For years, I related to Leeds with grown-up metropolis breaks – all of the buying, bars, fabulous opera and theatre and funky accommodations – however having rediscovered the town with my daughter, there are such a lot of issues to do in Leeds with children that it’s good for households too.
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For starters it’s extremely walkable (and there are a number of trails to assist persuade children to affix in), with a lot of pedestrian streets and a string of cool arcades to walk down.
And whereas there are all the same old bonuses of an enormous UK metropolis, there are some extra uncommon museums which we beloved, together with locations to eat that handle to tempt each foodies and households with fussy eaters.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Yorkshire with children, take a look at my prime picks
Royal Armouries museum
Once you describe the Royal Armouries – a museum which traces the historical past of battle, plus actions to see alongside the shows – it doesn’t seize how brilliantly engrossing it’s.
I admit, I’d assumed my daughter and I’d whereas away an hour right here earlier than shifting on, however actually, you would spend a complete day with out issue.
The primary galleries give attention to the early empires, from the Egyptians and Hittites to Romans, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, to not point out Persians, Alexander the Nice and extra.
Then the ground are break up geographically. There’s western Europe, with entire shows on medieval battles, fort constructing, the event of armour, and thru to the English Civil Conflict and Waterloo, in addition to the First World Conflict.
For a full evaluate of a day on the Royal Armouries with children, take a look at my publish
Individually, different shows give attention to China, Japan and India, with eye-catching reveals like armour for an elephant in addition to a duplicate Terracotta warrior and the ferocious armour for the Shogun’s guards.
To not point out reveals on fencing, on developments in forensics and new expertise, non permanent exhibitions, plus peace protests and the Marketing campaign for Nuclear Disarmament – that is someplace which makes you consider warfare as you discover.
Throughout our go to within the college holidays, there was additionally an opportunity to see riders demonstrating Tudor sword and lance strategies on horseback (earlier than visiting the stables), not forgetting swordfighing shows.
And that’s nonetheless solely a short introduction – when you go to Leeds, that is merely unmissable. In any case, the place else are you able to watch horses within the tiltyard, comply with the motion at Agincourt and see the inspiration for Darth Vader’s helmet, multi function place?
You’ll be able to stroll alongside the riverside to get to the Royal Armouries, or take a water taxi from Leeds Metropolis Centre which run each quarter-hour
Thackray Museum
After a £4 million redevelopment, the Thackray Museum reopened with additional galleries becoming a member of previous favourites like Illness Avenue, to inform the story of drugs and public well being.
Just like the Royal Armouries, it’s undoubtedly one thing completely different to the same old run of museums – and is equally fascinating, in addition to being family-friendly.
Beginning with Illness Avenue, a recreation of Leeds in 1840 (full with genuine smells), you’ll be able to select a personality from a spinning wheel, then choose up a card to fit in to numerous factors alongside the road, revealing extra of their story. Unsurprisingly, not all the time with a contented ending!
Alongside the best way, there are many startling info – a avenue with over 350 folks would have had two shared public privies, for instance! – plus a few of the main discoveries which nonetheless kind the premise of drugs immediately.
There are some nice interactives too – corresponding to difficult children to reply whether or not you could be ‘too clear’, and provoking them to get artistic by inventing their very own gadget, plus quizzes.
Alongside the best way, there are some bizarre quack treatments, an ornate apothecary’s store and a few stay leeches, by to X-rays, transplants, the invention of DNA, and the tip of iron lungs.
There’s additionally a sexual well being clinic space (you’ll be able to detour round this with youthful children when you favor) and shows to trick your brains – in addition to explanations about how they work.
Whether or not you wish to neglect Covid altogether or respect simply how far medical science has come, it’s an awesome time out with children in Leeds.
Try my evaluate of a go to to the Thackray Museum with children
Leeds Metropolis Museum
The small metropolis museum has a tempting combine of various shows, starting from Romans and historic Egyptians (together with a mummy) to the historical past of Leeds and a cleverly designed pure historical past part.
There’s no entry cost, so it’s nice when you’re on the lookout for free issues to do in Leeds with children, plus it implies that if your loved ones is just serious about one space – otherwise you fancy a few quick visits reasonably than one lengthy one – it’s the perfect resolution.
We beloved the exhibit on the event of language, from the earliest writings, plus a little bit of code-breaking on the aspect, in addition to the possibility to hint the historical past of Leeds from prehistoric instances by Romans, Vikings and Normans to the Industrial Revolution.
There are extra interactive reveals right here too (lifting the flaps to seek out sweets that contained poison was a stand-out reminiscence).
In the meantime the pure historical past part has loads on conservation and sustainability, in addition to the possibility to ‘design’ your personal animal, following the strains on the ground.
