Discovering Leeds' Hidden Gems : Beyond the Main Attractions
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People from Yorkshire are very proud of where they come from, and many of them see Yorkshire as a country in its own right. Leeds is one of the best cities to live in, not only in Yorkshire, but the whole of the UK, with loads going on for students. If you are moving to Leeds as a student, we are here to help you find some hidden gems, including some of the top breakfast spots in Leeds, the best sports, comedy, music, and places to visit.
Let’s break down some of the best-hidden gems in Leeds so that you can find some places to visit that are suitable to your personal taste.
Laugh till your sides split
Leeds has always been an important stop on the roadmap of comedy in the UK, and you’ll find plenty of places to get your comedy fix during your time as a student in the city.
For the purposes of this article though, The HiFi Club on Central Road is where we’ll start off because it offers more than just the iconic comedy shows on its roster.
It’s a cool basement club with regular club nights, guest DJs, free live music, and regular Saturday comedy sessions in the early evenings. Some big comedy acts have been booked into the weekly comedy nights in the past, so it’s a good chance to see some of the funny talents of the future.
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Where to go brunching
We all need that place that we trust to go get a good bit of brunch in the morning.
Whether it’s to help you get over your hangover after a big night out, to fuel you up for the day ahead at uni, or just that safe, calm space where you can build a community of friends and share a cup of tea and some tasty food from time to time, we know how important it is to have a favourite brunch place.
Cha Lounge on Dock Street is a sustainable, zero-waste café and tearoom with a great selection of delicious food and drinks. The Cha Full English for £12 will fill you right up, with great vegan options too, and for something lighter, there’s avo toast and a whole host of other options. Cha Lounge also doubles up as an Indian tapas restaurant on Saturday evenings for something a little different.
Go for a walk in the park
Sometimes, you want to get out into nature for a bit.
There are some stunning parks and nature walks in and around Leeds, giving you the chance to blow away the cobwebs, get some exercise in, and to just find that peace and quiet away from the daily stress of daily life and university studies. Some of the best parks in Leeds include Roundhay Park, Park Square, Beckett Park, and Golden Acre Park.
Horsforth Park, just north-west of the city centre, it is one of the largest community parks around, a great choice for students as a place to go for a walk, to sit with friends, or to play some football or cricket on hot days. Horsforth Garden also has the Japanese Garden which is a stunning area of the park to visit and also hosts some summer entertainment each year.
Delicious street food options
Street North is the free-entry street food and brewery event space from North Brewing Co. Little Boa Boy is the permanent vendor, with a roster of kitchens providing some great street food options from around the world, so you can expect to grab a pizza, sample some Mediterranean small plates, try some loaded fries, a great roast dinner or BBQ fare.
Alongside the food, there’s always a stellar cocktail list, great beers, and live DJ sets to keep the party vibes moving. Street food has been on the up for some time in the UK, and with so many street food markets to choose from almost every time, it’s exciting to go around trying out all the different places, but this is definitely one of the best street food market hidden gems in Leeds right now.
Take in some history
Not so much a hidden gem of Leeds, but it is worthy of mentioning here Leeds City Museum is a fantastic place to learn more about the history and the culture of the city you are living in as a student. Students will always have a much better experience, no matter where they are from, if they learn more about the community they are living within and get to know the locals.
Visiting the best museum in the area is a great way to do so, with interactive galleries and exhibitions, at this free-to-enter museum every Tuesday – Sunday.
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Experience some live music
Independent live music venues are the lifeblood of the music industry, and in Leeds, there is one of the most famous, smaller live music venues in the whole of the UK.
Brudenell Social Club has the atmosphere and ambience of an old-fashioned working men’s club with cheap drinks and pool tables to pot some balls between sets, but you can see some of the best indie, alternative, punk, folk, and pop bands and artists from the local community, as well as from all over the world play here on their way up the ladder.
A stunning monastery walk
Kirkstall Abbey can be found in a public park on the bank of the River Aire, just on the northwest outskirts of Leeds. It is one of the best examples of a well-preserved 12th-century Cistercian monastery and is something spectacular to admire. The Gothic architecture sets the scene, with some calm cloisters and gardens to explore and a museum with artefacts from the history of the abbey.
Get wrapped up in classic cinema
Hyde Park Picture House is one of the oldest cinemas in the entire country. First opening its doors way back in 1914, it has been renovated in recent years to a really high standard.
It has a delicate and enchanting interior design with a balcony in place. It shows the latest blockbuster movies but also foreign films, documentaries and some classic films. There is also a good café on-site, where you can sit with a cup of tea and some snacks before and after your movie fix.
If you already live in Leeds, where are your favourite places to sit out in the sun, to go for a leisurely brunch, or for a big night out? We are always looking for new recommendations and the best places that we can suggest to those living in our Leeds student accommodation.
There are always loads of things going on in Leeds, one of the best student cities you could hope to go to. Let us know what you think of our hidden gems in Leeds.
