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Leeds Castle
Rugby & Football
Leeds Castle, the self-proclaimed “Loveliest Castle in the World”, is a favourite of locals and visitors to the UK alike. The beautifully serene surroundings make this castle something out of a fairy tale. Surrounded by a portion of the River Len, the castle dates back to 1119 and is now owned and maintained by the Leeds Castle Foundation for public visits and preservation of this architectural beauty.
Leeds is home to active rugby and football communities which are followed and supported by loyal locals. The city is home to a handful of football and rugby clubs, across a variety of leagues. While rugby is generally more dominant in Leeds, football still has a loyal fan following.
Visitors can tour the castle daily and opt for a self-tour or guided for an informative representation of the castle’s history and architecture.
The first rugby team was established in Leeds in the late 1800s, with football following closely in the early 1900s. If you manage to get a ticket to either event, head to Headingley Stadium for a rugby match or catch some football at the city’s historical Elland Road Stadium.
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Shopping Shopping is a great activity in Leeds. The city is a bustling metropolis of West Yorkshire and home to a wealth of high street shops, independent shops and markets. You’ll find whatever you’re looking for when you’re shopping in Leeds. Head over to the Corn Exchange (pictured) for a variety of independent shops in a beautiful Victorian building, or head to Briggate, near the Shopping Quarters for street after street of shops. Consider staying at one of the hotels in Leeds city centre for an easy walk to the Shopping Quarters.
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Leeds Festival
Micro-Breweries
Art & Culture
Leeds Festival is one of the area’s most popular summer music festivals. Established in 1999, Leeds Festival was created to coincide with the oldest popular music festival still running, Reading Festival. The two have since run simultaneously over the course of the August long weekend in England.
Leeds is home to a variety of independent micro-breweries. These craft beer companies are dedicated to their craft and mission to provide high quality, good-tasting beer. Some Leeds breweries focus on organic products while others aim for unique taste. The best way to decide which ones are your favourites is to taste them all.
Art and culture are strong characteristics of the identity of Leeds. The city is home to the Leeds College of Art and several galleries, art initiatives and street artwork. You’ll find beautiful street art as you walk through the streets of Leeds.
Boasting the most popular music groups and an attendance capacity of 80,000, Leeds is a summer staple for thousands of Leeds locals, UK locals and visitors from all over the world. If you’re interested in attending Leeds, camping facilities and band line up information are available on their official website.
Try Burley Street Brewhouse for a fine dark beer (or the popular blonde). Ridgeside Brewery is a young brewery but has won awards for their Black Night and Eliminator beers. Leeds Brewery has a staple of four beers with seasonal additions to the rota. Give as many as you can a try to truly find your favourite.
Initiatives like Art in Unusual Spaces, which is a series of exhibitions set up in units across the city centre of Leeds, opens up the opportunities for art in public spaces, making it more accessible and present. The city is also home to a vibrant music scene, with live gigs nearly every night in the local pubs and venues. Walk along the streets of Leeds and turn into a pub when you hear something you like.