Leeds

Shopping in surroundings to rival any of Leeds' fine arcades. Located just to the south of Kirkgate markets on Vicar Lane. Designed by Cuthbert Broderick and architecturally based on the Paris corn exchange. A largely elliptical building, crowned with a great glass dome roof, that allows light to stream in even on the greyest Yorkshire winter mornings. Broderick was also architect of Leeds town hall and the Leeds Mechanics' Institute, Millennium Square, Two shops designed by Broderick still survive opposite the Mechanics Institute on Cookridge Street, now converted into a cocktail bar.

Oxford Place Chapel

Lovely 19th Century, red-brick baroque church.

When the Victorian civic authorities sought to improve the sights and foul smells of Briggate and the city centre, they demolished some of the city's dirtiest yards, alleyways, shambles and lanes and built covered shopping arcades filled with fine establishments. These catered for the refined tastes of the growing moneyed classes of Leeds. This rebuilding continued into Edwardian times and the legacy is some of Europe's finest, most elegant shopping locations. Today these arcades are home to some of the most exclusive designer shops in Great Britain Vivienne Westwood, Hugo Boss, Luis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols to name a few.

This traditional British market is largest in Europe. Housed in an opulent late Victorian palace to commerce, it has both indoor and outdoor stalls. Marks and Spencer had their first establishment here, originally called, 'Marks Penny Bazaar'.

Small, but an extremely interesting example of an Arts and Crafts, 19th Century Catholic Cathedral - unique within the UK.

An attractive and fairly large neo-gothic church with a renowned choir and concerts from time to time. During the rebuilding of the Parish church in Victorian times, the original Saxon crosses where Leeds folk would have worshipped in the 8/9th centuries well before the first church of Leeds had been founded were unearthed in the medieval tower and is permanently on display inside.

Although not considered a 'traditional' tourist destination, Leeds has plenty to occupy the visitor. As well as the main sights, museums, galleries, parks etc, wandering around the buzzing city centre to take in the atmosphere and admire the fantastic blend of architectural styles from the past few hundred years is a pleasure in itself. Within the city centre, the main districts are the civic quarter, central shopping district, exchange quarter and financial district.

St John's Church

Hidden away within peaceful gardens lies this true gem, built just before the English Civil War, it has beautiful ornate woodwork in its charming interior, and architecturally it is an extremely rare example of a 17th century double nave design.

The city's symbol and pride and joy, one of the world's finest Victorian buildings, and home to a dazzling array of concerts, particularly during the city's popular and extensive International Concert Season (http://www.leedsconcertse...). The recently restored interior is stunning.

Salem Chapel

Interesting and unique chapel. Also the place where Leeds United football club was founded, replacing the old bankrupt Leeds City football club. Recently bought by a huge telecommunications company as a head office - (http://www.aql.com/news/198/)

The UK's biggest display, are an annual display from Nov-Jan comprising both big show lights and the subtle and beautiful across the city, and are even longer than the legendary Blackpool Illuminations.

Excellent museum of industry and Leeds' major role in the Industrial Revolution.

The oldest working railway in the world. Situated in South Leeds between Middleton and Hunslet, it used to carry coal from the coal mines to the south of the city to the factories of Hunslet and central Leeds. You can now have a ride on the historic rolling stock.

Whilst a long way out of town, this leafy and extremely affluent suburb has some lovely houses, and is a world a way from the bustle of the city centre - nearby York Gate garden is beautiful and well worth a visit), this lovely and well-preserved early Norman church set in verdant grounds is a hidden treasure

If you have a couple of hours in the dry

You'll almost certainly be in the city centre, so why not take in some of the magnificent Victorian architecture on a walking tour? Alternatively there are open top city sight seeing bus tours (http://www.city-sightseeing.com/index.phtml?command=search&clear-search=true&destinations=Leeds which operate on weekends). Start at the train station and head into City Square where you will see the old Post Office and imposing Queens Hotel. Go up the right of the Old Post Office Infirmary St and cross over the road onto Saint Paul's Street. Take the second street on the right and you will come across the pretty Park Square gardens. Continue along Park Square East until you reach The Headrow, from where you will be able to see the Town Hall. Turn right along the Headrow and you will also pass the City Library free to enter and Art Gallery also free, you may also want to try a cup of tea in the Tiled Hall Cafe, between the Art Gallery and Library. Turn left up Cookridge Street, pass Leeds Catherdral and cross over Great George St. You will now have reached Millennium Square, the Civic Hall and the City Museum. Now turn back and go back towards the Cathedral, and turn immediate left after the Cathedral on to St Anne's St. You will come to a small square and the entrance to 'The Light'. Walk in to The Light open most hours and go up the escalators, exiting at the far end. You will now be on Albion Street, turn right and you will come back to The Headrow. Turn left and you will pass Dortmund Square, and the former Allders Department store now Sainsburys. On the right turn down Briggate, this is one of the city's main streets. Take a look up some of the arcades on either side of Briggate you are now in the main shopping quarter, for which Leeds is famous. On the left you will come to the Victoria Quarter. If this is open take a walk through and exit at the far end. If closed walk a little further and turn left on to King Edward St. You are now on Vicar Lane, turn right you will pass the beautiful Leeds City Market on the left. Walk a little further and you will see the huge dome of the former Corn Exchange on the left - take a look inside, maybe pop downstairs for a cup of tea at Anthony's. You can now extend the walk a little along the riverside, or follow Duncan St and Boar Lane back to the train station. To extend the walk, go around the Corn Exchange along a cobbled street and go under the bridge. Turn left on to The Calls. After a short while you will see a fountain with a huge ball, turn right on to this street also The Calls. On the right there is a pedestrian bridge - cross the river here and you are in Brewery Wharfe. Once over the bridge you need to go left along the river following signs for the Royal Armouries. Eventually you will come to Clarence Dock which has shops and restaurants plus the Royal Armories Museum free entry. To get back to the station go back the way you came to the Corn Exchange, then follow Duncan Street and Boar Lane.

If you have a couple of hours in the wet

There's plenty to do to occupy a couple of hours. The City Museum, Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute, Markets, Library and Royal Armories are all free, indoors and walkable in the city centre. Tropical World is cheap, indoors and warm in Roundhay. Also in the city centre, many of the shops are undercover due to being in arcades or shopping centres. The following route means it is possible to shop without getting too wet: the Merrion Centre, St Johns Centre, the Core, Queens Arcade, Victoria Quarter, Debenhams then M&S.

N.B. under construction or planned for the future:

The complete renovation and restoration of an entire city district. In the south-west of central Leeds, this historic area was key to the Industrial Revolution, and has many buildings and sites of interest, including the stunning Egyptian-style Temple Mill and Italianate Tower Works. The restoration and redevelopment has already begun with the Round Foundry, a new-age village of offices, flats, cafés and media centres complete with traditional paved streets and 200-year old buildings. A plethora of other developments promise that this area will become more and more of an exciting new destination.

Planned to be the tallest residential building in Europe, Lumiere also included a winter garden, numerous shops and restaurants. It was to be a dramatic new addition to the city's skyline and at 52 stories the tallest UK building outside London. If construction starts again at a later date, it will no doubt grab the attention of visitors and residents alike.