Abbey House Museum

Abbey House Museum is Leeds' social history museum, set in a striking building next to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey. The centrepiece is a reconstructed Victorian street on the ground floor, where you can wander into a sweet shop, chemist, bakery, toy shop, pub and more, all dressed with remarkable period detail. There is also a dress-up area, and upstairs you will find galleries dedicated to childhood toys and old arcade machines you can actually play using old pennies, so it is worth bringing a few coins along.

The staff are genuinely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and well worth talking to if you have questions about the collection. The museum runs a regular programme of events including school holiday activities, curator talks and family trails, many of which are included in the admission price.

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from noon to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays. General admission tickets are purchased on-site. There is free car parking directly opposite, and the building has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible toilets and accessible parking.

This is a genuinely good day out for families with children of most ages, and equally enjoyable for adults with an interest in Leeds history. It is quiet on weekdays, which makes for a relaxed visit, and the entry price is modest for what you get.