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Lotherton

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Explore Lotherton

Muslims in the North

Until 25 July 2027 | Leeds City Museum | This display highlights the inspiring stories of prominent Muslims living and working in the north of England and the contributions they have made in the areas of commerce, healthcare, law and research.

Untangled at Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum | 23 May 2026 - 6 June 2027 | A new exhibition from the International Felt Makers Association Region Ten, celebrating the connections between nature and industry.

Arp: The Plasters

COMING SOON | 22 May 2026 – 4 October 2026 | Leeds Art Gallery | Arp: The Plasters celebrates the recent acquisition of plaster sculptures by French-German sculptor, painter and poet Jean (Hans) Arp (1886-1966), a gift from the Stiftung Arp, e.V. to Leeds Museums and Galleries and The Hepworth Wakefield.

Garth Evans: The Anti-Virus Sculptures

COMING SOON | 22 May 2026 – 4 October 2026 | Leeds Art Gallery | British sculptor Garth Evans (b. 1934) presents his Anti-Virus plaster sculptures, created during the first Covid lockdown in his home in Connecticut, USA.

Dinner Party: With Matthew Smith, Jacob Epstein, Olivia Bax

COMING SOON | 26 June 2026 – 29 August 2027 | Leeds Art Gallery | The exhibition revisits one of the pioneering and legendary exhibitions the then Leeds Curator Phillip Hendy organised for Temple Newsam House during the dark years of the Second World War when the City Art Gallery was closed.

Peat. Plants. People.

COMING SOON | Leeds City Museum | 18 May - 13 December | What is Peat? Why is it so important and what does it have to do with People?

UNEARTHING(S)

22 May - 30 August 2026 | Leeds Art Gallery | COMING SOON A new commission by artist Hannah Catherine Jones in collaboration with Yorkshire Contemporary

Lines of Enquiry: Drawings from the collection

21 April 2026 – 11 April 2027 | Leeds Art Gallery | This display brings together a range of drawings from the Leeds Museums and Galleries renowned works on paper collection.

News | Restoring walled garden’s legacy is coming up roses

Those with a passion for flowers are being asked to support a rose and become part of the legacy of a famous Edwardian garden as its revival is taking root.

News | Summer of Sculpture shows the shape of things to come

A new seasonal sculptural spectacular will see stunning works by world-renowned artists go on show in Leeds this summer, it was announced today. Leeds Art Gallery’s Summer of Sculpture will feature an…

News | Visitors find a million reasons to flock to city’s museums

Council-run museums in Leeds are celebrating after new figures revealed they welcomed more than a million visitors through their doors last year.

Gordon Brooke's Bus Collection Display

19 January - October 2026 | Leeds City Museum | | See a glimpse of Gordon Brook's bus collection dating back to 1949.

Blogs | Fashion and Textiles: Delving into the Temple Newsam Archives

Hear from our volunteers, Uma, and her experience exploring Temple Newsam Archives in West Yorkshire Archives.

Blog | John Grimshaw Wilkinson, the Blind Botanist of Leeds

I have been involved in volunteering with the Dead Plant Society, which is a project by Leeds Museums and Galleries partnered with Space2, to search through and do research on the herbarium sheet coll…

Blog | Textiles, Trades and Temple Newsam: Shopping in 1703 - Part 2

Following Part 1, find out more about to the contents of this receipt and their relationship to Temple Newsam.

Blog | Textiles, Trades and Temple Newsam: Shopping in 1703 - Part 1

Discover the contents of a receipt from Temple Newsam in 1703 and what we can decipher about the purchases and the social context of the textiles.

News | Fare to say ancient coin has travelled through time

A mysterious coin once used to pay a bus fare in Leeds was minted by an ancient civilisation more than 2,000 years ago, it has been revealed.

Blog | Mitzi Cunliffe’s Root Bodied Forth and the Missing Art of the Festival of Britain

“Used, rained on, leaned against, taken for granted.” -Mitzi Cunliffe 100 years after the first Great Exhibition was held in London’s Hyde Park, the Festival of Britain was organised for the summer of…

Blogs | E. J. Arnold and the Foundation of a New Leeds Industry

Discover how Leeds based company E.J.Arnold became the largest and most dominant classroom equipment company with the development of the education system in the 20th century.

Blog | The Diet of Mok the Gorilla

Find out about the life, journey and diet of Mok the gorilla, including where he is now as part of Leeds Museums and Galleries collection.

News | Blooming marvellous exhibition explores the beauty of flower power

Botanically Beautiful: Art and Design Inspired by Nature at Lotherton explores how colourful depictions of flowers, fruits, leaves and trees have taken root in the worlds of art, design and fashion, inspiring a vast array of eye-catching works across history.

News | Historic exhibition puts city’s heritage in the picture

A trailblazing female wrestler and a famous gorilla are among the enthralling Leeds stories being brought into focus in a picture-perfect new exhibition.

Leeds 400

Leeds is a city of culture and heritage. Celebrate Leeds400 with Leeds Museums and Galleries. Discover stories of our collection and local history.

Blog | The Dearlove Family’s Great Exhibitions

The Dearlove family were not just known for their prowess in craftsmanship but were all accomplished musicians who performed across the British Isles and beyond, their significant presence in Leeds in the 19th century is still evident today.

Blog | Colonel Harding’s alterations to Abbey House

Discover the intricate details of Abbey House Museum that Colonel T. Walter Harding left behind during his tenancy and ownership of Abbey House from 1890 to 1912.

Blog | Colonel Harding’s arrival at Abbey House

Find out more about Colonel T. Walter Harding (1843 – 1927), his life and Mayorship in Leeds, and his path to owning Abbey House.

Blog | Sue Brittain - The fight for women’s right to wrestle.

Discover the story of Sue Brittain, also known as Marjorie Farrar or "Lady Satan", and how she fought for women's wrestling from 1970 onwards.

Botanically Beautiful: Art and design inspired by nature

Lotherton | March - 18 October 2026 | Explore why artists, designers and markers have been inspired by nature to create a wealth of decoration for our homes and bodies.

In the Picture: Objects in Focus

Abbey House Museum | 28 February - 31 December | Discover iconic objects from Leeds Museums and Galleries collection paired with paintings and photographs of their history.

News | Gallery scheme helps mould city’s talented fledgling sculptors

A trio of up-and-coming Leeds artists have been given a huge boost thanks an innovative scheme aimed at shaping the city’s emerging talent.

Lotherton Membership

Buy a membership for Lotherton! Becoming a Lotherton member includes admission to the estate, Wildlife World AND house entry. Visit as many times are you like!

Wildlife World Zoo

Natural heritage, tales from travels Lotherton Wildlife World tells the story of our natural heritage. Separated into zones, visitors can learn about pollution, climate change and more in the Coastal …

Lotherton House & Chapel

Lotherton Hall is a grand but comfortable house which is made up of late Victorian and Edwardian extensions made by Colonel Gascoigne, based around a Regency-period core.

News | Museum a fitting last stop for secret superfan’s marvellous models

An incredible collection of handmade models crafted in secret by a local enthusiast has revealed one man’s fascinating lifelong love for the buses of Yorkshire.

News | Call out - Zines: Celebrating 25 Years of Community Partnerships and the People of Leeds

Leeds Museums & Galleries are seeking artists to co-create with community partners a zine that showcases the voice and story of one of our long-standing community groups. The community groups reflect a diverse range of the people of Leeds and include individuals with protected characteristics.

Adopt an Animal at Wildlife World

Support Wildlife World by adopting a Humboldt Penguin or Red-necked Wallaby for a whole year, making a great gift for a loved one or a special gift for yourself.

News | New ambitious works by Yuen Fong Ling announced for Collections in Dialogue 2027

We are thrilled to announce that Sheffield-based artist Yuen Fong Ling has been awarded our 2027 Collections in Dialogue co-commission, in partnership with the British Library. Made possible by fundi…

‘Some Steel’: Sculpture and Steel in Britain, 1960-90

31 January 2026 – 10 January 2027 | Leeds Art Gallery | Tracing the relationship between sculpture and steel over a period of thirty years,

Threads of Home

26 January - 2 June 2026 | Leeds City Museum | A community-led tapestry work created by refugee women

News | Ancient discoveries reveal fascinating highway through history

Ancient artefacts unearthed and collected during the construction of a huge Leeds transport project have been preserved at a Leeds museum.

Blog | History of Leeds in Christmas Cards

Our volunteer Mel takes a look at postcards from our past and how they explore the history of the city of Leeds.

News | Trailblazing engineman was in the driving seat for global railway revolution

Plans for a tribute to a pioneering 19th century British locomotive driver who was laid to rest in Leeds are gathering steam following a chance discovery at a local museum.

Blog | News from the Past: November

Step back in time with News From the Past – from Leeds’ 100th anniversary to Victoria Cross honours and the King’s WW1 victory celebrations.

