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

[Lighthousekeeping]

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?

If you do the media museum in Bradford (which is utterly brilliant) you should cross to city park and go to the mirror pool. It's an open air "water park" that kids play forever in. It's free and utterly fab. My kids had a blast in there running through all the fountains etc yesterday

If you're there at just the right time, there are still tickets for Ant and Decs Saturday night takeaway tour available! I know my 10 yr old DD would love that, I would too to be honest

The media museum sounds fab

TBH you might find it a bit tricky to get to the Sculpture Park but make the effort as it is a great place (you may be able to get closer on a local train and then get a bus or taxi - can't remember, as I got driven there). It is worth it.

The train connections are very good for a day away, esp if you are staying centrally. You could get to Newcastle, or to Settle for more of a country experience, or potentially to the coast. There is a mad place called the Forbidden Corner which may also be do-able by train (north of Leeds) - can't wait to go there!

I love Saltaire and the Hockney Gallery and Mill (it is huge, it was equally appealing to me as a teenager. It's not quite like anywhere else. Actually it is one of my favourite places and if you are into the Sculpture Park, you should try it) - train will get you there.

There might be dance workshops or similar at the Playhouse or other locations in the city for les enfants.

There is even an open air pool in Otley although I recall freezing certain unmentionables off - though it wasn't as hot as it is at the moment when I was mad enough to go in.

Funny me and my friend..both Leeds lasses to the core..we're just talking last night about how envy first time visitors now!! Some great ideas here OP but I thought I'd just chuck in a few cheap ideas
Walk partway along the Leeds Liverpool canal if you can't fit in a boat/ barge trip
Do the tour of the Blue Plaques
You must must see all the arcades..new and old especially one with the chiming clock in it
Walking around the city, please look up...fantastic architecture
Wander around the Leeds market
There's the secret library...look it up!!( might be called the hidden library)
Check out lesser known theatres such as City varieties and carriage works
Look around the Corn Exchange

Miss Leeds now...typing from darkest Essex (and still a Yorkshire Lass abroad after 10 years). Waving to all you people who are enthusing, and wishing the OP a great time.

Am I the only person that didn't like the media museum?

I thought it was totally over rated and its a good job it was free!

Now I'm just getting confused! I don't know where to start!

local.mumsnet.com/leeds

The Local mumsnet sites have loads of ideas of things to do

Oh I love YSP! Was there today in the sunshine and it was glorious I love it so much I'm getting married there in 2 months, it's a beautiful place.

It's very straightforward to get there without a car, train to westgate station (takes 15 mins from Leeds and very regular) then 10 min walk to the bus station and get the 96 bus at 3 minutes past the hour. Takes 25 mins and is really reliable.

Have an amazing time- shop till you drop and defo try out trinity kitchen for some lovely street food.

We saw Martin Platt at the media museum, many years ago (from Corrie, no idea what his real name is, lol).

You could go to Elland Road to do a stadium tour and game if the girls are interested. There is a friendly on 2 August (Dundee or Dundee Utd, can't remember which), and a "proper" game on 16 August against 'Boro. Evening game against Brighton on Tuesday 19th. Also a Capital Cup game against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday 12th. If they are interested, lol.

Thanks for that. I was really starting to worry it would be too awkward to get to. We will have a full day out. On the first day we will end up at trinity kitchen. We are staying at the crowne plaza so I hope it's central.

Trinity kitchen is great, there's loads to choose from.

I was there with my sister recently and she is so indecisive, it was hilarious to see her try to decide where to order from AND THEN pick what to order.

I thought we'd be there all day

Saltaire in Bradford is interesting plus there is a climbing wall. Cow and calf at ilkley can get to ilkley on the train .

Ilkley lido is great - huge open air pool with amazing backdrop of the moors. Bit of a walk from the station, but worth it

A lot of this will be weather dependant let's hope this heat wave lasts!

If your at the Crown Plaza then you are just opposite the train station.

Leeds is a fantastic place for a city break and there is so much that will appeal to teenage girls.

Depending on when you are going they are building the city beach at Millennium Square (near your hotel) 9th August until the 31st. It has all sorts of attractions going on.

I hope you have a great time, Leeds is a wonderful city and has so much to offer. Those that knock Leeds either don't know it or haven't spent the time experiencing the city properly .

We visited recently for a Leeds uni open day and parked in the Crowne Plaza hotel carpark and then just walked everywhere. It's such a beautiful city, amazing architecture and history. I'd love to have had more time there.

Now I want a holiday in Leeds.

Restaurant called Viva, on bridge street in the city centre = delicious & great value

Day trip to scarborough on the train. Always a good one.

I live in Leeds and this thread has given me some great ideas to do with my DD's over the summer holidays!

Tis a great place to live....and i say that as a Lancashire expat

When are you actually going lighthouse?

If any of the kids are into animals then there's Meanwood Valley Farm which you can reach easily from Leeds city centre. There's a cafe there and you can buy (or you cold when we used to take dd) food to feed the various animals. The 52 bus stops within mins of the entrance.

Oh and in your marketing campaign, don't forget to sell the fact that Leeds is where this year's Grand Depart of the Tour de France set off from. Look out for painted bikes on roundabouts (prize for the one who spots the most!).

Flossy you are thinking of Park Plaza! Crowne Plaza is a bit further away but still fine for the city centre. If you only have two days and you want to do YSP I think there's plenty to do in the city and around it without trips to the coast etc. Another thing you can do is spot the owls..Owls are the Symbolof Leeds ( dunno why) and there's quite a few dotted about