A visit to Leeds’ Kirkgate Market is an essential experience if you are visiting the city of Leeds. This bustling marketplace boasts of over 800 stalls selling everything from fresh fish and fruits and vegetables to clothes and shoes. It is the largest covered market in Europe and dates back to 1822. The ornate halls of the Kirkgate market house many a story. You would be surprised to know that world-renowned Marks & Spencer first started its operations as a penny bazaar here in 1894.

Today it is possible to spend hours roaming around the market selecting fresh fruit and vegetables, sampling artisan cheeses, freshly-baked breads and cakes. The Kirkgate Market is perfect if you want to stock up on grocery or haberdashery supplies. But if you’re a visitor, then it also perfect to shop around for a picnic – fresh olives, fragrant herbs, warm cakes just out of the oven, and home-made jams call out to tourists like nothing else.