Leeds is well known as one of the greenest cities in Europe because of its array of public green spaces including major parks, community parks, nature reserves, woodlands and public rights of way.

There are 62 community parks in Leeds. These are local green spaces that contain a variety of facilities such as playgrounds, sport pitches and gardens for local people to enjoy.

No doubt if you’re living near the Universities you’ll have passed through Hyde Park. Whilst it may seem pretty sparse during the cold weather, come spring and summer it will be full of students relaxing on the greens. If the weather is decent as summer 2012 comes to a close make sure you make the most of it and spend some time out in the sun- no doubt you’ll be holed up in the library for a while soon after!

MAJOR PARKS

If you’re looking for more of a day out, Leeds has several major parks that provide a huge variety of things to do for visitors including animal collections, nature areas, playgrounds, cafes, lakes, specialist gardens,
historical landscapes, ancient woodlands and much more.

These are:
Roundhay Park and Tropical World
Temple Newsam Estate and Home Farm
Lotherton Hall Estate and Bird Garden
Middleton Park and Woods
Golden Acre Park
Chevin Forest Park
Kirkstall Abbey

The Potted History of Roundhay Park

In 1803 the entire Roundhay estate was purchased by Thomas Nicholson, who developed the natural features of the park into an impressive country estate complete with ravine, gorge, top lake, landscaped gardens,woodland walkways and waterfalls.

In 1811, Nicholson commissioned work on the mansion which took fifteen years to complete. It was constructed in Greek Revival style and had seventeen bedrooms in total and a drive that was three quarters of a mile long.

The sham castle, known as a folly, was designed in the form of a medieval gateway. Every fashionable park had a folly, as a place of retreat and contemplation. Originally the castle had a wooden roof which allowed for dinners and social activities to take place.

In 1871, Sir John Barran, Mayor of Leeds, acquired the estate for the people of Leeds. On the 20th of September 1872, Prince Arthur officially opened Roundhay Estate as a public park and was cheered on by 100,000 people. The ornate drinking fountain still seen today, was a personal gift to the park and is known as Barran’s Fountain.

The fountain is designed in the classical style of architecture, to compliment the Mansion.New roads and a tramway meant that the park was accessible for all. The increased popularity of the park encouraged new amenities.

In 1894, a vast sports arena and grass cycling track were built. Boating became popular on the lake so a steamboat, the Mary Gordon, took visitors on trips around Waterloo Lake.An outdoor swimming pool, known as the Lido,was also added in 1907. It was very popular and stayed open until the early 1980s.

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Camping doesn’t have to mean eating cold baked beans out of a can. Here we provide you with tips and tricks on how to enjoy the great outdoors with our very own glamping guide.

Top 5 glamping hacks:

1. Bring a pocket shower

If your campsite doesn’t have the best facilities, don’t opt for a baby wipe wash. There are now pocket showers that can turn the camping experience from grimy to squeaky clean. These pockets can hold up to 10 litres of water. Simply hang yours on a tree branch and wash yourself under an attachable shower head.

2. Pancake breakfasts

Who says you can’t have an enjoyable hot breakfast in the great outdoors? Simply prepare your pancake mix and pour it into a zipper lock bag and freeze it. Carry it with you in a cooler bag. Once you are ready, make sure that the mix is defrosted, cut the corner of the plastic bag and put it into your multicooker. All that is left to do is to add your favourite topping and enjoy!

3. Plan your meals

Get a list of recipes together for the trip (check our favourite dishes below!) and then prepare your ingredients at home. Chop and measure them, and then place them in zipper bags with a label for the recipe it is to be used for. You can then enjoy the great outdoors without the stress of prepping the food.

4. Brighten your pitch

Bring solar-powered fairy lights to brighten your tent without the fear of batteries running out. It will be easier to find your tent in the dark if you are returning late and will add a touch of glamour!