News | Night to remember as gallery’s goddess is conserved

A breathtaking, life-sized artwork depicting the Goddess of Night has gone on display at Leeds Art Gallery after being delicately conserved. The Goddess of Night by artist Quentin Bell is part of a …

Temple Newsam House

Explore Temple Newsam House, a beautiful country house with the best collection of decorative arts outside the V&A.

Home Farm and Play Barn

Wander through historic cobbled yards and see our rare breed animals on our working farm and discover our new Play Barn at Temple Newsam.

Gardens at Temple Newsam

A short stroll from the house and farm you’ll be greeted by Rhododendron walk during spring. This area of the gardens is planted with material collected by previous owners of Temple Newsam and has dev…

Tea Rooms and Shop at Temple Newsam

Take a break in the Tea Rooms of Temple Newsam, with a seasonally changing menu and regular offers. Pick up unique gifts, toys and souvenirs in our shops.

Venue hire at Temple Newsam

Hire Temple Newsam as a wedding venue or filming location. It can also be used for private events, meetings, and team building days in Leeds.

Christmas at Temple Newsam in Leeds

Discover Christmas days out and special events at Temple Newsam in Leeds, visit Father Christmas, read with Mrs Claus and enjoy the festive house and celebrations.

News | Christmas shoppers can take art from gallery’s on loan masterpieces

Art-lovers in Leeds have the incredible opportunity to hang a work by one of the 20th century’s most influential artists over their mantelpiece this Christmas.

Blog | “Miffy and Friends”: Children’s Characters

Originally known as Nijntje (from konijntje, Dutch for “little rabbit”) in Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s picture books, Miffy has since become beloved by children and adults all around the world. Which other children’s characters appear all over the world and in our Leeds Museums and Galleries collection?

News | Planet’s natural wonders take root in gallery’s new show

Plant Dreaming opens at Leeds Art Gallery today (Nov 14, 2025) and explores a number of imaginative, alternative perspectives on plants, fungi, and our interconnected planet.

News | City’s Remarkable Saxon Discovery Reimagined as Ancient Treasure Goes on Display

Fascinating new illustrations reveal how a Saxon pendant unearthed in Leeds once looked as the ancient treasure is displayed for the first time in more than 1,200 years.

News | Famed Leeds artist’s moon-lit works set to shine at gallery

A captivating exhibition will shed new light on the life and work of renowned Leeds artist John Atkinson Grimshaw.

News | Historic Cauldron Find Lifts Lid on City’s Spirited Past

A mysterious iron cauldron sealed inside the walls of a Victorian house more than a century ago in a ritual to ward off evil spirits has been revealed in Leeds.

Blog | News from the Past: October

Look back on the past with this feature of newspapers, clippings and other ephemera from the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection and explore what news looked like in our city’s past October’s edition features Bonaparte galleys, the Leeds Fine Art Gallery and wartime smart calories.

News | Mesmerising artwork retraces history of beloved Leeds invention

A captivating tribute to world famous Leeds invention Spirograph will prove a dazzling draw for visitors to next week’s Light Night Leeds.Taking place in Leeds City Museum’s Brodrick Hall, the installation is inspired by the classic toy, bringing its distinctive patterns off the page and reimagining them as an immersive digital animation.

Music Leeds Us: Celebrating 60 Years

10 October 2025 - 28 June 2026 | Leeds City Museum | Marking 60 years of Leeds Conservatoire, this special exhibition celebrates the people, places and magic moments that have shaped the city’s musical identity across six vibrant decades.

News | A bow to The Duchess as museum toasts city’s music scene

A tribute to a legendary Leeds gig venue which hosted iconic acts Oasis and Nirvana is taking centre stage in a celebration of 60 years of the city’s music scene.

News | City’s museums receive essential funding boost

Museums in Leeds have secured almost a million pounds in funding to help safeguard their future and support a series of transformational projects at historic sites across the city.

Blog | News from the Past: September

In this new series created by our volunteer Mel Kerry they look back on the past with this feature of newspapers, clippings and other ephemera from the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection and explo…

News | Spectacular family attraction’s return is good for your elf

Families in Leeds will have a chance to meet the festive season’s favourite couple as Lotherton’s spectacular Christmas Experience returns.

News | Mural tributes are a sporting chance to honour city’s stars

Stunning new murals paying tribute to some of the city’s sporting heroes past and present have been unveiled in communities across Leeds.

News | Amorous arachnids searching for love on the web during spider season

Spiders weaving their way into homes across the country this autumn are out “looking for love” museum experts in Leeds have revealed.

The Twinkling Horizon Display

Leeds City Museum | September 2025 - 11 May 2026 | Visit Leeds City Museum Community Corridor to see and hear the amazing story of the Leeds Poor Children’s Holiday Camp in Silverdale on Morecambe Bay.

News | Farm family fun as Temple Newsam’s play barn launches after major renovations

The new play barn at Temple Newsam's home farm is set to open to the public on 20 September after works to convert the old cow byre have been completed.

News | Museum crew sets sail to get vintage vessels ship shape

An intricate model ship carved from bone by a French prisoner during the Napoleonic Wars is among a fleet of maritime miniatures making waves at a Leeds museum.

News | City’s authors have the write stuff to star in new exhibition

A new exhibition celebrating the work of the city’s authors, poets, playwrights and scriptwriters is proving a real page-turner for visitors to a Leeds museum.

Collections in Dialogue: An Artist Co-Commission Call Out

The British Library and Leeds Art Gallery seek to commission an artist or artist collective based in the Yorkshire and Humber area. This commission will culminate in the creation of new work by the artist to be exhibited at Leeds Art Gallery from May to October 2027.

News | Museum project reveals historic industrial treasure trove

A fascinating archive of historic treasures charting centuries of the city’s industrial heritage has been revealed during a painstaking cataloguing project at a Leeds museum.

Creating a Heritage Framework for Leeds

What’s valuable about the culture and heritage of Leeds and what do we want to protect and pass on to the next generation? Leeds City Council and a wide range of culture and heritage partners in the city are seeking to answer that question.

News | Gallery calls on kids to make some noise about art in Leeds

Leeds Art Gallery is giving the city’s young art lovers something to shout about this summer by joining a campaign encouraging kids to express themselves during special “shush-free” events.

‘The Holdings’ Poetry Project: Leeds Irish Health & Homes, Ian Duhig & Leeds Museums & Galleries

With generous financial support from LIHH, award-winning poet Ian Duhig was recruited to lead a series of poetry workshops at Leeds Industrial Museum with people of Irish heritage who live and work in Leeds.

News | Get beach ready as the seaside comes to Leeds for summer holidays

Lotherton’s grounds have been transformed for the summer holidays with their new installation which will run from 19 July until 31 August.

News | Giant avian clean-up job is moa than meets the eye

The skeletal remains of a giant bird which last walked the earth more than 500 years ago have been given a clean bill of health by museum curators in Leeds.

Mike Nelson: M62 (East, West)

Leeds Art Gallery | 12 July 2025 - 30 August 2026 | A new commission as part of Mike Nelson's blown out tyre series

Literature in Leeds: Prose, Poetry and Plays

Abbey House Museum | Until 20 September 2026 | A community display celebrating Leeds writers, from historical fiction to thought-provoking poetry, and plays written for stage and screen.

News | Museums give city economy multi-million pound boost

The city’s council-run museums and galleries have given a massive £47.3m boost to the local economy over the past year, new figures have revealed.

Children's Parties at Lotherton

Make your child's birthday extra special with a party at Lotherton!

Blog | The Textile Industry and the Self-Acting Mule

The spinning mule is a star object at Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley. Find out what the spinning mule is, and the impact it had on the woollen industry in the 1900s.

News | Talk reveals how history’s kids were stitched up by embarrassing outfits

The cringeworthy costumes and embarrassing outfits endured by children through the ages will come to light in a fashion-focused event in Leeds this week.

News | Accelerator Bursary Call Out for Creative Discipline Graduates

The Accelerator Bursary is open to 2025 Fine Art, Design or other creative disciplines BA or MA graduates of Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University, and the University of Leeds.

News | Call to help support city’s museums though new donation scheme

Council-run museums and galleries in Leeds are launching a new donation scheme enabling visitors to support some of the city’s most popular cultural gems.

Reel-ise

Leeds Industrial Museum | 15 July 2025 - 16 July 2026 | A new community exhibition exploring the rich film history of Leeds.

Blog | The Dior Look of the 1960

Christian Dior revolutionised women’s fashion in 1947 with his iconic ‘New Look’ which included cinched-in waists, rounded shoulders and voluminous skirts.

Kings and Queens School Workshop

Make a glittering crown, learn how to move like royalty in the fabulous Picture Gallery and discover the Kings and Queens linked to Temple Newsam.

Portraits to Life

In this fun, creative workshop, find out what a portrait is and how the nobility showed off in large scale portraits.

The Princess and the Pea School Workshop

A traditional tale brought to life using the historic surroundings of Temple Newsam House in this interactive storytelling workshop.

