Top 10 things every new student should know

So the time has come. You’ve made your decision and you’re heading to Leeds for university in September. Adventures await you!

Before the nerves settle in, we thought we’d pre-empt any questions or worries you may have, by giving you a list of the top 10 things every student should know before they head off on their way to university.

1. Check your reading list early doors

Before you set off, your course tutor will have been in touch about the reading materials you’ll need, and have provided you with a module guide. Try and get to grips with what’s expected of you, and do any recommended reading before freshers’ week. It will help you to be prepared, and save you from studying in freshers’ week, when you should be having fun with your new friends.

2. Be you from day one

You only get one chance to make a good impression, and this is it. Smile, say hello to everyone, and most importantly, be yourself. A handy tip is when you get to your halls of residents or flat, keep the door open when you’re unpacking. This immediately welcomes others in, and starts you off on the right foot.

3. Give everyone a chance

Everyone dresses differently and behaves differently, but everyone at university has one common trait: they’re nervous, away from home and worried they won’t make friends. Get to know everyone who comes your way in the first few weeks, whether they’re someone you would’ve talked to at school or not. You could end up with a friend for life.

4. Learn to budget

Don’t let your first few months at university become a spending spree. If it’s the first time managing your own money, there’s no better time to learn how to budget. Work out what you have coming in – from your loan, parents and part time job – and what needs to come out. With what’s remaining, give yourself a weekly budget and stick to it.

5. Get a discount

Discounts go hand-in-hand with your budgeting. Be brave and ask about student discounts wherever you go. In Leeds, you can expect discounts from a range of different spots, including the Carriageworks Theatre, and 360 Champagne and Cocktails bar.

6. Take some time to get to know the area

In the first week or so, when your schedule will be a little more relaxed, take some time by yourself, or as a group, to get to know Leeds for yourself. Grab a student bus pass and head out exploring. There’s lots to see, including Roundhay Park, Kirkstall Abbey and Victoria Quarter. It’ll also help you find the best and most affordable pubs and restaurants.

7. Get a good handle on time management

With irregular studying hours, late nights and new people to have fun with, your routine can easily slip and you can end up having no balance to your day. Try and enforce a routine from the start, so you’re at lectures and studying during the day, and have the evenings to socialise, volunteer or get involved in societies.

8. Get work experience in your first year

It’s never too early to get work experience, and the sooner you add to your CV, the better. Your first year is a great time to get started on this, as it’s much less pressurised than your second and third years. Research companies and jobs you’re interested in, and send them a speculative email explaining your situation. Give every opportunity a try and see what you like or have a talent for.

9. Get involved in societies

University societies give you access to a group of people who have the same interests as you. There are weird and wonderful ones available, including film societies, baking, sports and wine! If there’s not a society you like the look of, you could always start your own.

10. Look after your health

When you’re away from home for the first time, you can end up not looking after yourself, in favour of late nights, partying and takeaways. Drink water, eat fresh fruit and vegetables and try and get a good night’s sleep once in a while, and you should be able to keep the dreaded fresher’s flu (which is a real thing) at bay.

The post 10 Things Every Student Must Know appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Why Study in Leeds?

So you’re a prospective  student looking for the perfect city? The main things to consider should be the nightlife, the activities, the events on offer and the accessibility of the city. With Leeds, you get a thriving city, offering everything you need and loads more. From student hubs to cultural hotspots, from easy-to-use transport services to huge nightclubs – Leeds is the city that you’re searching for.

Leeds City Centre

We understand that the nights out are an important part of student life and Leeds offers every type of night out. Headingley, the student capital of Leeds, boasts a fantastic selection of modern bars and pubs while the City Centre offers just about everything you could want for a big night out. With a range of lively nightclubs, fantastic drinking and dining destinations and just about everything in-between at budget prices. Aside from being a fantastic night out, Leeds City Centre is a world-class shopping destination with high street shops, such as Harvey Nichols, and glamorous shopping malls, such as the Trinity Leeds and The Merrion Centre to mention a few. It’s worth noting that most shops, bars and restaurants will offer suitable student discounts too!

The Student Lock in at Trinity Leeds!

Leeds is a passionate sporting city with popular football, cricket and rugby teams. As a result of this, there are chances to watch lots of sport! However, more importantly, there are opportunities to play sport! With hundreds of amateur football, cricket and rugby sides, a wide variety of surprisingly affordable gyms to join and several sport centres just waiting for you to use them, it is easy for you to stay active while at university. You can see other ways here.

