Leeds City Museum

Is it right for my child?

• All ages: the museum calls itself family friendly, with hands-on interactives for all ages. It is a previous winner of the national Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.
• Under 5s: Toddler Town is a play area for under 5s in the Leeds Story gallery on the second floor. There is seating for adults.
• Animal fans: the Life on Earth gallery has skeletons, stuffed animals, nature sounds and things to touch.
• Little explorers: children can search for fossils or pottery in mini dig zones. In Voices of Asia they can try on costumes and make music.
• Older children: the Ancient Worlds gallery is home to Nesyamun, the 3,000 year old Leeds Mummy.
• Sensitive content: Ancient Worlds contains human remains, and the mummy viewing area is dimly lit. The accessibility guide says signs warn of sensitive content.
• Dark corners: light levels are low in some galleries to protect the objects. Ask a Visitor Assistant to borrow a torch.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Avoid Mondays. The museum is closed on Mondays, apart from the Brodrick Hall for Trivial Pursuit Leeds. It opens 11am to 5pm on bank holidays.
• Check festive opening first. The Elf Trail page says to check the website for festive opening and closure times.
• Bring a contactless card, cash or coins if you want to donate.
• Read the visual story with your child before you go.
• Pick up a family trail at the entrance.
• Driving? There is no on-site parking, so plan for a city centre car park.

Prices and tickets

Entry is free. Visitors are invited to donate if they are able, and the suggested donation is £5 per person.

• How to donate: Tap to Give points take contactless, Chip and Pin, cash and coins. You can also donate online.
• Family sessions: Tiny Tigers and the Elf Trail are also listed as Give What You Can.
• Groups: organised groups of 20 or more must email the museum before visiting.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Getting in: the main entrance has steps with a handrail, or a ramp on the left of the building. You can also enter at lower ground level through the café. The accessibility guide says those doors are locked when the café is closed.
• Lift: one lift reaches every floor, and the family guide mentions wide walking routes in the galleries.
• Baby changing: the family guide says there are toilets on all floors, with baby changing facilities.
• Feeding: the museum is breastfeeding welcome. In the café, bottles and food can be heated up.
• Toilets: there is an accessible toilet on each floor.

Food and drink

The Herbarium Café is on the lower ground floor. It opens 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm at weekends. It is closed on Mondays.

It serves drinks, cakes, snacks, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. The family guide lists highchairs, children’s food and water refill stations. The café says there is plenty of room for buggies.

The family guide says a picnic area is available at weekends and in school holidays.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH.
• By train: the visit page says Leeds station is 0.6 miles away, about a 10 minute walk.
• By bus: buses stop on The Headrow and Woodhouse Lane, both less than 5 minutes’ walk away.
• By car: there is no on-site parking. The visit page names Woodhouse Lane, The Light, Merrion Centre and Rose Bowl car parks.
• Blue Badge: the nearest accessible on-street bays are where Cookridge Street meets Rossington Street, or on Percival Street.

When to visit

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. The museum is closed on Mondays, except bank holidays (11am to 5pm). On Mondays the Brodrick Hall opens for Trivial Pursuit Leeds.
• Christmas: the official pages we checked did not list Christmas or New Year arrangements. Phone 0113 378 5001 (10am to 4pm) before visiting in late December.
• Elf Trail: from 1 to 31 December 2026, find mini elves hiding around the museum and claim an elf sticker. It is drop-in, subject to opening hours.
• Tiny Tigers: messy craft for under 5s and their carers, 10am to 11.45am. Sessions are listed on Fridays from 13 November to 18 December 2026.
• Rory’s Saturday Club: drop-in crafts for families with children aged 5 and over. Sessions are listed from 11am to 12.15pm on Saturdays 21 and 28 November and 5, 12 and 19 December 2026.
• Busy times: the museum is particularly busy in the February and October school holidays, and on special event days.

Additional needs and disability support

The museum publishes an access page, an accessibility guide and a visual story.

The access page does not mention Max Card or Access Card.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leeds City Museum free for children?

Yes. Entry is free for everyone. It is a Give What You Can museum, with a suggested donation of £5 per person if you are able.

Is Leeds City Museum open on Mondays?

No. The museum is closed on Mondays, except bank holidays, when it opens 11am to 5pm. On other Mondays only the Brodrick Hall opens, for Trivial Pursuit Leeds.

Is Leeds City Museum good for toddlers?

Yes. Toddler Town is a play area for under 5s on the second floor. Tiny Tigers craft sessions for under 5s are listed on Fridays from 13 November to 18 December 2026.

Can you take a pushchair to Leeds City Museum?

Yes. There is a ramp to the main entrance and a lift to every floor. The café says there is plenty of room for buggies.

Is Leeds City Museum good for autistic children?

It offers a visual story, ear defenders to borrow and quieter places on request. A pop-up sensory room runs once every school holiday. Some galleries are dim.

Is there parking at Leeds City Museum?

No, there is no on-site parking. The visit page names four city centre car parks nearby.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Leeds Museums and Galleries pages for Leeds City Museum, visiting, access, the family guide, the Herbarium Café and what’s on. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.