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Located on the south bank of the River Aire, Leeds is a thriving city with a phenomenal range of places to visit. Whatever your interests are, from fascinating museums to incredible art galleries, you will find lots of things to explore here. Keep reading to discover our selection of the best things to do in Leeds!
Leeds City Museum features six galleries and is home to stunning collections of archaeological items. Uncover buried archaeological treasures, learn more about Leeds's history, gain an insight into the effects of climate change on nature, view the remarkable Moa skeleton which was once one of the largest birds on Earth, and explore over 6000+ Asian items.
Address: Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH, United Kingdom
Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds Art Gallery has a large collection of modern and contemporary art. At the entrance, there's a wall painting Xanadu, a captivating work of art by Lothar Götz. Moreover, you'll see The Ziff Gallery with Victorian art, portraits that offer a glimpse into historical moments, a stunning sculpture collection, abstract paintings of the post-war years and beyond, and paintings by John Tunnard. Well worth a visit!
Address: The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AA, United Kingdom
Outside of Kew Gardens, Tropical World has UK's largest tropical plant and animal collections. The Zoo offers a fun day out for all the family! Come face-to-face with butterfly pupae, clown fish, meerkats, the pygmy marmoset (the world's smallest monkey), snakes, and lizards. If you feel hungry after exploring, stop by Tropical Lookout for a slice of stone-baked pizza with delicious toppings.
Address: Princes Ave, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2ER, United Kingdom
Royal Armouries Museum
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Royal Armouries Museum features weapons from over 5,000 years of history, including Henry VIII's armor. Spread across five floors, the museum has over 4,500 objects on display. Some of the highlights are Henry VIII’s foot combat armor made in 1520, an elephant armor and tusk sword, and the ‘pulse rifle’ from the 1986 Aliens movie. History buffs will love this!
Address: Armouries Dr, Leeds LS10 1LT, United Kingdom
Abbey House Museum
Wander through Victorian Leeds and explore streets, shops, and nostalgic galleries. Visit Stephen Harding Gate, Victorian drinking house Hark to Rover Inn, and Childhood Galleries with a collection of toys, games, and dolls. Without a doubt, the Abbey House Museum is one of the best kid-friendly attractions in Leeds.
The Henry Moore Institute boasts one of the largest sculpture galleries in Europe. It features a research library and an archive of sculptors' papers. The fascinating institute also presents temporary exhibitions of artists like Michael E. Smith, Rebecca Fortnum: Les Praticiennes, and Egon Altdorf. This place is an art lover's dream!
Address: 74 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 3AH, United Kingdom
Harewood House
Harewood House is home to some of the finest art collections in England and features lush gardens, an onsite cafe, and a lake. It's famous for its Robert Adam interiors and marvelous paintings by Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Joshua Reynolds, and JMW Turner. To get the ultimate Harewood experience take a public guided tour or a private tour with a focus on a subject of your choice.
Address: Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG, United Kingdom
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