Dress to Impress School Workshop

This fun interactive session provides a unique opportunity for all to try on replica costume and learn about status, wealth and life in Tudor times..

Who killed the Queen's husband? School Workshop

Investigate life in Tudor Times in this real life murder mystery. Find the clues in Temple Newsam House and explore themes of status and power of days gone by.

Time Travellers School Workshop

Go on a magical history tour with our friendly workshop leader and learn to read Tudor and Elizabethan inventories and letters.

Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins Rival Queens School Workshop

Step back into a dangerous world of plots, espionage and treachery and explore the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots

Tudor Portraits School Workshop

Create a ‘living’ portrait of Elizabeth I using replica costumes and props to discover how composition, form, shape and tone portray hidden messages.

Interactive Timeline and Discovery Tour School Workshop

Adventure through time and develop an understanding of chronology by discovering 500 years of history relating to the owners of Temple Newsam House.

Traditional Rhymes School Workshop

Explore the awe-inspiring rooms; spot the clock in ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’, find the four poster bed for the lullaby ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’.

Jack and the Beanstalk School Workshop

Step inside the giant's castle (Temple Newsam House) with the Picture Gallery decorated to ‘bring the outside in’ it's the perfect location for the beanstalk to grow and climb.

A house fit for a King School Workshop

Find out how life has changed over time for the residents of Temple Newsam House and discover how the wealthy and the servants lived in this lively interactive workshop.

Fire of London School Workshop

Find out about the gripping events during the Great Fire of London, discover our 300 year old fire engine and feel the weight of the metal fire buckets.

Victorians at Temple Newsam School Workshop

Learn about Queen Victoria and her friend Emily Meynell Ingram, who lived at Temple Newsam House. Find out about their rich lifestyle and how they entertained.

Top Marks for Art School Workshop

Increase pupils’ sense of wellbeing and creativity through our lovely sculpture, pastel, plasticine or printing sessions.

Blog | National Biscuit Day From The Archive

Celebrate national biscuit day with our extraordinarily well-preserved, century-old biscuit carries a poignant festive message from the front lines of the First World War.

Dead Plants Society

The new Dead Plants Society project will see Leeds Museums and Galleries teaming up with arts and social change charity Space2 to search through the 250,000-strong collection.

News | Grisly gadget is sure to get museum visitors talking

A gruesome contraption used centuries ago as a brutal punishment for gossiping has gone on display in Leeds.

News | Visit the Chippendale Triangle this June

To mark the birthday of renowned furniture designer Thomas Chippendale this June, Nostell, Temple Newsam, and Harewood House Trust will come together to form a collaborative cultural partnership: the Chippendale Triangle.

News | Museum takes time to pay striking tribute to city’s classic clocks

Beautiful vintage clocks will take museum visitors in Leeds on a journey through time this week.

News | Living with Death receives special commendation

Leeds City Museum's Living with Death exhibition received was highly commended at Museums and Heritage Awards 2025.

News | New gallery show explores work of internationally renowned artists

A captivating new exhibition in Leeds has brought together work by generations of artists from around the world.

News | Artist Call out! #DYC on the Pitch and of the Pitch - Sporting Leeds Public Murals and Digital Art

Leeds Museums & Galleries seek an artist to co-create with community partners one public mural and one piece of digital artwork focusing on Skateboarding at Leeds Dock

News | City’s tiny Saxon treasure has a big story to tell

A beautiful ancient Saxon pendant buried for more than 1,200 years in a Leeds field is giving experts a fascinating glimpse into life in early medieval Yorkshire.

Tales of Temple Newsam

Starting in 2025, Tales of Temple Newsam will collect people's living memories of Temple Newsam through oral histories. There are lots of stories to tell – from first love and weddings to truancy and (potential) break-ins!

News | Couple’s historic wedding day is picture perfect

When happy couple Charlotte and Matthew Harrison tied the knot in Temple Newsam House’s stunning Picture Gallery, it was a love story more than a century in the making.

News | Experts a whisker away from discovering secrets of hippo’s facial fuzz

Museum experts in Leeds are bristling with excitement after their resident hippo’s fabulous facial hair was studied during new research into the inner workings of whiskers.

News | Mansion’s dazzling display reveals what the butler saw

Life below stairs at a historic Leeds mansion has been rediscovered thanks to a dazzling new display. The Butler’s Pantry at Temple Newsam House has been carefully restored by experts, giving a fascinating insight into the stories of servants and staff whose tireless work behind the scenes kept the house going for hundreds of years.

Blog | Fast Fashion vs Tailored Suits

The Evolution of Suits: From Tailoring Tradition to Fast Fashion Trends

News | Artist Call out! #DYC on the Pitch and of the Pitch - Sporting Leeds Public Murals and Digital Art

Leeds Museums & Galleries seek an artist to co-create with community partners one public mural and one piece of digital artwork focusing on Kadeena Cox

News | Brave the beast in mythical dragon egg expedition this Easter

Families across Yorkshire can hunt for dragon eggs and mythical beasts at Lotherton this Easter as immersive new expedition swoops in.

News | Gallery’s top award winner Angie is all art

A curator’s dedication to helping young people in care play their part in ground-breaking events and exhibitions in Leeds has seen her scoop a top national award.

News | Hayward Gallery Touring presents To Improvise a Mountain

Hayward Gallery Touring will present To Improvise a Mountain, a group exhibition curated by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, one of the most important figurative painters today.

The First World War hospital at Lotherton School Workshop

Discover the local history of Lotherton as a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital during the First World War.

WW2 Evacuation Role Play School Workshop

Immerse yourself in a significant point of British history and evacuate your pupils back in time to the Second World War at Lotherton.

Introducing Florence Nightingale and Her Friends School Workshop

Meet the young Florence Nightingale, cousin to the Gascoigne family of Lotherton. With their owl puppets, pupils will listen to Florence’s stories and more.

News | Artist Call out! #DYC on the Pitch and of the Pitch - Sporting Leeds Public Murals and Digital Art

Leeds Museums and Galleries are looking for 2 artists to co-create murals with community partners for Dance in Leeds and Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club.

Public Houses Conference

Public Houses: What makes civic custodianship of historic house museums in Britain different and where next?

News | New exhibition tells the tale of children’s fancy fashions

Pinnies, petticoats, booties and breaches are all on display as part of a new exhibition exploring the history of children’s fashion. Looking at the changing styles from the 1600’s to the modern day, Fashion at Play: Children’s Clothing Through the Ages opens at Lotherton on March 1.

News | Mummy’s micro morsel discovered in museum’s tiny treasure trove

A crumb of bread entombed thousands of years ago alongside an ancient Egyptian’s mummified remains has been discovered amongst an astonishing collection of microscopic treasures in Leeds.

News | Hop inside Miffy’s world as museum celebrates iconic character’s birthday

One of the world’s most beloved bunnies has hopped into Leeds City Museum this week, inviting visitors to celebrate a very special birthday.

News | Abbey House Museum to remain open following public consultation

Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall is to remain open following a passionate response to a public consultation, it was announced today.

Blog | Scandal, Sexuality, and Power: The Tragic Story of Lord Darnley

Who was Lord Darnley really? Mystery, scandal, and rumours of his sexuality abound.

News | Museum project breathes new life into precious antique plants

Hundreds of thousands of antique plants and flowers carefully preserved for centuries will be given new life thanks to a fascinating environmental history project in Leeds.

News | Leeds inventor’s 70s superbike conquers the cobbles at Leeds museum

A pedal-powered prototype designed by a Leeds inventor to take on the toughest terrain has been put through its paces at a Leeds museum.

News | Enchanting exhibition invites visitors into the world of storybooks

Cherished childhood stories are set to be retold to visitors through a nostalgic new exhibition in Leeds.

Blog | Children’s Day in Leeds: The Iconic Celebration That United Generations

Children's Day was a traditional celebration held in Leeds and visited by royalty

News | Museum’s top-flight conservation effort is for the birds

A collection of antique avian giants, spectacularly preserved in time more than a century ago, has been given some top-flight conservation by museum experts in Leeds.

News | A winter’s tail sees peer’s painted pooch return home

The beautiful oil painting of Lord Clermont’s faithful canine companion has gone on display to visitors for the first time in a number of years, following a loan spell at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Blog | Humans of the Leeds Pals

We examine the lives of the some of the men who went on to join the 15th Battalion (Prince of Wales Own) West Yorkshire Regiment, known by many then and now as the Leeds Pals.

The Anglo Saxons are here! - School Workshop

Bring your classroom learning to life with our exciting, hands-on educational experience that transports pupils straight into the heart of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Neu Husum.

News | Miffy turns 70 with a special exhibition at Leeds City Museum

Miffy’s 70th birthday will be celebrated in Leeds next year as Leeds City Museum hosts an anniversary exhibition in her honour.

News | Leeds Museums & Galleries part of £1m early years programme

Art Fund and Nesta, have launched a £1m programme to support families of young children with engaging museum experiences.

