A-Z of Things to Do in Leeds for Students

---

About the author: Hi! My name is Jarisse Nunez, a Business Management with Marketing student at the University of Leeds. I’m one of UniHomes’ Leeds Content Ambassadors, and I'm an aspiring marketer who loves all things creative. Outside of my studies, I enjoy keeping memories in my scrapbook, staying active through yoga and going to concerts!

Leeds is known as one of the most student-friendly cities in the UK. With a mix of stunning nature, endless selections of diverse cuisines and a booming nightlife, there's something for everyone!

To make your life easier, I’ve created an A to Z guide of all the fun things to discover as a student in Leeds.

Your A-Z guide to student life in Leeds

A is for adventure

For adventure-seeking students looking for something different, there are loads of places in Leeds to explore, including outdoor obstacle courses like Go Ape or indoor activities such as The Climbing Land and Junkyard Golf.

–

B is for Briggate

Known as the busiest shopping street in Leeds (according to Leeds Data, 2026), you can’t miss taking a stroll on Briggate in the city centre. This wide street offers a mix of places to shop, from regular high street shops and department stores to luxury designer brands in the Victoria Quarter.

C is for Call Lane

Another popular street in the city is Call Lane, which is known for its nightlife venues and bars like Call Lane Social and Revolution. It also has great Instagrammable brunch spots such as IF… (the perfect hangover cure).

–

D is for (Leeds) Dock

In recent years, Leeds Dock has been renovated into a modern mix of homes, offices, and leisure activities, and more-notable features include the Royal Armouries Museum.

Need help getting there? Why not take the water taxi which runs daily between Granary Wharf (next to Leeds Train Station) and Leeds Dock?

E is for Elland Road Stadium

Home to Leeds United F.C, the city is a great place to experience a live football match if you’re looking for something new to do.

–

F is for food

Leeds has been widely named as “the foodie capital of the North” (as mentioned by visitleeds.co.uk), because it offers food from all over the world. You’ll find diverse flavours of food at local markets and street vendors – there’s always something new to try.

Make sure you give my blog post on cheap places to eat in Leeds a read for specific recommendations.

G is for getaways

Getting bored of the city? Visit neighbouring towns and villages such as Knaresborough and Ilkley, both of which are less than an hour from Leeds.

–

H is for Hyde Park Picture House

Leeds is rich in history, famous for having the only remaining gas-lit cinema in the UK: the Hyde Park Picture House. Hyde Park Picture House (which is over in Hyde Park) screens independent and classic films from around the world, and makes for a great alternative day out.

I is for indie

Discover and support Leeds’ independent cafés and shops scattered throughout the city, with many located in the Corn Exchange and Kirkgate Market.

Big fan an indie bookshop or two? Leeds has loads of these, which you can read more about in my blog post on the best independent bookshops in Leeds.

–

J is for joining societies

The easiest way to find new people at uni is through societies! Joining my uni’s yoga society committee has really helped me meet new people and strengthen my yoga practice.

Check out the Leeds University Union or Leeds Beckett Student Union to find all the different clubs and societies your university offers, and read Sophie's blog post about what she wishes she'd known about societies for a deep dive into everything you need to know about societies.

K is for Kirkgate Market

If you’re looking for authentic and diverse food then you need to visit Kirkgate Market, one of the largest indoor markets offering various independent food stalls and shops.

–

L is for live music

Leeds is filled with live music, and notable venues include Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall, Brudenell Social Club and Hyde Park Book Club. You'll also find concerts for bigger artists held at the First Direct Arena and O2 Academy, as well as festivals in the summer.

For all the Leeds music lovers out there, I've written more about the best live music venues in Leeds.

M is for Meanwood Valley

Another great outdoor exploration, the 7-mile trail takes you through Meanwood’s woodlands and valleys. To treat yourself for the lengthy walk, why not grab a drink or brunch at the Three Cottages Cafe sitting at the end of the hike?

–

N is for nights out

As a student-friendly city, the nightlife is always lively with club events every night. Popular student spots include The Warehouse, The Backroom, and Beaver Works.

In need of some night-out inspiration? Emily's blog post about the best places to go for a night out in Leeds is the perfect place to get an expert lowdown on Leeds' nightlife.

O is for Otley Run

A key highlight of the Leeds student experience is getting involved in the Otley Run – a fancy-dress pub crawl which stretches all the way from Otley to Leeds City Centre. It’s great to do with friends or with your society, dressing up in fun, themed costumes.

–

P is for Playhouse

For all theatre lovers, the Playhouse offers a range of theatre shows and live performances. Notable shows have included the likes of Oliver! and Little Shop of Horrors!

Q is for (pub) quizzes

With loads of pubs dotted around the Leeds' university campuses, a pub quiz is always great fun for students.

–

R is for Roundhay Park

Perfect for a monday morning walk, Roundhay park has over 700 acres of parkland and even hosted its first festival this summer!

S is for sweet treats

Whether you’re craving fluffy pancakes at the Instagrammable Fluffy Fluffy or frozen yogurt at Kefiyo, there’s tons of dessert spots dotted around the city for any sweet tooth.

–

T is for Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre

Located in the heart of the city, Trinity is a great place to treat yourself after exam season or to spend your student finance (wisely).

U is for uni campus tours

Leeds has so many universities; why not visit them all? You can take self-guided tours or book campus tours depending on the university.

If you need help getting started, I helped write a blog post on the differences between Leeds Beckett and the University of Leeds.

–

V is for volunteering

Why not give back to the community by volunteering for a local charity? Volunteering can provide support to communities whilst also helping you gaining extra skills.

W is for Woodhouse Moor

It is essential for all Leeds students to have at least one picnic in Woodhouse Moor during the warmer seasons.

The Woodhouse area is also a great place to live in Leeds, which is why I've also written a guide to everything you need to know about student life in Woodhouse.

–

X is for (e)xploring the city

Explore the city’s history through its various art galleries and museums dotted around the city centre – most of which are free!

Y is for York

Just less than 30 minutes from Leeds, York is filled with beautiful historic buildings and strong Viking and Roman heritage. It’s definitely a must-visit during its Christmas markets!

–

Z is for zen

Make sure to relax and unwind from the busyness of student life. One way can be through practising yoga, either through joining your uni’s yoga society or (for cheaper options) Belgrave Music Hall and Project House's free weekly yoga!

F is also for... finding student accommodation in Leeds

Whether you're after a shared house or private halls, UniHomes can help you find your dream student housing in Leeds. We work with letting agents all over Yorkshire to bring you a wide variety of student accommodation options in Leeds, all with bills included – find your next home-away-from-home today!

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.