Discover Important English History at Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds is today one of England’s most bustling centres of culture and modern life, but it’s also home to some of the countries most important industrial heritage and stood at the forefront of England’s development. At Leeds Industrial Museum, you can step back in time to discover Leeds incredible industrial heritage, from clothing, printing, engineering to the film industry.

Where can I find Leeds Industrial Museum?

You'll find Leeds Industrial Museum just two miles out from the city centre, off the A65 to Kirkstall to Canal Road. The nearest train station is Burley Park one mile away, while Leeds station is 1.6 miles away, where the number 15 bus takes you to outside the museum.

Housed in what was once the world’s largest woollen mill, which itself dates back to the 17th century, it’s now an award-winning museum and home to a collection of fascinating treasures and artefacts that made the city famous. Uncover the experiences and untold stories of the generations who would have spent much of their lives at this building, revealing the story of Leeds industrial industries.

There are a range of spaces and galleries across the museum, following different themes. Find out how Leeds played a major role in launching high-street fashion, through the work of famous figures like Joseph Hepworth and John Barran at the Tailoring Gallery. Immerse yourself in the live demonstrations of the spinning wheels and working looms in the Textile Galleries, learning about the stories of and connections to the wool and cloth industries that made Leeds what it is today. Head to the Power House gallery, where you’ll find the world famous collection of steam engines, or explore the Manager’s Cottage, a recreated traditional British home that reveals the working standards and lives of those who worked in Victorian-era Britain.

Leeds also played a major role in the development of film and media – did you know that the oldest surviving film in existence was filmed in Leeds, at Roundhay Garden? Discover more behind Leeds history with the moving image and more at Media in the Mill, with incredibly preserved cameras, photography equipment and printing presses that drove Leeds creative industries. You can even step into the Palace Picture House, and catch a film at one of the world’s smallest 1920’s cinemas!

  • Opening hours:
    Mon: closed
    Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
    Sat – Sun: 12 – 5pm
  • Adult £5.00
    Child £2.75
    Family £11.00
    Under 5s FREE
  • Most of the museum is accessible for wheelchair users, see here for more details.

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