Leeds - a City of Style, Variety and Mud Baths

Think of the U.K. and you will no doubt conjure up an image of Big Ben, a red London bus, or shopping in Harrods. No doubt, London is as majestic as everybody says it is. However, there is much more to this small island than the overvisited megatropolis. Dare to venture up north to England’s biggest county – Yorkshire, and not only will you come across England’s most beautiful landscapes, you will unravel a true Yorkshire gem: Leeds.

Yorkshire’s biggest and England’s 3rd biggest city is right at the heart of this wonderful county. It’s not only one of England’s most creative, captivating and capricious cities. It’s also the coolest. I went for a week and loved every minute of it.

Home to the best shopping outside of London, Leeds attracts day trippers falling over themselves to spend a buck at some of the best independent boutique shops the U.K. has to offer. Shopping can be addictive, especially in a shopping mecca like Leeds. But I was pushed for time, as I had a date with the theatre.

Les Miserables was on at one of the city’s many Victorian theatres. Going to the theatre is one of England’s great pastimes, and nowhere better than the elegant Grande Theatre. I was awestruck by the interior decoration, and I recommend a visit.

My next day, I thought I’d stay all cultural and so I went The Royal Armouries Museum. It’s a day trip in itself. It houses a vast array of weapons the U.K. has used in its often turbulent but interesting history. I only had a couple of hours as I had to be elsewhere, but I saw some of the earliest weaponry artefacts human has hatched.

If warfare isn’t your thing, go to the Leeds City Museum and see how Leeds’ textile industry was central to the explosion of the industrial revolution. Or there’s the Henry Moore Institute at the Leeds City Art Gallery. The world famous 20th century modernist sculptor was famous for his big, bold and brass sculptures. In the museum’s free workshop, you even get the chance to make your own sculpture. If you get chance to make one, I’m sure it won’t be as good as my masterpiece, ha ha.

Leeds is also home to one of England’s most successful football clubs: Leeds United. They’re not enjoying their most successful periods of their turbulent history, and when I went along, the performance of the team was somewhat flat. But as with everything else Yorkshire – the people made it an uplifting experience. Leeds United fans are famous for their support, and my short time there will never be forgotten. If football isn’t your thing, international cricket and rugby are always huge events in the city.

As for food and drink, Leeds is home to some the country’s finest restaurants, and you can eat some of the finest cuisine from all over the world. Britain might not be famous for its own culinary delights, although if you haven’t tried fish ‘n chips, bangers ‘n mash, or my personal favourite - the good old Yorkshire pudding, try them for yourself and I guarantee you will be going back for more. And more.

Being in the white rose county, I opted for the gorgeous Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding. A traditional side dish, where better to try one than in the county of its creation. With lashings of lovely gravy, I still salivate when I think of the savoury platter. Wow, that is all!

The highlight of my weekend, though, was the amazing Leeds Festival. Spread over 3 days and nights, some of the most amazing bands play at the many different stages. The rain had been lashing it down all night and the festival’s infamous mud was squelchy, to say the least. I could only go to one day, but I saw Eminem, I think (I was drunk).

Seeing live bands is great, but any festival is a great excuse to do things you don’t normally do, especially when you’ve had copious pints of the amber stuff, so I decided to follow the other drunken revelers into one of the festival’s many mud baths.