Leeds Dock, once a busy industrial hub on the edge of the city centre, is now one of the most popular places to live, work and relax in Yorkshire’s biggest city. Home to world-class museums, an array of businesses, cafes and bars, it’s an area that is constantly evolving. No matter what changes the dock is going through, one thing is for sure – it’s a brilliant place to discover when visiting Leeds.
From the best places to eat and drink to our suggestions for things to do, here’s our guide to exploring Leeds Dock.
A brief history of Leeds Dock
Leeds Dock dates back to 1843, when it was built to help transport goods along the Leeds Liverpool Canal and the River Aire. Chief among the materials moving the dock was coal, which arrived in Leeds from nearby collieries such as Rothwell, where you will now find a lovely country park.
The dock became one of the most important economic hubs in Leeds, helping to drive the city’s growth during the Industrial Revolution. However, as the importance of canals waned and British industry suffered from generations of decline, the dock’s fortunes took a turn for the worst. By the 1990s, much of the area was a wasteland, packed with empty, derelict buildings.
However, the arrival of the Royal Armouries Museum in 1996 marked the start of a new era for Leeds Dock. The museum attracted visitors from across the country, and it wasn’t long before more construction projects began.
In the mid-2000s, the entire dock was transformed into a mixed-use residential and retail space. The construction of hundreds of waterside flats, as well as shops and eateries, gave the area a new lease of life.
Today, Leeds Dock is one of the city’s most popular residential areas, home to over 5,000 people. The dock boasts cafés, bars and – of course – the Royal Armouries Museum. For those looking to escape the city, the dock also offers great access to some of the best walks in the city.
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How to get to Leeds Dock
By car
Just a short drive from Junctions 3 and 4 of the M621, Leeds Dock is easily accessible by car.
Once you arrive at the dock, parking is simple – there is a multi-storey car park run by CitiPark. With 1500 spaces, there is plenty of room – we have never seen it anywhere near full. The car park is a favourite among families visiting the Royal Armouries Museum, which is just one minute’s walk away.
Prices at CitiPark Leeds Dock start from £2.50 for 1 hour, with a 24-hour ticket costing £13.
Thinking of street parking? Here’s our advice: Whilst it can be tempting to try and save money by street parking near Leeds Dock, we do not recommend it. Most of the streets surrounding the dock are either residents’ parking only, or do not allow parking. On the quieter back streets, cars can be a target for break-ins.
By bus
For those travelling by bus, Leeds Dock is easily accessible – Leeds Bus Station is just a 10-minute walk away. As well as being the hub for local buses, the bus station serves as the main interchange for long-distance National Express coaches. Megabus and FlixBus stops are also nearby.
Meanwhile, the 29 service, which is run by Yorkshire Buses, stops at Leeds Dock. The 29 bus runs every hour, and fares are currently capped at £2 for a single ticket.
By train
The nearest train station to Leeds Dock is Leeds Train Station, which is just a 20-minute walk from Leeds Dock.
The walking route from the train station can be very pleasant, taking you from the cobbles of Dock Street to the riverside walk along Brewery Wharf. For our suggested walking route to Leeds Dock from Leeds Train Station, click here. Remember to leave the station via the south exit, not the main exit.
Whilst the walking route to the dock is great, we think there’s an even better way to travel – by water taxi.
From Leeds station to Leeds Dock by water taxi
The famous Leeds Water Taxis travel directly to Leeds Dock from Granary Wharf, a stylish waterfront district just a stone’s throw from Leeds train station.
Painted a bright yellow in the style of a classic New York taxi, the two tiny boats are named Twee and Drie. Each vessel can carry up to 12 passengers, with a journey between Leeds Dock and Granary Wharf lasting around 12 minutes. On a sunny summer’s day, there’s no better way to arrive at the dock.
As of July 2023, The water taxis run between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Sunday. A one-way trip on the Leeds Water Taxi costs £2.
Top Tip: To help you plan your journey, the TaxiTrak website shows the live location for Twee and Drie.
