Retirement homes in Leeds - McCarthy Stone

Retire to Leeds

Retirement living in Leeds

This unofficial capital of Yorkshire, Leeds is a lively city packed with arts, culture, history, gorgeous green spaces and community spirit.

Leeds, West Yorkshire, is a cultural hub, filled with art, museums, galleries, a famous rock festival and a vibrant independent retail and food scene as well as prestigious national restaurant brands like The Ivy, Leeds, shopping centres to rival Knightsbridge, like Trinity Leeds, The Corn Exchange, Queens Arcade and Victoria Quarter and fantastic green spaces like Roundhay, Woodhouse Moor and Woodhouse Ridge, as well as a big-hearted outgoing community spirit, that makes it just perfect for retirement living.

McCarthy Stone Developments near Leeds

A viaduct looming over the countryside outside of Leeds

Surrounding areas

Leeds is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales, including the heathered landscape of Ilkley Moor – the charming spa town of Ilkley, also has a lovely lido.

The famous 215-mile Trans Pennine Trail is also close by – try the section between Leeds and Wakefield.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park makes for a fantastic day trip. Near to Wakefield, it is a great place to spend the day. Take a picnic and enjoy exploring the superb sculptures from Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. There’s even a birdhouse by the lake if you fancy a bit of birdwatching.

There are also plenty of picturesque small towns and village on the outskirts of Leeds, like Knaresborough with its iconic viaduct and ruined castle, Harrogate with the famous Betty’s tea rooms and Haworth, home to the Bronte sisters.

Transport and connections

From our retirement apartments, Leeds it’s extremely easy to access the rest of the UK. Leeds train station offers direct routes all over the country. The fastest direct Leeds to Huddersfield train takes just 20 minutes and the regular Leeds to Bradford train takes around the same time. Leeds to Manchester take an hour by rail. The direct Leeds to London train takes just over 2 hours.

If you want to explore some of the other great Northern cities by road, Leeds to Sheffield is less than an hour via the M1, Leeds to Nottingham take an hour and half.

For international travel, you can catch a ferry from Hull - Leeds to Hull can be reached in an hour 20 via the M62. Or you can reach hundreds of holiday destinations from Leeds Bradford airport.

Community

Leeds is a friendly place with community spirit in spades and plenty of social events. As well as the famous Reading and Leeds festivals, there’s the annual Leeds Lit Fest, the North Leeds Food Festival, an annual event at Roundhay park with world street food and artisan cakes, as well as community events like the fireworks and huge bonfire at Woodhouse Moor every 5th November.

Whether it’s the roar of the crowds supporting Leeds United, or the roar of the crowds supporting rock bands at the Leeds festival this buzzing city is packed with things to do and people to see.

Things to do in Leeds

What with the shopping, theatres, art galleries, museums and independent cinema at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House, you won’t be short of things to do in Leeds.

History buffs will enjoy the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds Industrial museum and Temple Newsam stately home.

Foodies will love the beautiful Victorian Kirkgate Market, which also houses fine dining restaurant Home. Or why not spoil yourself with afternoon tea at Malmaison, Leeds or push the boat out at the eccentric Michelin starred Man Behind the Curtain?

There’s also plenty to explore on foot, from strolling along the Leeds and Liverpool canal to pretty Park Square or the excellent Meanwood Valley trail.