Famous Five adventures in Leeds

Tally-ho chaps and chapettes. In between the bouts of rain, summer's in full swing, so why not take the opportunity to head out for a bit of old fashioned exploring? After all, Leeds is an old city, with plenty of hidden gems just waiting to be found.

Here's our famous five for summer:

What: Queen's Golden Jubilee International Joust
When: Heats and Semi-Finals, 23rd August 2008, 12.30 & 14.30. Final, Monday 25th August 2008
Where: Tiltyard Gallery, Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
Entry: Heats and semi-finals; Adult, £5.
Finas, Adult, £6.50.
More Information Tel: (0113) 2201985

Possibly the most exciting and unusual event this summer is the jousting at The Royal Armouries, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend. It's the Queen's Golden Jubilee Trophy and involves real horses, ridden by real men, waving large sticks. Think Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale. Jousting aside, there's always plenty on at The Armouries and even if you're not lucky enough to catch a birds of prey demonstration, you can head indoors to the museum which is free.

What: Hyde Park Unity Day
When: 16 August 2008, 12am-11pm
Where: Woodhouse Moor, Hyde Park, LS6
Entry: Free
More information Tel: (0113) 293 3698

Or why not jolly on down to Hyde Park Unity Day? Unity Day celebrates all that's good within the community, with events including dance, sports, skateboarding, music and good old-fashioned bingo. Expect smiles and laughter, and the all-round rosy glow from being a part of something that's all-round spiffing fun. Just make sure that you keep Timmy the Dog on a lead...

What: Park Square West
When: Anytime
Where: Park Square West, LS1
Entry: Free
More information Tel: It's a park. The local wildlife don't have phones.

And what about if you just want some peace and quiet outdoors? Leeds is blessed with plenty of parks and green space. Roundhay, Meanwood and Hyde Parks are the obvious contenders for a picnic, but for lunch time or after work sorties, the city centre offers the snug Park Square West, just before the inner loop along Westgate. Just don't forget the ginger beer or the potted ham, whatever that is...

What: The Middleton Railway Trust
When: Steam trains run every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11am–4.20pm. Diesel trains run every Saturday and Wednesday in August, from 1.00pm–4.20pm
Where: The Station, Moor Road, Leeds LS10 2JQ
Entry: Adult, £4.50; tickets valid all day.
More information Tel: (0113) 271 0320

Out of the centre, don't forget Kirkstall Abbey, Harewood House, or even the Middleton Railway – running for 250 years, with steam trains on Sundays. There's something magnificent about a good old steam train, isn't there? And fuelled by steam rather than alco-fuel, you'll be much clearer-headed for the next day... All the better for sniffing out those pesky smugglers that were always up to no good in Enid Blyton's books.

What: Leeds Town Hall
When:When you see the man wearing a carnation in his lapel
Where: The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AD
Entry: Free

After all that adventuring, you should be ready for a rest ... but then, there's always the rumour involving the Russian spy and the Town Hall's lions to investigate ...

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