Leeds travel and tourist information
Leeds is a city located in West Yorkshire, with population reaching 770,800. The history of the name of the city goes back to the 5th century and refers to the forest of “Loidis” that covered the local area, the Kingdom of Elmet. In the past, it was associated mainly with the production and trading of wool; later on, Leeds became an important industrial centre with other industries that developed over time.
Among the natural landmarks of Leeds, one can spend their time in a beautiful Fairburn Ings, which is a nature reserve managed by the local council and the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds. The site covers the area of 286 hectares and lies alongside the River Aire. There is also a number of eye-catching buildings in Leeds. The edifices the Loiners can be especially proud of include Morley Town Hall, Leeds Town Hall, Leeds City Museum and Corn Exchange, the last three designed by the architect Cuthbert Brodrick. Among the outstanding sacred buildings are the Church of St John the Baptist, St George's Church, Leeds Cathedral and Leeds Parish Church. There are also two important sport objects in Leeds, one of them for cricket and rugby - Headingley Stadium, and the other one for football - Elland Road. As far as public transport is concerned, the most important role is attached to the city buses provided mainly by First Leeds and Arriva Yorkshire. Tourists can also use West Yorkshire Metro, or one of the busiest railway stations in the UK, or Leeds Bradford International Airport.
There is a lot to see in Leeds. Numerous museums located in the city are an undeniable attraction for the tourists. In Millennium Square, a new Leeds City Museum was opened in 2008. The former Kirkstall Abbey houses Abbey House Museum, which presents the history of the abbey. The former world's largest woolen mill is a place where Armley Mills Industrial Museum is located. Its main attractions are railway locomotives, industrial machinery and shows of the first known moving pictures in the world taken in the city. The museum in Leeds in which the history of medicine is presented is called the Thackray Museum. The traditional and contemporary British art can be viewed in Leeds Art Gallery. The representatives of popular music from Leeds include such artists as The Sisters of Mercy, Kaiser Chiefs, or Melanie B, of the Spice Girls. The City Varieties Music Hall used to host Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini.
The three-day-long Leeds Carnival attracts around 100,000 people every year. Leeds also has its film festival, the second biggest in England.
Leeds is famous for its religious diversity. Although the majority of people identify themselves as Christians, there is also place for many other denominations and churches, such as Baptist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Army, Lutheran, Methodist Church.
