What to do in Leeds: the craft city guide
The Crafts magazine team share their creative highlights from the Yorkshire city and its surrounds
Thinking of heading to Leeds for the Harewood Biennial? We've put together a craft-led guide to the unmissable sights to see while you're there – including exhibition hotspots, independent shops, and the best places to refuel as you explore.
Galleries
Located near the Leeds Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute hosts a programme of exhibitions and events and is home to an impressive research library and archive of sculptors' papers. It's current show, A State of Matter: Modern and Contemporary Glass Sculpture (until 5 June) considers glass as a sculptural fine art medium; glass expert Emma Park takes a tour inside Crafts' May/June issue.
The Headrow, LS1 3AH
Once the headquarters for Tetley Brewery, this Art Deco building is now home to one of Leeds’ most exciting contemporary art venues. Expect to see anything from sculpture and installation to film and performance art. The current exhibition, Bubu Ogisi: I am not myself (on until 29 August), features mask-making, tapestry, and explores the ritual use of adornments in African sacred institutions.
Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ
A 25-minute drive from Leeds' city centre takes you to Yorkshire Sculpture Park: the largest sculpture park in Europe, set within the 500-acre, 18th-century Bretton Hall estate. Recently exhibited artists include printmaker Mark Hearld, artist Joana Vasconcelos and wood sculptor Yukihiro Akama. While you're there, be sure to check out MADE: a shop dedicated to contemporary craft by both emerging and established makers.
Wakefield, WF4 4LG
The Victorian mill setting of Assembly House is currently an artist-led community of 49 creatives – including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators and designers. Drop by to see shows by emerging and early-career practitioners. Look out for crafty residents such as Amelia Frances Wood, who using clay and fabric to explore the idea of the body as a vessel, and check out their programme of workshops and events.
44 Canal Road, LS12 2PL
A staple on the Northern craft scene for over 40 years, the Craft Centre and Design Gallery hosts a seasonal exhibition programme with works from an ever-changing selection of makers – current displays include The Joy of Glass and To Have and To Hold, an exhibition of wedding gifts and accessories. Everything on display is for sale, if you’re in the market for a souvenir of your trip...
The Headrow, LS1 3AB
Founded in 1829, this historic textile mill is currently on its sixth generation of family ownership. Today, Sunny Bank Mills boasts exhibitions, workshops, studio spaces and events, alongside an impressive textile archive that includes over 60,000 lengths of cloth, 8000 fabric designs and 5000 dye cards.
Farsley, LS28 5UJ
Half an hour away from Leeds lies a must-see gallery: The Hepworth Wakefield, which plays host to a rich roster of exhibitions and seasonal maker's markets. Currently on show is Sheila Hicks: Off Grid (until 25 September), featuring over 70 textile sculptures and woven works ranging from the miniature to the monumental. Read more inside Crafts' May/June issue.
Gallery Walk, Wakefield, WF1 5AW
One of the treasure houses of England, the 18th-century Harewood House boasts a rich collection of art alongside all the antique accoutrements you'd expect of such a stately home. Today, it plays host to the Harewood Biennial – a twice-yearly festival currently on its second showing, titled Radical Acts: Why Craft Matters (until 29 August).
Harewood, LS17 9LG
As well as its impressive permanent collection and ever-changing exhibition programme, Leeds Art Gallery is worth a visit just to see the Victorian-era Tiled Hall Café, which – from 1888 to 1941 – functioned as a sculpture court.
The Headrow, LS1 3AA
Formerly the Grade II-listed St. Margaret's Church — built in 1907 and paid for through the efforts of local people – Left Bank Leeds describes itself as a ‘venue for artistic initiatives’. It puts on a busy community-led programme of workshops, exhibitions and events throughout the year. Currently showing is BEYOND with sculptor Howard Haigh (until 24 May), one of four exhibitions showcasing the results of a mentoring programme for artists with learning disabilities.
Cardigan Road, LS6 1LJ
Shops
Located in Leeds' iconic Corn Exchange building, Colours May Vary stocks books, journals, prints, cards, gifts and homewares, with a focus on art, design, typography and illustration. Stocking pieces by both local and international producers, their self-made mission is to ‘try to bring things to Leeds that can't be found elsewhere.’
The Balcony, Corn Exchange, LS1 7BR
Browse pieces handmade by local makers at the social enterprise Fabrication, which also supports craft micro-businesses by offering work and retail spaces and plays host to workshops and hen parties.
79 Albion Street, LS1 5AP
Rather than see unwanted materials go to landfill, social enterprise Scrap reuses waste from businesses and sells them as making resources from its hub in the historic Spinning Mill. Stock is sold at low prices to ensure it remains accessible to all.
The Spinning Mill, LS28 5UJ
Contemporary art, design, fashion and photography publications are the focus at Village – from monographs to small press zines. The shop also supports a not-for-profit gallery space that promotes work from artists and photographers both local to Leeds and from further afield.
10-12 Thornton’s Arcade, LS1 6LQ
Another independently-run gem to be found in the Corn Exchange, this yarn shop's stock ranges from the commercially-made to the hand-dyed, alongside a selection of handmade gifts, homewares and accessories.
Unit C3A, Corn Exchange, LS1 7BR
If you’re a magpie for all that glitters, this legendary shop is a must-visit. A family-run business for over 40 years and through 3 generations, Aladdin’s Cave is filled with antique jewellery, specialising in Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco pieces.
19 Queens Arcade, LS1 6LF
Food and drink
Home, the restaurant of chef Elizabeth Cottam, is set inside a circular building on the banks of the river Aire. Inside, dining tables are positioned around the kitchen, so that guests can see the chefs at work. The menu features influences from around the world, and the tableware, artwork and furniture are the product of collaborations between Cottam and various ceramicists, designers, and artists.
3 Brewery Place, LS10 1NE
Sarto’s menu has a simple focus on handmade pasta. Its red-hued interior design is inspired by colours associated with Italian culture – a theme that follows through into the branding, conceived by local graphic design studio, Saul.
Munro House, Duke Street, LS9 8AG
Boasting a three-star sustainable restaurant rating, Crafthouse offers a seasonal British menu to enjoy while you take in city views from the fifth floor of Trinity Leeds shopping centre. Their ethical ethos also involves sourcing supplies conscientiously, minimising waste and maximising recycling.
Level 5 Trinity Leeds, 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW
Eat Your Greens sells groceries by day, and turns into a restaurant at night – serving a European-style menu with fresh, organic ingredients. The wide range of natural wines on offer is a bonus, too!
42 New York Street, LS2 7DY
Despite only being open to the public on Saturdays, Nova is well worth a visit if you can coincide it with your trip. Using fresh flours that are produced within a sustainable farming system, the team create breads, cookies and pastries that go perfectly with a morning coffee.
Unit 33, The Boulevard, LS10 1LT
