Leeds City Museum — Where History Comes Alive

A Museum for Everyone

Located in the grand Leeds Institute building on Millennium Square, Leeds City Museum is one of Yorkshire’s most vibrant cultural attractions.

Free to enter and filled with fascinating stories, it takes visitors on a journey from ancient Egypt and prehistoric fossils to Victorian Leeds and beyond — blending global history with local pride.

Managed by Leeds Museums & Galleries, it’s a place where learning, wonder, and community meet under one elegant roof.

A Museum with Deep Roots

The museum’s origins go back to 1821, when the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society began collecting objects for study and display.

After several relocations, the collection found a permanent home in the restored Leeds Institute building, reopening as Leeds City Museum in 2008.

Today, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year — families, students, and travellers — all eager to explore the story of Leeds and its place in the world.

Exploring Leeds City Museum
1. Life on Earth Gallery

From dinosaur bones to exotic taxidermy, this gallery celebrates the natural world. A life-sized tiger, elephant skull, and marine fossils capture the imagination of all ages.

2. The Ancient Worlds Gallery

This section houses the museum’s most famous resident — Nesyamun, the 3,000-year-old mummified priest of Thebes. In addition, artefacts from Greece and Rome offer a glimpse into early civilizations and beliefs.

3. The World View Gallery

Explore art, music, and objects from around the globe — from African carvings to Japanese ceramics — celebrating the diversity of human creativity.

4. The Leeds Story

Step into local history, from the city’s industrial heritage to its thriving modern identity.
Therefore, this gallery connects the people of Leeds with their shared past — through maps, photographs, and community stories.

Learn more at the Leeds City Museum official site

Visiting Leeds City Museum
How to Get There

Address: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH

By Train: 10-minute walk from Leeds Station.

By Bus: City centre routes stop directly nearby.

By Car: Parking at The Light or Woodhouse Lane car parks.

Opening Hours & Admission

Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Entry is free.

Facilities

Café and gift shop

Accessible entrance and lifts

Baby-changing and family-friendly areas

School workshops and group tours

Nearby Attractions

Leeds Art Gallery: A showcase of modern British art.

Henry Moore Institute: Sculpture, form, and creative expression.

Leeds Town Hall: A Victorian masterpiece with concerts and events.

The Light: Shopping and dining nearby.

Together, they form a lively Leeds Cultural Quarter.

Why Visit Leeds City Museum?

Leeds City Museum captures the spirit of exploration. From the mystery of ancient mummies to the stories of local heroes, every gallery invites curiosity and connection.

It’s a place where history feels alive — interactive, inclusive, and endlessly inspiring.

Whether you visit for an hour or an afternoon, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for how Leeds fits into the world’s story.