Royal Armouries Museum — Attraction in Leeds

I’ve been visiting the Royal Armouries in Leeds since I was a child, and it remains a timeless experience. Some of the exhibits are clearly veterans of many years, but they add to the charm of returning time and again.

It’s a brilliant place for kids – the interactive displays bring history to life across different time periods without being frightening or sensationalised. One of the highlights, as always, is the magnificent elephant in its suit of armour – though I still don’t know how they manage to get it to stand so patiently all day while visitors admire it!

My favourite exhibit was a temporary film and TV exhibit in 2008 which I visited with my high school history class and was able to view arms and armour from the critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings and Narnia feature films.

On this visit, we enjoyed the temporary Roman Gladiator exhibition, which was well worth the small entry fee (the main museum remains free). A special mention to the kind lady at the desk who offered concession entry for NHS/Blue Light card holders – much appreciated.

The museum could benefit from clearer signage, as it’s quite easy to lose oneself in the vast collection. I was a little bemused to find Steven Gerrard among the Tudor plate armour, but equally delighted to see Princess Diana represented in the peace exhibit – a thoughtful touch.

The visit finished, as always, with a trip through the extensive and tempting gift shop. Overall, the Royal Armouries is a wonderful museum, full of history, surprises, and memories – well worth visiting, whether it’s your first time or...

I have been visiting the armories for many years with my children, since it first opened.

We have always loved it .

The presentations, performances and jousting closely followed by the kids activity room and cross bow range were always there favorites.

Today we went as an adult family of 6 adults and 2 teens.

For nostalgia sake lots of displays and cabinets were still the same.

Some areas such as self defense desperately need an overhaul.

It was disappointing to discover the cross bow range is now closed, but they do have plans to reopen this next month. This has always had a charge.

Another disappointment even though my kids are too big the childrens activities room with dressing up and craft activities is no longer there , it looks like a classroom now, probably for school visits.

Jousting is a warmer month only activity and only in school holidays I believe.

We watched a presentation by two people which was informative but a little dull, could do with a little audience participation maybe.

For people visiting for the first time they would have a great free day out For those who have visited before you will realize it's a little dated and needs refreshing .

There was a new exhibition which we all enjoyed.

We didn't eat or drink but there is a cafe on site.

The shop is well stocked and reasonably priced pencils and pens from £2/£3.

There are good public transport links.

There is a multi story car park which has a charge.

It's very accessible with lifts...

This place is out of this world. The amount of history in one building is astonishing. I took my young children here. They loved it. They was in ore of a history that was on each floor. The live action events that was happening was amazing where they got to hold the swords the rifle the spears the shield on these different event on each floor is totally different. Different genres of history. Different topics, different cultures breaking down how machinery was built and made the descriptions for each item on display. How is kept clean and tidy? The staff friendliness around the place. Seating is available all around the museum for you. There's mobile shares you can collect and just carry with you on each floor. Just remember to leave it on the floor when we go to the next one. Also look up because there is things above you that you sometimes don't even see I would highly recommend this place to anyone, but please please do give a donation to them. I know it's free to go in but a donation of 5 to £10 £20 have been afford it for a family of four people isn't a lot of money really. The food in the cafe is very nice bit on the deer side but as I say you pay for what you get and I did get what I wanted. Really really nice food and the gift shop is really good. They have the helmets they have mini daggers they have crossbows. They've also there for the adults I mean and for the kids is lots of...