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Leeds City Museum and its collection

Leeds City Museum
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Leeds City Museum was established in 1819 by Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, with the public museum being opened in 1821. The museum was originally located on Bond Street, before it was rebuilt on Park Row in 1862. In 1941 the building and its artefacts were badly damaged by bombing, with several important objects lost in the rubble. The museum was repaired and continued to operate until 1965, when it was closed. Some of the key objects were moved to the city library, included the Leeds Tiger, the giant Irish Elk, and a carved wooden cart. In 1999 the museum went into storage and in 2001 Leeds City Council put a bid into the National Lottery to create a new museum in the former Leeds Mechanics’ Institute. In 2004 the bid was successful and the building went through a complete redesign to house a permanent museum for the people of Leeds. Leeds City Museum reopened in 2008 with four floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries showcasing objects from Leeds Museums and Galleries collection of over 1.3 million items. Today the museum offers entry on a Give What You Can donation basis, with visitors being able to choose their donation amount, or visit for free if they are not able to donate. There are plenty of interactive galleries to visit, and local families are particularly fond of the regular kids’ activities and school holiday events. The museum also has a café on site, the Herbarium Café, which serves a selection of cakes and traybakes, lunch options, and hot and cold drinks.

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History & Anthropology History & Anthropology Nature & Natural History Nature & Natural History Archaeology Ethnology Geology Ancient art Music

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#2 Free museums in Leeds #4 History & Anthropology in Leeds #2 Archaeology museums in Leeds #1 Ethnology museums in Leeds #102 Free museums in England #158 Nature & Natural History in England #34 Ancient art museums in England #82 Archaeology museums in England #23 Ethnology museums in England #19 Geology museums in England #16 Music museums in England #142 Free museums in United Kingdom #179 Nature & Natural History in United Kingdom #39 Ancient art museums in United Kingdom #105 Archaeology museums in United Kingdom #29 Ethnology museums in United Kingdom #24 Geology museums in United Kingdom #19 Music museums in United Kingdom #143 Geology museums in Europe #91 Music museums in Europe

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Leeds City Museum
Millennium Square
LS2 8BH Leeds

Images of Leeds City Museum

Visitor information Leeds City Museum

Opening hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday
10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 – 17:00
Thursday
10:00 – 17:00
Friday
10:00 – 17:00
Saturday
11:00 – 17:00
Sunday
11:00 – 17:00

Bank holidays: 11am-5pm

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Admission

0+Free

Leeds City Museum is now a Give What You Can museum. Visitors can make a donation to support the museum if they are able.

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Facilities

Museum shop
Coffee
Restaurant
Child-friendly

Location & Map

Millennium Square, Leeds

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Exhibitions

More exhibitions

Leeds City Museum Reviews

Leeds City Museum has 1 rating.

  • Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

    Leeds City Museum offers visitors an engaging look at the history and culture of Leeds and Yorkshire. Located in the heart of the city, the museum houses diverse exhibits spanning natural history, ancient worlds, and local heritage. The Life on Earth gallery, featuring a large collection of taxidermy animals, is particularly popular among visitors. The museum also showcases Leeds' industrial past and its impact on the city's development. While some visitors note that certain exhibits could benefit from updates or more interactive elements, many appreciate the museum's free admission and its ability to cater to various interests. The museum's layout is generally praised for being well-organized and accessible. However, some visitors mention that more in-depth information on certain exhibits would enhance the experience. Overall, Leeds City Museum provides an informative and enjoyable experience for both locals and tourists, offering a good overview of the region's history and natural world.

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  • Aggregated rating

    This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.

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