Conference Venues Leeds

Leeds has recently been recognised as the UK’s fastest growing city and with the growing number of things to do and places to stay in the city it is easy to see why.

Leeds is first on record as a forest in the seventh century when it was known as ‘Loidis’. The next known date of Leeds on record was in the Domesday Book in the 11th century. However, the next significant event on the timeline was not until the 17th century, when the first signs of the Industrial Revolution began. The emergence of the cloth market meant that the population grew from 10,000 at the end of the 1600’s to just over 150,000 by 1840. With the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, the city became a communications, manufacturing and engineering hub. The canal allowed for imports that arrived by ship into Liverpool to be transported into Yorkshire and from Yorkshire to Liverpool. Leeds was crowned as a city in 1893 which led to many new buildings and structures. However, the city changed following the Great War, with a greater emphasis on developing teaching and studying facilities in Leeds. The redevelopment of buildings has continued since then and has contributed into making Leeds into the fine city that it is today.

Located in West Yorkshire, Leeds has a population of just over 770,000. The city has a large railway station and is also easily accessible by road as it is at the most northern point of the M1, which starts just north of London.

Today, the city possesses a variety of attractions that cater for all types of interests. The Royal Armories Museum is a big pull for those interested in the history of the UK and it’s medieval past. The museum frequently stages re-enactments and performances of significant battles and events from centuries ago. For those who prefer a more quaint and relaxing time, then Leeds boasts Leeds City Museum and Leeds Art Gallery, the former already having won numerous awards. If you happen to be visiting Leeds in November, then Leeds International Film Festival is a must-visit.  The festival, which is described in the Guardian as ‘The Jewel in the North’, shows over 200 independent and commercial films from around the world.

Leeds has been awarded many prizes and titles in recognition of the improvements and hard work that have gone into making Leeds into the place it is today. The Rough Guide to Britain 2006 awarded Leeds the title of ‘UK’s best shopping destination’. The city has over 1000 shops as well as a number of picturesque arcades. Leeds also has Europe’s largest indoor market, where it is claimed Marks and Spencer began.

Aside from shopping, Leeds was also awarded the title of ‘The UK’s most important legal centre outside London’ by UK Legal 500. Finally, and probably the most relevant, the city has been awarded by The Good Britain Guide the ‘Visitor city of the year.’

Leeds is constantly developing and striving to better itself. In the last ten years, £3.2 billion has been spent on commercial property and there are currently projects in the pipeline worth over £7 billion, including the planned 13,500 seated Leeds Arena.

Leeds is also well known for its passionate support of all sporting teams emanating from the city. Leeds United, the city’s football team, play at Elland Road and ply their trade in the second tier of the English leagues despite being Champions League semi-finalists in the last decade. Leeds also has a rugby team for each code. The rugby league side, Leeds Rhinos, are the more successful of the two having won the Super League four times. The rugby union side is called the Leeds Carnegie, who ground share with the Rhinos at Headingley Stadium. Yorkshire is also one of the most distinguished county cricket clubs, who also play at the cricket stadium attached to Headingley, where the England cricket team also occasionally plays matches.

A visit to Leeds doesn’t just have to be business only, and with all of the attractions mentioned here and many more, there is plenty of room for pleasure too.

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