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Abbey House Museum and its collection

Abbey House Museum
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Abbey House Museum was opened in 1927 and is one of eight venues in the Leeds Museums & Galleries family. The building was originally the inner-gatehouse of Kirkstall Abbey, founded in 1152. After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the gatehouse became a farmhouse and then a family home. It was bought by Leeds City Council in 1926 and transformed into a social history museum. The museum's highlights include three authentically recreated Victorian Streets (Abbey Fold, Harewood Square, Stephen Harding Gate), which were developed in the 1950s. Between 1998 - 2001 the museum was granted funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to refurbish and update the museum with new additions to the streets. Today, the museum offers a great value, family-friendly experience for local people and anyone who is interested in social history. The interactive streets offer glimpses into Leeds' Victorian past, whilst the upper galleries showcase stories and objects which include childhood nostalgia, toys, and games. The museum is also home to some of the best working original penny slot machines in the country, which provide entertainment for everyone who visits. There is a regularly changing temporary exhibition on the first floor, as well as a community-curated display area which focuses on different themes.

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History & Anthropology History & Anthropology Specialized & Alternative Specialized & Alternative Historic house Religion Children Person & Artist

#3 History & Anthropology in Leeds #3 Historic houses in Leeds #1 Person & artist museums in Leeds #34 Children's museums in England #89 Person & artist museums in England #45 Religion museums in England #166 Children's museums in Europe #41 Children's museums in United Kingdom #109 Person & artist museums in United Kingdom #56 Religion museums in United Kingdom

#3 History & Anthropology in Leeds #3 Historic houses in Leeds #1 Person & artist museums in Leeds #34 Children's museums in England #89 Person & artist museums in England #45 Religion museums in England #166 Children's museums in Europe #41 Children's museums in United Kingdom #109 Person & artist museums in United Kingdom #56 Religion museums in United Kingdom

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Abbey House Museum
Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd
Kirkstall Leeds
LS5 3EH Leeds

Images of Abbey House Museum

Visitor information Abbey House Museum

Opening hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday
10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 – 17:00
Thursday
0:00 – 17:00
Friday
10:00 – 17:00
Saturday
12:00 – 17:00
Sunday
10:00 – 17:00

Bank holidays: 10am-5pm

More opening hours

Admission

3 – 18£3.50
Adults£7.15
Family (2 adults, 3 children)£15.75
More ticket prices

Facilities

Wheelchair accessible
Museum shop
Child-friendly
Parking

Location & Map

Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd, Leeds

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Exhibitions

More exhibitions

Abbey House Museum Reviews

Abbey House Museum has 1 rating.

  • Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

    Abbey House Museum in Leeds, England, offers visitors a trip back in time to Victorian-era Leeds. The museum is housed in a historic gatehouse building, which adds to its charm and authenticity. Visitors often appreciate the well-preserved Victorian streets, complete with shops and houses that give a realistic feel of 19th-century life. The attention to detail in the recreated scenes is frequently praised.

    The museum's interactive elements, such as the opportunity to dress up in period costumes and engage with hands-on displays, are popular among families and children. Many reviewers find these features both educational and entertaining. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are often mentioned as enhancing the overall experience, providing interesting historical context and answering questions.

    While generally well-received, some visitors note that the museum is relatively small and can be explored thoroughly in a couple of hours. A few reviewers mention that some areas could benefit from updates or more extensive information. The pricing is generally considered fair, especially given the educational value, but a small number of visitors feel it's slightly overpriced for the size of the museum.

    The temporary exhibitions and events hosted at Abbey House Museum are often highlighted as adding variety and reasons for return visits. The on-site café receives mixed reviews, with some enjoying the refreshments and others finding the options limited.

    Overall, Abbey House Museum is regarded as a good place to learn about local history and experience a slice of Victorian life, particularly appealing to those interested in social history and families looking for an educational outing.

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