A Solo Adventure Through Leeds!

I am a huge believer in doing things that you love alone. So this adventure I decided to do all on my own, just for the sake of adventure and spending some time with myself. That is how I ended up exploring Leeds, a perfect day-trip destination, full of culture and lively big city vibes.

An early morning train from Sheffield, coffee in hand, and within 45 minutes I was stepping out into Leeds city centre. The open-return train ticket was around £7 with a railcard. The first thing I realised about Leeds, or even Manchester is that these cities are really big, and have a unique blend of Victorian grand architecture and modern sleek buildings. I started my morning with a stroll through Leeds Kirkgate Market. This one is also one of the largest covered markets in the Europe. However, the weather decided to cause a disruption for some time and I had to take refuge in the nearest Costa Coffee for the next 45 minutes. However, a coffee from there paired really well with a mastery that I got from one of the stalls previously and I spent that time Video chatting with my family and friends.

When the rain stopped, I decided to go to the Leeds Art Gallery, well known for its traditional and modern paintings, and the Henry Moore Institute, focussing on sculptures. As I was travelling solo, I enjoyed my time there, absorbing in some pieces of work while skipping others and totally enjoying the quiet. By around 1pm, my stomach was rumbling and as I had heard a lot about the famous food scene of Leeds, the choices were limitless. I ended up at Tamatanga, an Indian restaurant, and the looking through the menu made decision making deliciously difficult. I ended up chatting with the servicing staff and asking for their help to order. I enjoyed a delicious Chicken curry with Naan bread and a drink of the famous Whiskey, “Amrut,” all for under £30.

Later, I wandered through the Victoria Quarter which really impressed me with its stained-glass roof and elegant tiled walkways. This in itself makes it deserving of a visit whether someone is interested in shopping or not. From there, next on the list was a stroll along the River Aire towards Leeds Dock. As this is a calmer side of the city, it made a perfect vibe for a reflective solo traveller. I planned on doing the Royal Armouries Museum but that was unfortunately closed on the day, so I visited the Leeds Corn Exchange instead to buy some post cards and souvenirs.

By early evening, I was ready to head back, and headed for the station. There’s something about solo travel — the freedom to follow your own rhythm and pace, the small conversations with strangers, some that you have mandatorily as you have no other option, while others you have just because you feel like it, the quiet moments of noticing details you’d miss with company. This is what I love the most about solo-travel, it pushes you out of your comfort zone, makes you communicate better, and makes you appreciate the passion that you have for something, as it is not something one would do if they really don’t want to do it. Leeds offered the perfect balance of culture, food, history, and relaxation, all in one manageable day and under £50.

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