A truly amazing museum. Lots of exhibits, demonstrations, and re-enactments for all ages. The…read moreartifacts displayed go from primitive times to modern day. The gift shop stocks tons of books, toys, and of course, tee/ sweatshirts. We are museum nerds so we needed two days to explore the Royal Armouries. Most people can probably do it in one. It's a don't miss when in Leeds.

This is a huge exhibit so be prepared to have information overload, and maybe sore feet! The way…read morethey present the Armouries from all over the world is incredible! Pieces of art work in themselves! The collection is beyond extensive and beautifully displayed. I highly recommend attending the daily scheduled talks, they are engaging and informative, with a chance to ask questions and handle relevant items. During the weekday is less busy with general public, but can get busy and a bit loud with school visits, but we actually took advantage of this and listened to the teachers giving talks to the children! This is a free exhibition that does welcome donations. There is plenty of bathroom facilities, lifts as well as stairs for moving throughout the floors. Also, there Is a cafe on the ground floor. They do like you to book in advanced even though it's free, that way they have an idea of numbers.

The Henry Moore is a huge square grey marble building right next to the fantastic Light shopping…read morecentre. It is very modern but don't let the cold square exterior put you off. It is very welcoming inside and just like the art gallery right next door it is free. Situated on the headrow, less than 30 seconds from the bus stop and 10 minutes walk from the bus and train stations, this is a very accessible museum of all things sculpture. It does have a great mix of modern and tradtional art in a variety of physical media which is excellent and though no touching is allowed I would still say that this is a good place to bring slightly older and well behaved children with an interest or appreciation for sculpture and design. I enjoyed my visit there and there is a good hour's worth of things to see, so coupled with the art gallery and the little shop there's an afternoon's entertainment for free - which can't be bad. Again the staff here are lovely and very willing to help with any queries you might have. I love this place and I think it's worth anyone's free time- as it's free itself.

The Henry Moore Institute, named after the great man himself who comes from Yorkshire, is a…read moresculpture gallery located on the Headrow in the centre of Leeds right next door to the Leeds City Art gallery. It is an impressive black marble fronted building and like the Art Gallery is absolutely free to enter. It has a great deal of traditional sculptures in bronze, clay and wood, and lots of modern sculptures too in all manner of mediums - the sky seems to be the limit! Set yourself an hour aside to have a look round, it has disabled and buggy access, and a little cafe too. Absolutely worth a look.

A really beautiful setting awaits you if you have the time and inclination to get to Thwaite Mills…read more Semi-wild walkways follow along the canal routes and River Aire attracting buzzing wildlife. People can experience the water force once used to drive industry of oil making/refining and putty creating in the functioning mill as well as learning about how the workers lived by touring around the managers house now a Grade II listed building. Thwaite Mills are sometimes involved with wider Leeds events where boat rides to the city centre have been used along side music and dance workshops. It is a lovely place to pass warm summer days...when they arrive.

Lovely hidden gem in Leeds…read more Gorgeous old Watermill setting offering the old buildings & machinery, gardens and canal-side walks to suit all the family (and pooch) Ample parking and gift shop/tuck shop for those little niceties to take away as a momento of the visit.

We had so much fun here! The staff was hilarious and just seeing this place made me think of the…read morepictures in the textbooks I read as a child about the industrial times in England. The view outside is gorgeous and my children and I had so much fun seeing all the exhibits and different textiles. A really good part of the exhibit were the ages of the workers and the stories of all the health-related problems they were through. So fascinating.

Located in the dreary Leeds suburb of Armley, this large museum occupies a former industrial site…read morealongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the River Aire. At the time of my visit the whole of the outdoor area was closed because of flood-defence work so I wasn't able to see everything it offers. There is a lot of interesting stuff in this museum, particularly about the textile industry, and some of the other industries that helped to make Leeds one of England's great cities. However some of the interpretation is limited and some old machinery isn't restored. Being located beside the canal it is surprising that nothing at all was said in the exhibitions about the canal, which was an artery of industry in its heyday. Unfortunately access by public transport is poor, the nearest bus stop doesn't offer a very frequent service and doesn't connect very well to the main Leeds station. If you have time it is easier to walk from the City along the canal towpath.

This is an hidden gem of bradford as not many people remember this is here. There never was much…read moreadvertising when this opened either. The museum goes back centuries with the history of england and shows clothing, food, machinery, etc over the years. The main theme though obviously is peace and it covers all the great wars and is interesting. It shows the weapons used, the ways we lived, etc. There are a good selection of drawings and paintings all about war and peace which are interesting too. the building is an old church and they have kept some of the original features which in itself is worth going for. There is an eating area to eat your own food too. The place is nice and clean. The staff are very friendly. If i remember right there was no entrance fee but they do ask for donations.