Events at Leeds Industrial Museum

Find family events, workshops and cinema events on at Leeds Industrial Museum

Archaeology and Numismatics Collection

The Leeds archaeological collections are diverse, covering many thousands of years of history and prehistory, and representing a wide range of ancient cultures from around the world.

Fine Art Collection

The Leeds fine art collections are Designated as being of national and international significance. The collection has particular strengths in the areas of 18th and early 19th century English watercolours, 20th century British Art and a modern sculpture collection.

Dress and Textile Collection

The Leeds dress and textiles collection details the history of what people have worn in the past, and the textiles they have used for their clothing, furnishing and decorating their homes.

Decorative Arts Collection

The Leeds Decorative Arts collections are Designated as being of national and international importance. They are linked to local crafts people past and present, and feature major collections of furniture, ceramics, wallpapers, modern crafts, metalwork, textiles and costume.

World Cultures Collection

World Cultures is a significant collection area for Leeds, with over 12,000 items demonstrating the city’s historic links to the wider world, and the multicultural vibe of contemporary arts and culture.

What’s the scoop on poop? School Workshop

Join us for an engaging and interactive outdoor workshop where pupils will explore the fascinating world of digestion and animal life through… poo!

Blog | Knurr and Spell

What is Knurr and Spell? We explore this old Yorkshire game, and rediscover a fascinating part of Leeds and sporting history.

Blog | Unravelling the Mystery of Mulligan’s: Leeds’ Nostalgic Past

Discovering a local history mystery through the exploration of Mulligan's pub, Leeds's Irish community, and the music that has led us to this fascinating lost era.

'An Axis of Abstraction': Art in Cornwall and Yorkshire – Then and Now

Leeds Art Gallery | Until 7 June 2026 | Exploring Modernist artist practices in West Cornwall and West Yorkshire.

Website Sustainability Commitment

In response to Leeds' climate emergency, Leeds Museums and Galleries share their website sustainability practices to best optimise their website to more sustainable.

Blog | Boxing Belt Mystery Thickens…

The story of this mystery boxing belt has a new twist as a volunteer noticed its resemblance to a belt in an old photo. We delve deeper into this to this mystery.

Blog | Museum’s textile titan looms large over tiny twin

A tiny loom designed to give a miniature masterclass on Yorkshire’s textile prowess has been carefully conserved in the shadow of its super-sized sibling.

Blog | Football Works

Leeds has a proud sporting history, and it’s the home of amazing athletes and incredible teams—but who knew we used to be the home of a literal football factory? The clue to digging into this history is a sales leaflet in our social history collection, that the museum team came across as part of a larger project assessing what objects relating to sports history we have.

Blog | Decolonising our Life On Earth Gallery

In 2022, when refreshing the natural sciences displays at the Leeds City Museum, we decided to include the colonial history of some of our pieces.

Engineery

Leeds Industrial Museum | Until 1 Nov 2026 | Engineery is an exhibition marking the 300th anniversary of John Smeaton, the father of civil engineering.

Blog | Powerchairs in Sport

A power wheelchair is a motorized chair that was made for the aid of veterans after World War 2. Scientists developed the power wheelchair to enable the injured soldiers to carry on with their daily lives. The chairs go from manual to having assisted technology to accessible vehicles.

Deaf Awareness by Leeds Deaf Arts Forum as part of Overlooked Exhibition

Leeds City Museum held the award-winning exhibition, Overlooked: People of Leeds as you've never seen them, in 2023. The exhibition was co-curated by the Preservative Party, the museum's group of 14 -…

Blog | Poppy Wingate: Temple Newsam's Golfing Pioneer

Poppy Wingate was England’s first professional woman golfer, and she began her career right here at Temple Newsam.

Blog | A Tale of Two Widowhoods

A team of volunteers, supported by museum staff, are currently researching the lives and personal narratives of past residents of Temple Newsam as part of an Arts Council Designation Development Fund (DDF) project entitled “Grief, Joy and Togetherness”. The focus of this blog is on two women born 170 years apart who both left their mark on the house.

Blog | From putting the wind up an officer to putting up the story of James Walker Foreman

James Walker Foreman was a true survivor of World War one. Foreman was a man of many talents. Foreman was local to Leeds.

Blog | Silhouettes & Shapewear

I’ve been thinking about the dos and don’ts of showing off your body in the 1800s and the expectations of women to ‘correctly’ shape their body as fashions changed.

Blog | Sensory Stories in a Virtual World

When togetherness is suddenly taken away from us, we find a way to connect. And wow is it powerful when families connect and bring joy to each others’ households virtually when real life is so restricted.

Blog | Rooted in History: Zea Mays

Whenever I think of corn, I immediately think of popcorn and movies and underwhelming corn on the cobs at barbecues (British summer weather permitting!). A simple Google search on this humble grain leads to the realisation that it is omnipresent.

Blog | Rooted in History

Leeds Museums and Galleries is home to a of tens of thousands of dried plant specimens whose geographical reach spans from the American Rockies to New Zealand covering a diverse range of vascular plants, mosses, lichens, and fungi to name but a few.

Blog | The Temple Newsam Picture Gallery Suite - Part 2

Much of the success of the Picture Gallery – besides the masterful craftsmanship – is from different elements of it working in unison, including plasterwork, paintings, furniture and textiles.

Blog | The Temple Newsam Picture Gallery Suite - Part 1

Much of the success of the Picture Gallery – besides the masterful craftsmanship – is from different elements of it working in unison, including plasterwork, paintings, furniture and textiles.

Blog | Ancient Egyptian Spirituality

Gods and goddesses were all consuming to the Ancient Egyptians. They dictated how people lived their lives, how they treated other people, how they farmed and worked, and all their beliefs about the afterlife.

Blog | The Tiger Who Came to Leeds

There’s lots of symbolism and analogy to be unpicked in the Leeds Tiger’s history. However, I wanted to concentrate on the tale of this cat’s journey from 1860s India to a permanent place at Leeds City Museum, in the UK, at its opening in 2008.

Blog | Autistic Experiences in Museums

Sammy, a volunteer at the Leeds City Museum, talks about their experience living with Autism. They discuss the challenges they face volunteering in the museum but also how it helps them.

Blog | South Asia at Leeds Museums & Galleries

South Asia makes up part of the world’s largest continent, Asia. It was once home to ancient civilisations and is now populated by over 1.89 billion people. South Asia includes countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. It is a dynamic mix of cultures, economies and different art forms.

Blog | How Museums Can Help Schools With Recovery Curriculums

After the pandemic lockdown, we now recognise the importance of our museums and galleries in providing genuine, authentic, accessible experiences. A large part of that is giving schoolchildren access to their cultural heritage in the city. See how these experiences are evolving post-lockdown.

Blog | Leeds During WW2

Like many industrial cities during the Second World War, Leeds contributed significantly to the war effort while also suffering at the hands of German bombers.

Blog | Let’s Talk About Segs

That’s right, segs. Alternatively known as hobs, heels, studs, shoe plates, toe-tips, shoe-protectors, boot-protectors – and to give them their Sunday name – segment of steel

Blog | Gloves: Fashion and Meaning

At the Leeds Discovery Centre we have a huge collection of different clothing from a variety of places and time periods. One item of clothing that has an interesting and storied history are gloves.

Blog | Creating a Sustainable Exhibition

Temporary exhibitions can make a huge demand on resources. Making them happen often means using lots of materials, many of them for bespoke elements necessary to each exhibition.

Blog | The Origins of the Gascoigne Family

Chris Bovis delves into the history of the Gascoigne family, who were residents of Lotherton. In this blog, Chris debunks some of the myths and stories about the prominent medieval family.

Blog | Schools Loan Boxes – The Space Box

Our schools loans box membership scheme is now up and running with over 25 boxes to choose from, with subjects ranging from the Ancient Greeks to chocolate. The scheme enables schools to use and handle actual accessioned museum objects in the classroom.

Blog | The Bird Egg Collection

Claire Miles explores our Bird Egg collection at Leeds City Museum, after taking over the immense task of documenting over 8000 – 10000 eggs in our museum collections database and making some wonderful discoveries.

Blog | Heart of a Lion and the Hands of a Lady: Lord Moynihan of Leeds

Discover the story of Leeds abdominal surgeon Lord Moynihan: who had ‘the heart of a lion and the hands of a lady’.

Blog | Lighting up Leeds: The Story of George Bray & Co

Discover the history behind Leeds businessman George Bray – the 19th century gas lighting pioneer who changed the face of Britain

Blog | Monopoly: The Leeds Edition

Explore the fascinating history of the nation’s favourite board game with placement student Chelsea Knight.

Blog | Imagining Little Red Riding Hood

Social History Curator Kitty Ross explores the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and it’s many illustrations, in light of the Fairytales and Fantasy exhibition at Abbey House Museum.

Blog | ‘Iris’ (1886) by John Atkinson Grimshaw

Local historian Eveleigh Bradford explores one of Atkinson Grimshaw’s most entrancing paintings, which chimes well with the theme of Fairy Tales and Fantasy, the subject of the new exhibition at Abbey House.