You can even wander by time from earth’s earliest life, discovering out extra about stromalites, ammonites, and fish fossils and the earliest timber, earlier than studying about camouflage.
A go to right here feels a bit like a treasure trove, the place you’re by no means certain what you’ll uncover subsequent: good for maintaining children entertained and nice when you’re on the lookout for an indoor choice on a wet day in Leeds.
Kirkstall Abbey
Probably the most full medieval abbeys within the UK, Kirkstall Abbey was based over 800 years in the past as a Cistercian Abbey.
It’s one other nice free time out in Leeds with children, with common household occasions and actions throughout holidays, together with trails and artwork packs.
Everytime you go to, you’ll be able to stroll by the ruined abbey buildings and the stunning parkland on the banks of the river, plus extra concerning the monks who lived right here, on show on the customer centre.
When you’re driving, there’s a free automotive park close by at Abbey Home Museum, whereas bus 33 additionally runs from the town centre.
Abbey Home museum
Within the galleries at Abbey Home Museum, you’ll be transported again to life in Victorian Leeds, strolling recreated nineteenth century streets.
There are retailers, a pub and homes, the place you’ll be able to peer inside and see how folks lived a century or so in the past, in addition to common new exhibitions.
You can even uncover a complete space on basic toys, together with conventional video games and Victorian dolls – you’ll be able to even play a few of the unique penny slot machines (and purchase an old school penny from the merchandising machine to do it).
Look out for additional occasions and actions in the course of the college holidays, for added enjoyable.
Leeds Artwork Gallery
Targeted on fashionable and modern artwork, there’s nonetheless loads which makes the Leeds Artwork Gallery family-friendly – this summer season, for instance, there have been artistic exercise baggage to remove, best for uplifting your children.
One other of the string of free locations to go to in Leeds with children, you’ll discover reveals to get everybody considering – a Damien Hirst sculpture, in addition to works by Anthony Gormley, between vivid modern artwork and Victorian work.
There are additionally common non permanent exhibitions, and don’t miss Artspace, a artistic house within the coronary heart of the gallery, which is designed to be family-friendly.
Spot the owls
I really like how walkable Leeds is – as we explored, we discovered ourselves criss-crossing the streets, ambling down fairly pedestrianised roads, stumbling throughout alleyways.
However when you want one thing extra to influence your children to get out and discover, Leeds additionally has a string of strolling trails which are perfect for households.
Some change from yr to yr (2021 noticed animatronic dinosaurs in buying centres throughout the town), however you’ll all the time be capable to search for the owls dotted round Leeds, the image of the town.
You’ll be able to obtain the owl path map right here – or purchase it for a pound at Go to Leeds at The Leeds Guests Centre and Artwork Gallery Store (the town museum additionally had some of their store throughout our go to).
Quite a lot of the statues are discovered across the older buildings, together with Metropolis Corridor, the Library, the battle memorial and cathedral amongst others, however hold your eyes open and the map at hand and you will discover 25 as you discover.
Avenue artwork path
Leeds was embracing avenue artwork earlier than it was cool – and in case your children love recognizing murals and different imaginative creations, the town’s avenue artwork path is one other good option to discover Leeds with children.
Some is impressed by the town itself – one mural options the elephant armour from the Royal Armouries and the white rose of Yorkshire, one other consists of an owl, and even a deep-sea diver climbing out of a washer.
With some tucked away down little alleys and others most seen from the water, it’s a great way to seek out works you may not in any other case stumble throughout – some are a number of storeys excessive, however the path is an effective reminder to all the time hold your eyes open.
Junkyard Golf
Loopy golf all the time goes down properly with my daughter, however with its disco lights, tongue-in-cheek puns (one gap known as Pablo Discobar…) and really enjoyable holes, the course at Junkyard Golf is nice for households.
There’s solely a two-hour window when children are allowed – 4-6 Sunday to Thursday – so profit from it by reserving one of many three programs, known as Gary, Pablo and Bozo.
We went for jungle-themed Pablo, which featured a jaguar sporting headphones, a mini volcano, sudden trapdoors in slopes and hidden chutes alongside the best way.
In contrast to some mini golf programs, that are frustratingly tough, all of the holes are attainable to play, which is much more enjoyable.
Try the previous arcades
Wandering by an conventional buying arcade may not seem to be an apparent one to placed on an inventory of issues to do in Leeds with children.
However these great classic arcades have some quirky temptations as properly: in a number of, together with the Grand Arcade and Thornton’s arcade, there are some fabulous clocks with figures which transfer and strike bells on the hour.
Thornton’s arcade options Robin Hood whereas the Grand Arcade has knights in armour, each over 100 years previous.