5. Turn up the volume

Listening to music around a camp fire? Turn up the volume by placing your phone into a glass. Just make sure you aren’t disturbing any tent neighbours!

The post Beginners Guide to Glamping appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Looking for a satisfying night out with mates or maybe a romantic meal for you and a loved one? Owlerton Greyhound Stadium in Sheffield should be one of the first venues that comes to mind!

Owlerton Stadium is the perfect venue for party goers, couples, families and companies looking for a fun and affordable night out with a difference.  From top class dining with spectacular views of the track, to exclusive packages made for any occasion, you’ll be hooked by the lure of the track.

Although you can have luxury, sophistication and quality dining in the Panorama Restaurant and Executive Boxes, if you would prefer a more casual fun-packed night you can enjoy a night out at the dogs with our great trackside deals and lip-smacking snack bar.

For those of you celebrating a big occasion then add a Celebration Pack to your booking and get a cake, bottle of champagne, sponsored race, balloons, £10 voucher, disposable camera and PA announcement.

Situated just five minutes’ drive from Sheffield City Centre (and only an hours drive from Leeds), Owlerton Greyhound Stadium holds race meetings five times a week – on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Race meetings are held every Monday and Thursday daytime.
Racing is also held on selected Sundays and bank holidays throughout the year. Packages available from only £6 per person.

0114 234 3074
www.OwlertonStadium.co.uk

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This day out is chimply the best!

If long walks and fresh air don’t really appeal to you, then there is a more intense way to enjoy nature! Climb, swing, zip wire and segway your way through Dalby Forest at Go Ape.

With fun and adventure across six sites, Go Ape’s Tree Top Adventure features award-winning high ropes and epic zip wires above a plunging valley, it’s accessible to all though and the friendly and knowledgeable staff members make sure you are well looked after.

This great day out isn’t just for adults either, there is also a Junior Adventure where your little monkeys can negotiate child-friendly obstacles and experience their own adventures.

The tree top adventure has a total length of 888 metres with the highest point reaching 35m and the longest zip wire stretching 250m. However, don’t worry if heights and climbing aren’t your thing, as Go Ape also offers the chance to experience the forest on two wheels with their Segway Experience.

Using a self-balancing electric Segway you will tackle the terrain of the forest in a unique way and really experience something new and exciting. This activity lasts an hour and requires no previous experience (although full terms and conditions should be checked online.)

A real must for adrenaline junkies and adventurers alike, Go Ape will have you and your pri-mates monkeying around for hours!

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Why Study in Leeds?

So you’re a prospective  student looking for the perfect city? The main things to consider should be the nightlife, the activities, the events on offer and the accessibility of the city. With Leeds, you get a thriving city, offering everything you need and loads more. From student hubs to cultural hotspots, from easy-to-use transport services to huge nightclubs – Leeds is the city that you’re searching for.

Leeds City Centre

We understand that the nights out are an important part of student life and Leeds offers every type of night out. Headingley, the student capital of Leeds, boasts a fantastic selection of modern bars and pubs while the City Centre offers just about everything you could want for a big night out. With a range of lively nightclubs, fantastic drinking and dining destinations and just about everything in-between at budget prices. Aside from being a fantastic night out, Leeds City Centre is a world-class shopping destination with high street shops, such as Harvey Nichols, and glamorous shopping malls, such as the Trinity Leeds and The Merrion Centre to mention a few. It’s worth noting that most shops, bars and restaurants will offer suitable student discounts too!

The Student Lock in at Trinity Leeds!

Leeds is a passionate sporting city with popular football, cricket and rugby teams. As a result of this, there are chances to watch lots of sport! However, more importantly, there are opportunities to play sport! With hundreds of amateur football, cricket and rugby sides, a wide variety of surprisingly affordable gyms to join and several sport centres just waiting for you to use them, it is easy for you to stay active while at university. You can see other ways here.

