend Away?
Leeds is a great place to spend a weekend away. Whether you’re looking to dine out and eat, party the weekend away, or using it as a base to enjoy places further afield, Leeds is a good weekend away for a break in the UK.
Read More: 21 Of The Best Weekend Breaks In The UK To Enjoy In 2023
Is Leeds A Walkable City?
Leeds is a really walkable city. Pedestrianised streets in the city centre allow you to walk between places really easily and you can walk from one side to the other of Leeds city centre in around 20 minutes.
Leeds, in my opinion, is one of the best cities for a 3 day weekend. Often overlooked for other cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, Leeds is an alternative weekend city break in Yorkshire that provides just as much fun and culture, but with an added Yorkshire charm.
If you’re spending the weekend in Leeds, here’s a 3 day guide for your city break!
Arrival Day
Check in at Dakota Leeds
Dakota Leeds is one of Leeds’ best luxury boutique hotels. 5 minutes walk from Leeds Train Station, Dakota Leeds is centrally located on Russell Street – perfect for your 3 day weekend in Leeds.
With 84 rooms featuring monsoon showers, superior beds with high-thread count cotton linen sheets, and luxury toiletries, Dakota Leeds has plenty of choice depending on your budget. The Classic Doubles are the standard but if this is a “Treat Yourself” weekend, upgrade to either the Executive Room, Deluxe Room, Balcony Room, Signature Suite, or Grand Deluxe Suite.
Decorated in dark neutral tones, Dakota Leeds is sophisticated without being stuffy and offers a comfortable and understated luxurious hotel accomodation for your weekend in Leeds.
Location
8 Russell Street, Leeds, LS1 5RN, United Kingdom
Check in
3pm
Check Out
11am
Other Hotels In Leeds: Premier Inn on Whitehall Road, easyHotel, Double Tree by Hilton
Cocktails At Rolands
Once you’ve checked in at Dakota Leeds, and maybe even enjoyed a drink in their Dakota Bar overlooking Greek Street, make your way to Call Lane to sample a pre-dinner cocktail at Rolands.
Serving up one of Leeds’ best espresso martinis, it’s an unmissable spot on your weekend in Leeds. Window booths make the perfect people watching drinking spot, or make the most of their beer yard or drinking terrace to have one or two of their selection of wines, beers and cocktails.
Location
39 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT
Opening Times
Monday: 4pm – 11:30pm
Tuesday: 4pm – 11:30pm
Wednesday: Noon – 11:30pm
Thursday: 12pm – 1am
Friday: 12pm – 1am
Saturday: 12pm – 1am
Sunday: 12pm – 11:30pm
Dinner at Issho
It’s your first night in Leeds so make it a special one by booking a table at Issho. Contemporary Japanese Cuisine, along with other food from around Asia, is the speciality here so expect delicious platters of sushi, bao buns and charcoal grilled small plates to feast on. Finish your meal with a cocktail out on their roof terrace overlooking the rooftops of Leeds.
Location
Victoria Gate, 3rd Floor, Leeds, LS2 7AU
Opening Times
Food served:
Monday & Tuesday: 12pm – 2:30pm / 5pm – 9:30pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 12pm – 2:30pm / 5pm – 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 12pm – 2:30pm
Bar
Monday to Thursday: 12pm – 11pm (Last orders 10.30pm)
Friday to Saturday: 12pm – 1am (Last orders 12.30am)
Sunday: 12pm – 4.30pm (last orders at 4pm)
Day 1 In Leeds
Water Taxi To Leeds Dock From Granary Wharf
Start your day off with a leisurely breakfast then walk down to Granary Wharf to find the Leeds Water Taxi. For £1 per passenger – under 5s go free – Twee and Drie are two Dutch Water Taxis that transport both residents and visitors between Granary Wharf and Leeds Dock. They also make a great tourist attraction with the drivers of the boat talking about the importance of Leeds’ Canals and its buildings along the way. Running every 15 minutes, you can usually just hop on but take a look at TaxiTrak for real time updates on each water taxi’s location.
Location
Stop 1 – Leeds Dock (by Armouries)
Stop 2 – Granary Wharf (South Entrance of Station)
Running times
Monday to Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Royal Armouries Museum
Once you’ve enjoyed the journey down to Leeds Dock, hop off and visit The Royal Armouries Museum. This is the modern home of the UK’s national collection of arms and armour with over 4500 objects on display. You can easily spend all day here, especially in the holidays when there are special events such as jousting taking place.
