Attractions
There are hundreds of great attractions in Leeds, we thought we would just share a few of them with you here!
Abbey House Museum
Step back in time and wander through life-like Victorian streets, seeing the high street, shops, schools and houses as they used to look like. There is also the unique opportunity to step into the pages of a nursery rhyme meeting Humpty Dumpty and seeing the house that Jack built! This interactive exhibition allows history to come to life.Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday from 10am - 5pm and from 12 noon - 5pm on Saturday. It is closed on Mondays. The admission charge is £3.50 for adults, £1.50 for children, £5 for a family and free for under 5s.
Harewood House
Harewood House, home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, boasts splendid State Rooms, beautiful formal gardens and relaxing woodland walks. There is plenty to do here, making it a splendid day out for all the family. For example, explore the 'Below Stairs' exhibition following in the footsteps of the staff who have serviced the House since its creation. Equally, have a look at the 'Harewood 1807' exhibit that looks out how the house was funded with money made from the West Indian sugar trade.Harewood House, Harewood, LS17 9LG. Prices and opening times vary depending on the season. Visit http://www.harewood.org for more information.
Henry Moore Institute
The Henry Moore Institute is known internationally for its many and varied sculpture exhibitions, including both historic and contemporary sculpture. The Institute also has an active research programme and holds an extensive, specialist library.Henry Moore Institute, 74 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AH. Open daily from 10:00am - 5:30pm except Wednesday when it is open until 9:00pm. Visit http://www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk
Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery, located in the city centre, holds a world class collection of 20th Century British art- one of the best collections outside London. Exhibitions have included 'The great horse paintings of Stubbs", "Artist and camera- ways of looking" and "The wonder and the horror of the human head".Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA. Closed on Bank Holidays. Mon - Tues 10am - 8pm. Wed 12pm - 8pm. Thurs - Sat 10am - 5pm. Sunday 1pm - 5pm. Admission free. Visit http://www.leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Leeds City Museum
A new, free, fantastic exhibition has been opened in Millenium Square with a host of permanent and exhibitions. The six permanent exhibitions include "Ancient Worlds" where you can explore the everyday life of the Greeks and Romans through the objects they left behind. Also, in "Life on Earth" you get to explore our planets history over the last 540 million years. Temporary exhibitions include 'Eating Creepy Crawlies"; and there will be one on faiths in the city which will include a section on the Jewish community.Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH. Closed Mondays except bank holidays (11am - 4pm). Tue, Wed, Fri 11am - 6pm. Thurs 11am - 8pm. Sat and Sun 11am - 5pm. See http://www.leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Leeds Owl Trail
The Leeds Owl Trail is a great free way of exploring the city, discover its rich history and share its secrets. The trail will inform and inspire people about Leeds' rich heritage and to create new owls for future generations to enjoy. A free downloadable map is available from the website: http://www.leedsowltrail.com.
Lotherton Hall
This is an Edwardian country house, formerly belonging to the Gascoigne family, and is a treasure trove of arts, crafts and music. Come visit the exhibitions before walking through the formal, wooded and wildflower gardens. Lotherton Hall is surrounded by a red deer park and bard gardens which houses an important collection of rare and endangered species.Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB. Admission is to the house is £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for children (accompanied by an adult). Visiting the grounds is free. See http://www.leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Middleton Railway
Opened in 1758, Middleton Railway is celebrating 250 years of continuing operation. This, the oldest working railway, runs into Middleton Park at the edge of Yorkshire's largest ancient forest. The trains, departing every forty minutes) are hauled by both steam and diesel locomotives (the former is usually on a Sunday and the latter usually on a Saturday.Moor Road Station, LS10 2JQ. Adult: £4.50, Child: £2.50, Family (two adults, three children): £12. See http://www.middletonrailway.org.uk for more information.
