Leeds City Museum

Located in the magnificent Millenium Square at the heart of Leeds, the City Museum is a veritable treasure trove: home to six galleries and some breathtaking collections, including the 3,000 year old Ancient Egyptian Mummy Nesaymun, and the Leeds Tiger, a taxidermy-mounted 19th century Bengal that has been drawing in visitors for over 150 years. 

From centuries-old fossils and now-extinct animal bones, to curiosities cabinets dating back to the 1700s, each part of the museum has its own story to tell. Visitors can marvel at fascinating animal species from around the world in the Life of Earth gallery, and get to know Leeds’ history better through some of the curious old artefacts collected by locals over the years – including the skeleton of a heavy-footed Moa, once one of the largest birds to roam the earth – housed in its weird and wonderful Collector’s Cabinet.

For those keen to explore different global cultures and customs the World View gallery here is a must, as are the gargantuan Leeds Story galleries on the museum’s first floor, which tell the history of the city through archaeological finds, inventions, and community displays curated in partnership with Leeds locals. 

Elsewhere, the Ancient Worlds gallery on the museum’s uppermost floor tells the stories of the ancient civilisations of Rome, Greece, Mexico, Peru and Egypt. Here, visitors can discover a collection of 40 intricately-carved ancient effigies created by cultures across the world as well as beautifully preserved mosaics, ancient tomb remains, and other historic artefacts. The Leeds City Museum also hosts two regularly changing exhibitions on its top floor each year, as well as a popular botanical cafe.

Serving freshly baked cakes and steaming cups of tea and coffee as well as hearty all day favourites, the Herbarium cafe draws inspiration from the Leeds Museum’s botany collections. Expect to find loaded jacket potatoes and substantial sandwiches on offer, as well as a good selection of drinks and light snacks. The cafe also boasts outdoor seating, making it a beautiful choice for soaking up some rays on Millenium Square during sunny days.

Perfect for a day out with the little ones during the school holidays, or for a cultured weekend browse, Leeds City Museum is worth putting on your list.