There’s so much that the City of Leeds has to offer every visitor, an incredible number of places to see and things to do, so sometimes it can be difficult to choose how to spend your day!
Kaitlin Mae has put together just one combination of choices…………
It’s important to ease yourself into the day with a relaxed morning, and for that we have Kontrast! Kontrast is a community-centred sauna and ice bath that recently opened up a venue in Leeds.
With access to three ice baths of different temperatures (one 12-degree communal bath, two 7-degree baths and one 3-degree bath) and three different saunas to meet each of your needs, Kontrast has given Leeds a new space to relax and unwind.
The venue staff were so helpful in guiding us through the experience, showing us where each facility was and how to use it and being on hand for any help needed or if you want a treat at the cafe (the juices and coffee are a delight!).
Kontrast has only been in Leeds for a short time yet has had a big impact on the community. Their hard work to create an open and accepting space for wellness is clear. Yes, we would recommend Kontrast all day long – but we didn’t have the whole day…….
After a relaxing morning, it must surely be essential to have a great lunch. For that, we have Leeds Kirkgate Market! The market has been a staple of the City Centre for decades and is a fabulous place to enjoy a delicious lunch. With multiple stalls serving incredible food like Fat Annie’s and Banh & Mee, you are spoilt for choice. Bagel & Bun was our chosen meal, and they delivered us a beautiful lunch of Italian-
themed, warm bagels – perfect! We finished off with a sweet treat from the gorgeous Karpaty bakery!
Now we all know it wouldn’t be a wonderful day in Leeds without exploring some of its rich history. One of the best buildings that highlights the intriguing history of the City is the Leeds Central Library, opened in 1884. The building is open to visitors for only a couple of hours each day and open to members all day. The library is home to an astounding array of books and textbooks from early print history all the way to modern day.
The library has extremely friendly staff who are happy to help you at every turn. There are spaces for you to study, read and relax whenever you need. The building holds so much of the City’s heritage and shouldn’t be missed when enjoying a day out in Leeds! It’s no surprise that the Library is a favourite for literary events.
Another one of the historical buildings in the City is the Corn Exchange, which is over 50 years older than the Library, having opened in 1829. It is home to a huge variety of small businesses and is a wonder to visit. It’s a popular venue for festivals and exhibitions, rich and wide in their variety.
Next, we enjoyed a treat from the new Melting Point Ice Cream! Their variety of new, exciting flavours offers something for everyone – and we love it! Think malted milk, ginger, goat cheese. Yes, cheese.
To wrap up a perfect day, we had one last stop at Holdfast Bookshop. This gorgeous canal boat operates a quaint book and plant shop throughout the week! Each plant has a unique and funny name, so the experience of buying one is even more personalised and interesting. The staff are extremely helpful and willing to support and help you find exactly what you’re looking for! If you’re on the hunt for a new book to read or a plant to care for, Holdfast is your perfect place!
