Exciting Things To Do In Leeds For Students
Are you attending university in Leeds come September whether it’s the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University or Leeds Trinity University? Well, stick with us as we’ll be discussing all the exciting things to do whilst you’re living in the Yorkshire city.
Don’t stress, there’s so much to see and do that you’ll never be bored as a student here. Although, it can be hard to determine which places are worth your time.
Our suggestions will cover arts and culture spots, to sports, to food and drink places, to green spaces to shopping destinations which are super fun to visit!
1. Go For Some Food & Drink At Headrow House
Headrow House is the ultimate venue to explore and fall in love with as a student in Leeds. Located on the busy street, The Headrow, which it takes its name from, this bar and restaurant is spread across four floors with so much to do.
Have a bite to eat at the award-winning Ox Club restaurant, sip on a beer in the beer hall, head upstairs to watch some live music or head up to the two rooftop areas to enjoy a 2 for £10 cocktail. Their rooftop sign offers the ultimate Instagram pictures. On weekends they even have DJs performing so that you can bring in the feel-good vibes whilst having a few drinks with your mates!
The best part is, if you don’t fancy a full-on meal, they offer some tasty foods like chicken or doner kebabs and loaded fries too (mmm).
Not to mention, they also do weekly events like rooftop yoga and their pub quiz, it can’t get much better than this!
View this post on Instagram
Address: 19a The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU
2. Shop Till You Drop At Trinity Shopping Centre
If you’re a big shopper who’s keen to find out where you can spend some of your student loan come September, then Trinity Shopping Centre is the place to go. Located on Albion Street in the heart of the city, this retail heaven has more than 120 shops with national and international brands to choose from.
You’ll find the likes of Urban Outfitters, Victorias Secret, Apple, Primark. Hollister, Superdry and Office to name a few – remember to bring along your student ID to make the most of their discounts and buy some goodies!
The shopping hub even has an Everyman Theatre inside if you want to watch a film with some friends or, if you’re feeling peck-Ish there’s over 40 restaurants, coffee shops and bars to choose from, as well as Trinity Kitchen which has a mix of yummy street foods.
Keep your eyes peeled for their annual ‘Student Social’ event where brands offer up to 50% discount for students and also features DJs and freebies – woop!
View this post on Instagram
Address: 27 Albion St, Leeds LS1 5AT
3. Have A Walk Around Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park is one of the biggest city parks in Europe covering over 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland. It’s for sure one of the best greenspaces in Leeds, despite being slightly far out from the city centre. It’s a 15-minute car journey or a 25-minute bus journey, so in hindsight, it’s not bad.
Take a stroll along the parkland with lakes, woodlands and formal gardens to admire and take a breath of fresh air (especially if its during exam season), Grab an iced coffee or an ice cream from The Lakeside Café or if you’re feeling sporty, play a game of football or tennis!
If that doesn’t suit your fancy, the park is home to the city’s zoo, Tropical World which is UK’s largest tropical plant and animal collections outside of Kew Gardens.
The park also pays numerous annual festivals and events throughout the year like North Leeds Food Festival, Roundhay Park Festival and Mardi Gras Festival, so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled!
View this post on Instagram
Address: Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH
4. Watch A Game At Emerald Headingley Stadium
The Emerald Headingley Stadium is a famous stadium complex comprising of two separate grounds, Headingley Cricket Ground and Headingley Rugby Stadium.
The capacity of the stadium is 20,500 and is easily reachable if you’re in the city centre, or in the popular student areas of Headingley, Hyde Park or Kirkstall.
If you’re a sports lover then you why not attend a Leeds Rhinos game? The stadium is the 5th largest rugby league stadium in England and offers an amazing atmosphere. You can catch a game from February through to September during the playing season.
Headingley Cricket Ground remains an iconic venue for cricket lovers everywhere, who come from afar to watch the Yorkshire Country Cricket Club. If you’re able to get your hands on a ticket, experience a match from one of the most successful cricket clubs in the world!
View this post on Instagram
Address: St Michael’s Ln, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3BR
5. Experience A Gig At Brudenell Social Club
Calling music lovers in Leeds, you have to go to a gig at Brudenell! The live music venue and social club in Hyde Park is one of the most important venues in Leeds and has a strong reputation for supporting local music.
With a 400-capacity concert room, a bar area and games room section it’s for sure an exciting place to watch a concert. What comes as a bit of a surprise is that Brudenell has had the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Cribs, Kate Nash and the Kaiser Chiefs perform on its stages over the years.
Since then, the venue has continued its booming gig calendar and has been shortlisted for many awards. Brudes has won the hearts of Leeds locals and students, so get in the pit and listen to some tunes. We must say their drinks prices are more than friendly too!
View this post on Instagram
Address: 33 Queen’s Rd, Burley, Leeds LS6 1NY
6. Take In The Culture At Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery founded in 1152 in Kirkstall which is now a grade I listed building. It’s a great place for students to visit to experience some historic architecture within Leeds.
Its free to visit for those who live in the city, so if you’re wondering about things to do why not take a stroll down to Kirkstall Abbey? Learn about its history in the Visitor Centre or enjoy a picnic at the abbey park.
When you’re done admiring the beautiful ruins, take a stroll next to the waterfront beside the River Aire. The abbey even hosts an outdoor market during March-November which features over 40 stands with hand-made crafts and local produce!
View this post on Instagram
Address: Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3EH
7. Learn About History At Leeds City Museum
The Leeds City Museum and Art Gallery is located in Millenium Square in the centre of the city. Here you can discover the history, arts and culture of Leeds which is spread across four floors.
If you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day, then this is the place to go. The venue offers an exciting and educational experience giving you a chance to learn more about the local history, world cultures, natural history, archaeology and fine art within the city of Leeds and beyond.
Sit down, relax and have a bite to eat or drink in the Herbarium Café when you’re done looking around.
They also have a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions to explore, so it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for what’s to come in the near future!
View this post on Instagram
Address: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH
8. Experience The Nightlife On Call Lane
Call Lane is one of the most popular places to experience the iconic nightlife in Leeds, and we’re not surprised! You’ll find this street situated on the other side of the Corn Exchange and not far from Trinity, it’s the ultimate nightlife destination.
There’s tons of cocktail bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs to visit on this busy street and as you venture through your student years in the city, we’re sure you’ll have fond memories in most of them.
Grab a few drinks in Neon Cactus and make the most of their 2 for £12 cocktail deal, then head to Cuckoo to take some groovy pictures in the photo booth. If you’re feeling up for it then Call Lane Social is the legendary late-night bar to go for a party atmosphere, with amazing cocktails and great tunes!
There are a variety of other bars to go into on a nightout here, like Oporto, Jamrock, Revolution and The Backroom. There really is loads going on at Call Lane so if you’re keen for a goodtime with good people, this is where you should go!
View this post on Instagram
Address: Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 6DT
And so, we come to the end of our blog on exciting things to do in Leeds for students. What will you be getting up to? We hope that you have the best time trying out any of our recommendations!
For you to read next: The Ultimate Guide To Leeds Festival.
If you’re yet to sort out student accommodation within Leeds or another city within the UK, then check our out properties page to find out where you can call home whilst at university.
Table of Contents