Museums in Leeds

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

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!)

Our top picks

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.

Leeds City Museum

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.

Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds

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.

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.

National Science and Media Museum, Leeds
National Science and Media Museum

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.

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.

Leeds Discovery Centre

Where to go in Leeds

Demonstration taking place at Leeds Industrial Museum
Leeds
Museum
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.

Leeds
Museum
Thwaite Watermill

Nestled in a tiny island a short distance from Leeds City Centre, Thwaite Watermill is one of the last remaining water-powered mills in Britain.

Leeds Discovery Centre
Leeds
Museum
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
Museum
Thackray Museum of Medicine

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

The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, Leeds
Leeds
Museum
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 – the first UNESCO City of Film.

Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
Leeds
Museum
Abbey House Museum

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.

Leeds City Museum
Leeds
Museum
Leeds City Museum

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.

Leeds
Museum
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.

National Science and Media Museum, Leeds
Leeds
Museum
National Science and Media Museum

National Science and Media Museum offers the chance to explore the science and culture of light and sound technologies and their impact on our lives through events, exhibitions, cinemas and world class collections.

Leeds Visitor Guides

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The Alfred Denny Museum, courtesy of the University of Sheffield. Museums in Sheffield
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