The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds
WHERE
Leeds
What it’s like
A proper old theatre in the city centre for a live show, with Secret Seats from £22 if you fancy a gamble on where you sit.
This is a working theatre, so what your kids do here depends entirely on what's on. It's the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, home to touring shows, and the actual thing to plan around is the programme rather than the building itself. Worth knowing before you book: the site's own FAQ says anyone booking should check the age suitability for that particular show, since a theatre can host anything from panto to something with a much older audience in mind.
The box office itself keeps odd little hours, evenings mostly, Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday from 5.30pm, Sunday from 6.30pm, and it's closed Monday and Friday. That's fine if you're booking online anyway, but don't turn up hoping to buy on the door at random times. If you want to save some money, Secret Seats are the ones to try: £22 flat, though you don't find out where you're sitting until 24 to 48 hours before curtain up. That's a fair trade if you're not fussy about the view.
There's no hot food on site, so factor in eating beforehand at one of the restaurants nearby rather than relying on the venue for tea. A café covers drinks and snacks. It's a strictly nut-free building too, which is reassuring if you've got a child with allergies, though they do flag possible cross-contamination in some items, so it's not a total guarantee.
Access is decent but not complete. There's lift access to most of the auditorium and accessible toilets on the Stalls and Dress Circle levels, but the Upper Balcony has no lift, so if you've booked seats up there with a wheelchair or buggy in tow, that's a genuine problem rather than a minor faff. Parking is a walk away at Q-Park St Johns or Q-Park The Light, both with a 20% discount code, and the train and bus stations are a 10 to 15 minute walk if you're coming in without a car.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Q-Park St Johns and Q-Park The Light
- Wheelchairs
- Lift access to auditorium (excluding Upper Balcony), wheelchair spaces available, accessible toilet with handrails on Stalls
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bus station 10 minutes walk. Train station 15 minutes walk
- The venue is strictly nut-free, though they admit some cross-contamination risk in items served.
- Toilets are described by the venue itself as outdated, with improvements planned over the coming years.
- There's no Changing Places toilet if you need one.
- Group bookings of 10 or more can get a discount, but it varies show to show, so email ahead.
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
It varies by show, but Secret Seats are the cheapest fixed option at £22. You just don't find out your exact seat until 24 to 48 hours before the performance.
Do we need to book in advance?
Book online through the website rather than relying on the box office being open, since it only opens for a few hours on certain evenings.
Is it suitable for young children?
It depends entirely on the show, so check the age guidance for whatever you're booking rather than assuming panto rules apply to everything.
What about parking?
Q-Park St Johns and Q-Park The Light both do a 20% discount, and there's Blue Badge parking too.
Can we get food there?
There's a café but no hot food, so plan to eat at one of the nearby restaurants before or after the show.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Lift access covers the Stalls and Dress Circle, with accessible toilets on both, but the Upper Balcony has no lift, so that's worth avoiding if a wheelchair or buggy is involved.
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