Life in Leeds
Leeds is regarded as the Capital of the North and lies at the centre of Yorkshire – one of the most attractive regions in the UK.
A culturally diverse city, Leeds is home to around 75 different nationalities, which is reflected in its welcoming and friendly nature. The city is recognised internationally as a leading centre for learning with over 75,000 students, many of whom choose to stay in the city once they have graduated.
If you have yet to visit Leeds, you might be surprised by what you find. Leeds is flourishing as a cultural centre and the thriving student community is testament to this.
The impressive and vibrant city centre boasts over 1,000 shops, more than 150 cafés, bars and restaurants, four major theatres, numerous art galleries and museums, independent and mainstream cinemas, over 25 nightclubs and several live music venues. It's no surprise that Leeds was voted the Best UK University Destination in a survey carried out by The Independent newspaper.
Outside the centre you’ll find vast areas of parkland, including Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam. Living in Leeds also gives you easy access to Sheffield, Manchester and York, with London two hours away by train.
The City Centre
Leeds College of Music is a five-minute walk from the main city centre. The busy city centre is England’s top place to shop outside London, and since Harvey Nichols chose Leeds as the site for its first Northern branch other major retailers and designer stores have followed.
Leeds Market, the largest indoor market in Europe, is equally worth paying a visit and has literally everything under one roof! Throughout the year the city centre is transformed by outdoor concerts in Millennium Square, street theatre and performance art, various European-themed festivals and markets, and even an outdoor ice-rink during winter.
The cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants in the city centre provide a great place to take in Leeds’ unique atmosphere. Many host live music, often providing performance opportunities for students at the College.
When it comes to nightlife, few UK cities compare to Leeds. Compact and packed with diverse bars, clubs and live venues, Leeds’ after-hours atmosphere is second to none. Like many cities, Leeds can be divided into various quarters – the Northern Quarter, the Exchange Quarter, the University Quarter – each home to a range of venues that make for a great night out in themselves. This also extends out into in Leeds. the student suburbs of Hyde Park and Headingley.
Sport and Leisure
If you’re a keen sports fan Leeds offers football at Elland Road, the home to Leeds United, and Yorkshire Cricket and Rugby at the Headingley Stadium. Leeds will also see the addition of a 13,500 capacity sports, leisure and entertainment arena in 2012 / 2013. The venue will host a number of concerts and performances along with sporting spectacles and family entertainment.
Areas such as Roundhay Park and Hyde Park offer the perfect locations for five-a-side football matches, cycling and running or simply a place to laze in the sun! Leeds College of Music has its own football, rugby and basketball teams and students can also become involved with the sporting activities and societies of the two universities.
Leeds Arts Scene
When it comes to exploring your artistic side, there’s no better place to find inspiration. Leeds has a thriving arts and cultural scene offering the best in theatre, film, dance, comedy and visual arts, so whatever your interests you’ll find something to suit your tastes.
Highlights of the Leeds cultural calendar include the Leeds Festival, Live at Leeds, Leeds International Pianoforte Competition, Leeds International Concert Season, LeedsLieder+, Ilkley Literature Festival, Chapeltown Carnival and Leeds International Film Festival. as well as annual seasons at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Grand Theatre, City Varieties, Yorkshire Dance, Howard Assembly Room, the Carriageworks, Hyde Park Picture House and the Town Hall.
Phoenix Dance Theatre, Northern Ballet Theatre, Yorkshire Dance and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance dominate the city’s dance scene, each proving to be leaders in contemporary dance and ballet both throughout the region and the UK as a whole.
When it comes to grand-scale arts and culture, Leeds shows it can compete with any of the big cities in the country. The West Yorkshire Playhouse ensures the city is well-known for its theatre, with a programme of self-produced plays and international work, along with regional and grass-roots drama.
Leeds City Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute are both based in the city centre and offer impressive collections of fine and contemporary art, sculpture and design. The new Leeds City Museum opened in 2008/09.
Leeds Online
Life in Leeds
www.leedsliveitloveit.com
Welcome to Yorkshire
www.yorkshire.com
Leeds City Council
www.leeds.gov.uk
BBC Leeds
www.bbc.co.uk/leeds
Leeds Independent Music Scene
www.leedsmucicscene.net
Leeds International Concert Season
www.leedsconcertseason.com
Entertainment and shopping
www.itchyleeds.co.uk
Take a virtual tour
www.vrleeds.co.uk
Leeds College of Music is not responsible for the content of any of the above websites.
Images by: Jon Stanley Austin
www.jonstanleyaustin.com
