England · LEEDS TOURS
The good leeds tours go weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 13 to book early, what each includes, and how they differ once you look past the photograph.
Board at Coach Street in Skipton for a gentle two-hour canal cruise with sandwiches, scones, jam, cream, desserts, tea, and coffee. You’ll have your own table, countryside views, and a fully licensed bar for extra drinks. The boat returns to the same meeting point.
“A good experience. Would highly recommend. Crew very welcoming and friendly. Excellent value for money.”
Set out from Coach Street in Skipton for a one-hour public cruise on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. You’ll hear entertaining local commentary, pass attractive North Yorkshire countryside, and return to the same meeting point. The boat has a toilet and bar, making this a handy short outing for families, couples, and anyone with limited time.
“Very informative history narrative on the boat, wish the trip had been longer but appreciate 1 hour would be enough for the kids”
Start at City Square at 11 a.m. and follow a local guide through Leeds’ Georgian square, grand Town Hall, arcades, Kirkgate Market, and Corn Exchange. Guides such as Sarah, Michele, and Jenny bring the city’s industrial and Victorian past to life. The group can include up to 25 people, with time for questions and local tips.
“Sarah was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. She made the tour fun and she certainly included some children who were in our group keeping them interested. Having never been to Leeds before this tour is a MUST to bring the past alive. Some of those on our tour were from Leeds so I’m sure they now know a little bit more about the city in which they live. All in all excellent and great value for just over £20 for two hours.”
Spend about four hours tasting your way through central Leeds with a small group of up to 12 people. Your guide leads you to seven food stops, including Kirkgate Market, street food stalls, the city’s oldest pub, a quirky food shop, and a Yorkshire-style cafe. Lunch is included, while drinks cost extra. Guide Ellen has been praised for her storytelling.
“Don't eat anything that morning Very interesting local knowledge Went to some venues you would normally walk past”
Join an English-speaking local guide at 10:30am for a 90-minute walk through central Leeds. You’ll see Town Hall, Millennium Square, Briggate, Victoria Quarter, Kirkgate Market, and the Corn Exchange, with stories about trade, culture, and city life. Guides such as Sarah and Brianna bring the route to life, but most stops are exterior visits.
“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.”
You captain a private day boat from Coach Street in Skipton after a practical safety lesson. Cruise the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through green Yorkshire Dales scenery, work the locks and swing bridges, bring your own picnic, and return by 4:30 p.m. Boats carry up to 10 people and include a cooker, sink, flushing toilet, speakers, and comfortable seating.
“A great day for all the family we all had a go at steering the boat, a bit tricky at first but you soon get the hang of it. The boat company were very good at explaining everything, we will be doing it again soon.”
Use your phone to follow Captain Bess through central Leeds, from Leeds Art Gallery to Victoria Leeds, Kirkgate Market, arcades, churches, and Town Hall. Solve clues, request hints, pause for food or shopping, and restart when ready. This private, self-guided hunt costs $20.72 per person and ends where it begins.
“Perfect fun day, great treasure hunt fun, perfect way to see a city. Clues were just the right level of hard.”
Join Daisy for a private, English-language walking tour through Otley’s haunted streets. In about 65 minutes, you’ll hear grim tales at the Black Bull, Otley Parish Church, Gallows Hill, and the River Wharfe, while learning about local figures such as Thomas Chippendale. The walk is relaxed, light-hearted, and limited to 35 people.
“Very interesting, light-hearted tour of Otley by a knowledgeable, entertaining host. An enjoyable way to spend and evening!”
Set out from Coach Street in Skipton for a three-hour canal cruise aboard a traditional barge. You’ll enjoy a roast dinner, pass historic canal sites and Yorkshire countryside, and buy drinks from the onboard bar. The boat carries up to 46 people and 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 Brit Movie Tours for a four-hour trip from central Leeds to Emmerdale’s original filming locations. With a registered guide, you’ll visit Esholt, Otley, Leathley, the former Emmerdale village, Emmerdale Farm and the Woolpack pub. This tour covers the locations used before 1997, not the current TV set.
“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 at Leeds City Square at 1 pm for a three-hour walking food tour led by Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours. You will visit four popular Indian restaurants, tasting dishes such as gol gappe, dosa, pakora, and kulfi. The group is limited to 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”
Meet Linda at Ripon Obelisk at 11:00 am for a three-hour food walk through one of England’s smallest cities. You’ll visit five independent venues, taste a full lunch, see Ripon Cathedral, and hear local stories while supporting small businesses. The tour runs in English for groups of up 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!”
Board Skipton Boat Trips’ adults-only Drinks Ahoy cruise for about two hours on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. You’ll hear canal stories, pass historic sites, enjoy table-served drinks, and return to the wharf. The boat holds up to 46 people, with optional graze boxes available and English-language service.
“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.”
Start from a city, a castle or a pair of boots.
