City Sculpture Projects 1972

Leeds has got some proper public art scattered about the city, and the City Sculpture Projects from 1972 represent one of the more interesting episodes in the city's cultural life. This was the moment when council planners decided to chuck some serious money at commissioning contemporary sculptors to plonk their work around the urban landscape - radical stuff for the time, especially up north.

You'll find these pieces dotted across the city centre and beyond, so it's less a single destination and more a self-guided wander. The sculptures themselves are mid-century modern in style, ranging from abstract geometric forms to more figurative work. Some have aged brilliantly; others look like they could use a good clean. The real appeal is spotting them as you walk around Leeds proper - there's something satisfying about turning a corner and suddenly coming face to face with a chunk of 1970s artistic ambition.

This works best for anyone interested in public art history or modernism, rather than families hoping for a contained attraction. Art students should definitely seek them out. You can work around the sculptures as part of a broader Leeds city centre walk, which pairs nicely with a stay at Moor Lodge or Glenfield caravan parks on the outskirts - both are about 6 miles out and decent bases for exploring the city.

Allow a couple of hours if you're actively hunting them all down. Free, obviously, since they're just sitting in the street. Go on a decent day when the light's good - these pieces reward proper looking.