Leeds sits proudly within Yorkshire, which has more national parks than any other region in the UK and so offers visitors plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton, Wakefield (tel: (01924) 832 631; website: www.ysp.co.uk) is home to modern and contemporary art set within 2 sq km (500 acres) of wonderful 18th-century parkland.

Wine lovers should head out to Leventhorpe Vineyard, Bullerthorpe Lane, Woodlesford (tel: (0113) 288 9088; website: www.englishwineproducers.com/leventhorpe), the country's most northerly commercial vineyard.

And visitors can pick up the perfect accompaniment to a fine wine at Emsleys' Farm Shop and Visitor Centre, Greenside Farm, Warm Lane, Yeadon (tel: (0113) 250 3060; website: www.emsleys-farmshop.co.uk), which stocks a great variety of local produce; it is possible to tour the working farm and there's an activity barn for children.

A little further afield (a two-hour drive from Leeds) is Scarborough with its long sandy beaches and heritage coastline.