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For years, I related to Leeds with grown-up metropolis breaks – all of the purchasing, bars, fabulous opera and theatre and funky resorts – 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.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks/overview visits*
For starters it’s extremely walkable (and there are a number of trails to assist persuade children to affix in), with a number 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, try my high picks
Royal Armouries museum
Whenever 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 possibly can spend an entire day with out issue.
The primary galleries concentrate on 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 cut up geographically. There’s western Europe, with complete shows on medieval battles, fortress constructing, the event of armour, and thru to the English Civil Warfare and Waterloo, in addition to the First World Warfare.
For a full overview of a day on the Royal Armouries with children, try my submit
Individually, different shows concentrate on China, Japan and India, with eye-catching displays like armour for an elephant in addition to a reproduction Terracotta warrior and the ferocious armour for the Shogun’s guards.
To not point out displays on fencing, on developments in forensics and new expertise, short-term 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 methods on horseback (earlier than visiting the stables), not forgetting sword-fighting shows.
And that’s nonetheless solely a short introduction – in case you go to Leeds, that is merely unmissable. In spite of everything, 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 further 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 totally 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 possibly can select a personality from a spinning wheel, then choose up a card to fit in to varied factors alongside the road, revealing extra of their story. Unsurprisingly, not at all times with a contented ending!
Alongside the best way, there are many startling info – a road with over 350 individuals would have had two shared public privies, for instance! – plus a number of the main discoveries which nonetheless type the premise of drugs at present.
There are some nice interactives too – similar to difficult children to reply whether or not you could be ‘too clear’, and galvanizing them to get inventive by inventing their very own gadget, plus quizzes.
Alongside the best way, there are some strange quack treatments, an ornate apothecary’s store and a few dwell leeches, via to X-rays, transplants, the invention of DNA, and the top of iron lungs.
There’s additionally a sexual well being clinic space (you possibly can detour round this with youthful children in case you choose) and shows to trick your brains – in addition to explanations about how they work.
Whether or not you wish to overlook Covid altogether or respect simply how far medical science has come, it’s a terrific day trip with children in Leeds.
Take a look at my overview 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 historical 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 in case you’re in search of free issues to do in Leeds with children, plus it implies that if your loved ones is simply excited about one space – otherwise you fancy a few quick visits slightly 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 facet, in addition to the possibility to hint the historical past of Leeds from prehistoric instances via Romans, Vikings and Normans to the Industrial Revolution.
There are extra interactive displays right here too (lifting the flaps to search out sweets that contained poison was a stand-out reminiscence).
In the meantime the pure historical past part has a lot on conservation and sustainability, in addition to the possibility to ‘design’ your personal animal, following the strains on the ground.
You may also wander via 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 somewhat like a treasure trove, the place you’re by no means positive what you’ll uncover subsequent: good for conserving children entertained and nice in case you’re in search of an indoor choice on a wet day in Leeds.
Leeds Discovery Centre
With round 1.2 million gadgets saved right here, Leeds Discovery Centre is a literal treasure trove, a state-of-the-art storage centre that’s house to every part from elephant skulls to a medieval log boat, mummy bandages and meteorites.
There are generally particular occasions, or you possibly can communicate to them about arranging actions for teams, in addition to household pleasant visits.
Better of all, it’s free to go to, though you do must guide upfront to get entry. It’s somewhat means past the Royal Armouries Museum in case you’re coming from Leeds Metropolis Centre, or you will get bus quantity 29 from Leeds Dock.
Leeds Industrial Museum
There’s an opportunity to be taught extra concerning the metropolis’s heritage at Leeds Industrial Museum, simply exterior the town at Armley Mills. And in case you suppose that doesn’t sound too tempting for youths, it’s house to railway gear, shows on how the town performed its half in excessive road trend, and an entire collection of cameras and printing presses.
You’ll be able to take a peek inside a home furnished and adorned as if it had been nonetheless 1969 and wander via the backyard, stuffed with flowers used for conventional dyes.
There’s even one of many smallest Nineteen Twenties cinemas on the earth, the Palace Image Home and altering exhibitions.
Round a 10-minute drive from Leeds Metropolis Centre, there are additionally a number of buses which can take you to the museum or close by – the quantity 14 stops on Canal Highway the place the museum is predicated, or numerous others cease on Kirkstall Highway close by, together with 33, 33A, 508 and 757.
Kirkstall Abbey
Some of the 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 day trip in Leeds with children, with common household occasions and actions throughout holidays, together with trails and artwork packs.
