Leeds is a major city not only for Yorkshire, but also for the whole country: in the UK it is in the fifth place by the size of . Leeds population reaches half a million people, taking into account that Leeds is now called not only the Old Town itself, but also its agglomeration in conjunction with Wetherby and Otley . True, against the background of more developed Liverpool and Manchester, nearby Leeds has always remained somewhat in the shadows . Nevertheless, interesting features distinguish this city from others and contribute to a not too wide but constant flow of visitors . In the hour Yorkshire terrier lovers: it was in this city that a breed so beloved by girls from all over the world was brought out . And yet - the fans of Leeds United .
How to get to Leeds
Leeds has its own Leeds-Bradford International Airport. From London to the city can be reached by train (about 3 hours). Also, from the capital to Leeds, there are regular National Express buses, including night buses
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A bit of history
The first mention of the city was made at the end of the 11th century, and at the beginning of the 13th century Leeds officially became a market town . Leeds successfully blended into the industrial revolution due to its favorable location, becoming one of the main transportation hubs . Development of navigation on the River Eyre in 17 century turned the city on it into an important shopping center, and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, which was dug in the 18th century, cemented this advantage . In the 19th century a railroad appeared in Leeds and a large part of the goods exported by Britain began to pass through the city . After the Second World War, Leeds prosperity began to decline along with industry, and the city began to lag . Serious investments from individuals in recent decades were required to Leeds acquired the current high status of the second after the capital of the financial and legal center of the country .
For a long time Leeds was a developed and vibrant industrial city, where traditionally prosperous woolen weaving and weaving fa briks . These and other branches of production made the city rich, and in the 18th century the first railroad in the world was laid here, along which coal was delivered from the outskirts of the city to the center . At the same time a university was opened in Leeds, which to this day is one of the largest in the country: it is among the first ten in terms of the number of students . The Parkinson Corps, beautiful and remarkable from an architectural point of view, is considered a symbol of the university .
Entertainment, excursions and sights of Leeds
Despite the size of Leeds, its historical center is quite compact . The amazing city hall, built in 1852 . by the architect Cuthbert Broderick, was opened by Queen Victoria herself, and this is one of the largest Town Halls in the UK . Nowadays her building belongs to the architectural monuments of the first category and accommodates the unique three-handed organ created by Gray and Davidson, the largest such type and in Europe . Concerts and official events take place at the Town Hall, the Leeds International Film Festival is held here . The city's art gallery is adjacent to the Town Hall with one of the best collections of works by British artists of the 20th century, including sculptures, paintings, drawings , watercolors and media works of the newest formats . For a long time in the city lived and worked the famous sculptor Henry Moore, and today in the city gallery you can see an excellent selection of his works .And in the City Museum on the square you can get stuck in the Millennium the whole day exploring the six galleries, including naturalistic and geographic exposure, "Life on Earth", "Ancient Worlds", "look at the world" .
- Congress in Wetherby town to visit the local race track, admire the old bridge over the river Wharfe and knock on the market
- Visit Middletown, opened in 1758 and one of the oldest railways in the world. never stop working. Explore the museum and a ride on a steam train (from April to December on Saturdays drive diesels, locomotives - on Sundays).
- Take an entertaining tour of owlish from Leeds to look pretty urban owls - bronze or some other
Among the other attractions of Leeds should be noted fiefdom of Sir William de Aldeburga, picturesque palace Heyrvud 12th century buildings, in which the recovery at the beginning of the 21st century, £ 1m was invested . In a renovated courtyard near the former stables, a full-fledged cafe was opened, where dishes from the vegetables and herbs grown in the castle garden were cooked . The Royal Weapons Museum since 1996 . is kept by Nazi tional collection of antique weapons and armor from the Tower of London: here more than 75 000 objects from the early Middle Ages around the world . Here you can see the arms of the Ottoman Empire, the Wild West, weapons and ammunition Japanese shoguns, Indian armor and personal combat guns of European rulers royal houses .
The majestic dilapidated Kirkstall abbey is also indispensable for visiting: it is one of the best preserved medieval monasteries, built in the 12th century, and Remarkably sample of early Cistercian architecture . Abbey stands in a beautiful public park, and across the street is the Museum of the Abbey . also interesting medical museum Thackeray and the Mill Museum on the perfectly preserved and still working water mill Tueyt that on a small island between the river Air and Canal Air-and-Calder . A "Tropical World" in the park Roundhouse, one of the largest greenhouses in the UK, is full of flora and fauna not only from the tropics, but also from the ecosystems of the jungle and deserts, including the sympa a family of meerkats .
In Leeds, various festivals and concerts take place every year: in particular, the Yorkshire Festival, which takes place in the spring and summer, the auto show at Harwood Castle in June, and the West Indian carnival in August. In addition, in 2014 the tradition of holding a festival of food and drink was revived in late May - early June.