Leodis: Places to visit in Leeds | things to do in Leeds | Leeds place to visit and things to do

Places of historical interest in Leeds/Leodis, and things to do in Leeds

Our list of places to see in Leeds, with an emphasis on Leeds history and historical buildings and structures in Leeds.

Historical Leodis: Known as Leodis by the Romans, Leeds is indeed a historical city, and even found its way into Roman popular culture. The first mention of Leeds of which we are aware is found in the Greek Anthology or Planudian Anthology. In a poem by Philodemus the Epicurean he reflects on falling in Love with three girls called Ann. One in Whitstable, one in London and one in Leeds.

(Philodemus: Roman poet, 1st century BC and tutor to Virgil and Horace.)

There are a number of great websites around where you can discover more about the history of Leeds. Try, for instance, the Archaeology Advisory Service which provides a comprehensive history of Headingley, or the Secret Leeds website which is great source of local and historical information about Leeds, where you can post questions about the history of Leeds.

Tell us about places to visit in Leeds >>

Visit the Leeds City Museum | Leodis City Museum

Leeds City Museum is planned to open in August 2008, housed in the Mechanics' Institute which was built by Cuthbert Brodrick, located just off Millenium Square.

Visit the Leeds City Art Gallery | Leodis City Art Gallery

See prints, watercolours, paintings and sculptures as well as contemporary modernist paintings featuring painters such as Bill Woodrow, Paula Rego, Mark Wallinger, Stephen Willats, Alison Wilding and Bridget Riley.

Some impressive late Victorian canvasses also form part of the permanent collection.

Check the website for exhibitions and events:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/art_exh.html

The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA
W: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/art_intro.html
T: 0113 247 8248
E: city.art.gallery@leeds.gov.uk

Visit the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds

An extensive collection of sculptures, located next door to Leeds City Art Gallery.

Henry Moore Insititute Leeds Website
74, the Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AH
T: 0113 246 7467
T: (recorded information) 0113 234 3158

Visit Millenium Square in Leeds

Built for the Millenium and opened by Nelson Mandela, Millenium Square is surrounded by some of Leeds' most important buildings including the Town Hall, Civic Hall, Leeds General Infirmary and the Civic Theatre. During the winter months it plays host to an outdoor skating rink and during the summer it is a great place to sit out in the sun shine and catch up with the news and current events, or even watch a football match on the giant flat-screen television. You can also pick up tickets for Leeds events at the Carriage Works, situated at the bottom of the Square, adjacent to the cafes.

Visit Temple Works in Leeds

This old flax mill is a Grade I listed industrial building located just outside Leeds city centre. The architecture is based on that of an Egyptian Temple and the roof of the building used to be covered in grass where sheep were left to graze.

Marshall Street Leeds LS11, Holbeck

Yorkshire Evening Post article on Temple Works

Visit Tower Works in Leeds

Italianate towers built by Colonel Thomas Harding. The design of the factory was heavily influenced by his appreciation of Italian architecture and art.

Tower Works is a grade II listed building and consists of three towers/ factory chimneys based on Italian architecture. The largest tower is modelled on the Giotto campanile (bell tower) in Florence, the smaller tower the Lamberti Tower (Verona). The third perhaps represents a Tuscan tower house.

Tower works can be see from Water Lane, LS11, Holbeck, and is a landmark that you can also look out for on many train journeys in and out of Leeds.

Visit the West Yorkshire Play House in Leeds

The West Yorkshire Play House opened in 1990, and offers a respectable range of theatre, from contemporary through to Renaissance, and provides an eclectic range of plays from cultures around the world.

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UP
Box Office: 0113 213 7700
To find out what's on at the West Yorkshire Play House, visit the WY Play House website.

Visit the Leeds Museum Resource Centre | Leodis Museum Resource Centre

Natural history and geology exhibits and a rich collection of Egyptian artefacts can all be found at the Leeds Museum Resource Centre.

Moorfield Industrial Estate, Moorfield Road, Yeadon, LS19 7BN (near Murgatroyd's Fish and Chip Restaurant, and the Yeadon Stoops Hotel)
T: 0113 214 6526

Visit the Victoria Quarter in Leeds

Features designer boutiques, including Prada, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, and Vivienne Westwood. The Victoria Quarter was designed by architect Frank Matcham (circa 1900) and renovated in 1989.

For more information about the Victoria Quarter visit
http://www.ukattraction.com/yorkshire/victoria-quarter.htm

Visit the bear pit, Cardigan Road, Leeds

A Victorian bear pit where brown bears were kept for fighting. Once part of Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens which opened in 1840 (Renamed as Leeds Royal Gardens in 1848).

Visit the Original Oak and SkyRack pubs in Headingley

Visit other places of interest in Leeds/Leodis

1. Leeds-Liverpool canal
2. Temple Newsam House
3. Kirkstall Viaduct
4. Adel Parish Church
5. Parkinson Building and the Brotherton Library
6. The Corn Exchange
7. Leeds Royal Armouries

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