Access Information

Leeds City Museum is located on Millennium Square in Leeds city centre, located 0.4 miles from Leeds railway station and 0.6 miles from Leeds bus station. The museum is on a graduated slope, upward from the direction of the train station or downward if you are approaching from Woodhouse Lane.

Entrances

There are two entrances to the museum. The main entrance is accessed via steps with a handrail, or by a ramp (the bottom of the ramp is on the left of the building as you face it). The main entrance has two double doors. The double doors on the left are automated with a press button, and they open outwards.

Inside the main entrance, you will be greeted by a Visitor Assistant who will explain which galleries are on which floor. You can download a floor plan of the Museum here (PDF). The Museum has four floors which are all accessed by stairs or a lift. The lift on the ground floor is on the left.

Alternatively, you can enter the museum at lower ground level through the café. The automated doors with a push button are located on the left and they open outwards.

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.

Leeds City Museum: ///pokers.nodded.task
Café: ///ducks.tonic.gums

This Visual Story (Word document) shows what to expect when you visit Leeds City Museum. It includes photographs and information so that you can prepare for your visit. It has information about some recent changes and safety measures. It is an editable document so that you can amend and add additional information as required.

Due to building works arorund Cookridge Street, Rossington Street, and Percival Street, the museum’s nearest accessible parking bays are located at the Merrion Centre, Woodhouse Lane, The Light and Rose Bowl car parks, approximately 5-10 minutes walk from the museum.

Cookridge Street bends around Millennium Square and becomes Rossington Street. This is a good point to access the pedestrianised square.

If you are arriving by coach or minibus, there are drop off bays for coaches on Great George Street, which is just around the corner from Millennium Square.

There is an accessible toilet on each floor of the museum. Facilities in the toilets include rails at the sides of the toilet and basin, emergency alarms and fire alarms with flashing lights. These toilets are not RADAR key operated.

Leeds City Museum has a Changing Places toilet. This is located on floor 3 of the museum.

Large print exhibition guides are available in a folder near the start of each gallery.

Light levels are low in certain galleries. This is to protect and conserve the objects in those areas. Please ask a Visitor Assistant if you would like to borrow a torch during your visit.

There are a number of tactile, audio, visual and interactive exhibits and spaces throughout the museum.

All floors of the museum can be accessed via lift. The lift has capacity for up to two wheelchairs on any one journey.

Seating is available around the museum, in every gallery and in the café.

The museum has two wheelchairs available for visitors to borrow. Please call 0113 378 5001 in advance of your visit to ensure a chair is available or ask a Visitor Assistant during your visit.

There are a number of tactile, audio, visual and interactive exhibits and spaces throughout the museum. Many of the exhibits are displayed at a lower level. There is a lower height counter at the shop.

BSL tours

We aim to provide British Sign Language (BSL) tours as part of our Special Exhibition programme. Please email us to find out about our current or upcoming exhibition programme or explore our what’s on section.

Induction loop

The museum has an induction loop which requires your hearing aid to be set to ‘T’. The induction loop covers the following areas:

• Lower Ground Meeting Rooms – the Denny and Thoresby Room have an induction loop
• Floor 3 – The Potter Film and the Tomb Sounds in the Ancient Worlds Gallery

We also have a portable induction loop that can be borrowed during your visit.

Please ask if you need assistance or information during your visit. There are quieter places we can direct you to if you or a member of your family needs it.

The museum is particularly busy during February and October school holidays and on special event days. Please contact us if you need further information.

Borrowable resources

Ear defenders and torches are available and can be borrowed from the museum gift shop.

Sensory room for families with Additional Needs

We do not have a sensory room available at all times. Once every school holiday we host a pop-up sensory room with bubble tube, dark tents and tactile toys. We limit the total number of tickets for the session so that the room isn’t overwhelming for the children and young people. Booking your free ticket via our website is essential, see the what’s on page for details.

The event is located on the lower ground floor of the museum – turn left out of the lift on the lower ground floor.

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

Euan’s Guide have produced an impartial Disabled Access Review of Leeds City Museum.

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

Phone

0113 378 5001
(10am - 4pm)

Email

city.museum@leeds.gov.uk

Post

Leeds City Museum
Cookridge Street
Millennium Square
Leeds
LS2 8BH