Difference between revisions of "Leeds"

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A major city in [[Yorkshire]]. Leeds is the home of Headingly cricket ground.
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A major city in [[Yorkshire]]. Known as the "London of the North" due to a flourishing financial and business sector and the large number of prestigious shops and hotels that have appeared in the 21st century.
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==History==
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During the 17th century, Leeds was predominantly a merchant town, manufacturing textiles which were exported by means of the Humber estuary. As trading increased throughout the 17th and 18th century, nearly half of England's exports passed through Leeds. The Leeds Corn Exchange, an important meeting place for tradesmen survives to this day and is a historic local landmark despite now being a shopping centre.
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==The Industrial Revolution==
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The Industrial Revolution sparked a massive population growth in Leeds. The catalysts for this industrial growth were, as in merchant times, the superb transport links. Waterborne transport was originally via the Aire & Calder rivers but, in 1816, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was completed allowing huge volumes of goods to be transported between these two cities and, via the famous docks at Liverpool, to the whole world.
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During the Industrial Revolution, Leeds was a centre for machinery manufacture as well as having thriving industries based on textiles, chemicals, leather and pottery. Being in the midst of a famous coal producing heartland, the first commercial railway (The Middleton Railway) was built to transport coal into the centre of Leeds.
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In 1893 Leeds was granted city status.
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==Modern Leeds==
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In the late 20th century, Leeds began to shake off the image of an industrial Northern city, particularly after the decline of the coal and manufacturing industries in the area had led to widespread unemployment. Leeds now has two universities, the Metropolitan and the University of Leeds. The University of Leeds is one of the most popular British universities and attracts students from all over the world. The rise of the Financial sector in Leeds was a massive boost to the economy and led to widespread regeneration. Leeds is now described as a "24 hour" city and has seen huge growth in city living and urban culture fuelled by the thriving business sector.
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==Attractions==
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Leeds is the home of the world famous Headingley cricket ground situated in Headingley (a popular student area).
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The Royal Armouries museum was built at Brewery Wharf in Leeds.
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The Tetley Brewery is still situated at Brewery Wharf and is a popular tourist attraction as well as being a sucessful brewery.
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The famous London luxury goods store Harvey Nichols has its only other branch in Leeds.
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The New Penny is one of Leeds oldest public houses and is famous for its hospitality and traditional pub games.
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Gipton, a part of Leeds close to the city centre, is home to many beautifully landscaped parks and stunning modern architecture.
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Golden Acre park is a popular spot for local dog lovers with walking the dog ("dogging" as the locals call it) being a great way to meet new friends.
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==The People==
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Despite the old image of a grim northern industrial town, Leeds now has a thriving multicultural community with thousands of students and workers choosing to live here. Despite the influx of people from all over the UK, Leeds citizens have lost none of their reputation for friendliness and hospitality. Recently, the BBC's Five Live programme ran a survey to find "the friendliest street in Britain". This was awarded to a street in Armley, a part of Leeds most famous for being Barbara Taylor Bradford's birthplace. Visitors need only visit some of Leeds most famous traditional pubs and restaurants (Queen's Court, The New Penny, The Angel Inn) to witness this first hand.
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During the 1980s, Leeds was famous for a thriving music scene. The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, Hot Chocolate and Softcell are just some of the many bands hailing from the city.
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[[Category:UK Towns and Cities]]
 
[[Category:UK Towns and Cities]]

Revision as of 16:48, April 25, 2007

A major city in Yorkshire. Known as the "London of the North" due to a flourishing financial and business sector and the large number of prestigious shops and hotels that have appeared in the 21st century.

History

During the 17th century, Leeds was predominantly a merchant town, manufacturing textiles which were exported by means of the Humber estuary. As trading increased throughout the 17th and 18th century, nearly half of England's exports passed through Leeds. The Leeds Corn Exchange, an important meeting place for tradesmen survives to this day and is a historic local landmark despite now being a shopping centre.

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution sparked a massive population growth in Leeds. The catalysts for this industrial growth were, as in merchant times, the superb transport links. Waterborne transport was originally via the Aire & Calder rivers but, in 1816, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was completed allowing huge volumes of goods to be transported between these two cities and, via the famous docks at Liverpool, to the whole world.

During the Industrial Revolution, Leeds was a centre for machinery manufacture as well as having thriving industries based on textiles, chemicals, leather and pottery. Being in the midst of a famous coal producing heartland, the first commercial railway (The Middleton Railway) was built to transport coal into the centre of Leeds.

In 1893 Leeds was granted city status.

Modern Leeds

In the late 20th century, Leeds began to shake off the image of an industrial Northern city, particularly after the decline of the coal and manufacturing industries in the area had led to widespread unemployment. Leeds now has two universities, the Metropolitan and the University of Leeds. The University of Leeds is one of the most popular British universities and attracts students from all over the world. The rise of the Financial sector in Leeds was a massive boost to the economy and led to widespread regeneration. Leeds is now described as a "24 hour" city and has seen huge growth in city living and urban culture fuelled by the thriving business sector.

Attractions

Leeds is the home of the world famous Headingley cricket ground situated in Headingley (a popular student area).

The Royal Armouries museum was built at Brewery Wharf in Leeds.

The Tetley Brewery is still situated at Brewery Wharf and is a popular tourist attraction as well as being a sucessful brewery.

The famous London luxury goods store Harvey Nichols has its only other branch in Leeds.

The New Penny is one of Leeds oldest public houses and is famous for its hospitality and traditional pub games.

Gipton, a part of Leeds close to the city centre, is home to many beautifully landscaped parks and stunning modern architecture.

Golden Acre park is a popular spot for local dog lovers with walking the dog ("dogging" as the locals call it) being a great way to meet new friends.

The People

Despite the old image of a grim northern industrial town, Leeds now has a thriving multicultural community with thousands of students and workers choosing to live here. Despite the influx of people from all over the UK, Leeds citizens have lost none of their reputation for friendliness and hospitality. Recently, the BBC's Five Live programme ran a survey to find "the friendliest street in Britain". This was awarded to a street in Armley, a part of Leeds most famous for being Barbara Taylor Bradford's birthplace. Visitors need only visit some of Leeds most famous traditional pubs and restaurants (Queen's Court, The New Penny, The Angel Inn) to witness this first hand.

During the 1980s, Leeds was famous for a thriving music scene. The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, Hot Chocolate and Softcell are just some of the many bands hailing from the city.