Leeds City Centre Area Guide

Leeds is an important city in Great Britain, the economic, financial, and cultural heart of West Yorkshire. It is considered a prestigious city, referred to as the “Capital of the North” by some. Leeds is a vibrant and thriving city with over 100,000 people commuting to its centre daily for business and work. About three-quarters of a million people live in Leeds, a city with a rich culture, lots to do, lots to explore, great shopping, etc. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Leeds became a major centre for the production and trading of wool. The Industrial Revolution was its turning point because what was just a manorial borough expanded into a major mill town absorbing the surrounding villages. It became a populous urban area by the mid – 20th century.

This guide will give you an insight into Student Letting Agents in Leeds because we have years of experience in the local letting properties.

Leeds Location

Leeds is located in West Yorkshire, northern England. It lies along the River Aire at just about 48 km northeast of Manchester. Leeds is approximately 272 km north – northwest of London.

Area Transportation

As mentioned above, Leeds is a big city and its downtown area is very well connected. Commuters who travel by bus can take a line from the bus station on Dyer Street. It serves the entire Leeds region and is served by First Leeds, Arriva Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coastliner, National Express, Keighley & District, and Harrogate & District. Moving around by train is a great alternative because Leeds counts with the third busiest railway station in Great Britain. According to statistics, approximately 40 million people use that station yearly. The hub is well connected to London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Birmingham, Newcastle, York, Manchester, and Liverpool.

Commuters who prefer the comfort of their car to get to Leeds, there is an excellent network of motorways that surrounds the city. The main motorways are the M1 and the M62. Such an important city could not be far from an airport: Leeds – Bradford airport is less than 13 km northwest of Leeds city centre.

Schools and Universities in Leeds

Leeds is a city that is culturally thriving. There are many schools and universities.

1) The University of Leeds. It was established in 1904 and it is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. The quality of teaching and research is renowned worldwide and the major fields of education (undergraduate and postgraduate levels) are provided at this university. Its core values are integrity, professionalism, academic excellence, community, and inclusiveness.

2) The Leeds Beckett Headingley Campus offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Some of them are Accounting and Finance, Architecture, Biochemical Sciences, Business and Management, Criminology, Economy and Finance, Teaching and Education, etc. The campus is far more than the typical university building. It is surrounded by meadows where students can spend some time outdoors, study, or simply relax after a busy day in the classroom. It is a campus definitely worth visiting.

3) Leeds Becket University. Its campus features a lot of outdoor areas for students to sit down and study as well as impressive lecture theatres and seminar rooms. Its libraries offer thousands of computers and shared learning spaces for extensive research. It is a modern professional university with great ambition and its biggest commitment is innovation, enterprise, student commitment, strong local impact, and global reach. The values at Leeds Becket University are integrity, professionalism, enterprise, student focus, excellence, inspiration, and creativity.

4) Elliott Hudson College. It is located at MC2, White Rose Office Park and its aspiration is to ensure that students have access to excellent education. Elliott Hudson College demands hard work and provides great teaching and supportive culture in exchange. Pupils can enhance their education so they will be successful and competitive in their careers.

5) Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College. It is situated just east of Woodhouse Lane and the engineering departments of the University of Leeds. The college’s mission is inspired by the Christian tradition to form a community based on faith, hope, and love. Students are taught to achieve their full potential by developing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Bars in the city centre area

Leeds is the nightlife capital of the north with its many bars, pubs, and clubs. It counts with 152 between pubs, bars, and cafes. Call Lane is the city’s most famous nightspot. Revelers can truly enjoy their night out here with many drinks to choose from and opportunity to dance at Brb, Revolution, and many more.

The Maven is another popular pub in Leeds where visitors can experience a blend between chaos and elegance. Here, one can fine some of the best cocktails in town. Bad Apples is a music bar where people can drink enjoying some of the greatest heavy metal and hard rock bands (Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, etc.). It serves a great selection of craft beers and whiskeys at reasonable prices. Bad Apples is not the typical English pub and its buzzing atmosphere loved by hard rockers make it one of a kind.

Places to visit within a radius of 50 km

In Leeds and its surroundings, there is a lot to visit with its many attractions. Among its many theatres, Northern Ballet Theatre encompasses a mix of classic ballet and contemporary works such as Romeo and Juliet. Visitors can also enjoy the adaptations of Dracula and Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.

One of the top places to visit in Leeds is the Royal Armouries, Britain’s national museum of arms and armors. The museum displays 8,500 objects and presents the history of the warrior through the ages, from the medieval knight to the present-day soldier.

For those tourists who like spending a day outdoors and experience a full immersion in nature, Rodley Nature Reserve is the best option. It is a wetland reserve that’s about 9 km from Leeds city centre. It is an excellent habitat for birds and other animal species. Frogs, toads and newts breed in the reserve. Over 15 species of dragonflies have been recorded in this reserve. It is on a migratory route used by waders and waterfowl. The reserve provides a carpark by the gate and a visitor centre.

5 km north west is Kirkstall Abbey, another important site that tourists in Leeds should definitely visit. It is a ruined Cistercian monastery founded in 1152. The ruins are so picturesque that artists such as John Sell Cotman and Thomas Girtin painted them. The gatehouse is now a museum and it is part of the Leeds Museums & Galleries group.

13 km north of Leeds, tourists should visit Harewood House. It was built in the 18th century and it is one of England’s treasure houses. With an art collection, amazing gardens, a playground, and a bird garden, Harewood House hosts events and activities throughout the year.

Nostell Priory and Parkland is 25 km south east of Leeds. It is a Palladian house built in 1733 and it was given to the National Trust in the XX century with all its contents. Nostell Priory is a showcase for fashionable and elegant design with its collection items original bought to impress the guests. Visitors can enjoy the Chippendale collection, the superb ceilings made of plaster, some excellent paintings which history is related to Nostell Priory, and the longcase clock made by John Harrison.

Salts Mills is 20 km north west of Leeds. It is an ancient textile mill built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt. This UNESCO – listed place now hosts an art gallery, a shopping centre, and a restaurant.

Things to know about the Leeds City Centre housing market

There is no doubt that Leeds is the fastest growing city. Investors from all over the world wish to start their businesses or settle down in Leeds. It’s not surprise to learn that this city provides more jobs than any other city in Great Britain (if London is not taken into consideration). Therefore, it is a great and safe city to live in. During the 80s, there was a building boom that, to a certain extent, seems to be ongoing.

Despite its quality of life that seems to suggest higher housing prices, in reality they are below national average. An average house price for a property in Great Britain is about £219,554 while in Leeds is £203,825, over £15k less than the UK average. Investing in Leeds is recommended because property values have been enjoying a steady increase, rising to 5.14%. This indicates that the city continuously regenerates various areas in and around the city centre to provide more housing. Rental rates are also pretty strong and it could not be otherwise as, to many, Leeds is considered a student city. Property owners can easily rent out their flats either to students or to the young working class.

Local property professionals

We pride ourselves on the range of student properties we offer in the area. Our trusted letting agents in Leeds can help you find exactly what you’re looking for whether expert advice, property valuation, property management services or a tenant searching for their ideal rental property in the area. Browse our range of student properties to rent in Leeds or get in touch, and we look forward to helping you let your property or find your perfect rental property.

Do you want to invest in Leeds? We cover Burley, Chapel Allerton, Weetwood, Meanwood, Headingley, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Leeds City Centre, Armley, and more. Do not hesitate to contact us, our company is always at your disposal.