Bowling Hall is a large museum in a medieval building, it is set in a leafy garden with a large…read morepark across the road. It was a stronghold in the 'siege of Bradford' and where a ghost requested that we 'pity poor Bradford'! The exhibits are quite 'traditional', but this doesn't detract from the charm of the museum, in fact quite often you can be the only people in the attraction which gives it a certain atmosphere, especially when you are wandering around the haunted rooms! The museum is large enough to while away an hour, but not too big that it would be boring for younger visitors. The promise of a play in the park and an icecream should keep them quiet and on their best behaviour too - the park opposite the museum is large and well kept and has something for everyone.

This is a lovely old house situated in the Bradford 4 area…read more The ground floor where you enter is slighlty darker than the rest and can frighten some younger children. There is many things on show, that can teach young children and older children about how people used is to live. This place is said to be haunted and appeared on most haunted. It has different events happening through out the years and is a good place to vist.

So I'm a bit of a cultural kick. Oh yes, it had to happen. Knowledge is power folks, so feed me…read moresome information. What better place than somewhere called the Discovery Centre? It's a modern day high tech storage facility with a host of things to gawp and gaze at. You'll see masses of stuff stacked up and you can even have a look more closely in the special observation area. What I really like is how helpful and super knowledgeable the staff are. It really does put me to shame. In fact, maybe I'll go back to school and pay attention in science classes this time. Throw in a learning zone, special events and loads of regular talks and it's a different day out and a welcome option to have on our door steps.

The Discovery Centre is a specialised facility as well as a museum. It has been designed to enable…read morespecimens and collectables to be stored and displayed in conditions optimum for their preservation. Bugs, animals, clothes and sculptures are stored here. You can wander around or pre-arrange a guided tour to get the most from your experience. There is a diverse range of collectables that so most people can find something that intrigues them be it natural history, human history or culture.

My daddy, my daddy. I've not lost my marbles (not fully); I'm just getting down with my train…read morereference lingo. That of course comes from the Railway Children and the stunning surroundings of Haworth. I'm also down with the Middleton crew. Okay maybe getting all street when it comes to trains is wrong. Let me rephrase, I'm also partial to a splendid day out to the Middleton Railway and the fine locomotives. Better? Established in 1758 it's one of the oldest working railways in the world. How's that for a claim. So if you like your trains, chances are you'll like it here. As do I. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fulltime train spotter (complete with plastered black rimmed glasses and padded coat) but I appreciate some of the things in life that have improved our world. Not only can you take a ride but you'll also be able to learn more about the place at the Engine House, consisting of a training room/classroom, display hall, a display and an interactive area. It's a nice set up for little ones and it taught me a thing or two as well. Definitely one to mark down if you like to go choo choo and a family day out.

It's like being in a real-life episode of Thomas the Tank Engine, oh the nostalgia. Providing a…read morehome for old locomotives as well as historical information on where and when the machines where built and by whom. Not only a home but a place for restoring steam and diesel engines back to a former glory such as the North Eastern Railway 1310. Every locomotive has a story attached and you can ride on these machines throughout the year. It is best to check online for current event/opening days. A nice family day out or a good place for enthusiasts.

I visited this place when I was 20 (nearly two years ago) and it scared the hell out of me! I'm…read morereally interested in history and medicines but there's something extremely creepy about this old building and the terrors of early medicine and procedures. When I visited, the first section was set out in a walk through street full of disease, smells, loud noises and pretend people who make you jump so much you'd think they were actually real. There's also a theatre where you witness the amputation of a limb without anaesthetic. My friend and I were the only ones in the theatre to watch this and as it's all mechanical, it's pretty damn creepy. There's a fun childrens section explaining the process of how food travels around the body and absolutely cabinets full of medical equipment and written work. I'd definitely advise people to go who like being education whilst having fun and exploring a whole museum full of surprises....

Educational and fun, what's all that about eh? Set in the grand and absolutely gorgeous former…read moreLeeds workhouse union building, it is the perfect location to house the gory and informative Thackray Medical Museum, partly because of that whole intimidating size and partly because of the possible unknown shenanigans vibe this building gives off. I have no idea why but Clockwork Orange comes to mind. Moving swiftly on, I was a bit naïve on believing that all museums are free these days, so was a bit shocked to find out there's an admission fee of £5. But for entertainment value and value for money factor, it's a price, on reflection to happily pay. The medical museum is fascinating, and once you get beyond the gore, it's truly addictive, especially where children are concerned, well, providing they're not the squeamish whiny types, or yanno, under five. The Having a Baby section seems to be a firm favourite with parents who semi-forcibly push their children, male and female into empathy belly suits to deter them from making them grandparents before their time. There's so much more than empathy bellies, whether it be an interesting step back into Victorian Leeds to sample working life and conditions and how you'd treat a mill workplace injury back in the day, or the gorily named Pain, Pus and Blood exhibition, there's tonnes to look at, and you really do need a good couple of hours to properly explore the museum. Plenty to do and look at, with tactile displays and interactive exhibits, it's educational and honest without being too much for children who are old enough to understand what it all means. Plus as a self confessed big kid, it's educational and fun for everyone who's willing to learn.