Throw in lovely ceilings, to not point out OK Comics in Thornton’s Arcade, and time your stroll by to observe the free present.
Take the water taxi
Whether or not you select to take the little yellow water taxis to the Royal Armouries or simply have a mini cruise alongside the river Aire, a trip is a cut price at £2.
The 2 boats (Twee and Drie, from Amsterdam) sail between Granary Wharf (close to the Doubletree by Hilton resort) an Leeds Dock, each quarter-hour – and youngsters aged 5 and beneath are free.
Roundhay Park & Tropical World
One of many largest parks in Europe, Roundhay Park – not removed from the town centre – stretches over a whopping 700 acres.
With lakes and woodland within the park, in addition to actions galore and a few open-air theatre in summer season, you can too go to Tropical World, the biggest assortment of tropical vegetation exterior Kew Gardens.
There are additionally a string of strolling routes, together with previous the fort ruins and across the lake, and several other play areas to entertain youthful children.
And older ones will love the areas primarily based on well-known gardens from around the globe, together with a recreation of the Alhambra in Granada in addition to Monet’s Backyard, or the extra dramatic panorama of the gorge with its waterfall.
Harewood Home
There’s excess of simply the stately house to find at Harewood Home – that is someplace to spend all day exploring.
The grounds have three strolling trails that will help you discover, together with an awesome journey playground, and a pure play space within the woods, a ‘secret’ tunnel to the Norman church, formal gardens, a fairly lake with a ferry heading throughout to extra gardens and often boat journeys operating too.
You’ll additionally discover a string of farmyard animals, from guinea pigs to precise pigs, and a bunch of uncommon birds, together with macaws and cockatoos, lovebirds and a flamboyance of flamingos.
My very own favorite was the penguin pool, with its small colony of Humboldt penguins swimming within the water.
Regardless of all of the temptations outside, you shouldn’t miss the home itself. The rooms are as gloriously ornate as you’d count on, filled with portraits and artworks, together with some extra uncommon African items – alongside the best way, you can too uncover extra about Harewood’s hyperlinks to the slave commerce.
Followers of interval dramas may already recognise the rooms under stairs, which have been used to movie Victoria, Misplaced in Austen and Downton Abbey (Emmerdale can also be shot on the property), with clothes and duplicate meals on show, to not point out a big assortment of copper saucepans and moulds.
It’s round 20 minutes’ drive from Leeds metropolis centre or you’ll be able to take bus 36, which takes round 40 minutes together with a brief stroll on the finish.
Learn my full evaluate of a time out at Harewood Home with children
Temple Newsam
One other nice historic home with loads to do within the grounds for youths, Temple Newsam is just round quarter-hour’ drive from Leeds metropolis centre when you’re on the lookout for simple household days out.
The uncommon breed House farm is an enormous hit with youthful children – and older ones, for that matter – with every little thing from the small and fluffy, together with guinea pigs, to rarer cattle, all set throughout the outbuildings and across the cobbled yard.
There are some beautiful walks across the grounds too when you’re on the lookout for out of doors actions, with nature trails and an journey playground too. Try the three lakes, all designed to have a barely completely different really feel, to decide on your favorite, in addition to exploring the walled backyard and rhododendron stroll.
The home itself was the birthplace of Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, and there are over 5 centuries of historical past to find right here – you’ll be able to study a few of the tales as you discover and get a way of what life on this grand household house will need to have been like.
You’ll usually discover additional actions at school holidays too, together with youngsters’s trails and dressing up.
In addition to parking (paid) on web site, buses 19 and 19A run from Leeds to Whitkirk, round one mile from Temple Newsam – permit round 50 minutes, together with the stroll.
Lotherton
There’s one other beautiful wildlife park to go to within the grounds of this Edwardian nation property, round half-hour exterior Leeds.
Initially a fowl backyard, the celebrities at Lotherton Widlife World are usually the penguins, however you can too spot flamingos, in addition to tapir and capybara within the completely different zones, to not point out studying about conservation and the threats from air pollution and local weather change.
There are additionally journey playgrounds for various ages, together with an space for youths beneath eight, plus zip wires within the woodland play space and garden video games within the backyard – anybody for croquet, big chess or getting misplaced within the hay bale maze?
Or spot deer within the woodland, comply with certainly one of a number of strolling trails and discover a few of the eight acres of gardens.
The home itself is frozen in time in the course of the early 1900s, for a style of higher class Edwardian life, in addition to restored servants’ rooms to find extra about these behind the scenes who made it attainable – upstairs is closed in the course of the winter months.
There are additionally 5 curiosity cupboards for households to rummage by, with objects linked to the historical past of the corridor, trails for youths to comply with round Lotherton, dressing up, an interactive show concerning the house owners’ travels the world over plus trend exhibitions inside the home.
