Museums in Leeds

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor Last Updated 15 July 2025

The famous, man-eating Leeds Tiger, a 3,000 year-old-mummy that survived WWII and the gothic ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monastery are just some of the treasures waiting to be discovered as you work your way through this hand-picked selection of museums in Leeds. (Check out our favourite art galleries in the city too!)

Visitors to the city can dig deep into the history of medicine and healthcare at the Thackray Museum of Medicine, explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies at The National Media Museum in Bradford, and peek through a richly eclectic window into the natural world and human history at Leeds Discovery Centre. As for that famous, man-eating tiger? That can only be found at the Leeds City Museum.

Elsewhere, the more anthropologically minded can discover the fabled history of Marks & Spencer at the famous M&S archive, or explore Moravian refugee memorabilia including 18th-century lace, brassware from Tibet, and Eskimo carvings, in the village settlement museum of Fulneck. From stepping back in time with your children at Abbey House Museum, to marvelling at the dramatic ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, keep reading to discover our tip picks for the best museums in Leeds.

Leeds City Museum

Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH - Visit now

Featuring a man-eating tiger, interactive exhibits spanning 540 million years of discovery, and displays dedicated to telling the story of Leeds from prehistory to the modern day, the City Museum is the perfect place to while-away an afternoon with the family.

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Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Leeds, LS5 3EH - Visit now

Founded in 1152, Kirkstall Abbey on the bank of the River Aire is one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian monastery in Britain. Its dramatic ruins have inspired artists such as JMW Turner over the centuries, and provided the perfect setting for Yorkshire’s Gothic Film Festival in 2013.

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Abbey House Museum

Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH - Visit now

If your children struggle to imagine life without tablets, iPhone games or a PlayStation to keep them entertained, then a trip to Abbey House Museum should prove an eye-opening experience.

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Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds

National Science and Media Museum

National Science and Media Museum, Princes Way, Bradford, BD1 1NQ - Visit now

Explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies and their impact on our lives at The National Media Museum in Bradford – the first UNESCO City of Film.

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National Science and Media Museum, Leeds

Thackray Museum of Medicine

Thackray Museum of Medicine, 141 Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN - Visit now

Dig deep into the history of medicine and healthcare at the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, with displays featuring objects selected from the collection of 47,000 items of historical medical equipment that it holds.

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Leeds Discovery Centre

Leeds Discovery Centre, Carlisle Road, Leeds, LS10 1LB - Visit now

Home to over one million fascinating objects, Leeds Discovery Centre offers a richly eclectic window into the natural world and human history.

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Where to go in Leeds

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The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery is an accredited art museum at the heart of the University of Leeds campus.

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Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum, housed inside the Grade II listed Armley Mills, explores the history of manufacturing in Leeds since the 18th century, including textiles, printing, film and engineering.

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Temple Newsam

Take a trip to Temple Newsam, a country estate in the heart of Leeds. With a variety of attractions to keep the whole family entertained.

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Leeds Discovery Centre

Home to over one million fascinating objects, Leeds Discovery Centre offers a richly eclectic window into the natural world and human history.

Leeds

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Thackray Museum of Medicine

Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds displays objects selected from the collection of 47,000 items of historical medical equipment that it holds.

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The National Science and Media Museum

Explore the science and culture of image and sound technologies and their impact on our lives at The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.

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Abbey House Museum

Housed in the medieval Kirkstall Abbey’s magnificent former gate house, Abbey House near Leeds is an award-winning museum of social history and childhood.

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Leeds City Museum

Leeds City Museum is home to six galleries and collections including the 3,000 year old Ancient Egyptian Mummy Nesaymun, and the Leeds Tiger.

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The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is home to the national collection of arms and armour, set in Leeds Dock, just a short walk from Leeds city centre.

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Art Galleries in Leeds

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Brewery Tours in the North

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