Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Hidden gems in Leeds
Leeds is full of hidden gems, it's just a matter of knowing where to look.Â
Beyond the path well-trodden you’ll find places where history, creativity and culture meet in the most extraordinary ways. From a floating bookshop to relics of a long-lost zoo to secret cinemas, these unusual spots will let you explore Leeds in a different light.
The Leeds Library
Dating back to 1768, The Leeds Library is the oldest subscription library in the UK. Sitting pretty on Commercial Street, the interiors will take your breath away, with rich oak bookcases, twinkling fairy lights and twisting staircases that lead to iron wrought balconies. 150,000 books line the walls, including a first edition of Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin. Avid reader or not, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The Leeds Library, 18 Commercial Street, Leeds, LS1 6AL
Temple Works
You might not expect the words Egyptian and Holbeck to go together, but Temple Works proves they belong side by side. This Grade I-listed former flax-spinning mill has stood vacant for nearly two decades, but it boasts a rich history. Inspired by ancient Egyptian temples, the building features imposing columns and carved hieroglyphs, and once contained the largest single-storey room in the world. If that's not enough, look up to the roof where sheep once grazed to maintain humidity for flax spinning.
Bear Pit
Did you know there used to be a zoo in Headingley? Yep, you heard that right - and all that remains now is a Bear Pit on Cardigan Road. Used to house a real-life bear, along with swans, monkeys, eagles and more, the zoo was short-lived, closing soon after opening. After sitting vacant for centuries, 2024 was the year it underwent a proper renovation, making it open to the public for the first time. It serves as an important reminder of Leeds' past as well as being a really cool place to check out.
Hold Fast Bookshop
A floating bookshop? On Leeds Dock? No, your eyes don't deceive you. Hold Fast Bookshop is housed on a historic barge, chock full of plants, prints, general curiosities and, of course, books! New and used, spanning all genres, there's something for everyone here. In the colder months you can settle down by the cosy log burner, in summer grab your latest read and head up to the deck.
Hold Fast Bookshop, Upper Dock Mooring, Leeds Dock, Leeds, LS10 1LJ
Slung Low
Slung Low does theatre, but with a twist. Based out of a warehouse in Holbeck, they believe everyone should have access to culture and the arts, regularly hosting productions from local and touring independent theatre companies. All shows are PWYD (Pay What you Decide), making it a great place to discover something new while supporting the local community.
Palace Picture House
You don't have to look hard to find the smallest cinema in the North because it's right here in Leeds. The Palace Picture House is a 1920s style, 26 seat cinema inside Leeds Industrial Museum and it's one of the best ways to enjoy the magic of film. Price of admission is included in your ticket to the museum so you can even learn more about our city's industrial heritage before settling in.
If you're looking for more local tips, check out our Student's Guide to Headingley and our Student's Guide to Hyde Park.
Basement Arts Project
Leeds is one of the few places in the country you could expect to find an art gallery in a pre-war, mid-terrace house. Headed up by Bruce Davies, the - you guessed it - basement art project in Beeston hosts local and distant artists, with an ever-shifting programme of topics and themes. It's definitely not what you're expecting, but that's what makes it so great.
Basement Arts Project, Tunstall Road, Leeds, LS11 5JH
