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We are having our holiday in Leeds and that's the end of it. I need to sell it to them

159 replies

Lighthousekeeping · 25/07/2014 17:27

Apparently they are sick of going to York. TBF i take them every year. Three girls aged 11, 13 and 14. I've already booked it so it's not negociable but, can anyone advise me of the great things to do there?

OP posts:
geogteach · 25/07/2014 19:18

Get the train to Saltaire and look round Salts mill, there is a gallery of Hockney paintings and a fab bookshop. Public transport is good, fairly sure I visited the Bronte house at Howarth when I was a student there.

ooerrmissus · 25/07/2014 19:19

I live in Leeds. Having read all the responses I am tempted to cancel my trip to Paris and stay here instead. Smile

Leeds has quite a lot to see and do and is surrounded by lots of great countryside. You could take a trip out to Howarth and go all romantic and windswept at the Bronte Museum. Or take the train to Settle, fabulous walking country if you are the outdoor type. Fountains Abbey is doable via the no. 36 bus to Ripon and then taxi. Stunning place.

OP what sort of things do your DDs like?

Orangeanddemons · 25/07/2014 19:22

YSP is nearer Sheffield than Leeds isn't it. It's about 15 minutes away for me in Sheffield

SpringyReframed · 25/07/2014 19:27

This is one of these threads that makes me love MN! What fantastic suggestions and help for the OP Grin

I am now thinking I will go to the YSP next time I am in Sheffield visiting my dad! Orange,I never knew it was near Sheffield, I thought it was Bradford. Thanks!

meltedmonterayjack · 25/07/2014 19:36

I've lived in Leeds all my life. While I don't (and can't easily) think of it as a holiday destination, I don't see why you couldn't have a great city break here. Loads of great ideas on this thread and loads of great places. You won't run out of stuff to do whatever the weather.

Has anyone mentioned Kirkstall Abbey? Depending on DC's levels of interest in historical monuments, it's one of the best preserved abbeys in the country. The Abbey House museum across the road from the abbey itself is also interesting.

Definitely city centre for shopping. Along and off Briggate there's just about every shop you could ask for, nice old fashioned sweet shops and places for a drink and something to eat. Down the arcades there are shops like Yum Yum Beads where you can buy everything you need to make your own jewellery. It's like a pick and mix where you just choose out of a vast range the beads you like and then cords, ear-ring fittings etc to make them into items to wear. The Trinity Centre (also off Briggate) has Superdry, Victoria's Secret, Skechers, Foot Locker, H&M, Top Shop, River Island, Boots, Mango,
Urban Outfitters etc as well as ice cream/pretzel/cupcake etc shops. And a big food court underneath with really interesting stuff.

The art gallery and city museum worth a visit. Museum is pretty hands on.

Betty's in Harrogate is a real treat but a) not cheap and b) involves queuing very often. The ice-cream is to die for though.

While it's not an obvious choice for a break, I think you'll have a great time.

Rhubarbgarden · 25/07/2014 19:48

How about a canal boat trip on the Leeds-Liverpool canal? We did that when I was an early teen and I loved it.

kim147 · 25/07/2014 19:53

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SockPinchingMonster · 25/07/2014 19:55

Yorkshire sculpture park is South side of Wakefield so a fair bit of travelling from Leeds. It's doable but I reckon you'd be travelling an hour or more both ways with waiting times for trains/buses. Royal armouries in Leeds is not bad - and is free. Tropical world at Roundhay park is ok and not too expensive. Shopping there is not bad. Can't think of much else to do there but there's definitely enough to fill a couple of days.

BellaVita · 25/07/2014 19:57

ESD - I thought you lived in Sheffield... no idea why Grin. I am a Leeds girl, live in a York now though.

EatShitDerek · 25/07/2014 19:58

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BellaVita · 25/07/2014 19:59

melted, I spent many an hour in Kirkstall Abbey Grin

BellaVita · 25/07/2014 20:00

Really ESD, well I never... Grin

Lighthousekeeping · 25/07/2014 20:05

Oh, we aren't going to a York as much as I love it. I'm already going to a 30th there in October. We won't be going to Harrogate either for the same reason. Do you think Shrek is too young for them? They like jewellery and already make their own. That might be an idea. They are creative.

Ps they aren't mine I just borrow them once a year and let them bleed me dry

OP posts:
fruitpastille · 25/07/2014 20:07

Bettys in Ilkley is less busy. Half an hour on the train and the town/moor is nice too.

YolandiFuckinVisser · 25/07/2014 20:09

What about temple newsam? Depends on what your dc enjoy but there's a rare breeds farm, woods, parkland etc for free. I think you might have to pay to go in the big house but haven't been in there for years. Always do a temple newsam trip while in leeds visiting my mum.

Media museum in bradford is brilliant. Shopping in leeds city centre if they like that sort of thing. Its come a long way since when i lived there & the merrion centre was the height of shopping experience in leeds.

PetiteBateau · 25/07/2014 20:14

I used to live in Leeds.

You could do a trip on the train to Hebden Bridge. It's a pretty place with lots of interesting little shops & cafes. It's about 40 mins on the train from Leeds city station.

Phineyj · 25/07/2014 20:15

I think there are many worse choices for a trip with youngish teens than a trip to Leeds. Enjoy yourself, OP! I don't think anyone's mentioned West Yorkshire Playhouse - the actors use the foyer for coffee etc, so if any of the girls are stagey, they might like that.

Idontseeanyicegiants · 25/07/2014 20:30

If you head out to Hebden Bridge 3 stops further on is Littleborough. Hollingworth Lake country park is close by, as is Blackstone Edge and the Pennine Way if you're into hiking.

legoqueen · 25/07/2014 20:48

If you go to the YSP via Wakefied, you can also pop into the Hepworth Gallery - double culture fix! The girls should love shopping in the Victoria Quarter in Leeds too...train to Ilkley with its fantastic Lido if it's sunny...enjoy!

Lighthousekeeping · 25/07/2014 20:51

Some fantastic ideas here.

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 25/07/2014 20:52

Dino Jaws exhibition

Harrogate on the train and go to Bettys and the baths

Lighthousekeeping · 25/07/2014 21:49

I don't think the Armouries would appeal to them. I'd love to go to Bronte country I just don't think we can fit in all these days out! It's only two nights and I'm determined to go to the sculpture park.

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 25/07/2014 22:11

I want to take my DS to Leeds for a few days now.:)

BikeRunSki · 25/07/2014 22:15

Do you mean Yorkshire Sculpture Park? It is fabulous. I live 3 miles away and am a Friend. Not very handy for Leeds though. Nearest towns are Wakefield or Barnsley, with sporadic buses to the YSP.

meltedmonterayjack · 25/07/2014 22:21

Bella I love Kirkstall. When I was a kid I tried to pluck up the courage to lay in one of the monks stone coffins to see if I fit, but never managed to summon up enough guts.