Everytime you go to, you possibly can stroll via the ruined abbey buildings and the beautiful 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 outlets, a pub and homes, the place you possibly can peer inside and see how individuals lived a century or so in the past, in addition to common new exhibitions.
You may also uncover an entire space on basic toys, together with conventional video games and Victorian dolls – you possibly can even play a number of the unique penny slot machines (and purchase an old school penny from the merchandising machine to do it).
Look out for further occasions and actions throughout the college holidays, for added enjoyable.
Leeds Artwork Gallery
Centered on trendy and modern artwork, there’s nonetheless a lot which makes the Leeds Artwork Gallery family-friendly – throughout our summer time go to, for instance, there have been inventive exercise luggage to remove, supreme for uplifting your children.
One other of the string of free locations to go to in Leeds with children, you’ll discover displays to get everybody considering – a Damien Hirst sculpture, in addition to works by Anthony Gormley, between shiny modern artwork and Victorian work.
There are additionally common short-term exhibitions, and don’t miss Artspace, a inventive area 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 in case you want one thing extra to steer your children to get out and discover, Leeds additionally has a string of strolling trails which are perfect for households.
Some change from 12 months to 12 months (2021 noticed animatronic dinosaurs in purchasing centres throughout the town, whereas there was a Bear Hunt themed path in 2023), however you’ll at all times be capable of 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).
A variety 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’ll find 25 as you discover.
Avenue artwork path
Leeds was embracing road artwork earlier than it was cool – and in case your children love recognizing murals and different imaginative creations, the town’s road artwork path is one other good method 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 contains 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 search 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 at all times hold your eyes open.
Junkyard Golf
Loopy golf at all times goes down nicely with my daughter, however with its disco lights, tongue-in-cheek puns (one gap referred to as Pablo Discobar…) and really enjoyable holes, the course at Junkyard Golf is nice for households.
Kiids are allowed throughout the daytimes till 6pm for golf on Sunday to Thursday, so profit from it by reserving one of many three programs, referred to 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.
Not like some mini golf programs, that are frustratingly tough, all of the holes are doable to play, which is much more enjoyable.
Take a look at the previous arcades
Wandering via an conventional purchasing arcade may not look like an apparent one to placed on a listing of issues to do in Leeds with children.
However these fantastic classic arcades have some quirky temptations as nicely: 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 via to look at 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 experience is a discount at £2.
The 2 boats (Twee and Drie, from Amsterdam) sail between Granary Wharf (close to the Doubletree by Hilton resort) and 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 time, you too can go to Tropical World, the most important assortment of tropical vegetation exterior Kew Gardens.
There are additionally a string of strolling routes, together with previous the fortress ruins and across the lake, and a number of other play areas to entertain youthful children.
And older ones will love the areas primarily based on well-known gardens from all over the world, 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 way over simply the stately house to find at Harewood Home – that is someplace to spend all day exploring.
The grounds have three strolling trails that can assist you discover, together with a terrific journey playground, and a pure play space within the woods, a ‘secret’ tunnel to the Norman church, formal gardens, a reasonably lake with a ferry heading throughout to extra gardens and normally 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 anticipate, filled with portraits and artworks, together with some extra uncommon African items – alongside the best way, you too can uncover extra about Harewood’s hyperlinks to the slave commerce.
Followers of interval dramas would possibly already recognise the rooms under stairs, which have been used to movie Victoria, Misplaced in Austen and Downton Abbey (Emmerdale can be shot on the property), with attire 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 possibly can take bus 36, which takes round 40 minutes together with a brief stroll on the finish.
Learn my full overview of a day trip at Harewood Home with children
Temple Newsam
One other nice historic home with a lot to do within the grounds for youths, Temple Newsam is simply round quarter-hour’ drive from Leeds metropolis centre in case you’re in search of simple household days out.
The uncommon breed Residence farm is an enormous hit with youthful children – and older ones, for that matter – with every part from the small and fluffy, together with guinea pigs, to rarer cattle, all set inside the outbuildings and across the cobbled yard.
There are some pretty walks across the grounds too in case you’re in search of out of doors actions, with nature trails and an journey playground too. Take a look at the three lakes, all designed to have a barely totally 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 possibly can be taught a number 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 typically discover further actions in class holidays too, together with kids’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 – enable round 50 minutes, together with the stroll.
Lotherton
There’s one other pretty wildlife park to go to within the grounds of this Edwardian nation property, round half-hour exterior Leeds.