Blog | Medal For the Somme – Centenary Commemoration

As we mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Emma our Conservator reveals the medal awarded to veterans of the battle.

Blog | The Dennisons of Leeds: Pioneers of Penny Slot Machines

Curator Kitty Ross reveals the story behind the popular 1930s ‘Murder in the Museum’ penny slot machine at Abbey House Museum!

Blog | Gertrude Bray ‘The Home Specialist’

We are currently cataloguing the Yorkshire Post Studio photography archive which is held at Abbey House Museum. One glass negative dated May 1938 simply states that it is a Mrs Gertrude Bray of Bray Homes.

Blog | Waddingtons Cluedo and how ‘The Great Detective Game’ was made in Leeds.

As a child, whenever we drove past the Waddingtons factory on Wakefield Road in Hunslet my parents would tell me that was where they made Monopoly. Even better for me, it was also where they made my favourite game ever: Cluedo!

Blog | Why Do Kiwis Produce Massive Eggs?

Generally in the natural world the size of one’s offspring correlates with the size of one’s self. Elephant babies are huge and mouse babies are tiny. The bigger the bird the bigger the egg or the bigger the egg the bigger the bird… depending on which came first!

Blog | The Morley Brank or Scold’s Bridle

Discover the gruesome Morley Brank, a cruel device used to punish those who spoke out of turn as early as the 16th century.

Sponsor a Rose Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for Lotherton's Sponsor a Rose

Sponsor a Rose at Lotherton

Join us as we start a programme of works restoring our gardens to their former Edwardian Glory.

Year 10 and Year 12 Work Experience at Leeds Museums and Galleries

Leeds Museums and Galleries hosts work experience for Year 10 and Year 12 students from secondary schools across Leeds.

Whose Power?

Whose Power? is a podcast that explores the power of participation and seeks to amplify the voices of young people to create new knowledge and understanding. The podcast is a collaboration between Abi…

Stories From The Preservative Party

Read stories, blogs posts and news from The Preservative Party.

The Preservative Party Projects and Exhibitions

Current and past projects and exhibitions from The Preservative Party. Since its formation, the Preservative Party have curated numerous exhibitions across Leeds. These include the highly successful ‘In Their Footsteps’, the award winning ‘Overlooked’ and the multimedia project ‘Whose Power?’.

Join The Preservative Party

Find out what The Preservative Party means to it's members and how to join the weekly group at Leeds City Museum.

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About The Preservative Party

Find out about The Preservative Party, a collective of young curators who meet weekly at Leeds City Museum to develop their interest in museums, often spotlighting overlooked histories.

The Preservative Party

Find out about The Preservative Party at Leeds City Museum. A group of young curators who develop their interest and experience in museums, curate exhibitions and research objects.

Galleries at Leeds Industrial Museum

Discover our range of exhibitions inspired by Leeds' industrial and science history at Leeds Industrial Museum.

Grounds and Garden of Leeds Industrial Museum

Discover our range of exhibitions inspired by Leeds' industrial and science history at Leeds Industrial Museum.

Afternoon Tea at Temple Newsam

A stunning and unique experience, afternoon tea or cream tea at the beautiful Temple Newsam isn't to be missed.

Zine Fair Stall Expression of Interest

Join us as a stallholder at Leeds City Museum's annual Make A Zine Day.

Community at Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey

Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey offer a community programme seeped in local history, art and wellbeing practices.

News | Soldiers’ moving biscuit messages are food for thought this Christmas

Poignant festive messages inscribed on biscuits by soldiers and sent back home from the front lines of the First World War have been revealed in Leeds.

Volunteering at Lotherton

Volunteer with us Set within 54 tranquil hectares of historic landscape, Lotherton offers a variety of volunteering opportunities all year around. Whether your interests lie in working alongside anima…

Exhibition Encounters at Leeds Art Gallery

A series of enjoyable cross-curricular education workshops bringing together visual art and another area of learning in school to enrich understanding within both subjects.

Group Visits to Abbey House Museum

Spend time with an expert from our museum team and explore one of a range of topics illustrated through Leeds Museums and Galleries collections.

Plant Dreaming Events

Leeds Art Gallery | 14 November 2025 - 19 April 2026 | An exhibition of works on plants, and their real and imagined histories

Youth Collective

The Youth Collective is your chance to get involved and be inspired by our collections and exhibitions.

Care Creatives at Leeds Art Gallery

An inclusive group for young adults with lived experience of care that works with artists and practitioners to co-curate exhibitions to go on display at Leeds Art Gallery.

Temple Newsam Through Time - The History of Temple Newsam

Discover the mystery and history of Temple Newsam house and estate, dating back to 1086.

Doris Storey mural

By Alexandra Elstone, this mural key elements of Doris Storey's life.

Caribbean Cricket Club mural

By Jioni Warner, this mural celebrate Leeds Caribbean Cricket Club.

Dance in Leeds mural

By Herfa Thompson, this mural is inspired by the joy of dance.

Skateboarding in Leeds mural

By Melody Murals, this mural is inspired by skateboarding in Leeds, as well as skateboarding groups and organisations.

Kadeena Cox Mural

By Hyro Graff, this mural celebrates Kadeena Cox and her life.

Palace Picture House

Come along to watch a film in the smallest cinema in the north.

Leeds Mindfulness Festival

Leeds Mindfulness Festival returning to Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey for the 10th annual festival.

Halloween at Lotherton

Leeds Museums & Galleries Family Photo Shoots

We're looking for volunteer families to take part in photo shoots at our museum sites this summer. We welcome families of all kinds to come along, including extended families and children of all ages.…

Yorkshire Sculpture International

Yorkshire Sculpture International is a partnership between Henry Moore Institute, The Hepworth Wakefield, Leeds Art Gallery and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, celebrating Yorkshire as a hub for sculptural excellence.

Online Collections

A selection of objects from our collections made available online with Google Arts and Culture and Art UK.

Give What You Can at Leeds Museums and Galleries

Donate to our museums and galleries to help them thrive Donate now

Wellbeing Week

Wellbeing Week at Abbey House Museum and Kirkstall Abbey.

Exhibitions at Abbey House Museum

Discover Leeds's social history through our collection of authentic toys, childhood objects, household items, tools and more in our Victorian museum.

Untitled (One day this kid...) by David Wojnarowicz Translation as part of To Improvise a Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates

Untitled (One day this kid...), David Wojnarowicz,1990 as part of To Improvise a Mountain: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye Curates at Leeds Art Gallery

Community At Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum prides itself on a varied community programme. We work with the community to develop and connect with our museum and it's collection.

SignLive at Leeds City Museum

We’ve partnered with SignLive, a free British Sign Language interpreter app.

Events at Temple Newsam House

Discover Temple Newsam's historic house and it's history in our range of workshops, tours, craft activites and more.

Events at Home Farm and Estate

Find out about expert talks, family events and animal encounters.

Lotherton's Community Hub

Maintaining a living link with the past to secure its future.

Developing Abbey House Museum

Find out the ways in which Leeds Museums and Galleries are working to develop Abbey House Museum.

Preservative Party on the Case

A display in 2025 from the Preservative Party about themes that mean the most to them.

Exhibitions at Leeds Industrial Museum

Discover our range of exhibitions inspired by Leeds' industrial and science history at Leeds Industrial Museum.

Access in Museums Conference Schedule

The second national Access in Museums Conference schedule for 23rd and 24th March 2026..

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Visual Story | Leeds Industrial Museum

Our visual story walks you through what you might expect to see when you visit Leeds Industrial Museum. It includes step by step photographs and information to show how the museum is laid out so that you can prepare for your visit.

Visual Story | Leeds City Museum

Our visual story walks you through what you might expect to see when you visit Leeds City Museum. It includes step by step photographs and information to show how the museum is laid out so that you can prepare for your visit.

The Colour Garden at Leeds Industrial Museum

Take a moment to admire the beauty of Leeds Industrial Museum's Colour Garden by the canal. Our Grade II listed building is home to Leeds Industrial Museum, but tucked just around the corner you'll …

Blog | Leeds Migration Stories

Leeds: A Multicultural Hub Leeds is home to several well-established communities who have arrived from across the globe, with individuals having roots in nearby Ireland and others as far as the Caribb…

News

Find out about Leeds Museums and Galleries latest news across our 8 venues.

Blogs

Leeds Museums and Galleries latest blogs and stories about our collections, venues and projects.

Visual Story | Leeds Discovery Centre

Our visual story walks you through what you might expect to see when you visit Leeds Discovery Centre. It includes step by step photographs and information to show how the museum is laid out so that you can prepare for your visit.

Home Education in Leeds

Resources and workshops for home educators and home education groups.

