The Arium (Fun Arium play area)

Is it right for my child?

• Ages 5 to 12: the double towered castle has bridges, multi-level towers and a spider’s net, for climbing and sliding.
• Ages 1 to 4: the toddler play area has swings, slides, seesaws and climbing frames.
• Diggers and builders: the sand zone has buckets, diggers, tubes, scoops and sieves.
• Music lovers: an interactive music and play area has bongos, xylophones and sensory panels. The play page also lists themed cottages and sensory fun stations.
• Supervision: the play page says children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Weather: all the play equipment the official pages describe is outdoors. The official pages do not mention any covered play.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Arrive early enough to play. Fun Arium closes at 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 3.30pm on Sunday, 30 minutes before the shop.
• Do not plan a picnic on the play area. Its rules say only food and drink bought at The Arium can be consumed, and no glass bottles are allowed.
• Dogs must stay on a lead, and only assistance dogs may go into the play area.
• Check the Potting Shed Cafe before you rely on it. The official pages mark it seasonal opening only and give no season dates.
• Plan around the Christmas closures: closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Prices and tickets

Fun Arium is free. The play page says it costs around £11,000 a year to keep the play area clean, safe and maintained. It asks families to help keep it free for every child by making a donation, through a link on that page.

The official pages mention no ticket or booking for the play area. They list parking for 70 cars and do not mention a parking charge.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

The Arium says it is wheelchair and mobility scooter friendly, and most of the site is on one level. The official pages do not describe the surfaces inside the play area itself.

There are toilets and baby-changing facilities. The plan your visit page says they have step-free access, doors wide enough for wheelchair users, grab rails, and easy turn locks and taps.

The official pages do not mention a feeding room.

Food and drink

Two cafés serve the site.

• Potting Shed Cafe: the outdoor café by Fun Arium, with an outdoor seating area. It serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and Northern Bloc ice cream. The play page also mentions meal deals. Its listed hours match Fun Arium’s, but the official pages mark it seasonal opening only without giving dates.
• Cafe Arium: a café with views of the glasshouse. Its menu page lists soup, jacket potatoes, toasted paninis, salads, pastries and cakes. Visit Leeds says it sells a kid’s lunch box.

The menu page lists Cafe Arium as open 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Drinks and cakes are served until 4pm. Hot food stops at 3.30pm Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, the menu page gives 3pm and the plan your visit page gives 3.15pm, so allow for the earlier time.

Allergies: the café kitchen handles gluten and other allergens, including nuts. Tell staff about any allergy when ordering. Vegetarian, vegan and non-gluten options are marked on the menu.

Getting there and parking

The Arium is on Thorner Lane, Whinmoor, Leeds LS14 3FB, in north-east Leeds.

• By car: The Arium says to use the East Leeds Orbital Route (A6120) from its junctions on the A58 Wetherby Road and the A64 York Road. Follow the signs on to Skeltons Lane, turn right at the Thorner Lane junction, then take the next left. You can also come via the Coal Road and Skeltons Lane.
• Parking: 70 car spaces and 6 disabled spaces.
• Buses: the 11 and 11A from Leeds to Crossgates stop at the end of Thorner Lane on the A64. The 843 Coastliner stops there too. The Harrogate 7 stops outside Bramley Grange on Skeltons Lane. Check West Yorkshire Metro for times.

The official pages do not give the walking distance from these bus stops, so check the route before setting off with small children.

When to visit

Opening times on the official pages, checked on 12 November 2026:

• Fun Arium: 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday.
• Nursery and shop: 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
• Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday.

The official pages do not give different hours for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, so check before you travel on those days.

Seasonal note: on the play page, the words “seasonal opening only” sit under the Potting Shed Cafe section. The official pages give no seasonal note or dates for the play equipment itself.

Christmas at The Arium: the Christmas page lists real Christmas trees from Stockeld Park on sale from Friday 27 November to Wednesday 23 December. A festive afternoon tea runs from 1 November to 23 December, 11am to 3pm, at £29 per person. It needs 24 hours’ notice and a £10 deposit, booked by email or phone.

Additional needs and disability support

The Arium lists these access features and invites families with specific needs to contact it before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fun Arium at The Arium free?

Yes. The play page asks for a donation to help keep it free for every child. The official pages do not mention a parking charge.

What age is Fun Arium suitable for?

The castle is for ages 5 to 12 and the toddler play area is for ages 1 to 4. The sand zone and music area are not given age limits.

What time does Fun Arium close?

The official pages list 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 3.30pm on Sunday, 30 minutes before the shop. It is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Can you take a picnic to Fun Arium?

No. The play area rules say only food and drink bought at The Arium can be consumed. Glass bottles are not allowed.

Can you take a dog to The Arium?

Dogs must be kept on a lead, and only assistance dogs may enter the play area. The Arium says it has an outdoor area where all dogs are welcome.

Is the Potting Shed Cafe open in winter?

The official pages mark it seasonal opening only and give no dates. Cafe Arium’s listed hours carry no seasonal note.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Arium pages for Fun Arium, planning your visit, the Cafe Arium and Potting Shed menus and Christmas at The Arium, plus the Visit Leeds listing. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.