Initially a hen backyard, the celebs at Lotherton Widlife World are usually the penguins though there are at the moment upgrades on their tank, however you too can spot flamingos, in addition to tapir and capybara within the totally 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, large chess or getting misplaced within the hay bale maze?
Or spot deer within the woodland, comply with one in all a number of strolling trails and discover a number of the eight acres of gardens.
The home itself is frozen in time throughout 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 doable – upstairs is closed throughout the winter months.
There are additionally 5 curiosity cupboards for households to rummage via, 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 internationally plus trend exhibitions inside the home.
That is one historic home that’s finest visited by automotive – there’s parking (paid). You’ll be able to take buses 64/64A to Aberford from Leeds, however you possibly can anticipate a 20-30 minute stroll alongside a busy street to get to Lotherton.
Meanwood Valley City Farm
This metropolis farm, simply exterior Leeds itself, stretches throughout 24 acres with an opportunity for guests to see animals and allotments on the location.
There’s a beautiful woodland path, an opportunity to spy birds, plus a number of eco-friendly sides to get children interested by conservation, similar to photo voltaic panels.
Realistically most are going to be extra excited by the possibility to see alpacas and guinea pigs, in addition to all the same old cattle on a working farm, however it’s a beautiful spot for youths each younger and older with nature booklets for various ages to entertain them as nicely.
There’s a small automotive park at Meanwood Valley Farm, or you possibly can take bus 38/39 for the 15-minute journey to Woodhouse Cricket Membership, which is round a 10-minute stroll from the farm.
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 day trip 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 monitor.
There are many seasonal actions and occasions too. Throughout the summer time holidays, you’ll discover an inflatable impediment course and curler skating rink. Then at Christmas, you possibly can 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, try my high 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 a lot to maintain everybody completely happy.
At Trinity Kitchen, there’s an entire assortment of road meals stands with further pop-up stalls, so you possibly can eat something from burgers and burritos to pizza and Pho, in addition to a implausible rolled naan wrap and cinnamon dusted doughnuts.
And in case you fancy one thing a bit extra adventurous than your children, they will follow 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 huge woodfired pizzas (and £5 margheritas at the moment at weekday lunchtimes) had been scrumptious. [EDIT: Sadly this closed in May 2023]
Save area for dessert as nicely: roasted peanut butter, chocolate and caramel ice cream was implausible.
When you choose a burger, Nearly Well-known has burgers so huge and filled with substances, you virtually want a wash after scoffing one in all them.
My Liberty Island burger was big, oozing with sauces on buttermilk hen – 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 virtually as candy because the sweet decorations inside our desk.
For someplace somewhat extra uncommon, I beloved Bundobust too. A contemporary twist on basic Indian dishes, it’s all veggie or vegan Gujurati model, and the concept is to get a number of little plates and share.
We bought completely carried away, and my daughter was persuaded to strive aloo paratha and chole saag, whereas I additionally tucked right into a spicier bundo chaat.
There’s a terrific beer menu, to not point out a mango coconut mojito, and a dreamy mango lassi for my daughter as nicely.
The place to remain in Leeds with children
You could find many of the huge title chain resorts in Leeds – and sometimes low cost gives, such because the Be Our Visitor promotion throughout the summer time 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 in all places from our personal resort, the Radisson Blu Leeds, in The Mild.
All the pieces within the metropolis was inside strolling distance: the furthest we ever needed to wander was round 20 minutes to the Royal Armouries (and a beautiful wander it was). The town museum and civic buildings – plus loads of owls from the path – had been about 2 minutes away, the outlets and eating places, all inside about 5-10 minutes.
There’s parking in The Mild too, with a reduction for resort friends, in case you’re planning to drive to the Thackray Museum or Harewood Home.
Our room had an enormous cozy mattress, plus an enormous TV (with sanitised distant management!) and a desk the place I may atone for work after my daughter fell asleep – to not point out a fast filling bathtub and Radisson Blu toiletries.
There’s a terrific buffet for breakfast – at all times 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 nicely, plus you’ll spot some Leeds influences within the decorations.
Much more enjoyable had been the road artwork model decorations on the open area between flooring – close to the lifts, you possibly can peer down into the walkways and open space between the hall to the rooms to identify them.
For extra data on a household vacation in Leeds, try Go to Leeds
*first revealed 2021, final up to date 2023*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN LEEDS WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. My keep, entry to some sights and a few of our meals was free for the needs of overview, however all opinions are my very own.
Principal picture/Leeds Industrial Museum/Kirkstall Abbey/alpaca courtesy Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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