From exciting events to outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone when you catch the summer with First Bus.
Summer has landed and it’s time to fill up your calendar with things to do. Whether you’re looking to keep the kids busy, catch up with your friends or plan your next date night, making the most of the longer days is perfect when you travel with First Bus. Don’t forget to download the app, making it even easier to plan your trip, buy tickets and track your bus in real-time.
For catch ups with mates
Sip cocktails alfresco
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
Thor’s Tipi is back for its first-ever summer pop-up, bringing drinks, live music and street food to City Square from Friday 14th June to Sunday 8th September 2024. They’ve even installed a big screen so you can catch all the summer’s sporting action, from the Euros and Wimbledon to the Olympics and Tour de France. Got the kids in tow? They’ll be kept busy with outdoor games and easels.
Where is it? Thor’s Tipi, City Square, Leeds, LS1 2HA.
Which bus to catch? Thor’s Tipi is at City Square, so a number of buses will take you where you need to be!
Find out more: leeds-list.com
Feast on street food
There’s more outdoors fun to be had over at The Junction, thanks to their Street Food Saturdays series. Taking place from 3pm to 8pm every Saturday from 8th June to 27th July 2024, rotating street food vendors will descend on the Grade-II listed viaduct, along with pop-up bars and local artists. With the likes of Little Bao Boy, Hoi Polloi and Homeboy Pizza all confirmed, it’s set to be properly tasty.
Where is it? The Junction, The Exchange, Whitehall, Leeds, LS12 1BU.
Which bus to catch? Whether it’s the 55 or the 75, you can jump off at Globe Road and walk a quick 5 minutes up to the Viaduct.
Find out more: leeds-list.com
Sample beers from around the globe
Beer-lover? Here’s a date for your diary. Leeds International Beer Festival returns to Kirkstall Abbey from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th September 2024.You’ll get to sip your way through ales from 10 different brewing companies, while munching on street food and listening to live music, all within the historic ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monastery. It doesn’t get better than this.
Where is it? Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3EH.
Which bus to catch? The 33 or 34 will drop you just outside Kirkstall Abbey.
Find out more: leedsbeer.com
Catch the Northern Superchargers in action
Credit: Ashley Allen – ECB/ECB via Getty Images
The Hundred returns to Headingley this summer for its fourth season, bringing four can’t-miss game days to Leeds. This year the Northern Superchargers have some huge names on the team sheet, and England legend Freddie Flintoff is stepping up as the men’s coach for the first time. With live music, DJ sets and entertainment on top of two games of cricket, it’s always an epic day out.
Where is it? Yorkshire Cricket Ground, St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BU.
Which bus to catch? The 19, 19A, 56, 91 all stop at Langdale Avenue outside the Cricket Ground and Headingley.
Find out more: thehundred.com
Discover a virtual world
Looking for something different? Head to The Park Playground to tackle an escape room with a twist – you’re in a virtual reality. There are seven games to choose from, and each one sees your group don VR headsets, immersing you in a thrilling new world. Will you fight zombies, test your bravery or even turn on each-other, Traitors-style? You can even grab a drink in the bar afterwards!
Where is it? The Park Playground, Falcon House, Walter Street, Burley, Leeds, LS4 2BB.
Which bus to catch? The 34 will drop you at Cardigan Fields, where The Park Playground is located.
Find out more: theparkplayground.com
For your next date night
Pick your own strawberries
There aren’t many activities more wholesome than picking strawberries, and you can do just that at Kemps Farm in Horsforth. It’s easy – grab a basket, follow the farm map and pick your fruit! At the end, you’ll weigh your haul and pay for what you’ve collected. They grow multiple varieties of strawberries and raspberries, so there’s always something ripe and ready for picking.
Where is it? Kemps Farm, West End Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5ES.
Which bus to catch? Get off the number 27 bus at Layton Rd Bayton Lane, less than 10 mins from the farm.
Find out more: leeds-list.com
Enjoy an ice cream in the park
Sprawling across 700 acres, Roundhay Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. You can explore the woodlands and look out for hidden follies, but you can’t beat simply grabbing and ice cream and enjoying the views. Head to The Lakeside Cafe to order a few scoops, then sit and soak up the sun by the water side. It’s quaint, pocket-friendly and undeniably romantic – what’s not to love?
Where is it? The Lakeside Cafe, Roundhay Park, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2JL.
Which bus to catch? The 2 or the 12 will take you to Roundhay Park to start your walk.
Find out more: thelakesidecafe.co.uk
Catch a film outdoors
There’s plenty going on in Millennium Square this summer, from big screens showing the footy, to live open air gigs. But from Wednesday 24th to Friday 26th July it’s all about the cinema, with 11 top titles aired on the outdoor screen. From Barbie and Moulin Rouge to Amelie and Stop Making Sense, there’s something for everyone. Which one will you go for?
Where is it? Cinema on the Square, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD.
