Our Top 5 Victorian Buildings in Leeds

Leeds Town Hall

Leeds Town Hall was built in 1858 by Cuthbert Broderick as a symbol of the city’s wealth and as a reminder of Leeds’ newfound status as an important centre of trade and commerce. The building was opened by Queen Victoria during her one and only visit to Leeds.

The building is now a popular centre for entertainment, regularly hosting festivals, competitions, theatrical shows and musical events.

Did You Know?

There’s a previously used police station inside Leeds Town Hall and there are quite a few cells underneath the building. There are even cells hidden beneath the front steps.

Leeds Museum

Formally known as Leeds City Museum, Leeds Museum was built as a Mechanic’s Institute by Cuthbert Boderick in 1868. Such buildings were designed to offer working men an education in technical subjects so that the area would benefit from more skilled and knowledgeable workers.

The circular central hall (Albert Hall) with its balcony and cast iron columns, was originally used as a lecture room. It has since been used as a concert hall but is now home to the City Museum.

Did You Know?

Leeds Museum was officially opened in September 2008 to replace Leeds City Museum. Many of the famous objects from the old Leeds City Museum are on display, including the famous Leeds Tiger. 

Corn Exchange

Another on is Cuthbert Boderick’s architectural designs in Leeds is the Corn Exchange. Situated alongside Kirkgate -the oldest street in Leeds, it was completed by 1864.  Probably one of the most beautiful examples of Victorian architecture in the city, it was built with an impressive glass dome roof to allow merchants to see the corn they were purchasing from traders.

The Grade I listed building is now a popular retail hub of specialist retailers and foodie outlets.

Did You Know?

Corn Exchange is now listed under the Planning ( Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas ) Act 1990 but it was first listed in 1951.

Thornton’s Arcade

Commissioned by the owner of the Old White Swan Inn, Charles Thornton, in 1875, the building of Thornton’s Arcade was opened to the public in May 1878.

One of eight arcades built on the city during the era, Thornton’s Arcade is three stories high with a cast-iron Gothic roof . Inside you will find a large clock with a mechanism created by William Potts and Sons of Leeds. This impressive time piece features four life-sized characters from Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, sculpted by Leeds Sculptor John Wormald Appleyard.

Did You Know?

Thornton’s Arcade was originally designed by Charles Fowler but the final design was completed by George Smith. Drainage issues meant Fowler’s design was rejected.

Victoria Quarter

The last arcades to be built in Leeds during the Victorian period were the Cross and County arcades (now known as the Victoria Quarter)  and they were built by theatre architect Frank Matcham. Designed to stand out from the drab, industrial buildings already present in the city, County Arcade features marble columns, cast-iron arches and colourful mosaics.

The Victoria Quarter in Leeds is now home to some of the most exclusive shops in the city. Here, you will find over 70 luxury shops including Harvey Nicholls,  Vivienne Westwood, Mulberry and Michael Kors.

Did You Know?

Architect Frank Matched, who designed the Cross and County arcades, also designed the London Palladium and Coliseum.

We know there are more than 5 Victorian buildings, but these are most certainly our favourites. Do you agree with our top 5 or would you have included others?

Although they are still together and tour regularly, Queen is one of the most influential and highly regarded bands to come out of Britain.

Whilst front man, Freddie Mercury was fronting the band, until his death in 1991, they were widely regarded as one of the best live performers around at the time.

So when the band came to Leeds in the early 80’s it was no surprise that they managed to fill the 40,000 capacity stadium with ease.

Interestingly, for this specific tour, the band were scheduled to play at Old Trafford rather than Elland Road, fortunately (or unfortunately) enough, the residents of the area surrounding Old Trafford protested the disruption the concert would make.

The people of Leeds were less concerned with this and despite it “sounding as though a Concord was flying ten metres above our house,” the show went on!

The concert began at 4.30pm and went on later than it was scheduled to, which meant that Queen had to pay a fine for every minute they went over.

Here we have a first-hand account of the day, along with some photographs of various items related to the day!

“We got a coach from my home town (about 2 hours from memory) and drank an ocean of lager on the way, by the time we got there we needed the toilet so badly we could have exploded!

We got into the stadium and waited for the first band of the day. Soon enough a not very well known (to me) American band came on called Heart.

They weren’t bad but did nothing for me. Then came The Teardrop Explodes who tried and who I reckoned did quite well despite the flying bottles of liquid being hurled at them from the crowd.

After them was Joan Jett complete with Blackhearts who got the crowd going with “I Love Rock’n’Roll” mainly because Brian appeared at the side of the stage with his daughter to have a look.

Eventually after a long wait the stage lights dimmed and a strange cranking sound started up and then you were suddenly aware of the drum beat to Flash thumping out and spotlights chasing around the stadium.

This went on for a minute or so and the excitement was unbearable. All of a sudden in an explosion of smoke, lights, guitars, drums… Brian, John and Roger are there blasting out the opening part of The Hero.

Seconds later in a gleaming white leather jacket out runs Freddie and it begins… A moment I will never forget along with many others from Queen shows since and before it.

I can’t say which show was my favourite as I loved them all but that moment WAS Queen, the sheer power, the anticipation, the fantastic musical ability and above all else the way they gave people what they crave more than anything… wonderful memories.”