Abbey House Museum, Leeds | The Family Guide

The Abbey House Museum in Leeds gives families the chance to experience life in Leeds during the Victorian era, try their luck at Victorian games, and enjoy a visit to the family-friendly cafe onsite.

Victorian Streets at The Abbey House Museum

Victorian street in the Abbey House Museum

The bottom floor of the Museum has replicated several Victorian streets in Leeds. You can visit a pipe maker’s shop, a Victorian-era pub, step into a Sunday school class, and look in the window of a typical home and coffin makers shop to name a few.

There is a booklet you can pick up at the entrance to tell you more about the streets, as well as a simple trail for children to spot elephants and crocodiles.

There are so many interesting artifacts and details to take in! There isn’t much to touch in this area of the museum, but there is plenty of look at for all ages.

Exhibits at The Abbey House Museum

Curious creatures exhibition at Abbey House Museum in Leeds

Upstairs, the exhibits in the Abbey House Museum change every year, and this year the theme is Curious Creatures, which looks at the way Victorian’s viewed animals. Each item in the displays comes with a bit of information to tell you more about it.

There is a dress up box (with animals themes) books and a Sooty animatronic for younger children at the end of the exhibit.

Penny Slot Machines

I highly recommend bringing an extra pound coin or two for the original penny slot machines. You can trade in your pound coin for 10 old 2p coins which you can then use to have your fortune told, watch a murder mystery, or even try a Victorian-era pinball style game.

Childhood Galleries

The Childhood Galleries have a look at toys and childhood from the Victorian era to present day. There are many interactive exhibits as well as strange and interesting (and some slightly terrifying) toys.