Leeds Homestay Guide to Leeds

Famed for its excellent shopping, vibrant night life, first class universities and world class sport, Leeds is the financial, cultural and commercial centre of West Yorkshire.
Vibrant, friendly and cosmopolitan, Leeds is one of the greenest cities in Europe with greenbelt land covering over two-thirds of its total area.

Amongst its many accolades Leeds has been voted “The Best Place in Britain to Live” by Henley Management College Urban Behaviours Study 2004 and with good reason; the city offers the best of both worlds, combining dynamic city centre life with the peace and beauty of the Yorkshire countryside. The famous Yorkshire Dales National Park is only twenty miles from the city centre.

With an absorbing cultural centre, lively night life, world class sports and easy access to the spectacular Yorkshire countryside, Leeds offers the ideal location to live, work or study.

Leeds for Education

Leeds is internationally recognised as a major centre of learning, with a total student population of over 200,000.

Recognised as the “Best University Destination in the UK” by The Independent newspaper, Leeds has two internationally acclaimed universities, The University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University.

Leeds has eight colleges of higher and further education. Three of the top further education colleges have now merged to form Leeds City College offering Leeds one of the biggest and most influential colleges in the country.

If you need to improve your English language skills Leeds has some excellent English language schoools. Angel Language Academy offers Common European Framework English courses as well as FCE,IELTS and TOEIC training for international students and is in the centre of the city making it accessible to all that Leeds has to offer.

For those who wish to teach English, Action English offers intensive TEFL training courses.

Leeds for Business

Leeds is widely-regarded as the cultural, financial and commercial heart of West Yorkshire. Named “Britain’s Best City for Business” by OMIS research Leeds is amongst the UK’s leading centres for manufacturing and is the third largest media and communications centre.

Leeds for Shopping

Leeds has been voted “The UK’s Best Shopping Destination” by the Rough Guide to Britain. With over 1,000 shops, including Harvey Nicholls and Louis Vuitton, Leeds is a shopper’s paradise.
From the elegant arcade of the Victoria Quarter to the Edwardian façade of Kirkgate Market, the largest covered market in Europe, the city centre caters for every taste, truly deserving its title as “The Knightsbridge of the North”.

Leeds for Culture

With its own ballet company, The Northern Ballet Theatre, Leeds City Art Gallery, nine museums and a total of five theatres, including the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Grand Theatre (home to Opera North); Leeds has a flourishing cultural centre.
The city also plays host to the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and the Leeds International Film Festival.

Leeds for Night Life

Leeds has been voted “The UK’s Best City for Nightlife” by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine and “The UK’s Number-One City for Clubbing” by Mixmag Dance Music Awards; Leeds has over 30 nightclubs, more than 130 bars and upwards of 90 restaurants and cafes offering something for everyone.
Leeds loves to party and its amazing variety of night life pays testament to this. From old fashioned pubs, to contemporary city centre bars and restaurants, live music venues and music festivals, the city comes alive at night, truly deserving its reputation as a 24 hour city!