About Leeds
Leeds is known for its economic vibrancy, politics, sports, music, and arts scene. On a global scale, Yorkshire’s largest city is recognized as the birthplace of X-ray technology and several renowned authors.
Leeds is also an industrial-rich city going back to its locomotive roots. Robert Blackburn designed the world's first steam locomotive in 1912, and the city also has the world's oldest-running commercial railway. The beauty of the region is further displayed by its green spaces, more so the Roundhay Park which is amongst the biggest parks in Europe. On top of that, motion pictures had their humble beginnings in Leeds. French filmmaker Le Prince shot the very first motion pictures at a garden located in Roundhay.
Add in the Leeds West Indian Carnival, which is the longest-running in Europe, and it's apparent that the city leads in various ways. You'll also find selections of suitable meeting and event spaces in Leeds.
Attractions in Leeds
The Kaiser Chiefs and Corrine Bailey Rae hail from Leeds while the city is also revered as a fantastic cultural destination. The food scene, nightlife, and sports equally make it an area of interest to both locals and visitors. Several attractions in Leeds give a compelling enough reason to further explore the area.
- The Headrow
Headrow is a fantastic half-mile street with numerous of Leeds's premier cultural, civic, and shopping attractions. Leeds Town Hall is a notable building you will view here. The hall provides visitors with occasional tours. Headrow leads to Quarry Hill, Eastgate, and Westgate that host West Yorkshire Playhouse, the largest theatre outside London.
- Royal Armouries
Make your way to the Royal Armouries that displays an extensive collection of 8500 objects in 5 galleries. These cover Tournament, War, Self-defence, Hunting, and Oriental, providing a lot to marvel at. Visitors here love seeing Burmese bronze canon, Henry VIII's popular horned helmet, and a Chinese Ming Dynasty sword glittering with semi-precious stones and gold.
- Kirkstall Abbey
A landmark in Leeds, Kirkstall Abbey is a perfect example of a medieval Cistercian Abbey. You can still have a blast in the parkland covering 24 hectares, where you can pick a scenic picnic spot. A Deli Market runs on the last weekend of the month, offering a delectable mix of fresh local produce and street food.
- Roundhay Park
One of Europe’s largest city parks, Roundhay Park, is owned by Leeds City Council. It covers over 700 acres of parkland, woodland, lakes, and gardens. It is an excellent place for sunbathing, walking your pet, or simply exploring forests, playgrounds, and lakes taking in all the green space it has to offer.
- Leeds Industrial Museum
Learn all you can about the city's industrial heritage at Leeds Industrial Museum, which is part of Leeds Museums & Galleries. You get to see railway equipment, textile machinery, and heavy engineering collections, amongst others. The building that houses the museum was one of the largest woollen mills globally.
Production Locations in Leeds
Leeds is respected for its contributions to cinema. The Headingley Picture House, currently known as The Cottage Road Cinema, is the oldest in the country dating back to 1912. The West Yorkshire city also hosts the Leeds Film Festival, which is the biggest in Europe, explaining why filmmakers are drawn to the selections of production locations in Leeds.
- Gardens
Louis Le Prince is the man who got the camera rolling, so to speak, when he captured Roundhay Garden in 1888. The three-second long footage is still as captivating and it was specifically shot at Oakwood Grange. As it stands, it's believed to be the oldest surviving film in rotation.
- City Streets
Tyrannosaur is a Gritty British drama released in 2011, and it strikes a chord with locals because of its hard-hitting subject matter as well as the familiar locations captured on screen. The city centre, Harehills, Seacroft, and Eccup Alwoodley are well-known locations that served as some of the filming sites in Leeds.
- Entertainment Venues
Just like the Harewood House and its glorious gardens made a cameo in King Ralph, your project will benefit from an instant cinematic upgrade by including a few well-known locations. Leeds has several stunning entertainment venues with multiple indoor spaces including dance studios and cafes that can provide a similar setting. Book the Open Source Arts performance space as one of your film shoot locations in Leeds.
- Stadiums
The King's Speech earned critical acclaim and the Leeds community is partly credited for it. Elland Road and the Bradford-based Grattan Stadium served as the backdrop used to film the Wembley Stadium scenes. Hundreds of Leed natives donning period costumes served as extras while filming those particular scenes.
- Universities
The Great Hall, located at the University of Leeds, served as the backdrop for the 2017 movie Hunter's Prayer. Several other production venues in Leeds were dressed up to serve as international locations while filming the action thriller. Universities and other institutes of higher learning work as production sites because they also offer several locations rolled up in one.
Event and Meeting Venues in Leeds
The annual Leeds Festival brings together the biggest names in music, and the city houses several music venues including the First Direct Arena and The O2 Academy. The city is also home to three universities and has an equally large professional community. You'll also find selections of befitting events and meeting venues in Leeds for your upcoming functions.
- Meeting and Boardrooms
Several establishments have meeting and boardrooms which provide the perfect setting for business-related gatherings. Some of these spaces are versatile enough and can work as wedding venues in Leeds or the location for various small-to-large scale occasions. They also differ from one location to the next in terms of size as well as the amenities provided.
- Lounge and Bars
Lounge and bar locations favour intimate events like stag parties, rehearsal dinners, and reunions. The atmosphere enhances the guest experience because such locations exude an informal and relaxed vibe. They equally work for networking events because the layout allows guests to move freely around the room.
- Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurants and cafes are ideal locations for gatherings that centre around meals. Whether you are looking for a bridal shower space in Leeds or a brunch location; you and your guests will feel comfortable celebrating the occasion at a dining establishment. A majority also offer event planning packages that include catering and decoration services. Renting a cozy and relaxing restaurant in Leeds for your upcoming celebration will lend a sense of intimacy and familiarity to the occasion.
- Hotels and Motels
Traditionally, luxury hotels and grand motels have served as the backdrop for various occasions. From luncheons to retirement parties; these venues suit functions with a large headcount. They come with the added advantage of providing catering alongside decoration and even DJing services.
- Studios and Lofts
Studios and lofts provide the perfect setting to host diverse creative events. If you are looking for a performance space in Leeds or somewhere to stage a play, then you'll find that a spacious studio or loft fits the bill.