Where to eat and drink at Leeds Dock
From breakfast to dinner, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat at Leeds Dock. Here’s the run down, with a few of our recommendations included:
1: Mumtaz
Best for: Big group dining
Mumtaz, located on the waterfront overlooking the canal boats, is an Indian restaurant that has gained popularity among large groups. It frequently caters for weddings and family celebrations, with a menu packed full of favourites – from Karahi Lamb to biryani. Mumtaz is at its best in the evening, when it is packed with diners. Note: They do not serve alcoholic drinks.
2. Fearns
Best for: An imaginative food menu
A newcomer to Leeds Dock, Fearns sits on the ground floor of newly-opened Department, a plush co-working space at the end of the pedestrianised Boulevard. The menu at Fearns showcases the best of Yorkshire cuisine, offering everything from Sunday roasts to pulled lamb flatbreads or deep-fried tofu.
3. The Masters
Best for: A post-museum lunch
The Royal Armouries café, The Masters, boasts a small terrace of tables overlooking Leeds Dock. There is plenty more room inside, where simple wooden tables are often packed with families. During the summer months, an additional second-floor location provides extra space for the influx of visitors. The café serves a small menu of sandwiches, salads and pub favourites and – like Pizza Express – it is often busiest at weekends.
4. North Star
Best for: Independent coffee
For the best coffee at Leeds Dock, head straight to North Star. This neighbourhood favourite has been roasting coffee in Leeds since 2013, and the café is their flagship venue. Alongside the café’s stellar drinks menu, the North Star also boasts a talented kitchen – brunch here is a Leeds institution.
We recommend: For the best of North Star’s cooked dishes, check out the French Toast or House Beans. Meanwhile, if baked goods are your thing, the Morning Buns are always excellent.
5: Pizza Express
Best for: Reliable, unpretentious Italian food.
Pizza Express, the popular chain restaurant, serves Italian classics from its ground floor hub opposite the entrance to the Royal Armouries Museum. Whilst it can be quiet during the week, Pizza Express is a popular haunt for weekend visitors. This is particularly true on a hot day, when their outdoor seating area makes for a pleasant spot to enjoy an al-fresco lunch and a glass of wine.
6. Coffee Synthesis coffee pop up
Best for: Speciality coffee next to the canal
For those heading on a walk down the canal from Leeds Dock, keep an eye out for Coffee Synthesis. This humble coffee van is open from 8am to 3.30pm from Monday to Friday, and until 4.30pm at the weekend. What it lacks in size, Coffee Synthesis more than makes up for with the quality of its drinks.
Top Tip: Try the Aeropress coffee.
7. The Canary
Best for: A post-work drink on a sunny day
Occupying a prime spot on the waterfront, The Canary has firmly established itself as the most popular bar near Leeds Dock. With a stylish terrace overlooking the water, The Canary is a perfect place to enjoy a drink on a sunny day. The bar, which is housed in two old shipping containers, offers a series of regular events, from pub quizzes to Sunday acoustic sessions.
8. Street Food Stalls
Best for: A delicious midweek lunch
To feed the hungry office and home workers around the docks, a regular rota of street food stalls sets up home next to the Tesco Express. From Greek classics to indulgent burgers, the food here is a lunchtime favourite – expect a small queue during peak times. To get the latest news on street food at Leeds Dock, check out their schedule.
Top Tip: Try the pulled pork sandwich from Twisted Kitchen. Sublime.
Things to do at Leeds Dock
1. Visit the Royal Armouries Museum
The internationally-renowned Royal Armouries Museum is free to enter and boasts five floors packed with fascinating exhibitions. Stand-out artefacts include elephant armour and Henry VIII’s foot combat armour, forged for the Tudor king to wear at the infamous Field of the Cloth of Gold tournament.
The Royal Armouries has a regular program of events, including daily combat shows and firearms demonstrations during the school summer holidays. The museum also hosts numerous private events throughout the year. These range from Christmas parties for local businesses to university graduation ceremonies. Whatever the occasion, the Royal Armouries is one of the top destinations in Leeds.