Price
Free – just book online
Location
Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT United Kingdom
Opening Times
8th June to 22nd July
Wednesday to Sunday: 10am – 5pm
23rd July to 4th September
Every day: 10am – 5pm
Coffee and Cake From North Star Coffee
After your visit to the Royal Armouries Museum, walk a minute to one of Leeds’ favourite independent coffee shops, North Star Coffee to grab a coffee and cake. North Star Coffee roast all their own beans and were created with the idea and concept of giving back to and supporting coffee farmers. Try their home blend or take away a hot chocolate or tea. Cakes are provided by Nova Bakehouse and the banana and walnut fluffin is a firm favorite if you see it on sale.
Location
Unit 32 The Blvd, Leeds LS10 1PZ
Opening Times
Monday to Friday: 8am – 3pm (kitchen until 2pm)
Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 4pm (kitchen until 3pm)
Read More: Coffee, Cake, and Cocktails At Fika North, Headingley’s Coolest Cafe
Take A Photo Of Anthony Burrill’s You&Me&Me&You
Next up is a walk back towards the centre of Leeds via a bridge crossing over the river at Brewery Wharf and the You&Me&Me&You mural created by Anthony Burrill in 2020. Created in conjunction with In Good Company, a Leeds based company working with artists and building owners to bring more fun and colour to the streets, You&Me&Me&You brings Leeds a message of hope and unity which was especially needed during the pandemic.
Corn Exchange
The walk back to the centre of town will bring you to the living landmark of Leeds Corn Exchange, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Once a hub for exchanging corns in the Victorian era, Leeds Corn Exchange is now home to a wealth of independent shops and creative businesses.
Self Guided Food Tour with Leeds Food Tours
One of the best things about Leeds is its independent food scene. There’s no better way to explore this than on a food tour. With Leeds Food Tours, you’ll discover the best eateries in Leeds to show you what this city has to offer.
On a self-guided tour you’ll visit 6 street food eateries at your own pace. The pack you receive even guides you with a map and factual information so you can learn about Leeds and its food scene as you eat. Alternatively, book on to a guided tour where you’ll join a group of no more than 8 people touring independent eateries in Leeds with a focus on local ingredients.
Leeds Food Tours Self Guided Tour is £85 for two people.
This tour can be done Monday to Sunday from 12pm. All venues are open until at least 8pm with some early closing exceptions on a Sunday.
Leeds Food Tours Guided Tour is £60pp
The guided tour starts at 11.45 and takes around 3-4 hours to complete meaning you could dedicate a big chunk of 1 day in Leeds to eating!
Drinks And Late Night Pizza At Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen
On A Friday night, Belgrave Music Hall is a great place to enjoy a drink. With a lively, laid back atmosphere, the main drinking area is set out semi-beer hall style with wooden benches and window booths. The top floor is the place to be though on a good weather day, with one of Leeds’ favorite rooftop terraces providing the perfect place for drinks in the sun.
If you’re feeling peckish later into the evening after your food tour, Belgrave Music Hall has resident kitchens serving up pizza by the slice from Dough Boys and burgers and loaded fries from Patty Smiths.
Location
Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, 1-1a Cross Belgrave Street, Leeds, LS2 8JP
Opening Times
Monday to Friday: 12pm – late
Saturday & Sunday: 11am – late
Day 2 In Leeds
Brunch At Laynes Espresso
No visit to Leeds is complete without brunch at Laynes Espresso. Not only is this place one of the city’s most popular coffee shops, which means it’s best to book to avoid disappointment, but they make a mean brunch dish too.
Delicious savoury dishes such as the Merguez Sausage Hash or Sweetcorn Fritters will get your day off to a good start. However, if you have a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with the french toast made of brioche bread, topped with mixed berry compote, yoghurt and maple syrup.
Location
16 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL
Opening Times
Monday to Friday: 7.30am – 3pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Other Places For Brunch In Leeds: North Star Coffee, Sheaf Street Cafeteria, Fint
Read More: 22 Of The Best Independent Coffee Shops In Leeds
Train To Knaresborough
Just one minute walk from Laynes Espresso, you’ll find Leeds Train Station. From here, you can easily hop on a train to the beautiful town of Knaresborough, one of Yorkshire’s most photogenic places. In less than one hour, you can be enjoying ice cream by the river or walking up to Knaresborough Castle for views across the viaduct. One of the most popular activities in Knaresborough is to hire a little rowing boat to cruise up and down the water.
Other days out from Leeds: Harrogate with a visit to Harrogate Turkish Baths, York for a walk around the York City Walls and a visit to Bettys for Afternoon Tea, or a trip to do a circular walk around Malham Cove.
Read More: How To Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2023: Turn 20 Days Paid Holiday Into 54 Days Of Freedom
Dinner At Ox Club
Award-winning Ox Club, on the bottom floor of Headrow House, is the place to go on a Saturday for a low-key, good food dining experience. Featured in the Michelin Guide, Ox Club cooks dishes such as BBQ teriyaki mackerel, grilled aubergine, and murguez sausages on a solid-fuel grill imported from the USA. Don’t miss out on their grilled bread and chicken schmaltz as an appetiser before the main meal.
Location
Ox Club at Headrow House, 19a The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU
Opening Times
Wednesday to Friday: 5pm – 10pm
Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday Lunch: 12pm – 5pm
Drinks At Headrow House or Below Stairs
Continue your Saturday night next door in Headrow House. Another beer hall style venue with a good atmosphere on a weekend. On the top floor of Headrow House, you’ll also find Redondo Beach, a cocktail bar with a big outside space. This then leads on to Kennedy Meadows, another of Leeds’ rooftop bars.
Location
Headrow House, 19a The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 6PU
Opening Times
Monday: 12pm – 12am
Tuesday: 12pm – 12am
Wednesday: 12pm – 12:30am
Thursday: 12pm – 12:30am
Friday: 12pm – 2am
Saturday: 12pm – 2am
Sunday: 12pm – 12am
Alternatively for cocktails in a more intimate setting, go to Below Stairs to try out their seasonal menu. Set in a basement of a building on South Parade, Below Stairs prides itself on creating cocktails that tell stories – you’ll soon understand when you see their menu – as well as craft beers and wines from small vineyards around the world.
Location
The Basement, 12 South Parade, Leeds, LS1 5QS
Opening Times
Monday to Thursday: 5pm – 11pm
Friday: 5pm – 1am
Saturday: 2pm – 1am
Sunday: 2pm – 11pm
Day 3 In Leeds
Shopping In Leeds’ Arcades
After a leisurely morning enjoying breakfast, it’s time to shop until you drop in Leeds city centre. A great pastime that can be enjoyed in high street shops such as Zara, Lush, Mango, Levis, Fat Face, and so much more. However, it’s the arcades of Leeds that hold some true hidden gems.
Victorian built, the arcades have been preserved and kept alive to show off some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. Victoria Quarter is the biggest, and arguably the grandest shopping arcade in Leeds with shops such as Vivienne Westwood, Kiehls, Ted Baker, All Saints and Reiss. However, Thorntons Arcade, Grand Arcade and Queen’s Arcade are the places to go for independent camera and jewellry shops, cool coffee spots, comic stores and so much more.
Drink At Whitelocks Ale House
Continue a leisurely Sunday by going to Leeds’ oldest pubs for a drink. Opened in 1715 Whitelocks Ale House in Turk’s Head Yard is hidden away off the main shopping street of Briggate and is the perfect reting point for a refreshing drink. Sit yourself in the old pub or the alleyway is a great outdoor space when the weather is nice.
Location
Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB
Opening Hours
Sunday to Wednesday: 11am – 11pm
Thursday to Saturday: 11am – Midnight
Sunday Dinner at Turk’s Head
Finish off your 3 day weekend in Leeds with Sunday Dinner at Turk’s Head. Attached to Whitelocks Ale House and taking the original pub, Turk’s Head dishes up one good Sunday dinner. With pork, beef and but roast on offer with fresh vegetables, mouth-watering roast potatoes and a Yorkshire Pudding the size of your head, this Sunday dinner will keep you going for your journey home. Finish the meal off with one of their deserts – order your own as you won’t want to share chocolate brownie or sticky toffee pudding…
Hopefully this 3 day guide to Leeds will help you plan the perfect itinerary for your break in the city. This is just an example of things to do in Leeds but there’s loads more on offer depending on whether you’re into sports, music, or museums… If you miss out on something, it’s just a good reason to come back!
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