Well, it seems like the summer heatwave is over - for now at least. Perfect timing, just as the summer holidays begin and all the kids are off school.
We thought we'd get ahead of the curb and start researching some rainy day activities ready for the inevitable midsummer down pour - and aren't you lucky we did.
Keep reading to discover some of our top picks for things to do in Leeds when it's raining, from the best places to soak up a bit of culture to gaming spots and more.
Leeds Art Gallery is packed out with some gorgeous and historically important art works / Image: Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery
This striking building on the Headrow is one of Leeds' most beautiful - containing above its doors the city's oldest civic sculpture: a marble statue of Queen Anne that dates back to 1712. Inside the Grade II-listed building, you'll find an impressive collection of 20th-century works deemed by the British government in 1997 to be of 'national importance.'
Team Sport Go Karting
Adrenaline junkies can't go wrong with a spot of go-karting at Team Sport. After watching a quick safety video and getting all your driving equipment, you'll be in your kart zooming around the court in no time living out your best race car driver life. The track here is state of the art with flyover and electronic timing, so you know you'll be taken good care of.
Jack Rabbits Pottery
Painting pottery is a great way to relax and while away an afternoon when it's pouring it down outside. The way it works at this paint-your-own pottery studio is you pick a piece from one of their creations - be that a jug, a plate, piggy banks, animals, plaques, baubles, coasters - to paint, then one of their team members will guide you through the process to ensure you leave with something you'll be proud to display at home.
Roxy Lanes
If bowling is your thing, you can't go wrong at Roxy Lanes. Here you'll find four full-size bowling lanes, priced at £8/10 per person per game depending on whether it's on or off peak. The perfect way to while away a few rainy hours in Leeds, we're sure you'll agree.
If bowling is your thing, you can't go wrong at Roxy Lanes / Image: Luke Toney 94
Roxy Ball Room
We're pretty spoilt for Roxy's here in Leeds, with four in total spread across the city. Down at Roxy Ball Room on Boar lane, you'll find a whole host of games including shuffleboard, beer pong and 'Roxy golf'. The ideal spot if you want to play games but can't make up your mind - they've got it all going on down here.
The Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries has some seriously incredible artefacts, but the most impressive has to be the 16th century elephant armour on display. Brought to the UK in 1801 by the Governor of Madras' former wife, it's the biggest known piece of animal armour to exist in the world. Find it at The Royal Armouries alongside a host of other ihntriguing displays.
Shuffl at BOX
Shuffleboard fans are in for a treat at BOX, which boasts two of the biggest tables you can find in the city. The sports bar is also known for its cracking pizzas, so if you're heading down might as well make an afternoon of it and get one of their signature chicken katsu bad boys down you whilst you play a few games.
The Hyde Park Picture House
For movie lovers, there's nowhere better to go in Leeds than the Hyde Park Picture House. This gorgeous Garde II-listed building is a local landmark and can always be relied upon to show some solid indie gems. First opened in 1914, it lays claim to the title of the UK's last gas-lit cinena and is a truly iconic piece of history right here in the city.
News
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
A new female-founded business has opened in Leeds and it’s a trinket-lover’s paradise
Clementine Hall
Lisa Angel has just opened inside the Victoria Gate and it’s an Aladdin’s Cave full of jewellery, prints, gifts and everything in between.
The best part? It’s a female-founded brand that has chosen our wonderful city for their first Yorkshire site. We absolutely don't blame them.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has gone from strength to strength every since.
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Shoppers can expect beautifully handcrafted jewellery, unique trinkets and wonderful staff who are open to have a natter.
It's the perfect shop for when you don't exactly know what to buy that someone special, just pop in here and you'll be hit with a wave of inspiration immediately.
We could've genuinely spent a good hour in there and come out with a much lighter wallet.
Lisa herself spoke about the opening: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Managing Director James Moody said: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
Georgina Pellant -
7th August 2021 
