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The Leeds Piano Trail

Explore the Leeds Trail

Find a piano near you and come and play.

Kirkgate Market Designed by John Mayson

One of the largest indoor markets in Europe and at the heart of Leeds retail since 1857, Leeds Kirkgate Market is home to some of the most characterful traders in the city, with businesses spanning generations and representing a wide range of nationalities.

Leeds Playhouse Designed by Heydays

Renowned for its acclaimed productions, Leeds Playhouse also has an impressive Creative Engagement programme. The piano at Leeds Playhouse was decorated by members of Heydays, the largest and longest-running arts programme for older people in UK theatre.

The Heydays piano is vibrant and eye-catching, decorated in bright colours and denim to remind us of fun times.

Trinity Leeds Designed by Lucy Wright

Trinity Leeds is a busy, lively and light-filled place which hosts what is probably the most-played piano on the Piano Trail – a terrific spot for those seeking an audience!

Victoria Leeds Designed by Rosie Vohra

The Victoria Quarter is a stunning complex of restored 19th century shopping arcades, with one of the best acoustics in Leeds.

Leeds artist Rosie Vohra’s pianos design is inspired by the warm colour palette of oranges and greens in Brian Clarke’s famed canopy.

The Light Designed by Rosie Vohra

The piano in The Light – a lovely Boston which was donated to the Competition – is the best instrument on the Piano Trail.

It has been lovingly decorated in fresh, spring-like colours by Leeds-based artist Rosie Vohra, to reflect the architecture of the building and the nature within and around it.

Merrion Centre Designed by Rosie Vohra

The Merrion Centre has been a fixture of Leeds life since 1964 (it was built just one year after the Leeds International Piano Competition was founded).

Leeds-based artist Rosie Vohra references the Merrion Centre’s long history in her playful design for the piano, incorporating wheels, cogs and a fish tail shape that was attached to the end of the“Featherstone-Kite Openwork Basketweave Mark Two Gentleman’s Flying Machine”, on display at The Merrion Centre from the 1960s.

University of Leeds Designed by John Mayson

The University of Leeds campus is a brilliant place to experience something new – hundreds of different activities take place there every week, including a huge range of music societies and free lunchtime concerts in the Clothworkers Hall. Many students love playing the piano but don’t have one in their student accommodation, so we put a piano on campus, in the foyer of the famous Parkinson Building, which has dominated the Leeds skyline since 1951.

St John's Centre Designed by Rosie Vorha

The St John’s Centre piano is the newest on the trail, unveiled on World Piano Day 2024. Leeds-based artist Rosie Vorha worked with children from Blenheim Primary School to create the piano’s design – you can check out Rosie’s other piano designs in The Light, Merrion Centre and Victoria Quarter

Meet the Leeds Piano Artists

Alison Smith
Alison Smith

John Mayson
John Mayson

Lucy Wright
Lucy Wright

Rosie Vohra
Rosie Vohra

Partnerships lie at the heart of The Leeds, helping us to bring the Piano Trail to life.