Which bus to catch? There are plenty of stops to choose from, but we recommend the 5A which drops off at Civic G just outside the square.
Find out more: millsqleeds.com
Practise your swing
Fancy yourself the next Rory McIlroy? Step up to the tee and show what you’re made of at Cookridge Hall’s driving range. You’ll get to swing and hit (hopefully) golf balls out over stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales, trying to hit a range of targets. There’s also an area for chipping and bunker practise, and a huge putting green. There’s even a sports bar, so you can cosy up indoors afterwards.
Where is it? Cookridge Hall Golf Club, Cookridge Lane, Cookridge, Leeds, LS16 7NL.
Which bus to catch? The number 6 and number 8 stop at Cookridge Lane, less than 10 mins from the driving range.
Find out more: cookridgehall.co.uk
Soak up the sun on a terrace
When the sun’s out, you can’t beat a trip to a beer garden. Chapel Allerton’s The Woods is home to not one, but two outdoor areas, including a stunning roof terrace. Grab a pint of Virtuous or a glass of Sauv Blanc and while away the day. If you get peckish, there’s a pizza menu packed with weird and wonderful toppings – raclette cheese with potatoes and rosemary, anyone?
Where is it? The Woods, 5 Stainbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3PG.
Which bus to catch? The 2, 3 and 3A stop off at Harrogate Road/Ingle Row, just round the corner from The Woods.
Find out more: cookridgehall.co.uk
For family outings
Discover stories brought to life
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
A trip to Abbey House Museum is always fascinating, as you wander Victorian streets and discover what life was like in 19th century Leeds. This summer holidays, the museum is bringing all your favourite stories to life, so you can hunt down characters and items from fairytales, nursery rhymes and modern classics while you travel back in time. Storybook-themed dress up encouraged!
Where is it? Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3EH.
Which bus to catch? Get the number 50 bus and hop off at Morris Avenue.
Find out more: museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
Enjoy a stroll in the great outdoors
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
Nothing beats a leisurely walk on a sunny day, and if you head to the outskirts of Leeds you’ll find Yeadon Tarn – a 17-hectare park with a huge boating lake at its centre. Wander around the lake and watch the watersports, sprawl out on the grass with a picnic, or spot the planes flying overhead. There’s also a BMX track and a playground, so the kids have plenty of ways to blow off steam!
Where is it? Yeadon Tarn, Cemetery Road, Yeadon, LS19 7UR.
Which bus to catch? Jump on either the 27 or the 34, which drops off at Windmill Lane, just a stone’s throw from the Tarn!
Find out more: leeds.gov.uk
Visit one of the UK’s smallest cinemas
Credit: Leeds Museums and Galleries
Did you know there’s a 1920s cinema hidden inside Leeds Industrial Museum? That’s right, and with 24 seats, it’s one of the smallest cinemas in the UK. Visit the tiny Palace Picture House during the summer holidays and you can catch daily screenings of family films, all included in the museum admission charge. Be sure to explore the wider museum for a deep-dive into Leeds’ industrial past.
Where is it? Leeds Industrial Museum, Canal Road, Leeds, LS12 2QF.
Which bus to catch? You can get the 14 to Canal Rd Forge Lane and it’s a 3 minute walk, or the 49 will drop you off at Burley Rd opposite Cardigan Road, Hyde Park and it’s 13 minutes on foot from there.
Find out more: museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
Play a life-sized board game
Credit: Tom Martin
The world’s first-ever city-wide version of everyone’s favourite board game is landing in Leeds this summer. Get ready to solve puzzles, hunt down clues and snap selfies with giant game tokens, as famous landmarks are transformed for the MONOPOLY Leeds Takeover. Catch it from Saturday 27th July to Sunday 1st August 2024, popping up at locations across the city centre.
Where is it? At various locations across Leeds city centre.
Which bus to catch? The activation is taking place across the whole city, so a number of buses will take you where you need to be!
Find out more: leeds-list.com
Enjoy a nature walk & a trip to an urban farm
© Copyright Leeds-List 2024
Embrace the great outdoors with a leisurely stroll down The Meanwood Valley Trail. Kick things off at Golden Acre Park and you can amble your way back to the city centre. The whole route takes around two hours, but you can take it at your own pace. Stop off at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm and you can feed the animals, learn all about husbandry and grab something tasty at the cafe.
Where is it? Meanwood Urban Valley Farm, Sugar Well Road, Leeds, LS7 2QG.
Which bus to catch? We recommend the X84 towards Golden Acre Park where you can start the trail all the way back down towards Leeds city centre.
Find out more: meanwoodvalleytrail.co.uk
Catch the summer with First Bus
Getting around the city by bus could be cheaper than you think, with Single tickets from as little as £1.70. Handy Tap On Tap Off technology helps you pay like a pro, working out the best value fare based on how often you travel. Download the First Bus App to enhance your journey even further.
- Map out your adventure with Journey Planner
- Track your bus live on a map
- Buy a wider range of tickets
