Destination Spotlight: Leeds

Key Information

Leeds Population of 715,404

Leeds named ‘One of Europe's Top 25 Cities for Business’

The UK's largest centre for financial and business services outside London

Leeds City Art Gallery has "the best collection of 20th century British art outside London" says The Times

Leeds is steeped in history, yet has a young and vibrant outlook, offering attractions to people of all ages and interests. Visitors revel in choice, with remarkable historical houses, some of Europe’s best shopping, wondrous art galleries, theatres with an impressive calendar of performances and a huge choice of restaurants.

With its 24 art galleries, including Leeds College of Art and many eclectic independents, art is a lead characteristic of the city’s identity, with Leeds Art Gallery and the Henry Moore institute displaying pieces from around the globe. Leeds is also has its own opera house and ballet company, the only city in the UK, other than London to do so.

Leeds is also a great place to go shopping, with over 1000 shops. Vivienne Westwood and Louis Vuitton join 73 other designer stores - walk between them to high street brands, vintage markets and quirky boutiques within Victorian and Edwardian buildings. A highlight is the historic Kirkgate market’s 600 stalls - 400 of them in a Grade I listed building. It’s one of the largest covered markets in Europe.

Leeds has embraced the food revolution. From sophisticated Michelin star restaurants, to gastro pubs, feisty street food, family restaurants to vintage tea rooms, this city offers it all and it offers it all well, with great menus and service you’re unlikely to forget.

Key Information

Leeds Population of 715,404

Leeds named ‘One of Europe's Top 25 Cities for Business’

The UK's largest centre for financial and business services outside London

Leeds City Art Gallery has "the best collection of 20th century British art outside London" says The Times

Travel Information

Trains: Leeds Railway Station at New Station Street

Airports: Leeds Bradford International Airport

Sea & Waterways: Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Buses: Leeds City Bus Station

Points of Interest

Conferences & Meetings in Leeds

Leeds is the UK’s largest center for business, legal and financial services beyond London. To facilitate these industries, a board range of impressive convention venues are established here, along with shopping centres, high quality restaurants and a variety of great night spots.

Able to host from 2-1500 delegates for conferences and 1000 for banquets, the Royal Armouries Museum with its New Dock Hall is the gem in Leeds’s conference venue crown, offering 850 hotel rooms in walking distance.

Other conference and meetings facilities include the Leeds City Art Gallery, with room for receptions of up to 400 guests and the three university campuses. Leeds Metropolitan University’s 4,000sqm Carnegie Pavilion and first-class sporting venue with 18 conference rooms is notable. In the city centre, Leeds University Rose Bowl offers meeting rooms for up to 256 theatre-style and 600 for banquets.

Additionally, a range of modern city center hotels offer excellent conference facilities. These include the Queens Hotel with 217 bedrooms, the Crown-Plaza with 135-bedrooms, the City Inn with 33 stylish bedrooms, the Leeds Marriott with 244 bedrooms and the Leeds Hilton with 208 bedrooms.

The Britannia Leeds Bradford Airport Hotel offers 137 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 200 delegates in modern conference facilities opposite Leeds Bradford International Airport.

The airport serves domestic and European destinations, supporting the city’s excellent road and rail links.