Royal Armouries
Housed in a multi-million pound, purpose based building, is a large part of the national collection of arms and armouries. Tour through the five galleries- war, tournament, oriental, self-defence and hunting- and see over 8500 objects. There is a lot more to do with falconry shows, horse shows and real jousting!Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Entrance is free but there may be a charge for some events. See http://www.royalarmouries.org for more information.
Temple Newsam House and Estate
Referred to as "the Hampton Court of the North", this great English country house is set in grand and beautiful parkland with one of the largest, working rare breed farms in Europe. The house is famous as the birth place of Lord Darnley, notorious husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. In this Tudor-Jacobean mansion, there lies a wonderful collection of fine and decorative arts including paintings, furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles and wallpapers. After exploring the house, view the rare breeds and explore the park and woodland.Temple Newsam House, Temple Newsam Road, Off Selby Road, LS15 0AE. The admission charge is £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children and £9.00 for families. Closed Mondays except bank holidays (10:30am - 4pm). Tue - Sun 10:30am - 4pm. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Thackray Museum
"Telling the story of medicine" in a fun, stimulating way. Visit one of Thackray's many exciting exhibitions. For example, in as "Leeds 1842" experience the sights and sounds of Victorian Leeds! In this hands-on exhibition you can choose one of the characters and see whether they survive Victorian healthcare. Another example is "Hannah Dyson's Ordeal" where you get to experience the horrors of 1820s surgery. As well as exhibitions there are medical collections, libraries, shop and cafeteria.Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN. Open daily 10:00am - 5:00pm. Prices are £5.50 for adults, £4.50 for concessions and £4.00 for children. A family ticket is available for up to two adults and three children for £18.00. Visit http://www.thackraymuseum.org for more information.
Thwaite Mills
"Feel the force of nature and see life how we used to live!" Visit a fully restored, working watermill 'nestled' on an island between the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation. Prebook a tour that will take you round the mill, waterwheel, industrial machinery, engineers workshops, the riverbanks and wildlife. Also, visit "Thwaite House"- a Grade II listed Georgian House where the mill manager used to live. See how they managed to live self-sufficiently on the island.Thwaite Mills, Thwaite Lane, Stourton, Leeds, LS10 1RP. Call 0113 2762887 to prebook visit. See http://www.leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Tropical World
A realistic atmosphere of the tropics is created in Roundhay Park in Leeds! Enter different houses and see colourful fish, tropical cacti, different species of butterfly; as well as many other species you would be more likely to see in South America than here. The whole environment is recreated including features such as waterfalls and swirling pools.Tropical World, Roundhay Park, Street Lane, Leeds, LS8 2ER. Open 10:00am until early evening. Ring 0113 2370754 for more details. Admission charges apply.
Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park is one of the biggest city parks in Europe covering over 700 acres, comprising of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens. The park is one of the most popular attractions in Leeds, with nearly a million people visiting each year. It is situated on the north-east edge of the city, bordered by the suburb of Roundhay to the west and Oakwood to the south.The Park includes scented gardens for the blind, National Plant Collections, Canal Gardens, the Monet and Alhambra Gardens, plus Tropical World (also known as Butterfly Gardens and Butterfly World) which attracts visitors all year round. Newly opened in 2005 is the Friends Garden, located alongside Canal Gardens and the Rainbow Garden.
Woodpeckers, common warblers in spring and summer, mute swans, visiting whooper swans, great-crested grebes and herons can all be found at the park.
The Upper Lake is maintained as a wildlife area, and the larger Waterloo Lake is used for fishing. The Park Arena is a natural amphitheatre which provides the venue for many special events ranging from sports days to major pop concerts and the spectacular bonfire and firework displays on 5th November.
Facilities at the Park also include tennis courts, skateboard ramps, sports pitches, bowling greens, a sports arena, a golf course, and fishing. A lakeside cafe overlooks Waterloo Lake.
Roundhay Park, Street Lane, Leeds, LS8 2ER. Open 10:00am until early evening. Ring 0113 2370754 for more details or see: http://www.roundhaypark.org.uk