We’ve got you covered, as there are plenty of fun things to do in and around this fascinating city without spending a penny! We’ve gathered together the best free activities to do in Leeds, so you can have your very own UK city day trip without breaking the budget.
If you're looking sample some of Leeds arty and cultural riches on your day trip, there are plenty of free art galleries to visit. Why not browse the impressive collection of British 20th century art at Leeds Art Gallery, or the more contemporary art gallery complex, The Tetley, housed within former brewery! Another of our great free things to do in Leeds - if it's a pleasant day - is to take your interest in art outdoors, to the amazing Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Alternatively, there are many free art trails in Leeds that you can follow!
As well as the arts, you can also enjoy lots of historical culture in the city, and that doesn't have to break the bank either. There are many free museums in Leeds, but our favourites are Leeds City Museum and the Leeds Discovery Centre. Another fantastic museum experience comes in the form of touring Leeds' Royal Armouries. The Armouries of Leeds house a world-renowned national collection of arms and armour, with a total of over 75,000 objects, including Henry VIII's armour!
When looking for free things to do in Leeds, a good idea is to have an adventure in the great outdoors. Leeds is known for its fantastic selection of beautiful free parks and nature trails. There are plenty of options to choose from, but we’d recommend Golden Acre Park, Roundhay Park, and Horsforth Hall Park as some of the best parks in Leeds. Other great places for a family-friendly walk include: along the Leeds & Liverpool canal, one of many Leeds nature trails, or even the Leeds Owl Trail!
The Donkey Sanctuary at Leeds is home for rehabilitated donkeys, open to the public on certain 'donkey interaction hours', where visitors can come to meet the lovely donkeys! If your children love their animals, this could be a nice little stop on your day trip to Leeds. And of course - entry is free!
Leeds is home to a number of fantastic pubs and bars, and though your drinks won’t be free, there are a number of fun activities there that could be! Crowd of Favours, for example, is a cosy Leeds brewery pub with plenty of free live music and open mic nights. But perhaps their most exciting events are their free film nights – with free popcorn thrown in too! This is a great place to relax and unwind after your eventful Leeds day trip!
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