Don’t worry, though. Leeds isn’t just a good night out, a bit of sport and a nice day shopping. It’s a fabulous city of culture with dozens of places to visit including museums, galleries and theatres  – plenty free of charge! The Leeds Art Gallery showcases stunning collections and constantly changing exhibitions while the Royal Armouries Museum is Britain’s national museum of arms and armour! You can see more cultural attractions here and you can see what’s on at the theatre through December here.

With this much going on in Leeds, you’d expect it to be hard to get to each of them. The truth couldn’t be any further away! With buses, trains and various taxi services available all year round, it is easy to get from A to B at affordable prices. Plus most of the action is in the City Centre which is only a ten minute walk from the main universities!

You can find much more about Leeds on this website.

Why Live in Leeds?

Leeds is also a great place for students to live as the city has some fantastic properties available for students.You can find more details on where to live on our property page.

Where to study in Leeds?

Leeds University –

Leeds University

Leeds University boasts a student population of 33,500 students and, as a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities, is considered one of the best universities in the country. The University is located near the centre, right in the heart of the city centre and  You can see their prospectus here or check out their website here.

Leeds Beckett University –

Leeds Beckett University

Formerly Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Beckett University offers fantastic facilities  and teaching for all courses. It is ranked as one of the top universities for any sports-related course and came second in The Times’ University of the Year competition in 2006. With over 25,000 students, the university is popular all over the country. You can check out their website here.

Leeds Trinity –

Leeds Trinity has nearly 3000 students and specialises in specific subjects such as media, journalism, marketing and education. The university offer a professional, relevant work placement with every degree and due to this, 93% of all students are in further education or in employment within 6 months of graduating. Leeds Trinity is also famous for it’s fantastic postgraduates courses in journalism and teacher training. You can check out their website here.

For higher/further education, there are some fantastic colleges and sixth forms such as:

Notre Dam: They offer over 34 A Level Subjects to study and are ranked in the top 10% of sixth form colleges in the country. You can see their website here.

Leeds City College: Leeds City College cater to over 40,000 students and operate out of six main campuses and have dozens of provisions over the region. You can check out their website here.

Leeds College of Art

Leeds Art College: The College of Art offer a range of courses which range from BAs to smaller qualifications. It’s a great opportunity to study in a close-knit community with a creative possibility. See their website here.

Leeds Music College: Leeds Music College also offer a range of short courses and BAs. With an acclaimed music scene and a vibrant student population, it is a great place to be for any young musician. See their website here.

Leeds College of Building: The Leeds College Of Building offers something for everyone with a range of course awarding various different certificates on a variety of topics. See their website here.

The post Why Leeds is the Right Choice appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Walking to the pub and having a few drinks often seems like the easiest and cheapest activity for a student but often turns into a mad night out and an empty pocket. Here at Student Dweller, we’ve decided to take a look at some cheaper and healthier alternatives to alcohol – and at least you’ll able to remember them in the morning!

– Cinema: The cinema is a great alternative to drinking in the evening. But to make things even more interesting why not try Hyde Park Picture House? It’s much cheaper than most of the big cinemas and also puts on independent films that you might not find elsewhere. Visit www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk for more information.

– Go Karting: Become a member at PPI Karting in the city centre for just £3 and be a part of one of the most innovative tracks in the country. Really good for birthdays and special occasions and a great way to get your adrenaline pumping! Take a look at the circuit online, www.ppik.net.

– Bowling: Another classic, bowling is a great activity both during the day as well as the evening. It’s cheap too – games at 1st Bowl in the Merrion Centre start from £1 and Hollywood Bowl in Kirkstall have loads of great offers too! Just try to forget that there’s a bar there though! Check out their websites www.1stbowl.com and www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk for the best times and prices.

– Work Experience: It’s a great idea to try to do something productive with your time especially when you’re strapped for cash. So why not build up your credentials and get some work experience under your belt? It will be invaluable experience for the future, especially in careers like social work, childcare and the media – and you never know, you might just enjoy it…

– Leeds Climbing Wall: The Leeds Wall is a great activity, especially if you want to try something new. On Wednesday they have special £2 student deals at selected times. Take a look at www.theleedswall.co.uk to find out the cheapest times.

