A world-class, purpose-built national museum set alongside the scenic waterfront of Leeds Dock. The Royal Armouries MuseumClick to open side panel for more information is home to the United Kingdom’s national collection of arms and armour, housing five vast galleries packed with historic treasures, interactive displays, and live combat demonstrations. Located just a short stroll or water taxi ride south of Leeds city centre, the museum and surrounding docklands provide an entirely flat, paved, and family-friendly environment that is easy to navigate whatever the weather.
The Royal Armouries was originally founded at the Tower of London, making it the UK’s oldest museum and one of the oldest in the world. In 1996, the purpose-built museum in Leeds was opened to showcase the magnificent national collection in all its glory—ranging from the iconic tournament armour of King Henry VIII to legendary weapons, hunting equipment, and cinematic combat artefacts. Outside, the museum overlooks the lively Leeds Dock basin, where modern waterfront restaurants, wide canal walkways, and outdoor spaces offer plenty of room to unwind and watch the water taxis glide by.
This bright and cheerful mosaic was designed by Emily and proudly marks a stop along our Inclusive Mosaic Trail, installed on an external wall alongside our official Little Hiccups plaque.
Emily’s mum shares:
We’ve always enjoyed visits to the Royal Armouries as a family and with visiting cousins in the school holidays. The jousting displays are great fun if you get chance to watch. It’s a great place to go whatever the weather. We like to walk around the canal area, browse the exhibits and relax in the cafe. The Changing Places toilet means we don’t have to rush because we can keep Emily comfortable all day.
Find out more about visiting the museum and what’s on: https://royalarmouries.org/leeds
What 3 Words:
slows.blast.ducks
Address:
Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Opening days/times:
- Term-time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Mondays)
- School Holidays & Bank Holidays: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost:
Free admission (pre-booking your free general admission ticket online via their website is recommended, especially on weekends and during school holidays).
Parking:
Paid multi-storey parking is located nearby at CitiPark Leeds DockClick to open side panel for more information (Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LE), which includes dedicated accessible bays. Pre-booking parking is available via CitiPark: https://citipark.co.uk/car-parks/leeds/clarence-leeds-dock
Facilities:
On-site café (The Masters, offering indoor and outdoor waterside seating), museum gift shop, picnic spaces, indoor interactive galleries, live arena shows/combat demonstrations, and direct access to the Leeds Dock water taxi.
Toilets:
Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available on multiple levels throughout the museum building.
Changing Place:
Yes, there is a registered Changing Places toilet located on-site on the Ground Floor inside the Royal Armouries Museum, fitted with a hoist, adult changing bench, and privacy screen.
Terrain:
Completely level, smooth, and paved throughout both the exterior Leeds Dock area and inside the museum. The multi-floor museum has spacious lifts, wide doorways, and level thresholds, making it fully accessible for manual wheelchairs, powerchairs, and pushchairs alike.
Website:
https://royalarmouries.org/leeds
Gallery:
