Holiday homes and rentals in Leeds

Leeds is a city bursting with energy, boasting a thriving arts scene, rich sporting heritage, and vibrant nightlife. A former mill town, many of the apartments in Leeds are converted from mill buildings which are spacious, open and airy – and often overlook the lovely rivers and canals around the city. Homes north of the centre, such as in the suburbs of Horsforth and Headingley, head into the city’s delightful, leafy suburbs, whereas a rental in the downtown area itself gives you immediate access to this intriguing metropolis.

Leeds offers many single bedroom homes which are ideal for couples or single travellers. Look out for rentals which are next to waterways, as they often have terraces with a fine view. People travelling with children may find staying slightly outside the city centre a better bet for larger holiday homes, where you will discover some truly charming holiday homes.

Leeds is the perfect city from which to explore the north of England, and it has superb transport routes to every other part of the UK. Leeds is big enough to offer myriad entertainment options for visitors, but small enough to be explored on foot. The outskirts of Leeds quickly transform into miles of gorgeous Yorkshire countryside. Parking is easy, even in the centre of the city (although you’ll need to pay!) and bus and train routes are extensive and easy to use and it’s an easy walk from the main train station to the centre of the city.

Leeds offers everything you’d expect from a major cosmopolitan city, theatres, cinemas, excellent shopping and fine dining. Food offerings are extensive, from Michelin Star restaurants to delightful pop-up cafes, and a huge effort has been made to transform the former mill town into a thriving and exciting cultural space. Make sure to spend an afternoon at Leeds waterfront. It has been regenerated and now boasts vibrant waterside cafés and bars, a world-class museum, and art galleries.

Leeds proudly offers three excellent theatres: Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and the Carriageworks, offering a wide range of productions, from local excellence to big-stage international musicals. Leeds Grand Theatre is pure Victorian opulence and is also the home of Opera North and is where you can see world-leading productions in superb surroundings. Leeds Playhouse is a large, modern performing arts theatre, and the Carriageworks offers a mixture of classical works and modern productions. The city is also home to the world-famous Northern Ballet, and when they’re not touring the world you can watch their stunning performances on their home stage.

You’ll find top-range department stores in Leeds, including the inimitable Harvey Nichols, but also the likes of House of Fraser and others. Trinity Leeds, a huge shopping mall right in the centre of town, houses all the regular high street stores, and slightly out of town is the enormous White Rose shopping centre. However, the beauty of Leeds is its plethora of independent stores. Check out the gorgeous Victoria Leeds, Victorian style arcades with ornate glass roofs housing high end and independent retailers. Enjoy strolling round the streets of Leeds and discovering delightful independent shops selling everything from bath bombs to juggling clubs.

Visit the Thackray Museum to see how medicine has developed over hundreds of years. See how leeches were used to cure certain ailments, and some of the weird and downright scary surgical instruments which thankfully are now confined to the museum history.

The simply sumptuous Everyman Cinema in the Trinity Shopping centre in Leeds provides cosy sofas and cushions and even bean bags to lounge on while watching the screen. To luxury is complemented by an ice bucket for your drinks!

Presented over five floors, the Royal Armouries is one of the largest collections of weapons of war in the world. The collection includes one of the suits of armour worn by King Henry VIII of England, as well as a near-complete set of elephant armour!

Leeds is embraced by the Yorkshire countryside, with its rolling green hills and fine country houses. Step outside the city and you’ll be in a different world. Don’t miss the magnificent stately home of Harewood House just to the north of the city!

Bang in the centre of town you’ll find the wonderful Leeds Museum. Delightfully educational, the museum reveals the 800-year history of the city, and also hosts a vast collection of preserved animals and fossils.