Not to be contentious or anything, but Manchester doesn’t have it all.
We’re sorry, we didn’t want to admit it as much as the next person.
We have an abundance of fantastic cafes and world-class sports facilities, we’ve had people busking in Piccadilly Gardens dressed in rat costumes (only feels like yesterday we still had the Piccadilly Rats) and we’re not afraid to embrace the wacky and wonderful.
Having said all this, it’s impossible to have every possible cuisine, gallery, mode of transport and invention under the sun – and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to further than this side of the Pennines.
And where better than the unofficial capital of nearby Yorkshire?
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Just an hour on the train, Leeds is home to a flourishing food and drink scene, beautiful architecture and brilliant museums and galleries.
Here are five places to visit on your trip to Leeds that we promise you wouldn’t find in Manchester (and are well worth a visit over for).
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Water Taxis
Image: Leeds Dock Image: The Hoot Leeds
That’s right, who would have thought that Leeds would have been home to the coolest way of getting from A to B. Drie and Twee were transported over from Amsterdam to take passengers from one side of Leeds below the train station to the Leeds Docks.
Every 15 minutes you can catch the striking yellow taxis over the River Aire and embark on a sightseeing tour of Leeds street art, including a 500ft mural of Kalvin Phillips (yes, he’s still in a Leeds United shirt, yes it’s still pretty impressive) and the Me & You, You & Me mural.
Tickets will cost you £2 each – and better still, dogs and children under five are free.
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Where to find them: Either at 1 Canal Wharf, Granary Wharf, Leeds City Centre LS11 5BB or alternatively at La Salle, 147 Chadwick St, Leeds Dock, LS10 1NW
Roast Dinner Fondue
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Yorkshire Puddings in Leeds are second to none (as you’d expect from the namesake county) – but have you ever thought about how tasty they’d be dunked in gooey Swiss cheese?
The Cheesy Living Co. is doing roasts differently and combining the humble Sunday dinner with what they do best – cheese.
Plate up with piles of slices of Lishman’s ham and peppered beef, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and roasted veggies aplenty before dipping in the gooey Swiss melting pot. Add lashings of gravy before tucking in – it’s a Sunday roast like you’ve never experienced before.
Where to find them: Ground Floor of Leeds Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds City Centre, LS1 7BR
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Birthplace of Marks & Spencer
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Over 200 years ago, Kirkgate Market was home Europe’s largest indoor market as well as the first ever Marks and Spencer.
The original home of M&S is still treasured today inside the market where you’ll find walls adorned with historical memorabilia and information about the 200-year-old history of the British supermarket- plus plenty of Percy Pigs and sweet treats to tuck into.
Where to find them: Inside Kirkgate Market, Vicar Lane, Leeds City Centre LS2 7HY
The Tetley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Now a beautiful contemporary art gallery and exhibition space, The Tetley was once home to one of Leeds’ oldest brewing dynasties. The iconic Leeds landmark is a hub for local and international artists to showcase their work. Pop by and explore the exhibitions or take part in their ever-changing calendar of workshops.
Down in the bar and kitchen, you can still grab yourself a pint of Tetley’s own whilst sampling a selection of sustainably sourced meals, including the Tanzanian tofu and coconut curry and one of the best Sunday roasts in the UK (officially) with slow-cooked Yorkshire porchetta and plant-based ‘lamb’ with pomegranate molasses.
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Where to find them: Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ
The UK’s last remaining gas-lit cinema
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Hyde Park Picture House has been undergoing some serious renovation work recently but plans to reopen at the end of the month, with its beautiful 1920s architecture still very much intact.
Besides catching the latest blockbusters here, Hyde Park Picture House showcases independent movies from near and far, and has launched a ‘lost cinemas of Leeds’ tour where you can head across the city centre to rediscover some of Leeds’ movie spaces that have disappeared or been repurposed over the past century.
Where to find them: 73 Brudenell Road, Hyde Park, Leeds LS6 1JD
As heading up North wasn’t already exciting enough, the nominations are looking well and truly stacked as always; without further ado, here is the shortlist in full:
2026 MOBOs Nominees
BEST FEMALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH got2b
FLO
KWN
LITTLE SIMZ
OLIVIA DEAN
PINKPANTHERESS
SASHA KEABLE
BEST MALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROSTATE CANCER UK
Police urgently appeal after 90-year-old woman killed by reversing car in Failsworth
Emily Sergeant
Police are urgently appealing to the public for information and witnesses after an elderly woman was killed by a reversing car last week.
At around 3pm on Wednesday 7 January, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian on Albert Street West in Failsworth, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a woman, aged 90, had been struck by a reversing vehicle.
The woman was promptly taken to hospital in a ‘serious’ condition.
However, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she sadly later died from her injuries earlier this week (13 January).
#APPEAL | Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information after a woman in her 90s was struck by a car on Albert Street West, Failsworth on 07/01/26
Following the incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, but he has since been released on bail.
As officers progress their investigation at pace, GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses, urging the public to come forward if there’s any way they can help.
The appeal goes out to anyone who believes they saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam footage or CCTV of the incident.
Sophie Smith -
30th August 2023 
