On emerging from Leeds station I felt slightly intimidated. Already I was confronted with the sense of a heaving metropolis; a far cry from the sedate pace of York’s (the city where I study) city centre. However with a friend studying at Leeds University as a guide, I discovered that Leeds is the perfect place for a Saturday wander.

Our first stop was the Corn Exchange, an impressive example of Victorian architecture, built in 1861, converted into a shopping complex in 1990 and hailed as the ‘Covent Garden of the North’. In fact, it was more reminiscent of London's Camden. Shops such as ARK and Exit, small boutiques and stalls, as well as large groups of teenagers dressed in retro t-shirts and black jeans, gave the whole place an indie feel. A brief browse was enough to establish that most of the wares were pretty overpriced and we quickly installed ourselves in the complex’s central café . The building’s high-ceilinged glass roof creates a large, airy space and it'd be easy to while away a good few hours people watching here.

However, it was time to move on and I soon found myself in Kirkgate market; the largest undercover market in the country where Michael Marks first opened his Penny Bazaar which was to lead to the foundation of Marks & Spencer in 1890. Inside, there was an amazing variety of food stalls. Outside, in the open market, there were still more treasures to be discovered. I purchased a watch for two pounds, simply out of curiosity as to how long it would last (it is still going strong).

By this point lunch was in order and we retraced our steps in search of a bite to eat. We happened upon Kadas Café Lounge, situated on Crown Street, near the station. A sign in front announced that the restaurant served North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. As well as humus, kufta, olives and the like, the café serves over twenty different flavours of shisha and the clientele seemed to consist entirely of teenaged couples smoking. We were seated in an upstairs room on benches and cushions and were amused for at least a quarter of an hour by copious graffiti on the walls. The food was delicious and cheap– why no one else thought to partake in it is still a mystery.

To walk off lunch, we headed towards Leeds Town Hall, a striking grade one listed building. As it is still used for administrative purposes, we were unable to enter but we paused at the top of the steps to take in a pretty decent view over the city. Next to it stands the Henry Moore Sculpture Institute. Like the Corn Exchange, this building is a remarkable architectural project which effortlessly mingles the city’s extensive Victorian heritage with modern culture. Formerly a group of neglected Victorian merchants' offices and warehouses which were converted in 1993 into gallery space, the institute is an impressive artistic enterprise and it is worth venturing inside if only to experience its reflective atmosphere. Entry is free and every Saturday at 2 pm there is a free 45 minute guided tour of the museum.

The Henry Moore Institute is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to considering Leeds’s arts scene. Located next to it is Leeds City Art Gallery which describes itself as holding ‘probably the best collection of 20th Century British Art outside of London’. In terms of theatre Leeds also has a lot to offer, most notably the West Yorkshire Playhouse which houses two theatres, three rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and extensive technical workshops.

After this cultural experience it was felt that a taste of Leeds’s renowned shopping experience was well deserved. The first port of call was Primark where any concerns about ethical shopping were sunk under the excuse of student poverty. The shop floor was predictably chaotic but we did leave with some impressive bargains. In contrast, the price tags in Harvey Nichols, reportedly the jewel in the crown of this ‘Knightsbridge of the North’, meant that we were working purely on a window-shopping basis. Overall, it was a real disappointment. The traditionally dressed doorman who opened the door for us on arrival seemed an indication that this would be a luxury shopping experience. However, inside, the shop was overcrowded, hot and stuffy: not the kind of atmosphere to persuade you to whip out your credit card for a pair of £800 Jimmy Choos. Personally, my only purchase was a £1.15 bottle of Evian water bought in an attempt to survive the humidity.

Of course, there is a lot more to any city than can be discovered in one day. But I felt that I had experienced some of the best bits of Leeds and I’ll definitely be back for more.