Best Arts and Culture Places in Kirk Smeaton

"Leeds Art Gallery boasts a stunning glass roof, one of the most impressive collections of 20th Century British art and a colourful new wall painting commission for the Victorian staircase by Lothar Götz – the perfect selfie backdrop. The Headrow, LS1 3AA"

"Situated in the city centre, Leeds Art Gallery offers a fun-filled experience for all age groups. It has been described as “probably the best collection of twentieth century British art outside London”. Its exhibits include:"

"The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, 74 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AH. Founded by Henry Moore himself, who claimed “there wasn’t a single piece of sculpture in my home town” (Castleton) while “Leeds Art Gallery had nothing of any value”, today the institute boasts one of the strongest public collections of sculpture in Britain, and leads an ambitious programme of exhibitions and research designed to ‘make a significant impact on the future of art history’."

"The Henry Moore Institute isn’t just one of the most important galleries in Leeds – it’s one of the most important in the country. It’s dedicated to the study of sculpture, and you can cast your eyes over some of the most celebrated works in the field here. Their exhibitions cover both historical and contemporary works, and they often bring the work of world-class artists like Jean Tinguely, Jiro Takamatsu, Roy Ascott and Gego to Leeds."

"Art lovers will relish the opportunity to explore this extensive collection of the sculpture works of Henry Moore with over 15,000 objects including drawings and textiles on display. The gallery also features a variety of temporary exhibitions from other artists, and it hosts regular evening events, talks and discussions."

"Take the family to the former Tetley brewery in Leeds, which is now home to an art gallery, a whole heap of children’s events and a very family-friendly restaurant. You can stop off for a quick drink after your culture vulture-ing or take your time with a proper sit-down. Their dedicated children’s menu, which doubles as a colouring sheet, offers brunch options like brioche eggy bread until midday, and thereafter it’s all about mains like cheese sarnies or crispy chicken with coleslaw."

"Situated in the former headquarters of the Tetley Brewery, The Tetley is a transformative contemporary art exhibition space which focuses on education and community engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds. There is always opportunity for discussions about the high standard of art on display, with the hope that it can inspire future artistic talents. The bar and kitchen downstairs is a great place to kick off the discussions over brunch."

"Impressions Gallery, Aldermanbury, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1SD - Visit now. As the leading gallery of photographic arts in the UK, Impressions is making photography accessible, inspiring and approachable for everyone."

"Outlaws Yacht Club is a cool, laid-back bar that serves cheap eats all day long. Pop in at lunchtime and you can bag yourself one of their famous Outlaws Grilled Cheese sandwiches. Served on Leeds Coop bread, it comes oozing with Emmental, farmhouse cheddar, brie, red onion and gherkins for just £5.45."

"A café, bar, record shop and exhibition space, Outlaws Yacht Club is not your usual drinking hole. As looks go, the venue is filled with cool sofas surrounded by artwork, as well as cutesy touches like vintage typewriters and globes."

"According to McGee is a contemporary art gallery found opposite Clifford’s Tower and close to the River Ouse, dedicated to exhibiting the most “exciting artists in the UK” – whether they are established, emerging or just starting out. For 14 years directors Greg and Ails McGee have been displaying a mix of works in their gallery, from sculpture to photography, with prints of the work available for purchase online – selling to collectors the world over. From Goldsmiths and Glasgow School of Art graduates, to rock star and Pop Artist Horace Panter and 1960s legend Doug Binder, According to McGee is “an increasingly well regarded gallery space of note” with knowledgeable and passionate minds behind the project – making it one of the best places to discover something new."

"If you’re young – or young at heart – and have a creative bent then this funky hostel, run by the East Street Arts charity, will be right up your street. Each room has been designed by artists, so expect eclectic styles."

"A landmark hotel in Leeds town centre, Queens Hotel Leeds overlooks the square and is housed in an impressive building that dates back to 1937. This hotel likes to make sure that the elegance and grandeur of the building is also represented through the interior décor and rooms, so expect an exquisite and sophis­ticated stay whilst here. There 6 varieties of rooms to choose from, ranging from a classic room all the way to their priciest and most luxurious room, the QClub Suite."

"This art deco-style building is close to the impressive Leeds City Museum, and is in prime location for some of the most popular attractions in the city. Great for business and leisure trips, Queens has 16 flexible meeting rooms and a Ballroom for up to 550 guests. There’s a variety of shops and restaurants to explore in the surrounding area, but for ease you can dine in at Grilled, which serves up locally-sourced and inspired dishes."

"This Art Deco flagship hotel was built in 1937 for the former London, Midland & Scottish Railway that stands beside Leeds’ train station. Sympathetic restoration has helped it remain popular, mainly with couples and business travellers."

"Perhaps one of the most underrated pubs in Leeds, Veritas on Great George Street is, and will always be, a great child-friendly place to eat. Families are warmly welcomed and although there’s no specific kids’ menu, the main menu caters well for young stomachs with nachos, burgers, sandwiches and tempting small plates. Floor to ceiling windows at the front make it a perfect spot for people watching, while the partitioned rooms with fireplaces create cosy little dens to fend off the world outside."

"Most pubs have seriously upped their food game in recent years (thank you, smoking ban) and Veritas combines a tempting range of real and craft ales with an imaginative yet reasonably priced menu. For every steak and ale pie there’s a sea bass and crab tagliatelle, and the burgers never disappoint. Where: 43 Great George Street, Leeds (near LGI)"

"The home of 2-4-1 cocktails, breakfast, great food deals & amazing nights out. Book a Tipsy Afternoon Tea, Bottomless Brunch or a cocktail masterclass&h ..."

"Fancy Hanks is a welcome addition to York, serving American deep South good mood food. They have an excellent all day breakfast menu that includes an American Breakfast (Two Rashes of Streaky Bacon, Homemade Sausage Pattie, Two Eggs, Home Fries, Toast), Chorizo Hash (Chorizo, Potato, Onion, Tomato, Roasted Pimento Pepper and Scallions stir fried and topped with Chipotle Mayo & a Fried Egg) and Mushrooms On Toast (Sauteed Mushrooms, Parmesan, Pine Nuts, Mixed Herbs, Spinach, Guacamole and a Poached Egg on top of toasted bloomer.)"

"Fancy Hanks is a new and welcome addition to York serving American deep South good mood food. They serve classics such as a Double Cheese Burger, Blackened Cajun Chicken as well as a Vegan Corn Burger. They also do some excellent buttermilk fried chicken!"

"Eat & Drink, Chinese, Thai & Asian"

"Tribeca City Cafe, 2 Park Square E, Leeds, LS1 2NE - Visit now. Proudly serving the businessfolk of Leeds for years, this bright and breezy basement eatery prides itself on local produce, whether that’s artisan breads or coffee from local supplier, Keighley’s Seasons For Coffee."

"Once the richest abbey in the north of England, St Mary's lies in what are now the York Museum Gardens, on a steeply-sloping site to the west of York Minster. The abbey dates back to 1086 and over time became the wealthiest monastery in northern England before it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. Over the next 200 years, it fell into disrepair and was largely dismantled for its stone."

"The park also serves as a romantic backdrop to St. Mary’s Abbey… or what’s left of it. The monastery was first built in 1088 and was among the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. In the 1530s King Henry VIII banned all monasteries in England in 1530s and St. Mary’s gradually fell into the medieval ruins you can see today."

"St Mary’s Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey in York, surrounded by the Museum Gardens and next to the Yorkshire Museum. It was once the richest abbey in the north of England. 575 metres from the Minster.Yorkshire Museum, Museum St, York YO1 7FR, United Kingdom"