Visit Abbey House Museum

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our buildings, exhibitions and collections.

What3Words is a location app which provides exact location points based on 3 metre squares. Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words which can be shared with friends and family, emergency services and more to pinpoint locations easily.

We have provided What3Words locations for key areas of our attractions to help you navigate your visit.

What3Words

Car park: ///couches.scars.fish
Museum: ///down.lobby.puns
Café: ///reduce.result.learn

Entry to Abbey House Museum is free of charge for carers.

Abbey House Museum is located in Leeds and is approximately 3 miles from the city centre.

Entrances

Located on Abbey Walk, just off Abbey Road, which is sometimes referred to as Kirkstall Road, the entrance to the Museum is on a short but fairly steep hill.

The main entrance does have level access, though the Museum is set back from a steep road when arriving from Kirkstall Abbey on Kirkstall Road. The entrance is automatic, opening outwards with a clear opening space of 87cm.

There is level access to The Gatehouse Café through the Museum. Please enquire at the Museum ticket desk. There is no charge for visitors just wishing to visit the café.

There is one disabled parking space immediately outside the entrance to the Museum and four more spaces are located across Abbey Walk in the Vesper Lane car park. Access from the car park to the Museum entrance is primarily flat and a pedestrian crossing over Abbey Walk is in place. There is ramped access through the gardens if coming from the main road.

There are accessible toilets in the main entrance foyer and shop in the Museum. Facilities in the accessible toilets include an emergency alarm, a fire alarm with a flashing light and a baby change unit. This toilet is not RADAR key operated.

We do not currently have a Changing Places facility. The nearest one is located 1.5 miles away at the HEART Centre (Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre) Bennett Road, LS6 3HN.

Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilets in the main entrance foyer and shop in the Museum.

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome and dog bowls are available at the front entrance.

A wheelchair is available from the Museum entrance and shop to borrow on your visit. Unfortunately we cannot provide assistance around the Museum for wheelchair users. Please contact us in advance of your visit to ensure the chair is available.

The majority of the galleries, the Victorian streets and special exhibition space are fully accessible. Please note that there are cobbled streets and some narrow spaces in the Victorian streets. Seating is available around the Museum and in the Gatehouse Café. The lift to the second floor is available through the Victorian streets which has capacity for one wheelchair at a time.

An induction loop is in place in the entrance foyer and shop.

Please visit our dedicated Special Educational Needs and Access page for more information about how we try to make Abbey House Museum inclusive and accessible for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Tailored handling sessions or touch tours on a group-specific interest area for groups can be organised with two weeks’ notice. If a member or members of your group require access provision, please contact us before your visit.

​Abbey House Museum is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS). The VAQAS is a scheme which ensures high quality experiences at tourist attractions, including a commitment to respect the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 by making reasonable adjustments to improve service for disabled people.

If you would like more information on access before your visit, please contact us: