Leeds Visitor Centre

Great little shop. Nipped in the other week as it’s one of the only places you can renew a bus pass on a Sunday, and we realised my little girl’s had run out and I had to get her a new one before school the next day!
I’ve lived in Leeds for 10 years but there’s still loads I don’t know about it. Loads of stuff in here about the history of the city and the things it has to offer today. If you want to know something about what’s on in the region, this is the place to come.
There’s also a huge selection of Leeds gifts and general souvenirs. I even bought myself a postcard with ace drawings on detailing all the best real ale pubs in Leeds — less a souvenir, more of a to do list!
So if you’re a local and you fancy finding something new to do, need some practical information on how to get somewhere in Yorkshire, or you’re visiting the region and don’t know where to start, head to the Visitor Centre and you’re sure to get what you need.

I stopped by the Leeds visitor Centre a little while ago to pick up some classic Yorkshire goodies for people and was really impressed with the shop. In terms of visitor information alone this place is a fantastic source of knowledge, and it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for ideas to rediscover the city and area. It goes without saying that it’s an invaluable spot for the out-​of-​towners, but even as a local it has a lot that’s worth checking out.
In terms of the goodies you couldn’t ask for a more well stocked centre for all things Leeds and Yorkshire. Whether it is chocolates, sweets, cakes, shortbreads, stationary, books, teas, postcards, notepads and more that you’re looking for, the Leeds Visitor Centre has it all. A handy resource indeed if you wish to purchase some mementos, keepsakes or even something treatsome for yourself.

Whether you fall into the resident or visitor category on your trip to Leeds, this visitor centre is an excellent resource to rely on. The amount of information on offer is staggering, any location or venue of cultural significance is available to take away in leaflet form. I frequently take a detour through the shop so that I can pick up a few current programmes for theatres and art-​house cinemas within the area. The entire Yorkshire region is catered for, so any trip can be thoroughly organised with their guidance.
The shop also has a range of Yorkshire and Harrogate teas, Grandma Wild’s biscuits and other such twee goodies. I am referring to their presence because I have hastily purchased these items on a couple of occasions, ran around to neighbouring Paperchase and successfully presented a relative with a gift, as though it had been wrapped for weeks. This is not advisable, but sometimes unavoidable!
Another excellent reason to remember the services of Leeds Visitor Centre is, they are an official vendor of local Ticketmaster events. I am often more popular with some friends and relatives around the end of March, when it is possible to purchase a Leeds Festival weekend ticket without the queues, panic or extortionate booking fees.
Their presence in centrally located Leeds train station makes the shop incredibly convenient. With such helpful staff, they are worth investigating if you have lived in Leeds for years, or you are merely visiting for a few days.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a Leeds pro when it comes to well, everything! My modesty knows no bounds. Even I can’t profess to know everything and everywhere though. That’s where the Visitor Centre comes in.
Now it may not be the sexiest of places to hang out but it certainly is useful for getting to know more about our great city. There really is no excuse not to check it out. You have been told. It’s right bang in the middle of the train station and is armed with enough information to point you towards the various museums, attractions and events going on. The staff are pretty helpful too and will try to help you with whatever queries you have.
Be it bus info, guided walks or general areas to shop in, you’ll find a nice and comprehensive list to get you on your way. Knowledge is power remember.

Leeds Visitor Centre. Always worth a step into if you’re new in to the city of Leeds. With leaflets on bus routes and objets d’interest, and maps with hotspots nicely pointed out for you to wander to or hop on the free bus too it’s a good starting point if you’re having a day out in Leeds or you’ve not quite got the bearings of the city when you’ve moved into student digs. Trains, buses, museums, parks, events, whatever, it’s here for the pointing in the right direction. The majority of staff in here tend to know their way around every street in Leeds too, so if there’s a place or a point of interest you’ve heard about or want to visit, then get directions off one of these guys and you won’t go far wrong. If it’s a bit far out of the city centre, then they’ll use a map and give u timetables of the public transport in question, to get you to and from your destination. A nice little inclusion in the train centre, just a small shame it’s not entirely noticeable when you step off the platforms, as once you’ve gone through the barriers, most people go straight forward, and wouldn’t think to hang a left unless they were wanting a coffee or dirty burger. But if you do get off the train, go through the barriers, and turn left at the Millie’s Cookies stand, walk past the ticket booth, and it’s just there on the right.

The first place most people will see as they walk out of the train station and turn left. Then most probably, walk right past. There’s a stigma attached to visitor centres, tourist information places and for want of a better example, guidebooks, isn’t there? «No way man, I don’t need a guidebook, I’m a free spirit, let me wander freely,» maybe?
Well, even if you’re a resident of Leeds, the visitor centre can be a handy little place.
Tickets, from theatre to Leeds Festival, are available here — free for the most part, of the extortionate booking fees you find at the established online ticket giants. As well, they cover all bases from places to stay, what’s on, help with shopping, eating out tips, nightlife recommendations and information on the local sporting clubs.
Go have a gander if you’re a visitor or not, find out what’s going on underneath the surface of our great city!