2. Go wild swimming at Leeds Dock
Two or three days a week, the wild swimming experts at Love Open Water offer supervised sessions at the far end of Leeds Dock. Whilst swimming at the dock is particularly popular on sunny summer mornings, the group meets all year round. Yes, even during the winter months, when wetsuits are definitely needed.
3. Try Paddleboarding
Leeds Dock Paddle Boarding are regular visitors to Leeds Dock. They offer sample sessions for complete beginners, as well as more advanced meet-ups. Occasionally, the paddleboarders share the dock with canoes. Canoes typically appear on the dock during the school summer holidays, when families can hit the waters as part of their visit to Leeds.
4. Visit the Hold Fast Bookshop
In the bowels of a large barge, the Hold Fast Bookshop is a charming new addition to Leeds Dock. With a collection of used and new books of all genres, this floating gem has attracted plenty of attention since it opened in 2022. The shop also sells a range of houseplants, making it a perfect spot for a wholesome shopping trip when visiting the dock.
Read next: What to do in Knaresborough, one of our favourite day trips from Leeds.
5. Spot celebrities at Leeds Dock
Update: Sadly, Steph’s Packed Lunch – referenced below – stopped filming at Leeds Dock towards the end of 2023. The below reference serves as a reminder of the celebrity-spotting days.
Leeds Dock is home to Channel 4’s flagship lunchtime show, Steph’s Packed Lunch. The show boasts a regular roster of celebrity guests, many of whom arrive on foot. Usually, one or two photographers are stationed outside the studio doors – a sure sign that someone of (relative) note is in town. If you want to try your hand at celebrity spotting, we recommend hanging around just after 2pm, when the show wraps its filming for the day.
6. Go on a walk down the canal
Leeds Dock makes for a perfect starting point for a wander down the canal. We recommend the 5-kilometre round trip to Thwaite’s Mill, a charming old watermill now home to a small museum. Click here for more ideas for walks from Leeds city centre.
Three of the best events at Leeds Dock
Leeds Dock has a packed calendar of events, from weekend festivals to medieval throwbacks. Here are three few of the best:
1. The annual waterfront festival
The busiest weekend of the year at Leeds Dock is the Leeds Waterfront Festival. This citywide celebration of the city’s canals, docks and rivers has a number of hubs, with the dock being one of the busiest.
Thousands of spectators flock to the dock on Saturday when dragon boat racing draws the crowds as dozens of teams compete for glory.
Meanwhile, the northern heats of the British Street Food Awards take place on both Saturday and Sunday. The air is filled with the smoke from the chefs and the conversations of hundreds of hungry attendees, before the winner is announced at the end of the weekend.
2. Jousting at the Royal Armouries
A highlight of the calendar for the Royal Armouries Museum is the annual jousting tournaments, which are typically held on bank holidays. Jousters travel from all over the world to compete in this dramatic combat display, with the action taking place in the museum’s custom-built jousting arena.
Tickets for the jousting typically cost from £5 to £20, with the latest events highlighted on the museum’s website.
3. Light Night
Light Night is one of the most popular events of the year in Leeds. For one weekend a year, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the city to enjoy the “UK’s largest annual arts and lights festival.” From Millenium Square to the popular Briggate shopping district, the city comes to life with dozens of dazzling light shows, art installations and live performances. Leeds Dock always plays host to one of the main exhibits, with previous highlights including glowing Knights and Luke Jerram’s mesmerising Museum of the Moon.
Read next: 10 of our favourite things to do in Saltaire, just a short train journey from Leeds Dock.
Where to stay at Leeds Dock
There is just one hotel at Leeds Dock – the ever-reliable Holiday Inn Express. Located directly opposite the entrance to the Royal Armouries Museum, the hotel is ideally situated for exploring everything the dock has to offer. Doubles start from £59 a night.
Once you’ve explored every last corner of Leeds Dock, we recommend heading out into the city. From world-class restaurants to boutique shops, there’s plenty more to discover. If you’re lucky enough to be staying for a few days, here are our suggestions for some of the best things to do during your short break in Leeds.