England · LEEDS TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 14 leeds tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Settle into a comfortable canal boat at Coach Street in Skipton for a two-hour afternoon tea cruise. You get sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea or coffee, countryside views, a licensed bar, and your own table. The boat returns to the same meeting point.
“A good experience. Would highly recommend. Crew very welcoming and friendly. Excellent value for money.”
Set off from Coach Street in Skipton for a one-hour cruise along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. An English-speaking guide provides funny local commentary as you pass countryside views. The boat has a toilet and bar, with drinks available to buy. Expect a relaxed, shared ride for up to 56 people.
“We got to the boat and then boarded. We had rang before hand to ask if we could bring dogs and where told yes. Where we sat on the boat had very little leg room, so therefore it was not big enough for 2 adults and 2 middle sized dogs. We were very disappointed with the trip. We thought it was not worth the £9.50 each that we paid. We had travelled 1 & half hours for this trip. We won't be going on it again!”
Walk through Harrogate with guides such as Kay, Linda, Jill, or Paul, stopping at independent food businesses for varied tastings, drinks, and snacks. You’ll hear local stories, visit sights including the Royal Pump Room Museum, and finish near Montpellier Parade. The tour welcomes up to 16 people.
“Tour guide was knowledgeable and informative and we would recommend this tour. The locations were interesting and ice cream in particular, delicious!”
Walk through central Leeds with a local guide such as Sarah, Michele, or Jenny. Hear how industry shaped the city, see its grand arcades and civic buildings, visit Kirkgate Market and the Corn Exchange, and finish where you began. The group can include up to 25 people.
“Informative and enjoyable , excellent guide , only suggestion to improve would be to provide earphones and the guide to use a mic , as is done in some other cities”
Spend about four hours tasting your way through Leeds city centre with a guide such as Ellen. Visit seven food stops, including Kirkgate Market, pubs, restaurants, street food stalls, and a quirky food shop. Lunch is included, while drinks cost extra. Groups are limited to 12.
“Don't eat anything that morning Very interesting local knowledge Went to some venues you would normally walk past”
Start near Leeds Art Gallery at 10:30am for a 90-minute English walking tour through central Leeds. A local guide such as Sarah or Brianna leads you past the Town Hall, Victorian arcades, Kirkgate Market, and Corn Exchange, with stories that help you get your bearings.
“What a fabulous tour! My guide was excellent and well versed in the history of Leeds. She was super enthusiastic and engaging and kept the tour moving along really well. Highly recommend. It was a great way to learn and see all things Leeds. I walked away impressed by her knowledge and of how progressive Leeds was.”
Take charge of a private Skipton day boat for up to 10 people. After a practical safety lesson, steer through the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, work locks and swing bridges, and enjoy the Yorkshire Dales at your own pace. The boat has a cooker, sink, toilet, speakers, and comfy seating.
“Really great day out and would definitely do again. Lovely staff who were really friendly. Once you got the hang of it, it was really fun although some of the locks were really hard to open and the needed to 3 of us.”
Join Captain Bess on a self-guided Leeds treasure hunt by phone. Solve clues and follow maps from Leeds Art Gallery through Victoria Leeds, Kirkgate Market, arcades, and more. Pause for shopping, food, or a drink, ask for hints when needed, and finish back at the starting point.
“Perfect fun day, great treasure hunt fun, perfect way to see a city. Clues were just the right level of hard.”
Walk Otley’s cobbles with a private English-speaking guide, hearing tales of the Black Bull, railway navvies, Gallows Hill and a ghostly river death. The one-hour route begins at Otley Market and ends by the Jubilee Clock. Daisy may lead your tour.
“Daisy was an excellent tour guide, strongly recommend to anyone near Otley/Leeds, highlight of my Leeds visit 😊”
Set off from Coach Street in Skipton at 11:00 am for a relaxed three-hour cruise aboard a traditional barge. You’ll pass canal landmarks, Snaygill, and open Yorkshire countryside while enjoying a roast dinner. Drinks, including alcohol, are available to buy, and the boat returns to the starting point.
“Lovely roast dinner on a canal boat. The boat is nice and comfortable. Food is served quickly and tastes delicious. Drinks are offered several times throughout the journey with a good option of alcohol and non-alcoholic options. There is a toilet Read more”
Join a Blue Badge guide on a four-hour minicoach tour from central Leeds to original Emmerdale filming locations. Visit Esholt, the former Emmerdale village, and see the real Woolpack, Emmerdale Farm and other Yorkshire settings used before 1997. The current TV set is not included.
“Going to toilet dangerous could not see much from bus lots or traffic on and could not get near place too much of a rush for old people”
Meet Jill at Leeds City Square for a three-hour Indian food tour through four popular restaurants. Taste gol gappe, dosa, pakora, and kulfi, with enough food for a generous lunch. Groups are capped at 10, and dietary needs can be shared when booking.
“Very enjoyable group tour, we got delayed in joining and Jill was very flexible on ensuring we could participate. The food was delicious and plentiful”
Explore Ripon with local guide Linda, stopping at five independent venues for a lunch-sized tasting menu. See Ripon Cathedral, learn about the market town’s past, meet local food makers, and sample dishes such as chilli crab nachos. Groups are limited to 10.
“Ripon is such a gem in Yorkshire that many people might overlook but by far was one my favorite visits. The local food was amazing and Linda was an absolute pro in making sure I learned a lot of the area and got to meet the owners are each restaurant. What an amazing experience!”
Drinks Ahoy gives you about two hours aboard a wide-beam boat from Skipton Wharf. Expect canal views, music, cocktails, table service, and stories about old warehouses, bridges, boats, and local history. It is adults only, with space for up to 46 people.
“A friend and I throughly enjoyed the Drinks Ahoy Cruise. The atmosphere on board was just right with music loud enough to hear but not too loud that it making talking difficult. The drink choice were spot on and we enjoyed trying the different cocktails. We added a graze box to our night which we would absolutely recommend! There was plenty of choice and for us, it made the evening that much better. The staff were very helpful and certainly know their customer service.”
Pick a city, a castle or a coach out of town.
