BLACK FRIDAY: Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

The 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods in Leeds, UK

Leeds City Centre Aerial View of the city centre
Leeds City Centre Aerial View of the city centre | Christopher Chambers / Shutterstock

Leeds has a well-deserved reputation as one of the hippest cities in the UK, boasting many neighbourhoods outside of and within the city centre that are thriving with creativity. Independent shops, restaurants and bars are flourishing in the city, as are small gallery spaces, quirky live music venues and craft breweries. Seeking the hippest neighbourhoods in Leeds? These are the five areas you need to head to.

City Centre

Historical Landmark

City centre with people
calebg1 / Unsplash

The sprawling city centre is filled with quirky cafés, interesting stores and hip bars serving locally brewed craft ales. Within walking distance of each other, you’ll find iconic Leeds eateries, drinking dens and gallery spaces including The Tetley, Nation of Shopkeepers, Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen – no need for whipping around in taxis, simply stroll from hot spot to hot spot. Ensure that you take the time to check out some of the best independent shops in the city including Tall Boys Beer Market, Village Bookshop and Colours May Vary.

Headingley / Hyde Park

Historical Landmark

A park in Leeds, UK
ginzburg_l / Unsplash

The sprawling city centre is filled with quirky cafés, interesting stores and hip bars serving locally brewed craft ales. Within walking distance of each other, you’ll find iconic Leeds eateries, drinking dens and gallery spaces including The Tetley, Nation of Shopkeepers, Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen – no need for whipping around in taxis, simply stroll from hot spot to hot spot. Ensure that you take the time to check out some of the best independent shops in the city including Tall Boys Beer Market, Village Bookshop and Colours May Vary.

Holbeck

Historical Landmark

Leeds in black and white
Oliver Sherwin / Unsplash

Still in the midst of development, Holbeck Urban Village is one of the prime up-and-coming locations in Leeds at the moment. Home to the majority of creative and media businesses operating out of the city, the cool crowd that descend here Monday-to-Friday, nine-to-five are beginning to hang round to experience the area’s hip bars, pubs and restaurants when they clock off. Grab your breakfast from Out of the Woods juice bar, eat at The Foundry, The Engine House Café or Wasabi Teppanyaki, then partake in a mini bar crawl around The Hop, The Grove and The Cross Keys.

Chapel Allerton

Historical Landmark

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Headingley, the characterful suburb of Chapel Allerton is filled with independent shops, cafés and bars. One of the most picturesque areas of Leeds, the neighbourhood has often been referred to as the ‘Notting Hill of the North’, offering the perfect fusion of cosmopolitan eateries, green spaces, art galleries and cool boutiques. More up-market than its neighbouring areas, Chapel Allerton nevertheless maintains a trendy atmosphere with tables spilling out onto the streets from its many restaurants and bars.

Meanwood

Historical Landmark

Statue in Leeds
garybpt / unsplash

Located just inside the ring road, nestled in between Chapel Allerton and Headingley, Meanwood is currently thriving with new restaurants and stores opening on a regular basis. Boasting a village-like atmosphere with a vibrant community spirit, the neighbourhood is green and leafy with many parks, meadows and woodlands for enjoying sunny days outdoors. Cool stores and eateries such as Blackbird Vintage and Burts & Nelly’s pizzeria provide reason for hipsters living elsewhere to flock to the neighbourhood as a welcome reprise from the bustling streets of the city centre.

About the author

Based in the north of England, Emma Lavelle is a freelance writer and keen photographer with an endless wanderlust. Read about her latest travels on www.fieldandnest.com or on Instagram @fieldandnest

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad