John Smeaton, a genius who is often regarded as the sole father of modern day civil and geological engineering, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire. In a text, he famously wrote, 'Quite easy to get lost here “ the thick is thick and thin nay exist “ but tis be a challenge, an opportunity¦
Coming from a man who developed designs of bridges, water-locks, dams and lighthouses that are still prevalent today, these words remind us of the importance of looking at challenges as opportunities. Leeds, a tiny wood logging settlement that grew to be a major city in England through industrial revolution, has practically embodied these words for centuries, now.
Located in the picturesque county of Yorkshire, Leeds has led the way for northern parts of England to contribute to the national success, bringing into the mainstream parts of the country that have been traditionally castaway from national currents of development. Even today, Leeds alone houses over half a million residents “ more than 25% of the overall population of the county.
A trip to Leeds is an affair filled with the old and the new, the traditional and the bold, the gothic and the modern and the academic and the pragmatic. From beautifully solemn architecture to typically English weekend getaways, Leeds has a lot to offer to those care to look beneath the surface of gravity that the city wears.
Staying Comfortably on Budget in Leeds
As most travelers are wont to do, queries revolving around the possibility of budget accommodation in Leeds are inevitably regular. If it soothes the traveler inside you, you would be glad to know that Leeds is not really an expensive place to lodge for a few nights at “ definitely below par when your par consists of exorbitantly priced lodging options in London!
Leeds hotels with unbelievably low prices are not really in abundance in Leeds, but if you are aware of where to look for, you would certainly succeed in locating a hotel that just meets your requirements of comfort, safety and a good night's sleep!
Bed and breakfast a typically English concept that has been in existence for centuries. For tourists, however, it holds a wholly different significance, as a bed and breakfast hotel can mean the difference of hundreds of pounds. In that sense, availability of bed and breakfast establishment means that hotels in Leeds are not a major source of worry for tourists who are planning to visit Leeds for business or businessmen who need to take frequent trips to Leeds on various business related reasons.
A Touch Costlier, a Touch Finer
Cheap hotels are well and fine for frequent travelers who need to optimize their monetary resources in order to keep them loaded enough to travel more and more. For those who take an occasional trip to another city on business or for leisure, it certainly isn't a bad idea to stay at a rather posh hotel. Talking of posh living, a number of luxury hotels in Leeds can provide you as lavish a living as you would care to ask for.
The only constraint will be finances “ but if you are well and healthy on that front, you will definitely take your trip to a higher level if you decided to stay with one of the extravagant options.
Must-See Sights of Leeds
Leeds of the present day is a modern day hub for industries, businesses and education. However, this shouldn't preclude the fact that Leeds has a great history that visitors can dig deep into to get to know the city in better light.
The City Square in Leeds is perhaps the best known attribute of a sightseeing trip around Leeds. Constructed through a fusion of High European architecture and Classical English architecture, the City Square never fails to capture the imagination of its visitors. In its present day avatar, the City Square is seen as a happening place where visitors can indulge in shopping and eating out at some of the finest restaurants in the region.
Leeds City Museum is another sight that tourists should try not to miss out on. Loaded with many regional and national artefacts, a trip to the museum can be quite edifying and educational. For those who are interested in the history of ammunition and weaponry in England, the Royal Armouries can be quite an overwhelming experience. From a purely architectural point of view, the Kirkstall Abbey of Leeds is perhaps the most understated of Leeds buildings. Featuring beautiful cornices and rotundas, the abbey has become a cultural landmark of some repute in the recent past. Leeds Central Library building is worth a passing visit, as well.
A unique sight in an otherwise English atmosphere is the Sikh Temple in Leeds that is visited by thousands of Sikh residents who have settled in and around the city “ especially during the festival of Baisakhi. The Jamia Mosque building in Leeds is also an excellent specimen of the now-rare Arabic architecture.
Lodging Nearby The Leeds Airport
Leeds Airport is chiefly used for domestic air travel and handling North England Aviation. The airport is quite busy and provides intermittent international flights, mainly to cities in mainland Europe.
It's quite understandable for travelers to look for cheap hotels that are within a reasonable distance from the airport. Quite a few Leeds hotels do manage to meet this criterion, but a majority of them are quite expensive. In the end, travelers are best advised to rely on Leeds City Square to find suitably budget accommodation options.
Leeds Weather “ What to Expect
Leeds exhibits a typically English aberrant patterns of weather throughout a year. Just like most places in the landlocked parts of England, the best time to visit Leeds is during summer (March “ June). That said, it should also be noted that during the beginning of the winter (September “ October), weather permitting, your trip to Leeds can be made optimum-most as most hospitality businesses slash down their prices per night in order to entice tourists during the off season.
FAQs about hotels in Leeds