Stuart Croft: Eternal Return - Credits

Stag without a heart Drive in Remetior Comma39 Stag without a heart Written and Directed by Stuart Croft Cast Martin Turner Paul Fuller Kate Harper Producer Stuart Croft Line Producer Ioanna…

Craft & Create

Craft & Create is our series of fun and friendly craft workshops for adults at Leeds Discovery Centre.

Ancient Egyptian Spirituality

Gods and goddesses were all consuming to the Ancient Egyptians. They filled everything. The Ancient Egyptians were polytheistic and are thought to have had thousands of gods and goddesses.

Wool Fest 2026 Stallholder Expression of Interest form

Stallholder expression of interest form

Armley Print Fest stallholder expression of interest form

Stallholder expression of interest form

Blog | Life, Mystery and Legacy of Louis Le Prince

Louis Le Prince is a fascinating character in and has strong links to Leeds and its central part in the history of film media.

Three Little Pigs Workshop

Meet some of our rare breed residents at Home Farm whilst listening to the classic tale of the ‘Three Little Pigs’; explore a range of materials and their properties as you make your way through the farmyard to take part in a STEM challenge activity.

Local History GCSE Tours

GCSE Local History Unit Temple Newsam House is an approved historical site for the OCR syllabus.

Guided Farm Tour

Meet the livestock at Temple Newsam Home Farm for this farm based workshop that is developed to suit each Key Stage.

Who eats who?

Pupils discover the reasons animals need to eat and the differences between herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.

Living in the Dark

Pupils will explore how nocturnal animals are adapted to living in their dark environment. You will also experience our Nocturnal House at Wildlife World

Adaptation Investigators

Pupils discover how animals are adapted to increase their chances of survival, through behavioural or physical/anatomical traits.

All About Penguins!

A workshop solely about one of our favourite species at Wildlife World – penguins! Best suited for our younger visitors in Reception and Year 1.

Virtual Workshop: Toys through Time

A fun, interactive online version of our most popular workshop looking at old and new toys with Abbey House Museum.

Abbey House Bear Hunt Workshop

Led by our bear hunter your class will explore the Victorian Streets, following the paw prints to discover what Albert the bear has been up to in the museum.

Lotherton Topic Days Workshop

Lotherton is a grand country home set in a large estate, surrounded by beautiful gardens and Wildlife World zoo.

Abbey House Murder Mystery

Working with a Victorian detective, can your pupils use thinking skills to solve the clues and crack the case?

Habitats Workshop

Pupils explore the rainforest and polar habitats. What are they like and how do the animals survive there?

Nursery Rhyme Time

The Baker’s Wife will help your class to follow Gerald the gingerbread man’s clues to find nursery rhymes hidden around our Victorian Streets.

Classification Workshop

Pupils become ‘mini-zoologists’ during this session as we explore how animals can be grouped by their characteristics.

Rainforests

Pupils will explore the animals, plants and resources found in the rainforest. They discover threats to the rainforest and what they can do to help.

Skeleton Science

Learn about the major bones of the human body and how muscles work to keep you moving.

Signs of the Seasons

Discover signs of the seasons whilst exploring the Lotherton and Temple Newsam estates. Observe and learn about the seasonal changes that take place.

Kirkstall Abbey; hideous history or local legend?

Virtual only. This workshop engages pupils with history and encourages thinking skills by exploring some of the more horrid aspects of life in medieval and Tudor Leeds

Arty in the Abbey

This session is full of fun art activities designed to help pupils to understand and explore our wonderful ruins.

‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ story sack

Share the story of ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. The story sack includes the book, soft puppets, laminated food and dressing up outfit.

If stones could speak!

Fun practical activities including puppets, art rubbings and dressing up help pupils to understand the different materials used in old buildings.

Why is Kirkstall Abbey important?

This workshop will look at people like Henry de Lacy and Henry VIII in a talking timeline, explore the ruins and lives of the monks that lived here.

Health and Hygiene

Why were people in medieval times so preoccupied with death? What did they eat? How often did they wash? Explore these questions and more

Hideous History: Monks and Tudors

Why did Tudor doctors shave chickens’ bottoms? What did monks do with wee? Why were beetles so important in making books?

Maths at the Monastery

Experience practical maths in action! Pupils will compare and contrast modern and medieval methods and decide which is best.

What was it like to be a Monk at Kirkstall Abbey?

Take part in this workshop covering 850 years, with pupils taking on the roles of important people in Kirkstall’s history.

Power and Politics

Develop pupil’s interpretation and enquiry skills by exploring medieval life in the abbey, change over time and the power of the Church.

Animal Experience Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for Wildlife World's Animal Experience at Lotherton.

Animal Experiences at Wildlife World

Meet our Wildlife World residents in our new Animal Experience, meet the penguins or Capybara's during your visit to Lotherton.

Talks, Tours, and Walks at Temple Newsam

Join us for a programme of special talks, tours, and walks exploring fascinating elements of Temple Newsam’s rich and varied history.

Art Quest

Enjoy a family fun art trail though Leeds Art Gallery.

Exhibitions at Leeds Museums and Galleries

Discover our exhibitions across our 8 venues from social history, decorative arts, textiles, archeology and more, there is something for everybody.

Access at Lotherton

Access at Lotherton

What's On at Lotherton

Plan a family day out to our stunning Edwardian estate by discovering the current exhibitions and events on at Lotherton.

Grounds and Gardens at Lotherton

Explore the grounds and gardens of Lotherton which include formal Edwardian gardens, meadows and grassy fields.

Access at Leeds Art Gallery

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors.

What's On at Leeds Art Gallery

Explore our range of events inspired by our exhibitions and collections.

Access at Temple Newsam

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

Filming at Temple Newsam

Hire Temple Newsam as a Yorkshire filming location. Previous shoots include Gentleman Jack, Victoria, and Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

Weddings at Temple Newsam

Book your wedding at Temple Newsam to enjoy a country house setting in Leeds.

Visit Lotherton

Plan your visit to Lotherton, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

Events at Temple Newsam

Discover our range of events, exhibitions, school holiday activities and workshops coming up at Temple Newsam House and Home Farm.

Café and Shop at Lotherton

Take some time out in the café at Lotherton and enjoy a homemade, local treat. Nip to the shop to browse our varied selection of souvenirs.

Visit Leeds Art Gallery

Plan your visit to Leeds Art Gallery, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

The Picture Library

A unique art lending scheme open to residents and businesses in Yorkshire.

Learn at Temple Newsam

At Temple Newsam we can help you deliver diverse, creative, skills-based learning across many different curriculum areas. Discover our workshops and download learning resources to help plan your visit…

Exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery

Explore our permanent collection and temporary exhibitions set amongst the stunning architecture of our unique gallery spaces.

Kirkstall Abbey Annual Pass

Validate your annual pass for Kirkstall Abbey

Tiled Hall Café at Leeds Art Gallery

Enjoy hot and cold drinks and food in the 19th-century architecture of the Tiled Hall Café

Collection Store at Leeds Discovery Centre

Explore our incredible museum store, with over one million objects, captivating stories, and passionate experts all under one roof.

Exhibitions at Leeds City Museum

Leeds City Museum hosts changing exhibitions every year, along with exciting events for everyone to take part in.

The Gallery and the City

Cross-curricular workshop bringing together art and history for one or both curriculum areas or knowledge of careers in the art world.

Virtual Classroom: Art Encounters Live

Enjoy a virtual visit to Leeds Art Gallery and get-up close to art linked to an in-school theme.

Lotherton dog guidance

Dogs are a big part of our history at Lotherton and we love seeing our visitors enjoying a walk around the estate with their four-legged friends.

Picturing Design

Creative workshop to develop art skills and confident use of materials and ideas.

Ways of being an Art Detective

Investigation workshop using looking and thinking to explore artworks in a gallery.

Thinking Making

Discover our design technology workshop to understand and solve real design problems.

Sensory Sketchbooks

Playful workshop to engage all senses in exploring, making and sharing through immersive experience.

What's On at Leeds City Museum

Whether you love Leeds history, the ancient worlds or natural sciences, or you’re simply looking for a fun day out, there’s plenty to enjoy all year.

Group visits to Temple Newsam

Bring your group or coach party to Temple Newsam for a great day exploring the stunning country house and estate in Leeds.

Take One Picture Workshop

Practical cross-curricular workshop using learning strategies from the National Gallery’s exciting initiative.

ARTeam Techniques

Specialist-led workshops to develop and improve skills in a specific arts practice or Arts Award.

Venue Hire at Leeds Art Gallery

A unique and elegant venue for your meeting or function in the heart of Leeds.

Learn at Lotherton

At Lotherton we offer a range of workshops and tours at our beautiful a country estate.

Support Leeds Art Gallery

By supporting Leeds Art Gallery you can help improve and care for our collection and programme.

Cultural Activists

This workshop will initiate exploration of culture within the wider world and support reflection on attributes needed to manage growing-up and adulthood.

Learn at Leeds Art Gallery

At Leeds Art Gallery we can deliver exploratory, creative, skills-based learning across many different curriculum areas.

