Sorry, sorry, sorry! that I've not been around much! My computer is bust at home, so I can't write :...
Sorry, sorry, sorry! that I've not been around much! My computer is bust at home, so I can't write :-( Hope you're all grand!
Member since:16.02.2001
Reviews:83
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Leeds. Ah, city of my birth, home of the brave, and land of the free. Or is that America? Well, whatever, Leeds is better either way.
Yep, I'm a Yorkshire lad born and bred, and Leeds is in my soul. Waxing lyrical not for us Yorkshire lads, I hear you cry? Well, yes it is - and just one look at the wealth of museums and art galleries in the city will tell you that even hard Northeners have creative juices.
The Henry Moore Institute on the Headrow is a beatiful collection of works, housed right next door to both the Central Library and Leeds Museum. In fact, the Museum is pretty poor, if truth be told, but since we also have the Royal Armouries and Thackray Medical Museum, to name but two, I suppose I can let that one go. And they do have a mummy in there, so that's kinda cool.
Leeds is, these days, a student city, and every type is catered for. From the many many pubs and bars in
the city centre, to the amazing array of nightlife available, Leeds is a party city. Within a five minute walk, you can easily stumble across two clubs - if you don't know the city. If you do, that can be turned into about 5 or 6. Example enough, if any were needed, of how compact the city centre is.
For campact, do not read small. Leeds City Centre is, however, very well laid out, with a large pedestrianised area in the centre to ensure ease of movement on those big weekend afternoons. Also, the array of shops is stunning, ranging from the upmarket (we have the only Harvey Nicholl's outside London) to just the market (Leeds boasts both an open-air and roofed marketplace). From the ordinary to the strange, everything can be purchased somewhere - most likely in the Corn Exchange. In the olden times, used as, erm, a corn exchange, it is now home to some of Leeds more, shall we say, niche market stores, including tarot readers, palmists, magic shops, clothing stores and the fabulous condom shop (wiggglypufff take note!). The Centre is designed in such a way that you can walk from one end to the other within ten minutes, but to really explore will take hours. Fab.
I have touched upon Leeds nightlife, and with clubs like Majestyk and Uropa for all you dance fans, The Cockpit for us indie, rock and metal kids, and the Observatory for fans of unadulterated cheese, there's something for everyone. And if you can't find what you're after, just go to Heaven and Hell - 3 floors, 3 different types of music. Many of the city's pubs and bars are open till at least midnight, or 2o'clock for some of the better ones, so a late night drink doesn't have to mean paying to get into a club.
Just to point out, you're not supposed to hail taxis in the street, but should go to a designated rank to get one. You'll know where they are - that's where everyone else is going too.
However, Leeds isn't just about the city. All around the city itself is beautiful countryside, and in just a short drive, you can get to the middle of nowhere. I think that is one of the nicest points about Leeds - there is a real joining of rural and urban, as the suburbs in particular, seem to be neither, or both. While the Centre itself may be abuzz with noise and life, it is just a few miles to the peace and solitude that is synonomous with God's own county.
Being a drama student, I can't let the fact that Leeds has a wealth of theatres and playhouses go without saying. From the mainstream arts of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, to the more diverse experimental theatre of Leeds Metropolitan University's Studio Theatre, there truly is something to suit all tastes. Let us also not forget the Grand, which is home to opera and musicals.
Leeds parks and gardens are truly lovely. The most notable is probably Roundhay Park. Just a 10-minute bus journey from the City Centre, and an enormous area of grass, lake and park is yours to enjoy. Another fabulous place, especially for the young, is Temple Newsam, home to a stately house, and a lovely, child-friendly farm, as well as acre upon acre of parkland.
In all this, I've only touched upon the tip of the iceberg that is Leeds. The city, although having all the drawbacks of all major cities, is beautiful. Fabulous entertainments, excellent nightlife, friendly people and a great atmosphere make this one of the greatest cities I've ever been to. Even if I am biased. And, I've also heard that the Government have a lot of buildings up there now, so when the North does get recognised as a seperate country (meaning we won't have to tolerate Southern ponces anymore, except as refugees, fleeing the horrific places they have to live) Leeds is almost certain to be the capital. Indeed, if anywhere is the second city of England, it's Leeds (despite the fact that Manchester is just crying out for it. Sorry lads, you can try to be like London as much as you want, it ain't gonna happen!).
If you get the chance, go visit. It's great.
PS Some of the boxes below (type of travel, size of group,length of visit and time of year) had to be filled in to make this work. Just ignore them! Don't you think ciao needs a few n/a boxes somewhere!?
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Nov 9th, 2001
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