The city that offers you more.

The unofficial capital of Yorkshire. Leeds has it all – a rich sporting heritage, legendary nightlife, delicious food, and incredible shopping.

Add one of the UK’s largest student populations and you’ve got a city that’s made for student life – the perfect place to make more happen.

Our Main Campus is in Horsforth, in the north west of Leeds.

Our Leeds City Campus will be located at Trevelyan Square, a few minutes away from Leeds train station.

Horsforth

Horsforth is a leafy suburb about five miles from Leeds city centre, with its own bars, restaurants, shops, brewery and identity.

It's been around a long time - it was even mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

Go for a walk among the bluebells in Hunger Hill Woods, or cycle along the towpath on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Horsforth Hall Park is home to an amazing skatepark and Japanese gardens.

 

Read Grace's blog post about Horsforth
Horsforth Hall Park in Horsforth.

Eating out

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, elevenses, brunch... whatever you're looking for you'll find something to suit your tastes in Leeds.

New restaurants and cafes are opening all the time in the city, so check out Leeds List's latest recommendations.

They've also put together some Horsforth highlights.

 

Students in Leeds City Centre cafe, 92 Degrees.

Leeds nightlife

Leeds is known for its student life, with countless bars, clubs, and pubs catering to all tastes and budgets.

If you like rock and alternative music, go for The Key Club, head to HiFi Club for funk and soul, dance to house and techno at Wire, or check out the watering holes and dive bars on Merrion Street and Call Lane.

See up-and-coming bands at smaller venues like Wharf Chambers or The Wardrobe, catch your favourite bands at the iconic Brudenell Social Club, or see the biggest artists at the First Direct Arena.

Check out Leeds List's recommendations for a good night out in the city.

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Outdoors

Horsforth is ideal for adventurers.

There are lots of great walks on our doorstep, including the 62-mile Leeds Country Way.

Mountain bikers can get straight onto woodland trails, and where better for roadies than part of the Tour de Yorkshire route?

Whether you're an experienced windsurfer or you fancy giving paddleboarding a try, the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre is a short bus ride from Leeds Trinity.

Three people walking on a moor..

Shopping

Horsforth has lots of independent shops, including a stylish refill store to help you cut down on plastic.

In Leeds, you'll find every high street shop you could want at Trinity shopping centre.

The city is known for its Victorian arcades filled with everything from comic book shops and skate stores, to designers like Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith.

Find a bargain at Kirkgate Market - one of Europe's biggest indoor markets - and check out the indie traders at the Corn Exchange

And for adding the finishing touches to your student accommodation, IKEA isn't too far away.

Student shopping in the Corn Exchange, Leeds.

Art and culture

Experience world-class theatre at Leeds Playhouse, watch touring productions at Leeds Grand Theatre and see live comedy or panto at the City Varieties Music Hall. As a student, you can get tickets for Opera North for just £10.

One of the world's first films was shot in Leeds in 1888, and the city remains a film-lovers paradise.

The Leeds International Film Festival takes place each year, there are lots of cinemas including the IMAX in Kirkstall and the Hyde Park Picture House.

Art lovers can go to the Leeds Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute on the Headrow, and head down the M1 to get to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

And if you don't fancy travelling far, visit the Horsforth Village Museum.

Leeds Playhouse at night.

LGBTQ+ 

The Freedom Quarter is the heart of Leeds' LGBTQ+ community, with the award-winning Viaduct Showbar, Queen's Court and the city's oldest gay bar The New Penny.

Get late-night cakes at Flamingos Coffee House, head to independent LGBTIQA+ bookshop The Bookish Type, and get involved with one of the city's inclusive sports clubs.

Leeds Pride takes place in August every year, so it's worth sticking around for the summer.

The city also has lots of organisations supporting LGBTQ+ communities, including Yorkshire MESMACTouchstone and Angels of Freedom.

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Alcohol free fun

Leeds is also filled with alcohol-free activities – here's some of our favourites.

Solve challenging puzzles in one of Leeds’ many immersive escape rooms. With lots of themes to choose from at Escape Hunt or Tick Tock Unlock, it’s the perfect day out with your flatmates or friends.

With weekly rollerskating workshops and skate hire available, you can meet new people and get active at Roller Girl Gang.

The Climbing Lab at Kirkstall Industrial Park is the perfect place to develop your bouldering and climbing skills in a social, supportive space.

The Arcade Club in Kirkstall offers a sociable retro gaming experience at Europe's biggest video and pinball arcade, giving us serious Stranger Things-vibes.

For those who love gaming, the Geek Retreat or Chance & Counters in the city centre are the perfect places to meet like-minded people in a welcoming environment.

Students playing board games in Students Union.

Sport in Leeds

Sport is part of the fabric of Leeds, with the city producing some of the UK’s most iconic teams, famous athletes and world-class facilities.

Headingley Stadium plays host to two of the country’s most successful teams – rugby league heroes Leeds Rhinos and the legendary Yorkshire Cricket Club.

The city is also home to Leeds United Football Club – a team renowned for their loyal fan base and storied history. More recently, the Leeds Knights are the cities' own National League ice hockey team.

In 2014 the Yorkshire region played host to the iconic cycle race Tour De France, leading to Leeds becoming a hotbed for international cycling events such as the AJ Bell World Triathlon and Tour De Yorkshire. 

But there’s more to Leeds than sport superstars. The city is also home to premier facilities including the John Charles Centre for Sport , Planet Ice Leeds – Leeds’ new ice rink, and the community-run Bramley Baths

Billy Bremner statue outside Leeds United's ground, Elland Road.

Leeds transport

Leeds is a wonderfully connected city, with travel links that can take you almost anywhere you want to go.

Leeds City Train Station is the fourth busiest UK train station outside of London and the station links much of West Yorkshire. Our Main Campus in Horsforth is only a 12-minute train ride away, while our Leeds City Campus is only a 4-minute walk away from Leeds station. 

If you prefer to use the bus, recently fare caps for buses in West Yorkshire were introduced, with single bus journeys now costing no more than £2, and the cost of unlimited DaySavers capped at £4.50. 

Did you know, you can travel along The Leeds & Liverpool canal by water taxi? Costing only £2, it’s one of the city's most fun forms of transport.

Student waits at bus stop in Leeds City Centre.

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