LEGO® Build the Change School Workshop

Design, build, evaluate and share a solution to a real-world sustainability challenge using LEGO® bricks in this hands-on workshop.

Victorian Schoolroom Workshop

Immerse pupils in a Living History experience to discover what life was really like for children in the past in Victorian Britain.

Tales of Kirkstall Abbey

Discover the history Kirkstall Abbey and the people who lived and worked here with our audio guide.

Family Guide to Temple Newsam

Use our family guide to plan your visit to Temple Newsam with hints and tips to make the most of your day out.

Access at Leeds City Museum

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our building, exhibitions and collections. Leeds City Museum Accessibility Guide (346KB)

Park and lakes at Temple Newsam

Enjoy fantastic vistas of the park and lakes and take in the idyllic natural surroundings of this vastly beautiful estate.

Mill Children

Pupils will learn about local history through a fun, interactive session. Learn what it was like to live and work as a child during the height of the Industrial Revolution.

Wonders of Weaving

Explore the textile process from raw fleece to the finished garment all under one roof of one of the oldest mills in the country.

What's on at Kirkstall Abbey

Discover our scenic markets, family friendly school holiday events and more on our What's On.

Abbey Café

Set within the beautiful abbey ruins with indoor and outdoor seating.

Venue hire at Kirkstall Abbey

Weddings, events and filming is available at Kirkstall Abbey all year round.

Learn at Kirkstall Abbey

At Kirkstall Abbey we can help you deliver varied and original skills-based learning across many different curriculum areas.

Mini Victorian Schoolroom

Experience a Victorian Schoolroom workshop complete with handwriting practice and drill exercises under the watchful eye of the Victorian school Ma’am.

Venue hire at Leeds City Museum

Access at Leeds Industrial Museum

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

Access at Leeds Discovery Centre

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors.

Learn at Leeds Industrial Museum

Plan school trips about the Victorians or industrial history

Life on Earth | Leeds City Museum

Whale poem Winston Plowes was commissioned to write a poem for the installation of the whale at Leeds City Museum in 2019. The poem was written in ghazal style. This is an ancient form of poetry where…

Visit Leeds Industrial Museum

Plan your visit to Leeds Industrial Museum, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

Visit Kirkstall Abbey

Plan your visit to Kirkstall Abbey

Access at Kirkstall Abbey

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

Explore Temple Newsam

Explore the beautiful historic mansion, wander the gardens and see our rare breed animals at Home Farm.

Venue Hire at Leeds Industrial Museum

A heritage setting for your next meeting or room hire in a museum of science and industry

Access at Abbey House Museum

We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors.

Visit Temple Newsam

Plan your visit to Temple Newsam, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

Amazing Animals School Workshop

Get up close to animals from around the world. Learn about adaptations, habitats and evolution by investigating a birds, insects and exotic animal skeletons and see our 800,000 scientific specimens.

Rocks and Fossils School Workshop

Where do rocks come from? How are rocks classified? What are fossils and where are they found? Find out about sand, soils, minerals and shells and a planet that is constantly evolving.

What have the Romans ever done for us?

Pupils will explore Roman life in Britain by handling artefacts from Dalton Parlours, a Roman villa near Wetherby, and investigate their legacy.

Walk like an Egyptian

Forget Pharaohs and pyramids – see how everyday citizens of ancient Egypt lived. Handle real Egyptian artefacts including 3,100 year old mummy bandages.

Stone Age to Iron Age Britain

How did Britain change from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age and then to the Iron Age? How do we know when there were no written records?

First World War: Beyond the trenches workshop

In this learning workshop use objects, evidence and discussion to discover the local experience of war, from the Leeds PALS and Rifles to the stories of the people they left behind.

Herbarium Café at Leeds City Museum

Step into our botanical Herbarium Café in Leeds city centre. Our museum café features inspiration from Leeds Museums and Galleries botany collections.

Venue Hire at Leeds Discovery Centre

Hire Leeds Discovery Centre for your meeting, workshop or team away day and experience a unique setting with our collection of over 1 million objects.

What's On at Leeds Discovery Centre

Discover our range of events and workshops to find out what’s coming up at Leeds Discovery Centre.

Venue Hire at Abbey House Museum

Abbey House Museum is a Victorian Museum in Leeds with authentically recreated 19th century streets which include examples of shops, homes and workplaces.

Learn at Abbey House Museum

At Abbey House Museum we can help you deliver diverse and original skills-based learning across many different curriculum areas.

What's on at Abbey House Museum

Explore our special events and exhibitions at Abbey House Museum to find out what life was like in Victorian Leeds and explore our childhood stories..

Community Groups at Leeds Discovery Centre

We work with community groups and organisations at Leeds Discovery Centre to share our collections with as many people as possible.

Research and enquiries at Leeds Discovery Centre

Researchers, students and local historians are welcome to use our collections and research facility.

Photography Policy

Leeds Museums & Galleries allows handheld, non-flash still photography by visitors for personal, non-commercial use wherever possible. It is the visitor's responsibility to ensure that no copyright is infringed.

Learning Policy

Learning is at the heart of Leeds Museums & Galleries (LM&G). We welcome, inspire and engage diverse audiences through our collections and enable them to build their own interpretations.

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy

Leeds Museums & Galleries (LM&G) is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights of others.

Human Remains Policy

Leeds Museums and Galleries (LMG) acknowledges that human remains were once parts of living people and will care for them in a respectful manner while also making the collections available for research and engagement where appropriate.

Health and safety guidance for schools

This guidance is designed to assist teachers and group leaders in completing their own risk assessment during a familiarisation visit to Leeds Museums & Galleries venues before a group visit.

Group Visits to Leeds Discovery Centre

Group visits to Leeds Discovery Centre are great for local history enthusiasts or those who are looking for something unique.

Evolution Position Statement

Leeds Museums & Galleries (LM&G) exist to collect, preserve and interpret historic, scientific and cultural collections and historic sites and use them as inspiration for educating, entertaining and informing the people of Leeds and visitors to the city.

Learn at Leeds Discovery Centre

Educational workshops for schools and home educators, school trips and events.

Visit Leeds Discovery Centre

Plan your visit to Leeds Discovery Centre, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

Young Adults

We work with young adults in Leeds on a range of exciting, behind the scenes opportunities across a variety of our sites. From curating thought-provoking exhibitions to planning workshops and exploring our archive,.

Support Us

Support Leeds Museums and Galleries and Leeds Museums and Galleries Development Trust. Your support is vital and helps us to share our work with the world.

Social Media Policy

We aim to create engaging social media content about our venues, collections and behind-the-scenes. We ask our social media community to respect the guidelines detailed in this policy.

Volunteer Policy

LMG has a commitment to the involvement of volunteers and believes that volunteers play a vital role in extending the scope of our work allowing us to add value to our services and helping to meet service need or demand and achieve our goals, which would not otherwise be possible.

Environmental Sustainability Policy

As a service we are responding to these policy challenges through initiatives both at service level and at different sites through see site development plans.

Collections Information Policy

Leeds Museums and Galleries is committed to protecting the intellectual property rights (IPR) of others. We also seek to protect, enhance and realise the commercial value of our own intellectual property in support of the mission of our service and in compliance with IPR legislation.

Collections Development Policy

Leeds Museums & Galleries (LM&G) exist to collect, preserve and interpret historic, scientific and cultural collections and historic sites and use them as inspiration for educating, entertaining and informing the people of Leeds as well as visitors to the city.

Visit Abbey House Museum in Leeds

Plan your visit to Abbey House Museum in Leeds, find opening times, our contact details and access information. Explore the Victorian streets, reminisce in the childhood galleries with authenitc toys from our collection, and discover Leeds' social history during your visit.

Get Involved - Career and Volunteer

Find out how to get involved with Leeds Museums and Galleries by volunteering or searching jobs with us.

Borrowing From Leeds Museums

Find out how to borrow from Leeds Museums and Galleries large collection

Mailing List Signup

Sign up for Leeds Museums and Galleries newsletter to stay up to date with our latest events and exhibitions.

What's On Home

From tours to sensory sessions, workshops to animal experiences, family events to young adults museum lates, tractor tours to nature trails. Leeds Museums and Galleries have something for everyone to enjoy.

Filming Locations in Leeds

Discover Leeds Museums & Galleries unique historic filming locations in Leeds.

Contact Us

Find out how to contact Leeds Museums and Galleries and our 8 venues.

Decolonising the curriculum

Discover how the Learning and Access team began the Decolonising the Curriculum Project at Leeds Museums and Galleries to plan curriculum learning resources connected to our collections.

Anti-Racism and Colonial Histories

Leeds Museums & Galleries stands against racism in all its forms, we strive to put inclusivity at the heart of our museums and to reflect the diverse population of Leeds today.

Our Strategy

Our vision is to create deeper connections with the people we serve using the collections and venues we care for, and to widen our impact on the world. Deepening Connections, Widening Impact is our new strategy; from 2022-27 we will be working towards six outcomes for people, communities and the wider world.

