5 Fun Day Trips from Leeds for Students

One of the greatest things about being a student in Leeds is the incredible access you have to the entirety of West Yorkshire. If you’re a Leeds student looking to get out of town for a day, here are five easy day trip destinations to visit.

1. Plan a Day Out in Manchester

The city of Manchester is just over an hour away from Leeds by car and there are numerous bus and train routes you can take to visit Manchester for around £5.

What to see: Start your trip off in the Northern Quarter. This infamous neighbourhood is the ideal place to start exploring Manchester with its vibrant street art, good coffee, vintage clothing and vinyl stores and indie boutiques.

Where to eat: You’ll be spoiled for choice with all the student pubs around the Oxford Road Corridor, home to the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Here, you can enjoy a drink and a burger at Footage, a student-friendly pub located in a beautiful former cinema, or stop off for pizza at Sandbar, an independent pub housed in an industrial-era mill. These are just a couple of the fun and quirky student spots you’ll find in the heart of Manchester. 

Where to shop: Got some spare cash to splash? Enjoy a spot of retail therapy during your Manchester day trip. Hatch on Oxford Road is a pop-up shopping destination with a range of indie boutiques, plus a great selection of street food. Market Street is the city’s high-street shopping hub with no shortage of great options to suit all tastes.

2. Take a Seaside Break in Scarborough

Scarborough is an iconic seaside resort town on the Yorkshire coast, around 90 minutes from Leeds by car. Scarborough’s South Bay is a great spot for swimming and sunbathing — ideal for a summertime break from the city. The nearby South Bay Amusements is a great attraction for some traditional seaside funfair entertainment.

3. Explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Love the outdoors? The nearby Yorkshire Dales is the perfect place to enjoy a hike or picnic. There are plenty of walking trails to choose from, and lots of activities to enjoy. Here are some of our favourites:

Take the Three Peaks challenge: Experienced hikers will enjoy walking the park’s Three Peaks route.

Bike it: There are plenty of cycling trails to be explored in the park.

Go underground: Explore one of the area’s caves.

Taste the landscape: This map shows visitors all the best spots to enjoy a meal or drink in one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful locations.

Get a selfie with an alpaca: Get up close to some of these cool creatures on a Semerwater Alpaca Amble.

4. Get Your Culture Fix at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

For the art fans, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park gives you 500 acres of open-air artworks to explore, just half an hour’s drive out of Leeds. Some of the biggest names in the art and sculpture world are represented in these collections, from Henry Moore to Damien Hirst.

If you’re looking for extra inspiration, the park regularly hosts creative film screenings and talks.

5. Enjoy a Canal Trip in Skipton

What to see: Book a Skipton boat trip and explore Britain’s longest canal. A great way to relax after a long week of hitting the books.

Where to eat: After your boat ride, why not visit one of Skipton’s charming country pubs?  Wander around the town and you’ll find plenty of appealing places to enjoy a pie and a pint.

For example, The Queens Arms is housed within a beautiful 17th Century building and has its own brewery located just behind it.

Where to shop: If you’re looking for a shopping trip, you can’t go wrong visiting Skipton for the day. You can browse the stalls at the outdoor Skipton Market or explore the thrift shops and indie boutiques in town.

If you’re staying in Leeds student accommodation, these five destinations are just a short trip away – great for spending the day away from uni.