Leeds is a hidden treasure, an authentic UK city that's not overcrowded and has a beautiful waterfront .
00:00 intro
00:50 arrive in Leeds by train
01:10 begin walking tour in Leeds city center
02:07 Leeds & Liverpool Canal and Granary Wharf
03:40 last lock on Leeds & Liverpool Canal
04:10 water taxi on River Aire
04:52 Leeds Dock
05:21 map of Leeds to Liverpool Canal
05:57 City Square
06:13 map of downtown pedestrian zone
06:34 Commercial Street, Albion, Lands Lane
07:16 Briggate
08:36 Arcades: County, Victoria Quarter, Grand
09:38 The Light
10:34 Park Row restaurants
12:04 Granary Wharf
13:05 River Aire boat ride
14:40 Leeds Dock recreation and new developments
18:13 Royal Armouries Museum
20:00 daytrips by train
20:18 Knaresborough
20:48 Harrogate
21:31 Skipton
23:09 The Queens Hotel Leeds
23:40 ending
You are going to see it is a great place to visit, with a lively pedestrian zone featuring some classic old shopping arcades and lovely streets for walking lined with shops and restaurants with many people out enjoying a stroll or just sitting down for a drink. Classic architecture and one of the world's oldest museums add to the charms of Leeds.
Then we'll show three nearby towns to visit on day trips by train, Harrogate, Skipton, and Knaresborough.
It's easy to get to Leeds by train about an hour and a half from Liverpool or two hours by fast train from London. Arriving on spacious platforms at the large well-organized train station with the main lobby featuring the usual shops and dining, located right in the center of town. That puts you already into the pedestrian zone where you can begin your walking tour of the city.
Starting here at City Square with its landmark old post office now hosting a lovely restaurant. One of many outdoor eateries you'll find in the city center when the weather cooperates. The corn exchange opened in 1863 now has shops and restaurants beneath a 38 meter high dome of glass and cast iron.
A more spectacular roof is found at the Victoria Quarter, one of several arcades that we will be walking through. It's located on Briggate, the city's major pedestrian street, and the other main street Albion along with various funky little side lanes.
This is a very walkable city center with a compact size about half a square kilometer and things to see on every street. Just south of the train station you'll arrive at the dark arches below the tracks with restaurants in the arcades underneath the railroad. Next to that is the Canal and River with their delightful waterfront atmosphere at Granary Wharf with a fascinating history.
The Canal Basin is a place for people to gather and relax in these beautiful surroundings. There are benches around you can sit back and relax to enjoy the sights. Perhaps sit at one of the several outdoor restaurants and have a meal or just have a drink. The Leeds Canal Basin is a place where pleasure boats can tie up and dock for a while. Often these are boats that people can rent for a few days