That is one historic home that’s greatest visited by automotive – there’s parking (paid). You’ll be able to take buses 64/64A to Aberford from Leeds, however you’ll be able to count on a 20-30 minute stroll alongside a busy highway to get to Lotherton.
Stockeld Park, Wetherby
Simply throughout the border from West Yorkshire however nonetheless solely round half an hour north of Leeds, Stockeld Park close to Wetherby is one other nice choice for a enjoyable household time out from the town.
The out of doors journey park has an enormous number of fun-filled household actions to select from, and it’s open throughout most college holidays
Little adventurers can discover the themed play areas alongside The Enchanted Forest strolling path, get misplaced within the expansive hedge maze, and go loopy on the go-kart observe.
There are many seasonal actions and occasions too. In the course of the summer season holidays, you’ll discover an inflatable impediment course and curler skating rink. Then at Christmas, you’ll be able to go to Santa’s Grotto, discover the attractive winter illuminations, choose up a tree from the Christmas tree store, and go ice skating.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Yorkshire with children, together with theme parks close to Leeds, take a look at my prime picks in addition to our visits to Nostell Priory and the Room on the Broom path at Anglers Nation Park
The place to eat in Leeds with children
When you love your meals, you’re going to like Leeds – and even higher, in case your children aren’t such foodies, there’s nonetheless loads to maintain everybody glad.
At Trinity Kitchen, there’s a complete assortment of avenue meals stands with additional pop-up stalls, so you would eat something from burgers and burritos to pizza and Pho, in addition to a improbable rolled naan wrap and cinnamon dusted doughnuts.
And when you fancy one thing a bit extra adventurous than your children, they will keep on with an easier choice whilst you can experiment. My recommendation? Flip up hungry!
My daughter by no means says no to pizza, and Pizza Fella was an enormous hit too – correct massive woodfired pizzas (and £5 margheritas at present at weekday lunchtimes) have been scrumptious.
Save house for dessert as properly: roasted peanut butter, chocolate and caramel ice cream was improbable.
The identical goes for burgers: Nearly Well-known has burgers so massive and filled with substances, you virtually want a wash after scoffing certainly one of them.
My Liberty Island burger was big, oozing with sauces on buttermilk rooster – a 3 serviette job – whereas there’s an easier menu for youths too.
No room for dessert right here, though my cocktail – a limoncello-based martini – was nearly as candy because the sweet decorations inside our desk.
For someplace a bit extra uncommon, I beloved Bundobust too. A contemporary twist on basic Indian dishes, it’s all veggie or vegan Gujurati model, and the thought is to get a lot of little plates and share.
We acquired completely carried away, and my daughter was persuaded to attempt aloo paratha and chole saag, whereas I additionally tucked right into a spicier bundo chaat.
There’s an awesome beer menu, to not point out a mango coconut mojito, and a dreamy mango lassi for my daughter as properly.
The place to remain in Leeds with children
You could find a lot of the massive title chain accommodations in Leeds – and sometimes low cost gives, such because the Be Our Visitor promotion in the course of the summer season we visited, to assist hold the prices down.
And one of many issues I beloved about our household vacation in Leeds was how simple it was to get all over the place from our personal resort, the Radisson Blu Leeds, in The Mild.
All the things within the metropolis was inside strolling distance: the furthest we ever needed to wander was round 20 minutes to the Royal Armouries (and a stunning wander it was). The town museum and civic buildings – plus quite a lot of owls from the path – have been about 2 minutes away, the retailers and eating places, all inside about 5-10 minutes.
There’s parking in The Mild too, with a reduction for resort visitors, when you’re planning to drive to the Thackray Museum or Harewood Home.
Our room had an enormous comfortable mattress, plus a large TV (with sanitised distant management!) and a desk the place I may compensate for work after my daughter fell asleep – to not point out a fast filling bathtub and Radisson Blu toiletries.
There’s an awesome buffet for breakfast – all the time a spotlight of a resort keep – plus different scorching meals choices within the restaurant.
Artwork deco touches tie in with the constructing’s historical past as properly, plus you’ll spot some Leeds influences within the decorations.
Much more enjoyable have been the road artwork model decorations on the open house between flooring – close to the lifts, you’ll be able to peer down into the walkways and open space between the hall to the rooms to identify them.
For extra info on a household vacation in Leeds, take a look at Go to Leeds
*first revealed 2021, final up to date 2023*
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Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. My keep, entry to some points of interest and a few of our meals was free for the needs of evaluate, however all opinions are my very own.
Predominant picture/Kirkstall Abbey courtesy Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