– Volunteering: Volunteering for a charity can be great fun and very rewarding providing you choose the right options. Make sure you do a bit of research before signing up.

– The Park: Leeds has a great selection of parks and grassland to explore, but Woodhouse Moor in Hyde Park is the most popular for students. On a summer’s day you have free rein of activities, whether it be sports, sunbathing or a picnic. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk for information about all parks in the city and how to get there.

– Work: Taking up a pen and paper and starting uni work is always a last resort. But it’s cheap, productive and will give you a great sense of satisfaction. Just whack on some inspiring music, make yourself a cup of tea and you’ll be away!

– Leeds Waterfront: The city has a fantastic waterfront, which stretches for miles. You can walk, jog, cycle or picnic there which is why we call it the free gym! You can even volunteer to join in the annual waterfront clean up organized by our sister company Leeds City Dweller Magazine & Aire Action Leeds.
Enjoy & check out Leeds-Student Dweller & Leeds-City Dweller’s Facebook pages for regular
up dates!

The post Alternative Ideas To Drinking in Leeds appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

With summer now very much upon us, we thought we’d put together a little ‘Summer Essentials’ collection.

Whether it’s a romantic day out for two or a garden party with all of your nearest and dearest we have it all under control! It’s understandable that everyone wants to make the most of the long sunny days and not so cold nights, once you have acquired all of the following items you are well on your way to being able to make the most of the coming months.

Picnic Basket Set

Wherever you travel this summer be sure to take the Coast & Country 2 Person Willow Hamper Basket with you. Made from classic wicker and boasting checked lining, the picnic basket comes with everything you need to dine alfresco, including cutlery, plates and a wine opener. Not only is it super cute it’s also extremely beneficial, pack all your faves up the night before and jobs a good’un! No more searching for a cafe to only get there and be ripped off on a sandwich that probably wont even be that nice. Plus you can eat it wherever you want without been tied down to a venue, eat on the beach, the edge of a cliff, middle of a field it doesn’t really matter!

Contains:

2 x Tumbler Glasses
2 x 7″ Ceramic Plates
2 x Knives
2 x Forks
2 x Spoons
1 x Wine Opener
1 x Plastic Salt and Pepper Set

Available from: iwantoneofthose.com

BBQ:

A good old BBQ is the absolute ultimate in summer! If you’re just a rookie BBQ’er then this is just the thing for you. All of you experienced folk out there might have moved on to bigger and better things, we’re not too sure, but never the less this is always a winner. It’s easily transported about so you could even take it camping with you if that’s your type of thing. There’s everything you need to start cooking outside this summer with this barbecue starter pack, comes fully equipped with utensils, BBQ and cover!

Available from: argos.co.uk

Portable Speaker:

There’s no dancing without music!  The Sony SRS-X2 isn’t just small, compact and light, it’s also portable so you get great music satisfaction in and out of the house. The rechargeable battery gives you up to five hours of unplugged listening for when you’re partying in the great outdoors and with a 10-metre Bluetooth range allows you to enjoy excellent wireless freedom without having to sit next to it all night.

Available from: currys.co.uk

Fire Pit:

Yes we know it’s summer but it can still get bit nippy on a night so a fire pit is essential to keep you warm if you want to avoid having to retreat indoors (it’ll also scare away the midgeys). This Caleta Clay Firebowl from B&Q is perfect for summer parties and even roasting a few marshmallows as part of a little midnight snack if you get peckish.

Available from: diy.com

Fairy Lights:

Little fairy lights are the way to bring the inside out and with these little beauty’s from B&Q you’ll achieve just that. They’re battery powered so there’s no need to start pulling the extension leads out! With 20 of these little lamps and  a 5.8m in length span they are sure to light up any party!

