Leeds has a long history which can be traced back threw local archaeological finds to the Bronze and Iron Age. However it was probably the Romans who first began to develop the community in earnest as a significant center of population and evidence suggest that was a military presence along with a civilian settlement.

As with many communities it is also possible to confirm Leeds' existence in 1086 when it merited a mention in the Doomsday Survey which recorded the gift of the Manor of Leeds by the King to Ilbert de Lacy.

In the13th century farming was still the backbone of Manor life although other craftsmen were beginning to make their presence felt and a thriving market was developing but more significantly the wool trade was becoming established. Four centuries later it had grown to such an extent that the town's prosperity was based largely on wool. In addition, Leeds' position on main roads and at the center of an important agricultural area meant it was fast becoming one of the country's most important centers and this was reflected in the awards in 1626 of a Charter of Incorporation.

During the 18th century, the town continued to grow with a population rising from around 6,000 in 1700 to 16,380 in 1771 but just as the wool trade had brought about major changes so the Industrial Revolution meant another major transformation in the city. The wool trade, for all its importance, had relied heavily on the individual, operating largely as a cottage industry. The  advantage of the machine changed all that and new technologies meant that the industry became more centralized and intensive. Large Mills sprang up and more and more people flocked to Leeds in search of work, creating large slum areas blighted by poor sanitation and rampant disease.

The newly intensive industrial face of Leeds also meant that the canal network became important, used to transport goods which would have simply been unable to traverse the poor quality roads in this area, the Air & Calder Navigation Canal was opened in 1700 and others followed, linking Leeds with other towns.

Leeds was now an important city and a population of 88,000 in 1841 had mushroomed to 178,000 by 1901 and the increasing demands of industry and residents alike meant that it also became a focal point for the newly developed railways, Today it remains its position at the center of the area's rail network.

But the 29th century has witnessed plenty of changes, with the reduction of more traditional industries being compensated by the city's development as an important financial and retail center.

Leeds has undergone many commercial changes over the last few centuries, Its original prosperity was based on the wool trade and during the Industrial Revolution it came to rely heavily on the burgeoning mechanized textiles industry, which made it one of the industrial powerhouses of 19th century Britain.

Shopping and tourism have also become a center part of the city's commercial life, its many artistic venues, attractions, restaurants, nightspots and big name stores bringing money into the city and providing large numbers of jobs.

Fairburn Ings - RSPB reserve signposted of the A1 several mile south of Leeds and in the Shadow of the Ferrybridge power station. Former coal workings which are now expansive wetlands on which 240 species have being recorded, 170 - 180 being annual visitors. Includes lapwing, redshank, and snipe. 

The Bird Gardens - Harwood House, also sheared by Yorkshire Television's Emmerdale Village,  seven mile from Leeds on the A61 - 120 species in a peaceful lakeside setting , many of them exotic but many native and part of breeding programs.

Wharfdale - Internationally important dale surrounding Otley, 12 mile north - west of Leeds. Home to a variety of important habitats and animals including endangered birds of pray and threatened upland species.