Few places can boast the variety of shopping Leeds offers. Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion and designer stores, vintage and independents, or your favourite high-street chain, the city has it in abundance. With historic architecture to match the quality of its stores, Leeds is one of the best places to shop in the UK. To help you get around, here’s our CrossCountry guide to shopping in Leeds.
So you’re ready to shop until you drop? Well Leeds is the place to head. With a great mix of high street favourites and high-end boutiques, vintage and independents, you’ll be spoiled for choice! No matter your style or what you’re shopping for, there’s something for you in Leeds. Read on for our favourite shopping destinations.
Trinity Leeds
Boasting over 120 shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés, Trinity Leeds is a must-visit for any shopaholic visiting Leeds. As the city’s largest shopping centre, it plays host to some of the biggest fashion brands in the country, including Primark, H&M, Next, River Island, Hollister, and Urban Outfitters. If you’re making a day of it, what better way to satiate your hunger than at restaurants like Wagamama, Cote Brasserie, and Alchemist? You can even finish the day at Everyman, one of the trendiest cinemas in Leeds.
How to get there: It’s just a two-minute walk from Leeds Station.
Take a break: Trinity Kitchen, home to 12 permanent and pop-up restaurants, bars, and cafés.
Don’t miss: Archies. With only a few branches across Leeds and Manchester, there’s a reason why so many celebrities flock to this burger chain for an Instagram snap.
Victoria Leeds
While the Trinity Centre serves shoppers of all budgets, Victoria Leeds is the place to shop high-end fashion. With over 75 brands ranging from Louis Vuitton to Harvey Nichols, there’s no shortage of designer stores for you to choose from. And the sophistication doesn’t end with the shops; restaurants and bars like The Ivy and East 59th mean you can shop and dine in style all in one place. If that doesn’t make you feel classy, the spectacle of Europe’s largest stained-glass roof will.
How to get there: It’s just a nine-minute walk from Leeds Station. If you don’t fancy the walk, a number of seven-minute buses will drop you right outside the shopping centre.
Take a break: Leeds Gin School teaches visitors everything about gin and even lets you distil your own bottle.
Don’t miss: Head to the largest John Lewis store outside of London to see why Leeds is so famous for its Victorian architecture.
Kirkgate Quarter
If you’re more into history and culture than chain stores, you’ll want to pay a visit to Kirkgate Quarter. Home to Kirkgate Market, which first opened its doors in 1857, the area has overseen the retail revolution, including the first ever Marks and Spencer in 1894. While a lot has changed since then, the market remains with over 800 stands selling all manner of items, from flowers to haberdashery. As one of the largest covered markets in Europe playing host to 100,000 visitors every week, just wandering around Kirkgate is an experience in itself.
How to get there: Take a number of seven-minute buses or walk nine minutes from Leeds Station.
Take a break: Grab a Yorkshire pudding wrap from The Yorkshire Wrap Company. Slow-roasted beef and gravy wrapped up nice and cosy in a fluffy Yorkshire pudding? Take our money.
Don’t miss: Crazy Sweets will roll back the years with retro sugary delights.
Corn Exchange
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d taken one step out of Leeds and another into Rome when you visit the Coliseum-esque Corn Exchange. But instead of an ancient gladiatorial theatre, this grade 1 listed building is a shopping centre packed full of independent retailers and services. From record stores to salons, the Corn Exchange is the perfect place to find gifts (including for yourself) that you wouldn’t be able to buy in major retailers. It’s become a trendy hub for niche fashion, design, and lifestyle shops – though it’s not a bad building to look at, either.
How to get there: It’s just a six-minute walk from Leeds Station.
Take a break: Bruschetta is the place to visit, whether you want a coffee and a cake or a drink and a main. If you’re looking for a vegan option, they do the best Lebanese keftagi in the city.
Don’t miss: Few people are prouder of their home county than those from Yorkshire, and The Great Yorkshire Shop is testament to that.
The Grand Arcade
Another arcade, The Grand Arcade might be smaller and less dazzling than the Corn Exchange, but what it lacks in jaw-dropping architecture it more than makes up for with charm. Visit this grade 2-listed building for a quiet wander around independent shops, restaurants, cafés, and health and beauty outlets. The building itself has been around for over 100 years, but its retailers are anything but stuck in the past. You’ll find modern and trendy clothes and gifts galore without the hustle and bustle of the larger shopping centres.
How to get there: It’s a 12-minute walk. Alternatively, you can hop on various buses for a nine-minute journey.
Take a break: Roots and Fruits has been serving outstanding vegetarian food for over 20 years. If a restaurant’s been around that long, you know it has to be good.
Don’t miss: If you like getting gifts you won’t be able to find anywhere else, Our Handmade Collective is just the place for you.
If you’re planning a trip to Leeds, you can find out more about the city by visiting our Leeds guide. Don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or our Train Tickets app.