The statue of the Black Prince was a gift to the city from Colonel Thomas Walter Harding, the former Lord Mayor of Leeds.
The surrounding square was once the site of a medieval area known as Mill Hill.
The Old Post Office building, designed by Sir Henry Tanner, dates back to 1896 and retains its original decorative clock tower.
Recent renovations aimed to transform the square from a vehicle-dominated traffic island into a public parkland space.
The square features a series of eight bronze nymph statues, known as 'The Sculptured Nymphs', designed by Alfred Drury.
City Square in Leeds serves as the primary gateway to the city center, positioned immediately adjacent to the Leeds City Railway Station. The site is characterized by the prominent bronze statue of the Black Prince, commissioned in the early 20th century. Recent urban redevelopment projects have significantly increased the pedestrianized area, replacing former traffic lanes with integrated green spaces and expanded walkways. The square is anchored by the historic Old Post Office building, which features distinct terracotta cladding and Baroque-style architectural elements. It acts as a major transit junction for local foot traffic, connecting the business district with the retail core of the city. The space incorporates modern landscape design, including feature trees and seating areas intended to reduce the urban heat island effect.
At the base of the Black Prince statue looking back toward the historic Queen's Hotel facade.
Use the square as a central meeting point, as it is easily identifiable and central to both rail and bus networks.
Walk towards the adjacent Mill Hill Chapel to see one of the city's oldest surviving non-conformist chapels.
Visit during the early morning if you prefer to photograph the architectural details without the high volume of commuter foot traffic.
Do not mistake the modern surrounding glass office buildings for the historical landmarks; focus on the older structures on the square's perimeter.
