One of the reasons Leeds is so popular with residents and visitors alike, is the fact that although there’s absolutely loads going on in this trendy, cosmopolitan city, it’s also compact enough that you can walk comfortably from one side to the other. In that sense, Leeds is a really healthy place to spend a day or a weekend as you’ll not only find yourself doing a lot more walking, there’s also some amazing places to work up a sweat or a healthy appetite while you’re here.
Enjoy A Stroll At Roundhay Park
As the biggest urban park in the whole of the UK, Roundhay Park regularly hosts food festivals and large sporting events such as the World Series Triathlon. On ordinary days however, it’s a great place to go for a relaxing walk around its beautiful lake. If you’re feeling energetic, you might want to take part in the fitness classes that take place there or do some hill sprints on Hill 60 – so called because of its extremely steep gradient!
Shop And Pamper Smart
A great little find in Leeds is Millie’s health food and organic store on Vicar Lane. You can treat yourself to a refreshing cold pressed juice while you stock up on healthy snacks such as bliss balls and goji berries to give you long-lasting energy throughout the day. They also have an in-store beauty salon and use only natural and organic beauty products in all their treatments. As if you ever needed an excuse to get pampered anyway!
A Spot Of Lunch
After hitting the shops in Victoria Gate and Briggate, which you’ll definitely want to do on a visit to Leeds – you’ll most certainly have worked up an appetite. Luckily there’s tons of independent cafes and restaurants to have a spot of lunch at. Nestled in the totally Instagram-worthy Corn Exchange building is Humpit, which serve up big bowls of freshly made hummus, falafels and pitta bread that are loaded with crunchy salads and salsa. Global Tribe cafe on Swan Street is another deliciously healthy vegetarian restaurant with some really innovative and nutritious options to choose from. If you fancy something with a bit of a spicy kick, head to Pho in the Trinity Centre. They serve a tasty selection of authentic Vietnamese Pho and curries that are equally healthy and delicious.
Meet At The Barre
Barrecore, which has swept the fitness world with its intensely hard fusion of pilates and ballet is of course a city staple here in Leeds. You’ll find the studio on the second floor of the Sweaty Betty store in the Victoria Quarter, but prepare to ache for days afterwards!
Yoga With A View
If you love yoga, you won’t be short of amazing studios to align your chakras in Leeds. From The Yoga Space just outside the city centre, set in a converted church and probably the most tranquil studio you’ll ever visit, to Yoga Hero’s Skyline Sessions on the 11th floor of the Trinity Centre with the most epic view of the city – Yoga is top of the agenda for a lot of the busy city dwellers here and you’ll end your healthy day in Leeds feeling totally revived.
Thanks for reading! I hope you feel inspired to visit Leeds and enjoy a truly healthy day out.
Article by Sylvie from www.sylviessuitcase.com
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