Available from: diy.com

Spending your days in the countryside with a cute little picnic and ending with a BBQ filled with food, music, laughs and surrounded by family and friends sounds like a perfect way to spend your summer!

The post Summer Essentials appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

With Leeds Pride 2015 due to celebrate the 9th annual celebration of diversity & acceptance we ask you to show some solidarity and help celebrate the event in Leeds!

Leeds Pride 2015

Leeds Pride 2015 is just around the corner and we can’t wait! The city of Leeds is celebrating this annual celebration of love, equality and diversity on Sunday 2nd August and we’d love for you to join in with the celebrations. The event brings the whole community together and it features a parade, some superb live music and lots more.

While the original Pride marches were a form of protest, years of campaigning has led to the event becoming a fantastic celebration of individuality.

The Parade Stage in the Millennium Square and the Main Stage in Lower Briggate ensures that the event takes over the city of Leeds and the parade will be led by the West Yorkshire Police Band, who will perform hits such as ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and ‘It’s Raining Men’.

The Parade Stage will be headlined by former X Factor star Ray Quinn. Outside his music, the talented singer-songwriter is famous for his acting, dancing and performances on TV as his extravagant performances won him ITV’s Dancing on Ice competition.

Lucy Spraggan is the other huge name performing on the day. The singer also found fame on X Factor when she became the first contestant in the show’s history to score a top 40 single before the shows even aired! Her live performances are practically unmissable and we can’t wait to see her!

Last year, the event saw over 30,000 people attend and every hotel in the city centre was booked for the evening before the event so if you’re looking for a hotel then you need to get booking quickly!

Leeds Pride 2015 takes place on Sunday 2nd August, it’s a free event for all in the LGBT community plus friends and families.

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Check out Leeds Pride’s Website here or check out their Facebook here.

The post Show your Solidarity on Social Media – Leeds Pride 2015 appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Ewe’ll love this great day out in Yorkshire!

In 1992 Paul Theakston had a dream that a brewery with traditional values and rescued equipment could compete with the big companies and their mass produced beer.

Over 20 years since the founding of Black Sheep Brewery, it is clear that the dream became a reality and a visit to hear all about the tumultuous journey makes for an amazing day out.

Taking a “shepherded” tour of the brewery is a must and here you will see the process of brewing in full swing.

Beer will be bubbling in the fermenting rooms that still include Yorkshire Square Fermenting Vessels which were developed over 200 years ago and you will learn all about how Black Sheep brews its award-winning beers; from the selection of ingredients to the science behind the process.

Of course no tour would be complete without trying a few samples, however if drinking on an empty stomach is not for you then grab something to eat first in the aptly named Bistro & Baa…r.

As expected the menu resonates Yorkshire and includes a Yorkshire Beef and Riggwelter Ale pie which is good and hearty.

Make sure to visit the shop before you leave to pick up your Black Sheep branded gifts and a case of your favourite beer.

The Black Sheep Brewery offers a great experience and it is no surprise that visitors keep flocking back.

The post Black Sheep Brewery appeared first on Leeds Student Magazine.

Roomzzz Aparthotels – 50% off all bookings for one day only!

For one day only Roomzzz Aparthotel will be running a 12 hour blue cross flash sale across all their locations including Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds and Chester. They’ll be selling all rooms half price from 8am – 8pm, with bookings being taken until 30th September.

It could mean you could book a city break from as little as £29.50.

Book by calling 0203 504 5555 on 16th July, make sure you don’t miss the 8pm cut off!

“Our nights stay was a treat, when booking to stay away for work again I will defiantly consider the Roomzzz Chain, with premises in Chester, Manchester and Newcastle to name a few. Roomzzz is perfect for any stay away, business or pleasure as you are assured a great level of comfort, value and great facilities all round. Different to a hotel, I think the freedom of an aparthotel was a refreshing change whilst still having the high standards of cleanliness and service.”

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