Leeds City Museum is a civic museum located in Millennium Square in Leeds city centre, housed in the former Mechanics’ Institute building. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor information.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Tuesday–Friday: 10:00–17:00 | Saturday & Sunday: 11:00–17:00 | Monday: Closed (except bank holidays: 11:00–17:00) |
| Admission | Free entry (suggested donation £5 per person) |
| Address | Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH |
| Nearest transport | Leeds Railway Station (0.6 miles, 10-minute walk) | Bus stops on The Headrow and Woodhouse Lane (5-minute walk) |
| Typical visit duration | 2 to 3 hours |
Leeds City Museum opening hours
Leeds City Museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. The museum is closed on Mondays, except bank holidays when it opens from 11:00 to 17:00.
Leeds City Museum ticket prices
Leeds City Museum operates a Give What You Can admission policy with free entry for all visitors. The museum invites visitors to make a donation if they are able to, with a suggested amount of £5 per person. Donations can be made at Tap to Give points using contactless payment, chip and pin, or cash, or online via the museum website. The suggested donation applies to group visits as well as individual visitors.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
How to get to Leeds City Museum
Leeds City Museum is located on Millennium Square in Leeds city centre, 0.6 miles from Leeds Railway Station. The walk from the station to the museum takes approximately 10 minutes along a gradual incline. The museum is located where Portland Gate meets Cookridge Street, adjacent to the pedestrianised Millennium Square.
Buses serve the museum from stops on The Headrow and Woodhouse Lane, both less than 5 minutes’ walk from the museum entrance. Multiple bus routes operate to these stops. Journey planning information is available via Metro’s website.
Parking at Leeds City Museum
Leeds City Museum does not have its own car park. The nearest on-street accessible parking bays are located at the junction of Cookridge Street and Rossington Street (four-hour maximum stay). Additional accessible parking is available on Cookridge Street itself.
Secure car parks are located at Woodhouse Lane, The Light, Merrion Centre, and Rose Bowl, all within a 5 to 10-minute walk of the museum. A drop-off point with dropped kerb access is available where Cookridge Street meets Rossington Street, or alternatively where Portland Gate meets Cookridge Street.
How long to spend at Leeds City Museum
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Leeds City Museum. The museum has six permanent galleries spread across four floors, plus a changing temporary exhibition space. Visitors with specific interests may choose to focus on particular galleries, whilst families with children often spend longer due to the interactive exhibits. The Herbarium Café provides an on-site option for refreshments.
Accessibility at Leeds City Museum
All floors of Leeds City Museum can be accessed via lift. The lift has capacity for up to two wheelchairs on any journey. The museum has two entrances: the main entrance is accessed via steps with handrails or via a permanent ramp located to the left of the building as you face it. The main entrance has automated double doors with a push button. An alternative entrance at lower ground level provides access through the Herbarium Café.
Accessible toilets are available on each floor. A Changing Places toilet is located on the third floor. The museum has two wheelchairs available to borrow, which can be reserved in advance by calling 0113 378 5001. An induction loop is available in meeting rooms. Large print exhibition labels are available in folders at the start of each gallery. Light levels are low in some galleries to protect objects, and torches are available to borrow. The museum offers SignLive, a free BSL video interpreting service.
What to see at Leeds City Museum
The Life on Earth gallery displays natural science collections including the Leeds Tiger, fossils, and taxidermy specimens from around the world. Interactive exhibits include fossil digging activities and animal migration games. Some areas are dimly lit to prevent light damage to specimens.
The Voices of Asia gallery is located on the first floor and features over 6,000 items from Asian cultures in the museum’s world cultures collection. The display changes regularly to showcase different themed selections from the collection.
The Leeds Story gallery occupies the second floor and traces Leeds history from archaeological finds through to modern community displays. Exhibits cover the city’s industrial heritage, sporting achievements, and textile history. Community-curated displays reflect contemporary life in Leeds.
The Ancient Worlds gallery on the top floor presents collections from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The gallery includes Nesyamun, a 3,000-year-old mummy from the 20th Dynasty, and interactive exhibits including a Greek Gods and Goddesses game.
The Collectors Cabinet gallery displays varied items from Leeds Museums and Galleries collections. A temporary exhibition space on the top floor hosts changing exhibitions approximately every six months, focusing on themes connected to Leeds.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Quieter times | Weekday mornings (Tuesday to Friday before 12:00) tend to be less busy than weekends and school holidays. |
| Group bookings | Organised groups of 20 or more must contact the museum in advance via email at [email protected]. |
| School groups | School visits must be arranged through [email protected] or via the learning workshops page on the website. |
| Facilities | The Herbarium Café on the lower ground floor serves hot and cold food and drinks. A museum shop is located near the entrance. |
| Gallery closures | Some galleries may occasionally close for private events or maintenance. Check the website before visiting if planning to see specific galleries. |
Frequently asked questions about Leeds City Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Leeds City Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The museum has interactive exhibits designed for children and families, including hands-on activities in several galleries. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Leeds City Museum? | No. Entry is free and advance booking is not required for individual visitors or small groups. Groups of 20 or more must contact the museum before visiting. |
| Is Leeds City Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open on Sundays from 11:00 to 17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at Leeds City Museum? | Yes. Bags are permitted, though large bags may be subject to inspection at the entrance. |
| Can you take photographs at Leeds City Museum? | Yes. Photography without flash is permitted in the galleries for personal use. |
Things to do near Leeds City Museum
Leeds Art Gallery is located approximately 5 minutes’ walk from Leeds City Museum on The Headrow. The gallery displays modern and contemporary British art, 18th and 19th-century English watercolours, and sculpture.
Royal Armouries Museum is located at Leeds Dock, approximately 1.5 miles from the city centre. The museum houses national collections of arms and armour from across the world.
Thackray Museum of Medicine is located on Beckett Street, approximately 1 mile from Leeds City Museum. The museum explores the history of medicine and healthcare through interactive galleries including a Victorian street scene.
Leeds Discovery Centre is the storage facility for Leeds Museums and Galleries collections, housing 1.3 million objects. Behind-the-scenes tours are available by advance booking. The centre is located off Carlisle Road, approximately 1.5 miles from the city centre.
Other Leeds attractions include Kirkstall Abbey and Roundhay Park.
More Yorkshire travel
Other Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What overseas visitors should do in Leeds.
- The short walk to Top Withens – inspiration for Wuthering Heights.
- A practical guide to visiting Pontefract Castle.
- Practical visitor guide to Aysgarth Falls and Linton Falls in the Yorkshire Dales.
- Guide to visiting Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
