You don’t have to be a snob to love the best exhibitions in Leeds!
If you ever mooched about in good ole Leeds, you’ll know even the city’s underpasses breathe art.
Safe to say, our ‘exhibition game’ is also on point, with all the countless art galleries, museums, and collectives. One month, there’s a bloody display showing how your body works, while the next brings an ancient breadcrumb to the masses.
Know what else is sweet? There’s no need to jump from one spot to another to find your style or what’s on. We already did that for you.
Leeds City Museum
– From leedscitymuseum
Address: Millennium Square
Contact Details: 0113 378 5001
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 11 am to 5 pm
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
Calling Leeds City Museum ‘interesting’ is selling it a bit short. Beyond housing six galleries, some home to a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy and the famed Leeds tiger, this place’s exhibitions had taken us on many strolls.
For permanent ones, Life on Earth gets our vote, since having 800,000 mineral, flora, and fauna specimens is no small feat. Ancient Worlds comes next, though you’d probably put this first if you’re into Greek, Roman, and Egyptian history.
In terms of temporary ones, Miffy’s 70th Birthday (until Sep 2025) is a must-visit, especially if you have kids. The beloved character is brought to life by interactive tech, so it’s suited for families.
Tip: Ride the train. The museum is a short 10-minute walk from the station.
Lotherton
– From lotherton
Address: Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Ln, Lotherton Ln, Aberford
Contact Details: 0113 378 2959
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
Half zoo, half Edwardian estate, Lotherton has bits you’d likely rave about no matter your age. Lately, though, it’s their wildlife that gets the Leeds folk off their couches.
For instance, the Wallaby and Capybara experiences had us feeding the marsupials last June, on our weekend break. You can too, since it’s up until early October 2025.
If you’re more of a drip or history savant, Fashion at Play (until Oct 2025) bangs. After all, where else can you see a collection of 1600s-to-modern-day children’s clothing?
Tip: Members get more perks, like free entry to headline events and cheaper tickets.
Harewood House
– From harewoodhouse
Address: Harewood
Contact Details: 0113 218 1010
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
Italian Renaissance masters definitely made sure we’d always be at Harewood House.
That said, our recent trips have centred on temporary displays, like Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter. The exhibition had Austen’s Sanditon manuscript, Turner’s paintbox, and contemporary art/writing inspired by the two creative luminaries.
We even squeezed in a posh afternoon tea connected to the said display. Both run up to mid-October 2025, and here’s a hack: if you don a Regency-inspired outfit, you’ll get some gifts!
Tip: If you need a wheelchair, you can call them to hire one within the venue.
The Thackray Medical Museum
– From thackraymuseum
Address: 141 Beckett St, Harehills
Contact Details: 0113 244 4343
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
The Thackray Medical Museum’s exhibitions put the spotlight on healthcare. In other words, stop by, and you’ll leave knowing more about medicinal history or how your body ticks.
For example, Blood: Ties and Tensions (until Jun 29, 2025) has vein-like constructs that show how blood clogs, runs, and spreads sickness.
Meanwhile, littlies can crawl through the digestive system at their soft play section. Then, they can listen to an interactive tale told in a cosy space with the not-so-cosy name of ‘Disease Den.’
Tip: Consider shopping for their gifts at their online store.
Sunny Bank Mills Gallery
– From sunnybankmills
Address: Sunnybank Mills, 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey
Contact Details: 0113 256 3239
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
In the past, Sunny Bank Mills was a worsted mill. Today, it’s where we peruse rotating exhibitions of contemporary fine art.
The most recent one we stopped by was Loops, spearheaded by 6 textile artisans who used circular structures to depict cyclical things.
If you missed it, no biggie. Many Hands, which showcases snaps of 1970s-to-present-day industries, will run from July 12, 2025, to October 5, 2025.
Tip: Well-behaved pups can enter the gallery space as long as they’re leashed.
Assembly House
– From assembly_leeds
Address: 44 Canal Rd, Armley
Contact Details: +44 7581 629080
Draped with Georgian-era class, it only takes one look to know Assembly House has exhibitions galore.
Most times, they host solo or one-day gigs, so best be sharp to catch it. Smogg Says was one we got to see in 2024, and it was mind-opening, with displays highlighting the experience of a UK stripper.
We’re also looking ahead to A Soft Disturbance, which will open on June 26, 2025. A surrealist installation that uses soundscape and textiles sounds dead fascinating to us.
Tip: Upcoming exhibitions are posted on their Instagram.
