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8 budget-friendly autumn activities in Leeds
When the days get colder and the nights get darker, it’s tempting to want to stay in your student home snuggled under the covers with Netflix on and a mug of something warm. And, despite how cosy this sounds, you really don’t want to miss out on all the fun and festivities that come with the autumn season in Leeds!
From grown-up treasure hunts to beautiful autumn cycle routes, here are 8 budget-friendly autumn activities for students in Leeds to enjoy:
An autumn walk in the park
Never underestimate the benefits of a good outdoor walk! From boosting your daily steps to improving your mood and reducing stress, walking has many advantages, and it’s all the more lovely in the autumn when the conkers are falling and the leaves are changing colour. We are very lucky that Leeds has some beautiful parks like Roundhay Park and Hyde Park, so take a leisurely stroll, have a picnic, or enjoy a hot chocolate as you take a screen break and enjoy some precious fresh air. You could even check out local nature reserves like Rodley Nature Reserve or Middleton Park. They're great for nature-watching and experiencing the changing seasons first hand.
A lazy day in the library
A morning or afternoon spent surrounded by books can be really nurturing and relaxing, even when you’re having a day off your studies. Whether you fancy getting your nose behind a good thriller, romance novel or an autobiography, you could spend a cosy day at the Leeds Central Library with a coffee and a cake, or even attend one of their free events or workshops if you fancy it.
A free culture fix
Leeds is not short of an art gallery or museum, many of which are free, or heavily discounted for students. Leeds City Museum offers free admission and features exhibits on local history, archaeology, and more. And, there are low-cost art galleries like the Leeds Art Gallery and The Tetley, which have lots of cool new exhibitions and events for the autumn season. Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills is worth a visit and offers very affordable entry fees too.
A mooch around the market
Strolling around the market is a great way to spend a few hours on the weekend and who knows what bargains you might find for your student home! Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of the largest covered markets in Europe and has been around for centuries. You can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing, electronics, and street food. Leeds Farmers' Market is held on Briggate in the city centre on the first and third Sunday of each month and features a range of local produce, including meats, cheeses, baked goods, and artisanal products. Also, Armley Mills Market is located at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. It offers a mix of vintage items, handmade crafts, and antiques. It's a great place for thrift shopping and discovering unique treasures. For those of you living near Chapel Allerton, the Chapel Allerton Farmers' Market features local food vendors and artisans, making it a great place to discover unique products.
A movie afternoon
Hyde Park Picture House is a friendly community cinema which is open to all and is especially student friendly. They are offering some free fresher’s screenings throughout October on selected films and also offer concession tickets to students for £7.50 a ticket. You can also become a member for even cheaper admission!
A night with fireworks
Although the Bramley Park firework celebration has been axed this year, there are still lots of other options for 5th of November fun! You could visit The New Inn in Eccup or Kirkstall Valley Farm for a low key relaxed night with entry from £2 per person, or head to the Hare & Hounds pub in South Leeds for fire breathers, stilt walkers and mini fire pits! Also,The Myrtle Tavern is killing two birds with one stone this year with a Halloween Fireworks Spooktacular event!
An exploration on your bike
Cycling is a fun, quick and cheap way to travel around Leeds, and with so many awesome routes to try, it will certainly fill up a lot of your spare time if you want it to. Leeds has a network of cycle routes between different neighborhoods directly into the city centre, while lots of the main roads in and out of Leeds city centre have cycle lanes or paths to help make cycling safer. City Connect has a useful cycle map to help you plan your cycling journeys in Leeds and across West Yorkshire, and there are lots of cool bike hire schemes in the city, such as the 3-month Cycle Hire offer for Leeds Uni students and staff from just £22! There is also a new Leeds e-bike hire scheme launching soon via the council, so look out for this too.
A geocaching adventure
If you haven’t tried it before, then geocaching is a real-life treasure hunting game using GPS coordinates, which is lots of fun and a totally free outdoor activity. There is even a Leeds Geocaching Society which you can join whether you’re a newbie or a geocaching expert! Meet some new mates and spend the day navigating your way around the city to find your treasure (well…container!) at the end.
We hope that there is something on our list to interest you this autumn, as well as help you to keep within your student budget! Remember to check the event listings and websites of specific venues for any updates, special offers, or additional activities that may be available during the autumn season in Leeds.