City Square, Leeds

City Square, Leeds

City Square is a massive triangular paved area north of the railway station in Leeds. It is at the intersection of Park Row in the east and Wellington Street in the south. These two make contact with Infirmary Street, Boar Lane, Bishopsgate Street and Quebec Street. Only the General Post Office fronts the square directly.

In 1893 Leeds' Cloth Hall and Quebec House were demolished to create an open space to construct the new General Post Office with a public area in front. The project was completed in 1896. The Council opted for the name City Square since Leeds had just been elevated to city status. It was designed in the style of an Italian piazza.

Dominating the square is a bronze statue of Edward, the Black Prince, mounted on his trusty steed. Edward's connection with Leeds is not entirely clear, but he looks really fine. The statue is by sculptor Thomas Brock.

Four other men are memorialized in bronze: James Watt, engineer; John Harrison, 15th century philanthropist; Doctor Walter Hook, 19th century Vicar of Leeds, and; Joseph Priestly, chemist and theologian.

Dancing playfully around the Black Prince and the four famous men are eight nude nymphs. Four carry lamps in their right hands and flowers in their left hands and are called "Morn." Four others carry lamps in their left hands while their right hands are on their heads. They are called "Even." They have been moved many times but now they dance in a simple arc.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Leeds. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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City Square on Map

Sight Name: City Square
Sight Location: Leeds, England (See walking tours in Leeds)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Leeds, England

Create Your Own Walk in Leeds

Create Your Own Walk in Leeds

Creating your own self-guided walk in Leeds is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Leeds Introduction Walking Tour

Leeds Introduction Walking Tour

The old Brythonic word "Ladenses" meant "folks of the rapid river." The river was the River Aire that flows through the City of Leeds today. In the 5th century the once forested area of Leeds was part of the Brythonic kingdom of Elmet. The Venerable Bede called it "Loidis." In Welsh it was "lloed", "a place." At any rate, "Leeds."

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Statues in Leeds Tour

Statues in Leeds Tour

In Leeds, statues adorn various corners, reflecting historical figures and cultural symbols. Some of them are hundreds of years old but still in remarkable condition.

One notable sculpture is that of Robert Peel, commemorating the 19th-century Prime Minister and founder of Britain's modern police force.

On the opposite side of the nearby Woodhouse Moor Park stands the regal Statue of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Shopping Venues Tour

Historical Shopping Venues Tour

Leeds is a shopaholic’s paradise and a true world of retail scaled down to the size of a downtown area. Compactly located within a walking distance from each other, the city's best boutiques are never far away from an eager shopper.

Here, the biggest brands and small independents are housed in some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Among them is the historic Kirkgate Market, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles