Leeds Town Hall, Leeds
In the 19th century, John D. Heaton, Doctor and social activist, traveled to Europe. He was impressed with the civic architecture on the continent. "Whose town halls are the permanent glory of the inhabitants and the standing wonder and delight." He thought Leeds was "squalid and unbeautiful." It needed a "noble municipal palace."
The competitive nearby town of Bradford, proclaiming itself the "wool capital of the world", had just erected their grand Saint George's Hall. In 1852 the Leeds Town Council held a design competition for a town hall. The winner was Cuthbert Brodrick, a young architect who would go on to design several landmark buildings for the city.
The Town Hall is ensconced at the top of a flight of stairs on a hill made to raise the hall above all else. The main facade faces south. It has a severely recessed portico with ten Corinthian columns, and the 225 foot clock tower. The main entrance is an archway within the portico with three elaborate wrought iron doors.
The other sides also have columns but with two tiers of round-topped windows in between columns and pilasters. The great Victoria Hall has a 90 plus foot ceiling. It has marbled and gilded columns and cut glass chandeliers. One writer described it as "the inside of a wedding cake." In the vestibule is a statue of Queen Victoria.
The Hall was officially opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in September, 1858.
The competitive nearby town of Bradford, proclaiming itself the "wool capital of the world", had just erected their grand Saint George's Hall. In 1852 the Leeds Town Council held a design competition for a town hall. The winner was Cuthbert Brodrick, a young architect who would go on to design several landmark buildings for the city.
The Town Hall is ensconced at the top of a flight of stairs on a hill made to raise the hall above all else. The main facade faces south. It has a severely recessed portico with ten Corinthian columns, and the 225 foot clock tower. The main entrance is an archway within the portico with three elaborate wrought iron doors.
The other sides also have columns but with two tiers of round-topped windows in between columns and pilasters. The great Victoria Hall has a 90 plus foot ceiling. It has marbled and gilded columns and cut glass chandeliers. One writer described it as "the inside of a wedding cake." In the vestibule is a statue of Queen Victoria.
The Hall was officially opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in September, 1858.
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Leeds Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Leeds Town Hall
Sight Location: Leeds, England (See walking tours in Leeds)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leeds, England (See walking tours in Leeds)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Leeds, England
Create Your Own Walk in Leeds
Creating your own self-guided walk in Leeds is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Statues in Leeds Tour
In Leeds, statues adorn various corners, reflecting historical figures and cultural symbols. Some of them are hundreds of years old but still in remarkable condition.
One notable sculpture is that of Robert Peel, commemorating the 19th-century Prime Minister and founder of Britain's modern police force.
On the opposite side of the nearby Woodhouse Moor Park stands the regal Statue of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
One notable sculpture is that of Robert Peel, commemorating the 19th-century Prime Minister and founder of Britain's modern police force.
On the opposite side of the nearby Woodhouse Moor Park stands the regal Statue of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Shopping Venues Tour
Leeds is a shopaholic鈥檚 paradise and a true world of retail scaled down to the size of a downtown area. Compactly located within a walking distance from each other, the city's best boutiques are never far away from an eager shopper.
Here, the biggest brands and small independents are housed in some of the city鈥檚 most iconic buildings. Among them is the historic Kirkgate Market, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Here, the biggest brands and small independents are housed in some of the city鈥檚 most iconic buildings. Among them is the historic Kirkgate Market, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Leeds Introduction Walking Tour
The old Brythonic word "Ladenses" meant "folks of the rapid river." The river was the River Aire that flows through the City of Leeds today. In the 5th century the once forested area of Leeds was part of the Brythonic kingdom of Elmet. The Venerable Bede called it "Loidis." In Welsh it was "lloed", "a place." At any rate, "Leeds."
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles