Being a student in Leeds can often feel very intimidating, especially for those who have moved away from home and those who aren’t used to city life. However, there was always a thrill and excitement I felt when I thought about moving to a big city where I hadn’t experienced anything.
So, after living here for around a year, I wanted to highlight some of the fun and cool things you can get up to in West Yorkshire’s Leeds, as a student! Separating them into categories, I hope I cover a range of activities where at least one will take your interest and motivate you to discover it.
Bizarre places to drink with friends
One of the first places I went with my new flatmates was Junkyard Golf in ‘The Light’ entertainment district. With three differently themed courses, all with their own displays and props to catch your eye in the dark environment lit up by neon colours, this evening activity is fun and interesting even for those who aren’t particularly fussed about mini golf usually.
The feature that edges it into a great ice-breaker for students is the bar infused in the theme. At the start, you’ll have time to order from a range of bombastic unique cocktails (they always come with some kind of sweets!) which you can then take onto the course with you. Pit-stops are dotted around the course so that you can top up at any time, meaning alcohol can fuel your fun and lead to silly memories to share.
Another activity I find to be a great ice-breaker for new friends as a student is the videogame-themed bar, Pixel. Like Junkyard Golf, Pixel includes its theme in every corner of the bar and eases you into conversation with the shared competitiveness of Mario Kart.
With student night on Wednesdays, you can rent any console for £5 an hour and play a range of games whilst drinking from an impressive list of game-themed cocktails that will be appreciated by those who enjoy the hobby in their spare time.
Scenic walks for those who want to step away from the city centre
Roundhay Park and Kirkstall Abbey
Being from the Welsh countryside, I’m someone who prefers quiet pretty walks in the park, so I was enthralled to find that Leeds had its own beautiful parks to explore. The first one I went to with my partner was Roundhay park, a massive stretch of green with a cute café by the lake where you can pop in for a sandwich and coffee after your trek around the grounds.
With beautiful water features and old castle ruins, there is so much to see in this massive park, and this could easily turn into a day trip with Tropical World – a tropical house with butterfly enclosures and aquariums – just a 10 minute walk away. Who would have thought one of the biggest city parks in Europe would only be a 12-minute drive away from us in Roundhay?
Another great place for a walk is Kirkstall Abbey, conveniently located only a quick bus journey from the city centre (perfect for students who are in the cluster of Unite Students accommodations on Kirkstall Road). The public park is fairly big, with the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey there for you to explore and learn about.
With a café across the road, you can pop in for a quick snack and then trail along the river before going into the visitors centre where you can enter the ruins. The café also includes the Abbey House Museum, where you can learn about Victorian Leeds.
Clubs that will ease you into the student scene
Clubs? Really, I meant ‘club’. I’m not the clubbiest of students; if I’m being honest I don’t go much at all, but there is one club that I always go to and feel the most secure and comfortable in. That club is the gay club Viaduct on Briggate Street. Especially for young girls, clubs can be dangerous and uncomfortable in terms of spiking and just an overall attraction of the wrong crowd.
However, the safety of us in the LGBTQ+ community means you can let loose and enjoy the 2000s music which makes a nice difference from the big basses in Pryzm. The club is also unique in its different events during the week, from its crowd-inclusive extravagant drag shows to bingo night!
Viaduct always has something fun to do before you enter the night of dancing and drinking (or of course you could do all of that at the same time). For those who, like me, aren’t attracted to the club scene, definitely give this one a go. It’s different, comfortable and a great night out with friends that are from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those who are not.
Leed’s many many MANY places to eat
I could talk for ages about the number of restaurants I’ve been to in Leeds and how amazing their different multi-cultural foods are. One of the things I wanted to do during my time at Uni was try new, different foods and Leeds offers food from all over the world. However, I think there’s nothing better than a place where everyone can pick whatever type of food they fancy. If that sounds appealing to you, then definitely head over to Trinity Kitchen.
Located in Leeds Trinity shopping centre (a hub for shoppers and students), they offer loads of different stalls from Vietnamese Pho to burritos to fried chicken. There’s something for everyone, meaning it can’t be visited only once to try the range it has to offer. Always bustling with families and young people, the environment is friendly and packed with affordable great quality food.
I could go on for pages and pages about the many activities and sights to see in the city of Leeds. From the unmentioned cosy Corn Exchange packed full of quirky independent shops, to the essential Otley run where you traverse 15 pubs throughout the city in the most ridiculous fancy dress. Students will have a packed three years of things to discover and do.
Words by: Olivia Davies
Edited by: Laura Murphy