Don’t worry, though. Leeds isn’t just a good night out, a bit of sport and a nice day shopping. It’s a fabulous city of culture with dozens of places to visit including museums, galleries and theatres  – plenty free of charge! The Leeds Art Gallery showcases stunning collections and constantly changing exhibitions while the Royal Armouries Museum is Britain’s national museum of arms and armour! You can see more cultural attractions here and you can see what’s on at the theatre through December here.

With this much going on in Leeds, you’d expect it to be hard to get to each of them. The truth couldn’t be any further away! With buses, trains and various taxi services available all year round, it is easy to get from A to B at affordable prices. Plus most of the action is in the City Centre which is only a ten minute walk from the main universities!

You can find much more about Leeds on this website.

Why Live in Leeds?

Leeds is also a great place for students to live as the city has some fantastic properties available for students.You can find more details on where to live on our property page.

Where to study in Leeds?

Leeds University –

Leeds University

Leeds University boasts a student population of 33,500 students and, as a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities, is considered one of the best universities in the country. The University is located near the centre, right in the heart of the city centre and  You can see their prospectus here or check out their website here.

Leeds Beckett University –

Leeds Beckett University

Formerly Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University offers fantastic facilities  and teaching for all courses. It is ranked as one of the top universities for any sports-related course and came second in The Times’ University of the Year competition in 2006. With over 25,000 students, the university is popular all over the country. You can check out their website here.

Leeds Trinity –

Leeds Trinity has nearly 3000 students and specialises in specific subjects such as media, journalism, marketing and education. The university offer a professional, relevant work placement with every degree and due to this, 93% of all students are in further education or in employment within 6 months of graduating. Leeds Trinity is also famous for it’s fantastic postgraduates courses in journalism and teacher training. You can check out their website here.

For higher/further education, there are some fantastic colleges and sixth forms such as:

Notre Dam: They offer over 34 A Level Subjects to study and are ranked in the top 10% of sixth form colleges in the country. You can see their website here.

Leeds City College: Leeds City College cater to over 40,000 students and operate out of six main campuses and have dozens of provisions over the region. You can check out their website here.

Leeds College of Art

Leeds Art College: The College of Art offer a range of courses which range from BAs to smaller qualifications. It’s a great opportunity to study in a close-knit community with a creative possibility. See their website here.

Leeds Music College: Leeds Music College also offer a range of short courses and BAs. With an acclaimed music scene and a vibrant student population, it is a great place to be for any young musician. See their website here.

Leeds College of Building: The Leeds College Of Building offers something for everyone with a range of course awarding various different certificates on a variety of topics. See their website here.

The post Why Leeds is the Right Choice appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

The Independent Food and Drink Academy (IFDA), provides a unique service to small independent enterprises from street food traders through to established small businesses, offering advice, support and training to help their businesses grow in this dynamic sector. Developed and delivered by industry experts, the Academy is a joint partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Leeds City Council.

The Academy’s objective is to help to professionalise, sustain and grow the independent food and drink sector in the Leeds city region by providing a blend of contextualised learning and development opportunities.

Become a member today!

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In the Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

Ben Holmes, Village Bookstore

What is it?

Established in 2012, this store specialises in independently published magazines, journals and books.

What do you do?

“We sell books. Or at least try to.”

Why Leeds?

“After university, there were a lot of people here giving things a go. There was more of an openness to trying new things. The traditional way can be to graduate and then move down to London to get a job, but in Leeds you have the freedom to try something and be different.”

What is the company’s style?

It is a style founded on wood, plants and books – it is very minimalist.

Leeds in three words is:

“Open, creative, independent.”

www.villagebookstore.co.uk

Brian Dickinson, Northern Monk Brewery

What is it?

Established back in 2013, this independent brewery has come a long way in such a short space of time.

What do you do?

“I brew beer, package it, clean, clean, write recipes, give brewery tours and talks, and clean.”

Why Leeds?

“As I lived in Huddersfield, I was bang in the middle of Leeds and Manchester, but for a good few years it was always better to go to Manchester for interesting beers and bars. But in the last two or three years, the bar scene in Leeds has grown and, as a result, more and more breweries have moved here. Suddenly Leeds had much more appeal and much more going on.”

Leeds in three words is:

“Hive of activity.”

www.northernmonkbrewco.com

Alex Galantini, La Bottega Milanese

What is it?

Established in 2009, La Bottega Mialnese is an Italien espresso bar.

What do you do?

“We provide a Milanese lifestyle through continental café culture.”

Why Leeds?

“I came here for a summer to learn the language and do something a little bit different. I was totally fascinated by the scene here, I loved Leeds straight away – the young vibrant life that was going around here was definitely appealing.”

What is the company’s style?

“Subtle elegance, classy and detailed”

Leeds in three words is:

“Innovative, happening, buzzing!”

www.labottegamilanese.co.uk

In the first part of its Creatives on Tour series, leading men’s fashion brand Farah embarked on its exploration of some of the most creative people and businesses in Leeds. As a champion of alternative culture, it is important to Farah that individuality is celebrated in a world where it’s sometimes difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Creativity can manifest itself in hundreds of ways. And in Leeds, it truly does. Hiding in the arcades that stray from the beaten track or residing in the structures of its Victorian past, Leeds is awash with creative minds, daring attitudes and busy hands.

In a bid to uncover those behind the city’s creative spirit, Farah headed up north to meet some of the individuals currently driving Leeds’ innovative surge towards a new and exciting future. From bohemian barbers to contemporary coffee shop owners, here are some of the city’s most creative people giving their view on one of our favourite towns.

You can watch a video on the project here.

Myke Greaves, King Koby’s Chop Shop

What is it?

A barbershop that, in their own words wants to ‘exist with purpose’.

What do you do?

“At King Koby I am a barber/stylist. I cut and style gents hair, I also trim, shape up and shave beards.”

Why Leeds?

“It’s just such an awesome city and it’s just going to grow and grow over the next few years – and I can’t wait to see what happens.”

Leeds in three words is: “It’s flipping awesome.”

www.kingkoby.com

Owen Brinley, Department M

What is it?

Established in 2012, Department M are a band.

What do you do?

“Our sound is impressionistic pop, I suppose – weird-dream hangover music. Sonically, a marriage of electronic experimentation and indie-rock.”

Why Leeds?

“There are other towns and cities in the UK but Leeds just has everything you need to be a musician. As opposed to somewhere like London, where I suppose it’s a nightmare to find affordable space to make music or art in, Leeds has that in spades.”

Leeds in three words is:

(After minutes of deliberation) “That’s too difficult”

www.facebook.com/departmentmband/

Chris Lambert, Tattooist, Snake and Tiger

What is it?

Established in 2015, the experienced tattooists pride themselves in their ability to adorn the highest-quality designs onto the skin of their loyal customers.

What do you do?

“I started tattooing 8 years ago. I initially did my apprentice at Ultimate Skin, I worked there for about 2 years. Finally I came back to Leeds to set up Snake and Tiger which is my tattoo shop in Thornton’s arcade.

Why Leeds?

My client basis at the end of the day, I think I have a really good client basis here with a lot of regulars. Business is good in Leeds for me anyhow. I like working with people from Leeds because I think that they know what they want, and they are willing to pay for quality, which is not what I have necessarily found at the other places I have worked. So the people of Leeds are good, and that’s what has brought me back.

How would you pitch the city to someone who is considering opening a business in Leeds?

There is a large turnover of students which means there are new people coming each year. That is one thing that I think has really helped Leeds’ economy. I think probably out of the major cities in the North, Leeds to me seems to be the one that is the most up and coming, compared to the other big three.

www.snakeandtiger.com/

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A popular Leeds restaurant has become the first commercial venue to use Leeds Beckett’s new test kitchen facilities.

The kitchen, which is based at the University’s Headingley Carnegie Pavilion, offers flexible working space for food, product and menu development, research, and corporate activity, including team building.  Ben Davy, Head Chef at Ox Club (Headrow House), used the facilities to research and develop ideas for the new menu ahead of the restaurant’s launch in December 2015.

As Ben explained: ‘’We needed to do some last minute menu development and product testing and the new Food and Drink Production facilities at Leeds Beckett gave us exactly what we required.

“The range and quality of kit available is of the highest spec – exactly what professional chefs need to prepare and produce restaurant-worthy dishes.  It is a great resource and one I will be recommending.”

Whilst the kitchen facilities were installed approximately five years ago, until recently they were only used for limited purposes.  Guy Lincoln, Senior Lecturer in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Beckett, said: “As a faculty we are always looking for new ways to engage with, and support, local businesses – we realised that by extending the use of the kitchen to commercial enterprises, it would benefit the region’s food and drink trade who might not otherwise have access to professional facilities.

“As one of the first activities in the new kitchen, we were delighted to be able to support Ox Club restaurant.  The project worked brilliantly for both of us and we have since enjoyed the fruits of our labours in their excellent restaurant!

“We have learned a lot from the experience which will enable us to continue to improve the service we offer.”

Staffed to support its use for regular and one-off small scale food production runs, or for partners to use for their own recipe and specification testing and development, the kitchen offers a wide range of services.

Charlotte Nutland, Product Development Manager for Enterprise Services at Leeds Beckett, added: “We are able to provide both consultancy and training support on a wide range of food and kitchen management requirements, tailor-made for any organisation.

“Through our work with hospitality providers and food producers we have developed this space as an extension of our provision to the industry.  We look forward to welcoming businesses into our suite over the coming month.”

To learn more about the unique space, contact: Charlotte Nutland, T: 0113 812 5980,
E: [email protected] or [email protected] or visit http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/testkitchen/.

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Trinity Leeds is offering discounts from Victoria’s Secret, Armani Exchange, M&S and many more…

It’s coming, whether you like it or not!

Black Friday – that day where people scramble for the cut-price TV or super-discounted cocktail dress arrives this week.

The long tradition of the Boxing Day sales has been matched over the past few years with the emergence of Black Friday, which is a concept we’ve adopted from over the pond in America.

Always the Friday after Thanksgiving, the day is designed to offer shoppers the best pre-Christmas bargain in shops and online.

Some of the best deals will be found online, with some retailers starting their sales at midnight and putting on deals for the whole weekend.

And the region’s two biggest shopping centres are also getting in on the act, with stores opening earlier and until late to make sure bargain hunters can make the most of the discounts.

Take a look as we guide you through what Trinity Leeds will have to offer…

Victoria’s Secret
All 50 ml perfumes for £25

Victoria’s Secret
Spend over £75 and get a free tote bag

Victoria’s Secret
Buy one get one half price on bras

DKNY Men
30% discount

Bose
Go in store for amazing offers

Burton
Buy one suit get one for a £1

Burton
Jumpers and shirts for £15

Boots
Go in store for amazing offers across fragrance, electrical beauty, luxury beauty and much more!

Warehouse
Up to 30% off

New Look
Up to 50% off

Marks & Spencer
Up to 50% off

Topshop
Up to 50% off

H&M
Up to 25% off

River Island
Up to 50% off

Topman
Up to 50% off

Coast
Up to 40% off

Fossil
Scratch cards with discounts

A|X Armani Exchange
Up to 30% off

Replay
30% discount

Fraser Hart
Up to 50% off

Swarovski
30% discount

Phillip Stoner
50% off jewellery

Office
20% discount

Oasis
30% discount

360 Champagne & Cocktails
Free glass of Prosecco with purchase of another drink

Cielo Blanco
Half price sharing boards!

Giraffe
20% off food

Muffin Break
Buy a large drink get a free muffin

My Cookie Dough
40% discount

Giraffe
Half price drinks

Mamas & Papas
Up to 50% off

Muffin Break
20% discount

Holland and Barrett
Better than half price

The Perfume Shop
Up to 50% off

Love Aroma
10% Discount

The post Black Friday at Trinity Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Hollywood Disco & Dine at Royal Armouries Museum

Strut your stuff down the red carpet and along the hall of fame to the cocktail bar where our mixologists will be ready to prepare your martini shaken or stirred!

Happy hour at the bar from 6pm to 7pm – so plenty of time to show off your bling and pose for the paparazzi. The clock strikes eight…it’s time to enter a world of glitz and glamour in our Hollywood themed room where a sumptuous three course meal awaits and our DJ will have you up on your feet until 1.30am!
www.christmaspartiesinleeds.co.uk/

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Staying within your budget in Leeds is easy if you know where to look…

We all like to save a few pennies, especially in Yorkshire – and it’s only too easy to believe that means sticking to the high street. But actually, you can find a bargain or two in the city’s independent stores. From vintage pieces to home furnishings, we’ve got seven great Leeds stores where you can stay well within budget.

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses

Paper Kisses, 30 Merrion Centre, LS2 8NG.

Spice Corner

Spice Corner

Spice Corner, 21 Row E, Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7LG.

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor, 10 Central Road, LS1 6DE.

Yoyo

Yoyo

Yoyo, 76 Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, LS1 5AT.
Leeds List

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo Vintage

Twit Woo, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

Inside Out

Inside Out

Inside Out, 17B St. John’s Centre, LS2 8LQ.

Summerhouse

SummerHouse

Summerhouse, The Loft, 6 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG.

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Leeds’ arcades are awash with history, but they’re also chock full of amazing shops and eateries that you really need to try out.

Leeds’ shopping scene has been dominated by its fantastic and historic arcades for over a century now. And while many of them have been through hard times, they’re all beautiful examples of the past feeding through into the present. Even better, they offer shoppers a different kind of experience. So whether you’re after upmarket brands, high street favourites or independent genius, it’s time to explore the city’s arcades.

Queen’s Arcade

Built in 1889 by London arcade guru Edward Clark, Queen’s Arcade is perhaps the most daring of the original arcades. It was the only one that integrated a hotel into its design, alongside its retail offering, and while it’s no longer open, it separates Queen’s Arcade from the rest of the Leeds arcades, with a magnificent four storey frontage.

Inside it was subject to a bit of a makeover in the early 1990s, but you’ll still find yourself surrounded by old school character. It’s home to some hugely reputable brands such as denim legend Levi’s, London boutique Lipsy and shoe giants Office and Jones the Bootmaker, showing the quality stores these shopping arcades attract.

But it’s not all about the big names – the arcades take great pride in the city’s independents and Queen’s Arcade is no different. Accent Clothing has been dressing the men, women and children of Leeds for 30 years, while Aladdin’s Cave has some fantastic new and vintage jewellery, and Mary Shortle often delights and scares in equal measure with her doll shop.

Queen’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LF.

Thornton’s Arcade

As the first of the Leeds arcades, built in 1878, Thornton’s Arcade has plenty to crow about. Named after Charles Thornton, the fella who had the ingenious idea of covering up the shopping alleys that connected Briggate to its side streets. The three storey arcade is dressed up in impressive neo-gothic architecture, and also has a famous Potts’ Clock, the Ivanhoe Clock, which features characters from Robin Hood who all strike the quarters.

While time has passed, Thornton’s is still as impressive as any of the arcades you’ll come across and that’s large in part down to who they have in there. There are big names like Starbucks if you need a caffeine hit, Dune when shopping for some new shoes, and Ann Summers for those of you looking to wow your other half, but it’s also got a huge selection of Leeds’ independent favourites.

OK Comics is a fine example – it’s one of the most renowned comic book shops in the country, always willing to go the extra mile. There’s also Chimp, an uber-cool menswear store, Welcome Skate Store for new boards and threads and Bon Bons for when you need to sate that sweet tooth. Its latest addition is also well worth checking out – Tall Boys Beer Market offers up the finest craft beers from around the world, and you can even take them upstairs to their beer cafe for a small corkage if you can’t wait to try them out.

Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LQ.

Victoria Quarter

The most famous of all the Leeds arcades, Victoria Quarter was built in 1900 by Frank Matcham, the guy responsible for the London Palladium and Coliseum. With all those gilded mosaics, the bold marble and the fancy ironwork, it’s easy to see why it is so grand. It had however, fell into disrepair by the 1980s, and a painstaking renovation was carried out which brought it back to life with a stunning stained glass roof on Queen Victoria Street added.

Today, it’s perhaps the most exclusive of the shopping arcades in Leeds, with some huge names opening landmark stores along County Arcade, Cross Arcade and Queen Victoria Street. Alongside the wonderful Harvey Nichols, which replaced the old Empire Theatre in 1996, the likes of Reiss, Paul Smith, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, Mulberry, Michael Kors, and Radley have become huge pulls for the city’s shoppers.

And alongside over 70 luxury shops, the Victoria Quarter is home to some impressive dining options too. There’s a Bagel Nash, Opposite Cafe and YO Sushi to tuck into, while Filmore and Union spread along Queen Victoria Street with their impressive, healthy fare. Oh, and Harvey Nichols have both their Fourth Floor Cafe and Espresso Bar that make the arcades here, the most impressive in Leeds.

Victoria Quarter, Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6AX.

