In 2023 alone, Leeds Festival drew in 100,000 music lovers. The event saw a stellar lineup of some of the world’s biggest pop and rock stars, including Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, and The Killers.
Organised by the same team behind the equally popular Reading Festival, Leeds Festival started in 1999 and has attracted huge crowds ever since.
Below, we tell you more about the festival, where it is, and how you can get there by train.
What is Leeds Festival?
What began as the Richmond Festival in 1961, which moved to Reading in the 1970s, soon became much bigger. Over the years, the popularity of the show grew and the organisers added Leeds as a second venue in 1999.
The first shows were held at Temple Newsam, with Blue, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Charlatans headlining the three days. In 2003, the festival moved to Branham Park.
Originally, the bands would perform in Reading first and Leeds the following day before flipping in 2001.
Both festivals are famous for their eclectic musical line-ups. Genres range from rock to punk to metal to hip-hop. The event caters for all musical tastes, with acts playing on multiple stages, notably the Main Stage, the Dance tent, and the NME/Radio 1 Stage.
Festival goers can camp on the site with a weekend ticket. However, for those who don’t want to stay on-site or don’t want to go for the whole weekend, day tickets are also available.
While Leeds Festival was initially a mirror of the Reading show, it’s now become a popular and celebrated music event in its own right.
Where is Leeds Festival?
Situated in the village of Branham, Leeds Festival is located in Branham Park, just a few miles northeast of Leeds city centre.
It’s also the site of Branham House, which was built in 1698. The total area is 500 acres of open fields, woodlands, and landscaped gardens.
How can you get to Leeds Festival?
There are multiple ways you can get to Leeds Festival, whether it’s by car, coach, or plane. One of the advantages of its location is the relative ease of access from other parts of the UK.
From the train station in Leeds, there are additional forms of transport to take you the rest of the way, including buses and taxis.
Getting to Leeds Festival by train
Travelling by train to Leeds Festival is a great way to kickstart your weekend away. There are plenty of major stations that will take you to the city of Leeds, so you can attend the event no matter where you are.
Train to Leeds Festival from London
Catch the train from London Kings Cross to Leeds to make attending one of the North’s biggest music festivals a breeze.
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Journey length: Two hours and 18 minutes
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Journey duration: 168 miles (direct)
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First weekday train: 05:55 am
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First weekend train: 09:05 am
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Journey notes: Services with one change are available, adding up to 20 minutes to your journey time.
Train to Leeds Festival from Manchester
Be part of the Leeds Festival weekend without needing a car. You can make the journey easier by booking a train ticket from Manchester Piccadilly to Leeds.
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Journey length: 50 minutes
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Journey duration: 35 miles (direct)
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First weekday train: 03:52 am
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First weekend train: 08:13 am
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Journey notes: Services with one change are available, adding up to an hour to your journey time
Train to Leeds Festival from Liverpool
Book your train ticket from Liverpool Lime Street to Leeds early to save money on your fare, so you have more to spend at the festival.
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Journey length: One hour and 24 minutes
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Journey duration: 65 miles (direct)
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First weekday train: 05:20 am
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First weekend train: 08:10 am
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Journey notes: Services with one change are available, adding up to an hour and 20 minutes to your journey time
Train to Leeds Festival from Glasgow
Once you have your Leeds Festival ticket, you can then book your train ticket from Glasgow Central to Leeds.
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Journey length: Four hours and 23 minutes
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Journey duration: 179 miles (two changes)
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First weekday train: 04:28 am
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First weekend train: 07:41 am
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Journey notes: Services with one change are available, which will add up to an hour to your journey time
Train to Leeds Festival from Edinburgh
Book your train ticket from Edinburgh Waverley to Leeds and get there on a direct service in less than four hours.
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Journey length: Three hours and 46 minutes
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Journey duration: 163 miles (direct)
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First weekday train: 06:06 am
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First weekend train: 09:08 am
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Journey notes: You can save you up to an hour if you choose a journey that changes trains at York
How to get from Leeds train station to Leeds Festival
Once you’ve got into Leeds, there are numerous public transport options to help you get directly to the event.
From outside Leeds Station, there is a dedicated Leeds Festival shuttle bus service. It runs to and from the event, and you can even book tickets for it via an app.
You can also hail a cab from anywhere in the city. The fare will likely cost you around £25 to £40, depending on how far you need to travel to the festival from the city centre.
Getting to the Leeds Festival by car
The festival is accessible from the North, South, East, and West. Wherever you’re coming from to get to Leeds, make sure you travel to the A1, M1 or the A1 (M).
Leeds Festival directions by car
Here are more in-depth directions you can follow:
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From the south on the A1(M): Signs on the motorway for the festival start appearing at junction 41 northbound.
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Continue on the A1(M) until junction 45. Exit onto Grange Moor/Wattle Syke roundabouts. Turn left onto West Woods Road, then left onto Thorner Road and, finally, right onto Paradise Way. Access the site via Brown Gate.
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From the south on the M1: Signs for the festival start appearing at junction 42 northbound. Continue north and join A1(M) at junction 47. Follow the brown route signs, exiting onto the Grange Moor/Wattle Syke roundabouts to reach the festival.
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From the east on the M62: Start at junction 33 westbound. Go west on M62 and join A1(M) northbound at junction 32a. Follow the brown route signs. exiting onto the Grange Moor/Wattle Syke roundabouts to get to the festival.
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From the west on the M62: Begin at junction 29 eastbound. Head east on M62 and join A1(M) northbound at junction 32a. Follow the brown route signs, exiting onto the Grange Moor/Wattle Syke roundabouts to reach the festival.
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From the north on the A1/A1(M): Start at junction 46 southbound. Follow the white route signs starting on the A1(M). Exit at junction 44, turn left onto Paradise Way. Enter the site via White Gate.
Car parking is often available, but you have to pay for it in advance when you buy your Leeds Festival ticket.
If you’re dropping off or picking up a festival goer, do so at the designated area on York Road (the A64).
There is a one-way system on the A64 for the duration of the festival. The road between the A1 (M) A64 roundabout and the Fox and Grapes pub will be temporarily closed to eastbound traffic.
Getting to the Leeds Festival by coach
Shuttle buses take you directly to the Leeds Festival. You can catch one from outside Leeds Railway Station.
Getting to the Leeds Festival by air
You can catch an aeroplane at Leeds Bradford Airport. You’ll need to catch a cab to the festival, which will take you about 30 minutes.
Travelling to Leeds Festival by train
Start planning your journey now, the earlier you book your tickets, the more money you save.
For the biggest savings, you can purchase a Railcard for just £30 a year, giving you a third off your travel costs.