Abbey House Museum
– From wendyjanesatch
Address: Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd, Kirkstall
Contact Details: 0113 535 2219
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 5 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
We frequent Abbey House Museum because of its nostalgic toys and recreated Victorian streets. However, we’d be lying if we said those month-long exhibits don’t pique our curiosity at all.
Story Time (until Dec 2025) was a particular hit, especially with our kiddie bookworms and history nerds. Can’t say I’m surprised, as fairytale classics, dating back to the 1800s, are bound to wow scholars of all ages.
Tip: No need to bring bowls for your pups; they have some at the front entrance.
Henry Moore Institute
– From henrymooreinstitute
Address: 74 The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 246 7467
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
We’re pretty clued up with the city’s sculpture scene thanks to the Henry Moore Institute’s A History of Sculpture in Leeds. Tracing stories as far back as 1888, it’s probably their most visited exhibition (plus it’s free and permanent).
Their temporary exhibits mostly revolve around sculpture as well, just slightly more geared towards modern stuff. SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling’s (until June 22, 2025), which shows off creations made of burnt driftwood, is a fine example.
Tip: You can ask for folding stools.
The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery
– From marcelle.joseph
Address: Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse
Contact Details: 0113 343 2778
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
There are tons to see at the accredited Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery. For starters, permanent 17th-century European drawings and paintings fill the indoor spaces, while the outdoor trail is rich in sculptures.
If we’re talking temporary ones, you typically get Leeds-based collections like Sarah Roberts: SICK (until Jul 2025), a reflection on the daily life of an individual suffering from sickness.
Tip: Use their audio trail to learn more about the pieces. Simply scan the QR code for the explanation.
Leeds Art Gallery
– From leedsartgallery
Address: The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 378 5350
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 3 pm
Having Leeds Art Gallery on this list is almost a given. When you have one of the country’s best 20th-century British art collections, including Scotland Forever and The Temptation of Sir Percival, you get that privilege.
Other than that, it runs the gamut, exhibition-wise. Case in point: Portrayals of Women (until Apr 2026) lays bare depictions of women as early as the 1600s.
Under the same roof, you get Karanjit Panesar: Furnace Fruit (until Jun 15 2025). This one uses new moving images and revolves around Punjabi immigrants who laboured in metal foundries.
Tip: Guests will find on-street parking at Cookridge St. If it’s packed, the closest spot for secured parking is at Merrion Centre.
Leeds Discovery Centre
– From leedsmuseumsandgalleries
Address: Carlisle Rd
Contact Details: 0113 378 2100
The 1.3 million artefacts of Leeds Discovery Centre include meteorites, elephant skulls, and mummy wrappings. That’s visit-worthy if you ask us!
If that doesn’t sway you, there are one-day or week-spanning exhibitions that might. Most are workshop-style displays, like last January’s global animal gallery and the upcoming August installation on an alleged 3,000-year-old breadcrumb!
Tip: Behind-the-scenes tours are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Book in advance.
Aire Place Studios
– From aireplacestudios
Address: Unit 2c, Aire Place Mills, Kirkstall Rd
Contact Details: 07933 181859
Inclusive and innovative, Aire Place Studios is where we go to see emerging and underrated talents.
If you saw their 2024 Let Us See You exhibition, you know what we’re talking about. Over 50 artists across the city participated in that event, flaunting contemporary works like textured sculpture and mixed media.
Tip: Join their workshops to socialise or up your skills.
North Art Gallery
– From my.north.art
Address: Northlight Arts Centre, Cafe & Event Space, 31 Potternewton Ln, Chapel Allerton
Contact Details: 0113 378 3173
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 7:30 am to 3 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 3 pm
Based on our trips, we’d say North Art Gallery’s exhibitions are eclectic despite the studio’s emphasis on Northern art. Past displays like Movements, a triathlon-themed photo gallery, and Liz West’s joy and colour-fuelled artwork prove that.
To top it off, they host lots of newbie-friendly workshops here, so leaving as an improved watercolour or landscape painter isn’t off the itinerary.
Tip: If you’re a budding artist, consider becoming a member. The gallery has over 2,500 followers on Insta and promotes the art of its affiliates.
Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills
– From brsteel
Address: Canal Rd, Armley
Contact Details: 0113 378 3173
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – 12 am to 5 pm
Leeds’ manufacturing past and present are laid out in full at Leeds Industrial Museum. That means you’ll often spot textile, engineering, or printing-themed exhibitions here.
Limited-time displays get some runtime as well, with LEGO® Build the Change: Rewild our Museum! (until Aug 2025) as our fam’s all-time fave. My kids had a jolly time creating sustainable (and wacky) stuff there, and I bet yours also will.
Tip: You may drive, as onsite parking is available.