Grand Arcade

It’s been a rough ride for Grand Arcade. Opened in 1897, it was a fine example of Victorian architecture, with two extravagant buildings joined together down the middle, and an incredibly unique Potts Clock acting as the cherry on the cake. Fast forward 100 years, and it looked like it was going to be the latest of a number of arcades to have to close down.

Not anymore though, in the past five years Grand Arcade has found itself at the heart of a burgeoning Northern Quarter where some of the finest independents in Leeds are grouping together. The likes of Our Handmade Collective, Casa Colombiana and Traditional Shaving Company opened up in there when all seemed lost and helped to reinvigorate the arcades.

Alongside those three, heavy metal stalwarts Santiago Bar, retro brew makers Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom and veggie friendly favourites Roots and Fruits continue to bring folk in, the latter is an independent mainstay that has been serving up tasty fodder for over 25 years. Recent additions like Thai street food cafe Zaap and Asian fusion restaurant Bar Soba show that there’s plenty of life left in the arcades, and Grand Arcade is leading the way.

Grand Arcade, Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.

Central Arcade

A new arcade might seem a little odd in comparison, but Central Arcade, connecting Briggate and Central Road is exactly that, opening up in 2012 on the site of the what used to Market Street Arcade. And it’s a good job, because the old arcade had become run down, a shabby cousin of the other, more grander arcades in Leeds.

The £3 million transformation is a modern realisation of what shopping arcades can be, split over three floors and it’s tried to attract folk with a range of cool fashion brands. There’s Owen Scott, a bespoke tailor who splits time between Leeds, Huddersfield and Saville Row, slick menswear boutique The Allotment and street clothing folk Audere, all helping to dress the city. The latest addition, premium denim brand Denham, is quite the catch, marking a turning point in the arcade’s tricky history.

It’s not just clothing though – the arcade benefits from the diversity on offer and Brotherhood Tattoo Studio is evident of that as it continues to grow its reputation. The jewel in the crown however is Bird and Beast, a chicken restaurant that serves up some of the finest poultry in the city, and its sister venue, Bird and Beats, a slick bar that is one of Leeds’ best kept secrets.

Central Arcade, Central Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DE.

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From secret gardens to tasty curry houses and historic cemeteries, there are plenty of secret spots waiting to be discovered in Leeds.

No matter how much you know about Leeds, there’s always something around the corner that’s waiting to reveal its brilliance. Whether it’s amazing gardens tucked away from view or historic graveyards that have more to explore than you might expect, it’s well worth you seeking out these cool secret spots.

Tasty’s Karahi Restaurant

From the outside, you could be forgiven for believing that Tasty’s Karahi is just another run of the mill Indian restaurant. That is until you get in there and are greeted by a sweet little restaurant that more than packs a punch with it’s Asian cuisine. Pick from the likes of their dopiaza or dhansak dishes, or perhaps try out their special chicken keema to find out what all the fuss is about.

Tasty’s Karahi Restaurant, 138 Roundhay Road, Oakwood, Leeds, LS8 5NA.

Holbeck Cemetery

A cemetery is perhaps not your usual spot for hanging out, but Holbeck Cemetery is worth a visit. It’s one of the most unique green spaces in the city, and as it rests on top of a hill, you can look out over Leeds and many of its suburbs. Throw into the mix its historical importance as the resting place of some of the most important people in Leeds’ history, and the site of the city’s oldest house, Cad Beeston, and it’s fair to say there’s plenty to see, do and learn here.

Holbeck Cemetery, Fairfax Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 8SY.

Blenheim Square

While many folk may have come across the likes of Park Square and Queen Square, there’s another stunning Victorian square just minutes away from the city centre. Blenheim Square is snuck away just behind Broadcasting Place and offers a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle nearby, with trees and plenty of greenery to take in that not many people know about.

Blenheim Square, Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9AR.

St George’s Fields

There’s something about old cemeteries that have been repurposed for the modern day that has us intrigued. St George’s Fields is part of the University of Leeds campus now, but was once known as Woodhouse Cemetery, the resting place of famous locals like circus proprietor Pablo Fanque and artist Atkinson Grimshaw. Headstones were removed in the sixties though and grass laid over, to create a unique, landscaped green area that’s well worth a visit.

St George’s Fields, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9EN.

Image of St George’s Fields copyright Tim Green licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use. Image of Holbeck Cemetery copyright Chemical Engineer licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.

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