TRAVEL A WEEKEND GETAWAY ON YOUR DOORSTEP JUSTIN CONNOLLY VISITS LEEDS – A CITY WITH A LOT TO OFFER TO THOSE LOOKING FOR A TOP SHORT BREAK...

What you need is somewhere central, comfortable, and reasonably-priced. What you want, then, is the Novotel Leeds Central. Aside from an early scare with the smart-glass partition between the bedroom and bathroom, which offers a spectacular view of the shower and toilet from the bedroom until a (not all that obvious) switch is flicked to turn the glass wall opaque, our stay was flawless. Helpful and friendly staff, a superior bar and restaurant (more on that above), and a fabulous night’s sleep. And reasonable, too – rooms at Novotel Leeds Centre costs from £59 per night. Visit novotel.com for more details and to book. Address: Novotel Leeds Centre, 4 Whitehall Quay, LS1 4HR Contact number: 0113 3969001. is there are restaurants aplenty within walking distance of the Novotel, and one actually inside it. The Soap Factory, is the hotel’s bar and restaurant. It takes its inspiration from legendary Leeds entrepreneur Joseph Watson and his Whitehall SoapWorks. ‘Soapy Joe’s’ was one of the biggest soap manufacturers in England from 1873-1922. The Soap Factory has a modern, stylish interior design and serves a menu of Great British classics with a fresh local twist, as well as offering a long list of delicious, hand mixed cocktails. After a few drinks in there, we headed out into the city and stumbled into a cosy-looking Greek restaurant on Great George Street called Souvlaki – and it was fantastic. Obviously, it specialises in Souvlaki, that’s kebabs to you and me – special kebabs, though, Greek kebabs. Not being an eater of the meat myself, though, I imagined I’d be a bit stuck, but grilled halloumi is always a welcome standby and it didn’t disappoint. My boy, at 16, can be a bit awkward on the food front, but a chicken kebab is right up his street, and he’s never had better than here. If Greek’s not your thing, there is, in Leeds, something of a burgeoning food scene. Bundobust, for example, hails from Leeds and you could do worse than visit the original. Other spots that come highly recommended include Crafthouse, Angelica, Friends of Ham, Man’s Market, and Trinity Kitchen. One thing Leeds is not shy of is shops. Tremendous shops, at that, and, oddly, very beautiful shops, too. From the modern Victoria Gate centre, with its flagship John Lewis, to the wonders of the utterly magnificent Victoria Quarter next door. It’s a collection of the most stunning Victorian arcades you’ll ever likely see, and home to some of the highest of high-end stores, including Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith. Leeds also has its very own Corn Exchange, which is another magnificent building in its If, like me, the idea of a museum full of guns fills you with equal parts horror and dread, you should force yourself to go to the Royal Armouries Museum, one of the best reasons to visit the city in the first place. It’s huge – don’t leave yourself a couple of hours like I did, give yourself a day. Filled with a colossal collection of human weaponry from down the ages, the museum forces a sobering reflection on man’s ingenuity when it comes to killing other men, as well as an educational trip through the history of conflict, which, sadly, is more or less the history of mankind as well. own right. There are some very cool independent shops, and a hour spent browsing around would not be wasted. You can’t go to Leeds without having a wander around Kirkgate Market, either, where I think you can buy almost anything there is to buy, while at the same time marvelling in wonder at the site of the very first Marks & Spencer.