Things to see & do at Leeds City Museum

Get close to amazing animals, uncover buried archaeological treasures and discover the incredible story of Leeds history. Leeds City Museum hosts two changing exhibitions per year, along with exciting events for everyone to take part in.

Make sure to visit our what’s on page to find out about the range of events and exhibitions at Leeds City Museum.

Life on Earth

The story of how the natural world is more astonishing than you ever thought.

Life on Earth is home to some of the most remarkable specimens in Leeds’s collection of 800,000 animals, vegetables and minerals. Our natural history gallery also provides an insight into the affects of climate change on nature, and what we can do to be more sustainable.

Life on Earth is located on the lower ground floor of the museum.

A taxidermy brown bear in the Life On Earth gallery

The Collectors Cabinet

Investigate the varied collections of Leeds Museums & Galleries in the Collectors Cabinet.

This gallery tells the story of collecting in Leeds from 1700 onwards.

Don’t miss our impressive heavy-footed Moa skeleton, once one of the largest birds ever to roam the earth.

The Collectors Cabinet is located on the first floor of the museum.

Large flightless bird skeleton from neck upwards

World View: Voices of Asia

Explore Asian culture and Leeds’ links with the world’s largest continent in this fascinating gallery.

A gallery celebrating the sights, sounds and diversity of the Asian communities in the city.

Journey through our themed displays to discover a changing selection from some of the 6000+ Asian items in Leeds Museums & Galleries collections.

The World View: Voices of Asia gallery is located on the first floor of the museum.

Sikh soldier statue in the Voices of Asia gallery

The Leeds Story

Discover the fascinating history of Leeds including our surprising inventions, sporting accolades and incredible textile heritage.

From the first archaeological finds to changing displays reflecting people’s lives in the city today, Leeds is a city of stories. Find out how Leeds has shaped, and been shaped by, its landscape and people.

The Leeds Story gallery is located on the second floor of the museum.

Old Leeds adverts, beer mats and playing cards

Ancient Worlds

Find out how the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks lived their lives and paved the way for the world as we know it in the Ancient Worlds gallery.

Visit the final resting place of Nesyamun, the 3000 year old Leeds Mummy, and the only known mummy known to hail from the 20th Dynasty. Discover clues to the past in art and architecture, objects in the earth, ancient writing and burials.

The Ancient Worlds gallery is located on the third floor of the museum.