Life in Leeds & Yorkshire - Northern School of Contemporary Dance

Life in Leeds & Yorkshire

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Photo: The Headrow and Town Hall at night. Credit Leeds City Council

Leeds is one of the UK’s most vibrant, student-friendly and fast-growing cities. It has a student population of over 250,000 and has been voted Best UK University Destination by The Independent.

The UK’s third-largest city, Leeds is a leading international centre for learning, a hub for the arts in the North of England and a world-class sporting centre. It is also widely acknowledged as the shopping capital of the North and is a gateway to some of the UK’s most stunning and inspiring countryside. Leeds is easily accessible, has its own international airport and is just a two-hour train ride from London and under an hour from Manchester.

A Cultural Hub

Photo: Leeds West Indian Carnival – Credit Leeds City Council

Leeds is a City of Dance, and is also home to some of the best theatres and public art collections of international significance to be found outside of London. The city is home to a thriving independent arts scene; venues include Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds City Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute.

Phoenix Dance Theatre, Northern Ballet and RJC Dance are based in Leeds, and Yorkshire regularly hosts national and international touring dance companies such as Hofesh Shecter Company, Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Motionhouse, Jasmin Vardimon Company and many more. Numerous artists’ collectives and studio spaces provide ample opportunity to meet potential collaborators.

An enviable array of yoga, pilates and gym classes provide exercise and relaxation opportunities, whilst the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds College of Art and Leeds College of Music provide a host of other students with whom to explore the city.

City Life

Photo: first direct arena. Credit Leeds City Council

The city centre is full of vibrant bars, restaurants and clubs. Leeds Arena and the O2 Academy supplement an excellent live music scene. Shopping in Leeds combines high street favourites and unique boutiques both in the beautifully restored Victorian arcades and world-class developments Trinity Leeds and Victoria Gate. Leeds market is highly recommended for fresh produce at student-friendly prices.

Inspiring Surroundings

Yorkshire Sculpture Park lies close to the nearby city of Wakefield, which hosts the Hepworth Gallery. Neighbouring Bradford is home to the National Media Museum and historic York, recently voted Britain’s most beautiful city, is just 25 minutes away by train. A short journey will take you to the peace and quiet of the Yorkshire Dales, the North Yorkshire Moors and the east coast’s stunning landscapes, which have inspired numerous artists over the centuries, examples of which can be found in the David Hockney gallery in nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire Village.