What is Leeds Famous For? The White Rose City
The people of Leeds and Yorkshire are proud people. It’s like a country and its capital all of its own, so when people ask, ‘what is Leeds famous for?’, the people from the city will regale you with tales about how great the city is and how it is the centre of the universe. For students who live in Leeds during their time at university, and for the many who choose to stay there long after graduation, it’s a similar feeling. Once Leeds has touched you, there are few places like it.
From the great student nightlife in Leeds to the fantastic food, art, culture, musical heritage, sport, and more, Leeds is famous for many things, including its warm spirit and welcoming attitude.
A Musical Heritage
What is Leeds famous for? One of the biggest things is music. There are two main things that make Leeds music what it is, Leeds Festival and Brudenell Social Club. Independent live music venues are much needed to keep music alive and Brudenell Social Club has that perfect mix of old-fashioned working men’s club and grassroots live music venue.
It’s a tradition that’s worth keeping if you’re into live music and going to gigs. During the summer months, the famous Reading & Leeds sister festivals take place, and the Leeds portion has always been known to be a wild weekend of music and partying. A rite of passage for many young gig goers in the UK.
Historical cinema
One of the oldest cinemas in the whole of the UK can be found in Leeds. Hyde Park Picture House first opened its doors in 1914 and in recent times has been renovated to a high standard, back to its glory days with an enchanting interior and a traditional balcony.
You can watch classic movies, documentaries, alongside modern blockbusters. Not only that, but the first ever silent film, Roundhay Garden Scene, was shot in Leeds by Louis Le Prince.
Internet in the UK
Leeds is the reason that you can live your life the way you do right now, having access to any information you want at your fingertips. Freeserve was the first ever internet provider in the UK, founded in Leeds back in 1998. Today, it is known as EE, one of the biggest providers in the country and responsible for your daily scrolls through social media!
Architectural wonders
Leeds Bridge House is the ultimate first flat iron shaped building. We all know about the famous flat iron building in New York, and although this building in Leeds is the same shape, it was actually built twenty seven years before the one in America, in 1875.
Carbon dating
Fizzy drinks were invented in Leeds back in 1767. In a university lab in Leeds, Joseph Priestley found a way to infuse water with carbon bubbles. This would go on to be a key contributor to the creation of fizzy drinks and the pop industry!
M&S origin story
Marks and Spencer, or M&S, is a well-known department store throughout the country, and somewhere you can sometimes afford to treat yourself! The original flagship store was opened in Leeds way back in 1884 as a Penny Bazaar. You can head to Kirkgate Market in Leeds to see the site where Michael Marks opened the original store.
Love you lots like Jelly Tots
A freeze-dried technique that was so good NASA took it up to produce food for space missions, Jelly Tots are a Leeds creation. The sweet treats were created by Leeds scientist Brian Boffey who came up with the powdered jelly sweets while working for Rowntree in its York factory.
A plethora of sporting greats
Leeds is a city of sport. Leeds United have pedigree as a successful football side in England, winning league’s and competing at the highest levels of European football (especially in its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s). Headingley Rugby Stadium is home to both codes of Rugby in the city. It has also been home to prestige Olympians, such as boxer Nicola Adams and triathletes the Brownlee brothers.
Textiles
Leeds played a pivotal role in the textile industry during the industrial revolution. It was a centre for the production of cloth and wool in particular. Its historical importance can be seen in how Leeds grew rapidly and became a powerhouse of industry in the north of England. Textile mills dominated the skyline, and you can see how important it was to the industrial revolution by visiting places like the museum Armley Mills.
Diverse cuisine from around the world
If you’re looking for a food market with many different types of cuisine, head to Trinity Kitchen or Kirkgate Market. Otherwise, you’ll find food from all over the world in Leeds, and to a high standard. There really is something for everyone, whether you want to try out new cuisine or you are an international student looking for a taste of home.
Academic excellence
As a place for students, Leeds is home to both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. Both rightfully claim academic excellence, and that’s one of the biggest reasons why you are a student heading to Leeds, no matter where you are from. The University of Leeds is part of the Russell Group, a prestigious group of universities that are known for ground-breaking research in areas such as medicine and engineering. Leeds Beckett is a great university for creative arts, sport science, and business, amongst others.
Final Thoughts
What is Leeds famous for? There are plenty of things that Leeds is famous for, as you can see here. We’ve only just scraped the surface really in terms of what you can expect living in Leeds as a student. There is so much to admire and to warm to, and the people will welcome you with open arms in our experience.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the funny stories and titbits from history that add a cherry to the top of the beautiful Leeds cake! What are your experiences of living in Leeds as a student? Let us know your favourite parts of the city.
Read more of our Leeds specific blog posts to continue your journey to becoming a true Yorkshire local.