Museums in Leeds

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

The famous, man-eating Leeds Tiger, a 3,000 year-old-mummy that survived WWII, the gothic ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monastery and ‘the best cinema in the world’ 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!)

Here are our picks

  • 1. Leeds City Museum

    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.

    Read more

  • 2. Kirkstall Abbey

    Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds

    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.

    Read more

  • 3. Abbey House Museum

    Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds

    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.

    Read more

  • 4. National Science and Media Museum

    National Science and Media Museum, 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.

    Read more

  • 5. Thackray Medical Museum

    Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds

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

    Dig deep 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.

    Read more

  • 6. Leeds Discovery Centre

    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.

    Read more

More places to go

The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford, Leeds
Museum

The National Science and Media Museum

Museum

The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Tourist Attraction

Leeds Railway Station

Because of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, we are unable to bring you our usual recommendations for things to do in Manchester and the North. Our thoughts at this time are with our readers and with the organisations and businesses who make the North of England a great place to live and visit. We hope you stay well and look forward to sharing more unmissable events and places with you later in the year.

Here’s our guide to supporting organisations in Manchester and the North.

Please note – many of the venues on our site will be closed and events either postponed or cancelled. Please check the venue website for details.