Thackray Museum of Medicine

Creative Tourist

Visit now

Thackray Museum of Medicine

141 Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN
  • Monday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Book now

The Thackray Museum of Medicine has a fascinating history. The building itself is the former Leeds Union Workhouse which once housed the poor and homeless people of the city, and later incorporated an infirmary for the sick before then later becoming a fully-fledged hospital in 1925.

In the 1990s it was deemed to be no longer fit for modern medicine and converted into a museum by Paul Thackray, grandson of Charles Thackray who had grown a small family-run chemist shop in Great George Street (Leeds) during the 1900s into a major medical supply firm, supplying drugs and medical instruments and equipment across the world.

Today, the Thackray Medical Museum provides visitors with a fascinating account of the history of medicine and healthcare through its diverse programme of hands-on exhibitions, talks, workshops, and objects selected from the collection of 47,000 items of historical medical equipment that it holds. Following a £4.1million redevelopment to the museum, the 11 new galleries reveal the medical innovations that have changed our lives.

What's on near Thackray Museum of Medicine

Sunn O)))
MusicLeeds
Sunn O))) at Project House

Heavy music stripped to its essence, SUNN O))) arrive in Leeds with doom metal drones, monk robes and overwhelming physical force.

From £35.00
DJ HELL
MusicTodmorden
DJ HELL at The Golden Lion

An electronic auteur, a veteran of the world’s major clubs, and the man who named electroclash – playing a pub in Todmorden.

From £13.20
Food and DrinkAncoats
Gwafu Vegan Seasonal Supper Club

Cameroon meets Manchester at Ngwafu’s plant-based supper club. Held in July at Bridge 5 Mill, with an all-vinyl soundtrack from Bitter Leaf Industries.

From £22

Where to go near Thackray Museum of Medicine

South Asian Arts
Leeds
Event venue
South Asian Arts

South Asian Arts (SAA-UK), since its conception in June 1997 has long been recognised as the centre of excellence in Indian classical music and dance.

The Riley Theatre
Leeds
Theatre
The Riley Theatre

The Riley Theatre at the Northern School for Contemporary Dance is Yorkshire’s largest dedicated dance house, hosting a year-round programme of dance and theatre events and performances.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

Leeds
Gallery
East Street Arts

East Street Arts showcases parts of the city that many people don’t even know exist, inviting visitors to participate and engage with artists on an entirely different level.

Leeds
Event venue
Leeds Print Workshop

The workshop is a co-operative, membership-based printmaking studio, open to all those with an interest in print.

Leeds
Restaurant
Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds
Leeds Conservatoire

Leeds Conservatoire is the largest specialist conservatoire in the UK, delivering expert music and performing arts education to a community of over 1200 students.

Hotel entrance
Leeds
Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Leeds City Centre

Conveniently situated in the centre of Leeds, Hampton By Hilton Leeds City Centre provides air-conditioned rooms, a gym, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour

The Brunswick Leeds
Leeds
Restaurant
The Brunswick

The Brunswick offers great food, shabby chic decor and a whole range of real ales and craft beers on tap.

Culture Guides

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

One Leg One Eye
Music

From drone metal to art pop, free festivals to gigs in museums, here's one of our more eclectic music updates.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Community, memory, technology and love collide in this month's selection of thought-provoking theatre.

Food and Drink in the North

There’s been lamb, there’s been champagne, there’s been okra. Look at what you could have eaten, then plan the next few weeks accordingly.

Exhibitions

From post-it-sized art to commissions that fill entire gallery walls, five exhibitions ask what the overlooked reveals.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.