18+ Magical Things to Do in Leeds, England (2026)

If you’re visiting Yorkshire and looking for the best things to do in Leeds, then you’ve come to the right place.

Leeds is a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for every interest, whether you love history, food, reading, shopping or culture.

I’ve had this metropolis on my UK bucket list for the longest time, and I’m glad I finally visited with my friend Tilly.

Whether you’re there for a day or a weekend break, here are all the best things to do in Leeds during a visit.

1. Leeds Art Gallery

I would recommend starting your visit at the Leeds Art Gallery, founded in 1888.

They have interesting permanent and temporary exhibits to browse all year.

There is something for everyone inside, with a great mix of historic and modern British artworks. 

I particularly loved their Pre-Raphaelite collection, including The Scapegoat by Holman Hunt and Old Age by John Everett Millais.

It’s free to visit but is a ‘Give What You Can’ attraction, and donations are always appreciated.

2. Tiled Hall Café

One of the best places to visit in Leeds is the stunning Tiled Hall Café.

It’s a breathtaking Victorian room between the Leeds Central Library and Leeds Art Gallery, decorated in vibrant tiles and reliefs of famous authors.

The best part is that it’s now a lively café and meeting place where you can stop for a hot drink and a spot of lunch.

It’s such a stunning setting; I couldn’t stop admiring all the mesmerising patterns. 

3. Leeds Central Library

After the Tiled Hall Café, don’t miss a snoop around Leeds Central Library in the same complex.

It’s a Victorian landmark housed in a Grade II, 19th-century building with several floors. 

Inside, you can find tiled corridors, cloistered staircases, alabaster doorways and busts of famous authors.

The most impressive feature is the Library of Local and Family History. This incredible reading room will take your breath away with its vaulted ceiling.

4. Leeds Corn Exchange

The Leeds Corn Exchange is one of the best things to do in Leeds, and it was founded in 1864.

It’s a shopping centre set in a stunning Grade I listed building filled with independent boutiques and cafés.

You can explore the complex via the sweeping staircases, and they often host special events throughout the year. 

On our visit, this centre was part of an Alice in Wonderland trail, and you could walk through the Rabbit Hole tunnel. 

5. The Leeds Library

The Leeds Library is a hidden gem in the city, despite its location on bustling Commercial Street.

It’s one of the oldest surviving subscription libraries in the British Isles, founded in 1768. 

It’s a book lover’s paradise with more than 140,000 items on the shelves.

Although it is a membership library, non-members can enter from 1 pm to 3 pm on weekdays. 

Just sign the visitor book, get your sticker and enter a literary heaven.

They also run guided tours if you are interested, which you can book online. 

It’s free to visit, but as a registered charity, all donations help support this captivating cultural institution. 

6. Leeds Town Hall 

Right next door to the Leeds Central Library, you’ll find the impressive Leeds Town Hall.

It’s currently closed to the public for essential conservation work, but usually you can take a peek inside or attend events. 

Regardless, it’s still worth visiting the outside as it’s a grand 19th-century building on The Headrow.

Today, it’s a symbol of the city, and the breathtaking architecture makes a lovely photo opportunity. 

7. Leeds City Museum

Leeds City Museum was originally built in 1819 and is one of nine museums and galleries in the city.

In addition to exhibits on local history, it has rooms on the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

The Earth Gallery has natural history displays with heaps of fossils and skeletons. 

They often have special exhibitions and events throughout the year. So, there’s always a reason to return.

Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit to Leeds. It’s on the list for next time.

8. Kirkgate Market

If you want to do some food shopping in Leeds, then head over to the historic Kirkgate Market. 

It’s a stunning building designed by Joseph Paxton and opened in 1857. Now, it’s one of the best things to do in Leeds. 

You’ll find hundreds of independent stalls selling fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. 

The Market Kitchen also serves a range of diverse street food. 

I loved the beautiful dragon embellishments that look like they are holding up the market stall signs. 

9. The Original M&S

Did you know that Leeds is home to the original Marks & Spencer?

The famous supermarket chain started as a small market stall opened by Michael Marks in 1884.

You can still find the heritage stall in Leeds Kirkgate Market, and it sells nostalgic souvenirs, tins and tea caddies.

You can also visit the M&S Company Archive, which has 72,000 historical items, at the University of Leeds.

10. County Arcade

Visiting the historic arcades is easily one of the best things to do in Leeds.

The County Arcade (Victoria Leeds) is particularly stunning with its Victorian steelwork, glass rooftop, colourful tiles and mosaic floor.

It’s often referred to as ‘the Knightsbridge of the North’, and you’ll find many designer boutiques inside such as Vivienne Westwood. 

11. Thornton’s Arcade

If you have time, Thornton’s Arcade is equally impressive with vibrant shops and cafés.

It’s three storeys high and lined with hanging flowers under an arched glass roof.

It has a famous clock with a mechanism made by William Potts and Sons of Leeds. It has four life-size figures from Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. 

Richard Coeur-de-Lion and Friar Tuck strike the hours. Robin Hood and Gurth the Swineherd strike the quarters.

It still works today, so stick around to catch the clock show.

12. The Ivy Asia

Ivy restaurants aren’t unique to Leeds, but Ivy Asia is one of only 10 in the country.

We stopped here for some cocktails during our visit, and we couldn’t get over the elaborate decor.

Gorgeous murals, suits of samurai armour, sakura trees, and an illuminated marble floor filled the space. It was all so mesmerising. 

It also offers a bold, glamorous dining experience if you’re fancy joining them for dinner. Booking a table is highly recommended. 

13. Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries Museum is one of my favourite things to do in Leeds. 

It’s a huge national museum of arms and armour with thousands of exhibits on display. 

Whether you love the War of the Roses, the Ottoman Empire, the Wild West, Samurai warriors, or WWI & II, It’s waiting for you here.

In addition to incredible exhibits, they often host free shows throughout the day, available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

We watched the medieval Pollaxe fighting in the tournament room. It was so exhilarating to see the knights’ bout in their shining armour.

On my last visit, we also stopped by the Royal Armouries Library Archives, which has hundreds of special books on battles, war strategy and more.

Don’t forget to stop by The Master’s restaurant that overlooks Leeds Docks. It’s the perfect place to refuel with a snoop around the gift shop. 

14. Holdfast Bookshop

Right next to the Royal Armouries Museum is the Holdfast Bookshop, an independent book barge moored in Leeds Docks.

It has a colourful outdoor seating area and a spectacular lower deck to browse. 

You’ll find all sorts of books on their shelves, from fantasy to travel, children’s stories and romance. 

I could have spent all day inside as they have some wonderful reading nooks.

15. Leeds Docks

Leeds Docks is a vibrant waterfront shopping destination with all sorts of bars and restaurants.

You can travel between Leeds Dock and Granary Wharf using the yellow Leeds Docks Water Taxi. 

If you’re looking for a great place to eat, I recommend stopping by Mumtaz Indian restaurant, which serves up delectable food. 

Mumtaz Leeds is so famous that Queen Elizabeth II visited. Her correspondence about her enjoyable time there is on the wall. 

16. Kirkstall Abbey

Just a twenty-minute bus ride from Leeds, you’ll find the atmospheric ruins of Kirkstall Abbey.

It’s one of the most complete examples of a Cistercian Monastery founded in 1152. 

It was later destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. 

After exploring the ruins, pop inside the Abbey Café set in an historic cloister. 

The ruins are also perched beside the River Aire, with wonderful parkland to explore, walking trails and the Abbey House Museum.

17. Harewood House

Harewood House is one of the finest country homes in Yorkshire, just a short drive away from the centre of Leeds. 

John Carr and Robert Adam designed it, and Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood, commissioned it in 1759.

Today, it’s one of the ‘Treasure Houses of England’ and a popular tourist attraction.

You can explore the magnificent, manicured gardens and tour the stunning staterooms. 

Scenic walking trails around Harewood Lake also include the Bothy Teahouse and Walled Garden. 

I loved exploring this grand estate; you can feel like a Lord or Lady for the day. 

18. Roundhay Park

If you want to travel back in time, visit Roundhay Park. It’s a huge park covering 700 acres, filled with pretty lakes and woodlands.

It also has delightful formal gardens like the Monet Garden and Alhambra Gardens. 

My favourite part was Roundhay Castle; although it looks like a medieval ruin, it’s actually a rich man’s folly. 

Thomas Nicholson built the tower in 1811. But it fell into decline following his death. 

Fun fact: Michael Jackson performed at Roundhay Park twice during his world tours. 

Is Leeds worth visiting?

Yes, Leeds is an incredible city with attractions for every interest, whether you love history, reading, culture, shopping or food.

I’ve had Leeds on my UK bucket list for ages, and I’m so glad I finally got to visit.

The Royal Armouries Museum is easily one of my favourite museums in the country, and I’ve now had the pleasure of visiting twice.

It’s a vibrant metropolis filled with incredible things to do. So, make sure to add it to your Yorkshire itinerary. 

How many days do you need in Leeds?

Leeds makes an awesome day trip, and you can see most of the central attractions in a single day.

But to really make the most of a visit, I would say you need 2-3 days to see everything comfortably.

With this extra time, you can plan some day trips to places like Kirkstall Abbey, Harewood House and Roundhay Park. 

Read more of my Yorkshire guides

Complete Ribblehead Viaduct Walk guide

A complete guide for Janet’s Foss Waterfall

How to visit The Druid’s Temple in Masham 

How to do the Malham Cove Harry Potter walk

A complete guide for the Gordale Scar walk

How to visit the Fountains Abbey Witcher filming location

Brontë things to do in Haworth

How to visit the Brontë waterfall

A complete guide for Pendragon Castle

Harry Potter Guide to York

Goathland Station Harry Potter guide

Dracula things to do in Whitby

Things to do in Robin Hood’s Bay

Things to do in Scarborough

Save these things to do in Leeds for later