Britain’s top cities for museums & galleries – Leeds

Leeds’ museums & galleries

Leeds, located in the county of Yorkshire, is a city that makes a point of having fun. Its not only a prime business, shopping and nightlife centre but its also home to some deliciously intriguing museums and galleries.

Unique galleries

Old Victorian warehouses have been transformed into marvellous centres for artistic expression. Galleries like Lotherton Hall and the Henry Moore Institute (www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk/) have a fantastic range of 20th-century bronze, glass and stone exhibits. Temple Newsam House is another must-see with a mix of painting and watercolours, from Turner and Cozens to works by local artist Atkinson Grimshaw.

Fencers engage in combat next to display of men-at-arms in the Royal Armouries in Leeds

Try Henry VIII’s armour

In complete contrast is the Royal Armouries (www.armouries.org.uk/), a national collection of arms from the Tower of London (www.hrp.org.uk). If you’re up for a challenge, try swinging a cat in Henry VIII’s suit of metal, or watch a spectacular hand-to-hand combat demonstration by trained sword fighters. Over in the Thackray Museum (www.thackraymuseum.org/) you’ll discover a fascinating history of medicine. See a surgical chainsaw and medicinal eating of live snails!

A view of Armley Mill from bridge

More great museums in Leeds

Other museums and galleries to add to your list of things to do include the Abbey House Museum (www.leeds.gov.uk/abbeyhouse/) where you can really get a taste of Victorian life, the City Art Gallery (www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/) in the heart of Leeds on the Headrow and Armley Mills Industrial Museum on Canal Road.

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