Days Out in Leeds

Abbey House Museum

Step back in time and wander through life-like Victorian streets, seeing the high street, shops, schools and houses as they used to look like. There is also the unique opportunity to step into the pages of a nursery rhyme meeting Humpty Dumpty and seeing the house that Jack built! This interactive exhibition allows history to come to life.

Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and from 12 noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Mondays. The admission charge is £3.50 for adults, £1.50 for children, £5 for a family and free for under 5s.

Harewood House

Harewood House, home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, boasts splendid State Rooms, beautiful formal gardens and relaxing woodland walks. There is plenty to do here, making it a splendid day out for all the family. For example, explore the 'Below Stairs' exhibition following in the footsteps of the staff who have serviced the House since its creation. Equally, have a look at the 'Harewood 1807' exhibit that looks out how the house was funded with money made from the West Indian sugar trade.

Harewood House, Harewood, LS17 9LG. Prices and opening times vary depending on the season. Have a look at www.harewood.org for more information.

Henry Moore Institute

The Henry Moore Institute is known internationally for its many and varied sculpture exhibitions, including both historic and contemporary sculpture. The Institute also has an active research programme and holds an extensive, specialist library.

74 The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AH. Open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. except Wednesday when it is open until 9.00 p.m. Visit www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk

Leeds Art Gallery

Leeds Art Gallery, located in the city centre, holds a world class collection of 20th Century British art- one of the best collections outside London. Exhibitions have included 'The great horse paintings of Stubbs”, “Artist and camera- ways of looking” and “The wonder and the horror of the human head”.

Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 3AA. Closed on Bank Holidays. Mon - Tues 10am - 8pm. Wed 12pm - 8pm. Thurs - Sat 10am - 5pm. Sunday 1pm - 5pm. Admission free. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/artGallery for more information.

Leeds City Museum

A new, free, fantastic exhibition has been opened in Millenium Square with a host of permanent and exhibitions. The six permanent exhibitions include “Ancient Worlds” where you can explore the everyday life of the Greeks and Romans through the objects they left behind. Also, in “Life on Earth” you get to explore our planets history over the last 540 million years. Temporary exhibitions include 'Eating Creepy Crawlies”; and there will be one on faiths in the city which will include a section on the Jewish community.

Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH. Closed Mondays except bank holidays (11am - 4pm). Tue, We, Fri 11am - 6pm. Thurs 11am - 8pm. Sat and Sun 11am – 5pm. Visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/cityMuseum

Lotherton Hall

This is an Edwardian country house, formerly belonging to the Gascoigne family, and is a treasure trove of arts, crafts and music. Come visit the exhibitions before walking through the formal, wooded and wildflower gardens. Lotherton Hall is surrounded by a red deer park and bard gardens which houses an important collection of rare and endangered species.

Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB. Admission is to the house is £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for children (accompanied by an adult). Visiting the grounds is free. See www.leeds.gov.uk/lothertonhall

Middleton Railway

Opened in 1758, Middleton Railway is celebrating 250 years of continuing operation. This, the oldest working railway, runs into Middleton Park at the edge of Yorkshire's largest ancient forest. The trains, departing every forty minutes) are hauled by both steam and diesel locomotives (the former is usually on a Sunday and the latter usually on a Saturday.

Moor Road Station, LS10 2JQ. Adult- £4.50, Child- £2.50, Family (2 adults, 3 children)- £12. Visit www.middletonrailway.org.uk

Royal Armouries

Housed in a multi-million pound, purpose based building, is a large part of the national collection of arms and armouries. Tour through the five galleries- war, tournament, oriental, self-defence and hunting- and see over 8500 objects. There is a lot more to do with falconry shows, horse shows and real jousting!

Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, LS10 1LT. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Entrance is free but some events may charge. www.royalarmouries.org

Temple Newsam House and Estate

Referred to as “the Hampton Court of the North”, this great English country house is set in grand and beautiful parkland with one of the largest, working rare breed farms in Europe. The house is famous as the birth place of Lord Darnley, notorious husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. In this Tudor-Jacobean mansion, there lies a wonderful collection of fine and decorative arts including paintings, furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles and wallpapers. After exploring the house, view the rare breeds and explore the park and woodland.

Temple Newsam House, Temple Newsam Road, Off Selby Road, LS15 0AE. The admission charge is £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children and £9.00 for families. Closed Mondays except bank holidays (10.30am - 4pm). Tue - Sun 10.30am - 4pm. Last admission 45 mins before closing. Visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/templeNewsamhouse

Thackray Museum

“Telling the story of medicine” in a fun, stimulating way. Visit one of Thackray's many exciting exhibitions. For example, in as “Leeds 1842” experience the sights and sounds of Victorian Leeds! In this hands-on exhibition you can choose one of the characters and see whether they survive Victorian healthcare. Another example is “Hannah Dyson's Ordeal” where you get to experience the horrors of 1820s surgery. As well as exhibitions there are medical collections, libraries, shop and cafeteria.

Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7LN. Open daily 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Prices are £5.50 for adults, £4.50 for concessions and £4.00 for children. A family ticket is available for up to 2 adults and 3 children for £18.00. Visit www.thackraymuseum.org

Thwaite Mill

“Feel the force of nature and see life how we used to live!” Visit a fully restored, working watermill 'nestled' on an island between the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation. Prebook a tour that will take you round the mill, waterwheel, industrial machinery, engineers workshops, the riverbanks and wildlife. Also, visit “Thwaite House”- a Grade 2 listed Georgian House where the mill manager used to live. See how they managed to live self-sufficiently on the island.

Thwaite Lane, Stourton, Leeds, LS10 1RP. Call 0113 2762887 to prebook visit. See www.leeds.gov.uk/thwaitemills

Tropical World

A realistic atmosphere of the tropics is created in Roundhay Park in Leeds! Enter different houses and see colourful fish, tropical cacti, different species of butterfly; as well as many other species you would be more likely to see in South America than here. The whole environment is recreated including features such as waterfalls and swirling pools.

Roundhay Park, Leeds, LS8 2ER. Open 10.00 a.m. until early evening. Ring 0113 2370754 for more details. Admission charges apply.