16 Things Nobody Tells You About Leeds

    Basically our city is awesome.

    Alice Tate
    by Alice Tate

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. We make wine.

    Flickr: neilt / Via Creative Commons

    Hold up, there's a vineyard in Leeds. A real vineyard. No, it's nothing like the South of France but it's a vineyard nonetheless. Leventhorpe Vineyard is a low-altitude spot that sprawls 5 acres and makes it's own wines, including the delicious Seyval Blanc. Go, discover, drink.

    2. Our art galleries do pizza too.

    A Tale of Two Sittings / Via ataleoftwosittings.wordpress.com

    More than just art and exhibitions, the best thing about White Cloth Gallery has to be its pizza. Hang left at the roundabout as you leave the station through the carpark exit and find tomato-cheese goodness a couple doors down.

    3. We do rooftops pretty well.

    4. We've got big, beautiful open water spaces.

    5. Our independent burger chains are quality.

    6. Hyde Park Picture House is a real gem.

    7. Kirgate Market is actually amazing.

    Wikipedia / Via upload.wikimedia.org

    Yes, you've probably heard Kirgate Market is the home of Marks & Spencer and the largest indoor market in Europe, but what started out as a penny bazaar is just as thriving today. Do your weekly shop here and leave with change in your pocket. It literally has everything, and at snipped prices too. You will leave with one too many packets of biscuits and/or Space Raiders cos 5 packets for 40p is a bargain.

    8. Leeds-born Red's True Barbecue is a trailblazer.

    Red's True Barbecue / Via truebarbecue.com

    Red’s True Barbecue is heaven for BBQ fans. What was formerly a site of pilgrimage in our city has now exploded over the country, with sites in Manchester, Nottingham, and this month, London too. Remember your roots, Red's.

    9. Our university alumni rules.

    Pinterest / Via pinterest.com

    Those corridors you slump down daily were formerly the stomping ground of some successful folk. The University of Leeds' alumni includes Jay Rayner, The Guardian's resident restaurant cynic, Steve Bell, political cartoonist for The Guardian, Nambaryn Enkhbayar, the former President of Mongolia, alt-j,and Corinne Bailey Rae.

    10. We've got beautiful libraries.

    11. Our buildings win awards.

    Wikipedia / Via en.wikipedia.org

    That tall, boxy poo-coloured building — you know the one — astoundingly won the title of Best Tall Building in the World in 2010. In the WORLD. Don't ever overlook Broadcast Tower again.

    12. Ira B's is worth your appetite.

    13. We know our gin.

    Selfridges / Via selfridges.com

    A little factoid for you discerning Loiners. Jake Burger of Jake's Bar — your Saturday booze haunt — is also one of the founders of Portobello Road Gin. We can call that our own, right? And an excuse to drink more of it. Bottoms up.

    14. Notting Hill Carnival has nothing on us.

    Flickr: fletchthemonkey / Via Creative Commons

    Your time in Leeds isn't complete without a good boozy, high-spirited day out at Carnival. We like to think Notting Hill Carnival has nothing on us and our Leeds West Indian Carnival, an event that sees 100,000 dancing and bouncing their way through Potternewton Park, Chapeltown and Harehills, fuelled with music and rum. It happens every August Bank Holiday weekend and it's the oldest Carnival in Europe.

    15. Our date night spots are pretty special.

    The New Conservatory

    Your next date should be here. The New Conservatory is a sophisticated hidden gem of the city centre, tucked away on Albion Place. It's got moody lighting, low, slouchy sofas, plenty of wine, and a pianist on hand to set the mood. Make your next Tinder date more romantic and grown up with an intimate afternoon right here.

    16. And we've got pubs that are older than America.