Young Adults Programme

Find out how Leeds Museums and Galleries work with Young Adults aged 13-24.

#DYC On the pitch, off the pitch: Collecting Sport in Leeds

#DYC On the pitch, off the pitch – collecting sport in Leeds is a National Lottery Heritage Fund project recognising the important place of sport in the culture of Leeds. It will increase representation of sports in Leeds Museums and Galleries and across the City and create connections between collections and the city’s public spaces.

Our Projects

Environmental Sustainability

We are part of Leeds City Council’s Best City Ambition, which encompasses the ambition to become a net zero city by 2030. Environmental sustainability is embedded in our service strategy Deepening Con…

Community Programme

Our Community Engagement team work with local community groups across all of our eight venues, exploring their connections with the city, past and present. Our outreach service enables people who ca…

Our Work

As one of the largest local authority museum services in the UK, we aspire to lead by example for our city, our people and our sector. Our strategy Deepening Connections, Widening Impact sets out our framework, where we will continue to create unforgettable experiences, while improving quality and diversifying our audiences.

Corporate Hire with Leeds Museums and Galleries

We offer a variety of unique spaces for meeting room hire, presentations and events.

Special Educational Needs and Access

Find out more about our venues and programmes, and how we try to make them inclusive and accessible for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Learning Workshops

Search our collection of learning workshops across our 8 sites

Website Terms of Use

Leeds Museums and Galleries website Terms of Use.

Website Accessibility

Leeds Museum and Galleries website accessibility policy.

Weddings

Hire Kirkstall Abbey or Temple Newsam for your wedding in Leeds.

Community exhibitions and displays

We have a number of flexible spaces located across our attractions for communities to use. If you have a story to tell and want to share with the wider Leeds community, get in touch to see what we can do to help.

Venue Hire at Leeds Museums & Galleries

Weddings, corporate, and film location hire at stunning historic venues in Leeds

SEND School workshops

Discover our range of SEND school workshops which have been designed for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Urban Nature Project

The Urban Nature Project is a Real World Science project through our partnership with the Natural History Museum. The project aims to inspire, inform and empower teachers and students, aged 9-14, to g…

Teacher Continuing Professional Development

We run regular teacher Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions to support teacher’s professional learning and development. Each session is tailored to a teacher’s individual needs and can b…

Care and Conservation Policy

Statement of Purpose Leeds Museums & Galleries (LMG) exists to collect, preserve and interpret historic, scientific and cultural collections and historic sites and use them as inspiration for educatin…

Access Commitment Statement

We know there are barriers to accessing our places and displays and are actively seeking to address them. We will listen to people and change our practices accordingly.

Our Stories

Read, listen and discover what's been happening at Leeds Museums and Galleries. Find our latest news and recent blog posts, and listen to our podcast Museums n' That.

Our Policies

Leeds Museums & Galleries Policies To make a policy related enquiry, please contact us. Email museumsandgalleries@leeds.gov.uk

Social History Collection

The Leeds social history collections started with an emphasis on ‘bygones’ and folk life in the 1920s. Reconstructed street displays at Abbey House were then added in the 1950s, recreating life in Victorian Leeds.

Primary School Membership scheme

Access real museum artefacts to use in your classrooms and take part in workshops from our eight museums and galleries. Receive support with curriculum planning, teacher training and local resources. …

Natural Science Collection

The Leeds natural science collection comprises around 800,000 specimens, and is hugely diverse in terms of subject area, specimen type, and taxonomic range. It is designated as being of national and international significance.

Curriculum Planning and Support Packages

Leeds Museums & Galleries Curriculum Planning service for local Primary Schools can support you in creating a bespoke curriculum.

Industrial History Collection

The Leeds industrial collections are largely based at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, and have been designated as of national and international significance.

Careers for all

Careers for All is a programme run by Leeds Museums and Galleries, designed to help bridge the gap between learning in school to earning in the workplace.

Christmas Toys and Games School Workshop

Discover how the Victorians invented Christmas traditions and compare how rich and poor Victorians celebrated Christmas in the 19th century.

Ancient Worlds: Egyptians School Workshop

This popular workshop explores our archaeology collections and helps pupils learn about mummification.

That's Not My Tiger School Workshop

A museum explorer will lead your group on an animal adventure through the arctic, jungle and beyond as you search for the missing tiger.

Temple Newsam

Visit Temple Newsam House and Home Farm to see one of the most beautiful country house estates in the country.

Lotherton

Explore the museum, visit the zoo, and discover the gardens. Upcoming events

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills

Experience the science and industry that built the city of Leeds in our historic woollen Mill

Leeds Discovery Centre

Explore our incredible museum store, where you’ll find an astonishing collection of over one million objects and their stories. Join fun workshops and tours of our collection.

Abbey House Museum in Leeds

An interactive museum in Leeds. Explore the Victorian streets, reminisce in the childhood galleries with authenitc toys from our collection, and discover Leeds' social history. Discover our social history exhibitions, family events and workshop series'.

Kirkstall Abbey

Explore the historic ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, learn all about its history in the Visitor Centre and join special events. Enjoy wandering through the park and woodlands, and take a leisurely stroll beside the River Aire.

Arts Award and Artsmark

Arts Award Our eight museums and galleries are proud to be Arts Award supporters. Leeds Museums & Galleries are offering the opportunity for pupils to gain an Arts Award Discover qualification and cer…

Snow Animal Adventures

A museum explorer will lead your group on an animal adventure through the arctic and beyond. Children search for clues and use keys to identify snow animals.

Ancient Worlds: Greeks School Workshop

Transport your class to Ancient Greece. Immerse yourselves in this civilization by coming face-to-face with surviving Ancient Greek pottery and riches.

Our Collections

Explore Leeds Museums and Galleries large collection of Art, Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Natural Science, Dress and Textiles, Industrial, World Cultures and Social History.

Chronology and Local History School Workshop

Develop chronological understanding with a difference! Pupils become the heads of a giant timeline, from Stone Age to modern day.

Ancient Worlds: Romans School Workshop

Come and experience the ‘Romanisation’ of Britain by delving into the past with a Roman soldier’s footprint, handling real Roman objects and using evidence to find the Romans in Yorkshire.

Anglo-Saxons School Workshop

Discover Leeds’ Anglo-Saxon gold jewellery, search for evidence of Christian conversion on stone crosses, and discover Northumbrian kings on tiny coins.

Life in Asia

Handle Asian artefacts and journey through our Voices of Asia gallery at Leeds City Museum.

SEND: Hands-on Egypt

Pupils can sketch or photograph ancient artefacts, see and learn about the Ancient Egyptian mummified person and get hands on by embalming our large mummification dolls.

SEND: Interactive Animal Tour

Interactive 30 minute tours of the Life on Earth gallery for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, focusing on animals and nature.

Visit Leeds City Museum

Plan your visit to Leeds City Museum, find opening times, our contact details and access information.

Learn with Leeds Museums & Galleries

Learn through objects and artworks by creating curiosity, creativity and conversation. Recognised by awards across cultural learning in the UK and Europe, our learning team’s work and research has c…

Topics through Time - Going to the Seaside

Compare seaside holidays today with those in the recent past and those taken a long time ago by examining a range of objects and photos.

Topics through Time - Comparing Queens

In this workshop, your class will compare the lives of two remarkable women: Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria.

Topics through Time - Houses and Homes

Learn about houses through time in this interactive workshop with object handling and role play.

Topics Through Time - Toys and Games School Workshop

Your class will get to see and handle a range of old and new toys and discover the different ways children played in the past.

About Us

Leeds Museums and Galleries was established in 1821 and is the largest local authority-run museum service in England and has one of the most significant multidisciplinary collections in the UK.

What was it like to live here 100 years ago?

Your pupils will get to explore these questions and more using objects from the museum’s collections.

Leeds Art Gallery

Explore our permanent collection and temporary exhibitions set amongst the stunning architecture of our unique gallery spaces at Leeds Art Gallery.

Learn at Leeds City Museum

Educational workshops for schools and home educators, school trips and events.

Leeds City Museum

Discover Leeds museum of history and modern day, plan days out and book events. Donate today to support us.

two children and two adults walking up to Lotherton House

Become a Member

Enjoy Lotherton all year round, including Wildlife World, the historic hall and museum, and the beautiful grounds including our traditional gardens.

The best value option if you visit us more than twice a year.

Become a member

What's on

Agenda

Get Involved - Find careers and volunteering opportunities with Leeds Museums and Galleries.

Discover our stories All news and blogs

Blog | The Origins of the Gascoigne Family

Chris Bovis delves into the history of the Gascoigne family, who were residents of Lotherton. In this blog, Chris debunks some of the myths and stories about the prominent medieval family.

Previous

A doorway archway in Lotherton House, with 2 plaster sculptured people in a Greek style

Support us

Donations help care for our collections and support our unique heritage sites.

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Sign up to receive email updates on our exhibitions, events, and more.

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