Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries in Leeds is a great day out, there’s so much too see that it’d be a real challenge to see, read and do everything in one visit! There are a few very reasonably priced coffee shops and cafes in the museum and also indoor ‘picnic’ areas with tables and chairs where you can bring your own food to eat.

the dungeons were great

An excellent museum located just outside Leeds. Be warned that the symbol on road signs (and indeed the emblem of the museum itself) looks very much like a jester's hat, which seems a little confusing. It isn't - it's a rather remarkable helmet.

The museum is organised well with different sections including War, Tournament, Oriental and Hunting. You can spend a good 4h there with teenagers, or maybe a little less with younger. The museum takes you through the ages and there is a huge amount on show - if you were to stop and read every section you'd be there for days - but it is relatively easy to wander around and pick something that catches your eye. The exhibits are well punctuated with bits of history and a good deal of hands-on stuff for those who like or need it, and videos etc. with good seating.

A remarkable innovation is the 'gallery chairs', which you can take with you and sit down on if you need to take the weight off your feet.

There are also special displays which would undoubtedly be interesting - I didn't see any while I was there.

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is without a doubt a great day out for all the family. Situated beside Leeds Waterfront there's plenty of space for walking and picnicing if the weather's nice.

The many different types of Armour Displays inside the museum is truly breathtaking.

You're best arriving early as it gets very busy by mid' afternoon, especially during weekends and school holidays.

Unfortunately you're not allowed to photograph the displays if you're using a flash-bulb on your camera, as the ultra bright light of the flash can damage the fine materials used on some of the displays. But once you've seen these magnificient displays you will remember them forever, so who needs a photograph?

I can see that with the other reviews the Royal Armouries in Leeds is a very popular tourist attraction and after visiting myself it is clear to see why. Located just to the south of the city centre in Clarence Dock it sits by the water in a purpose built building with flags out the front. It is totally free to enter and you can spend as much time as you like browsing the exhibits of armour, war equipment and historical pieces. It is very interesting and a good day out whatever the weather. You can even go outside and see live armour making and visit the birds and horses. A well deserved 5/5.

The Royal Armouries is a great day out. To some, the name might sound a little dull, and I admit that I can only look at a certain number of suits of armour before I feel like I’ve seen them all! However, there is so much more to the Royal Armouries than armour. For me, the highlights were the falconry and jousting exhibitions, which are a really unique sight - I can think of very few places where you can see history come to life like this! There are also actors who give talks in role at certain times of the day, which caters for those who prefer their history to be a little more interactive. There are also demonstrations, in which children can try on and hold armour and even swords. There is a cafe and parking, and full disabled access.

Can not grumble about this place unless you can not control you childrens spending.Gift shop has lots of top toys but are expensive had made wooden toys and crossbows £25/£30 a pop but solidly built and they do last.
Buildign is fantastic -space age -exhibits excellent -feel like going again just typing this in.
Eat but pricey parkign -walking not an option is central but tucked out of the way.Nice and not too expensive eats.

We recently came here for a family day out and we weren’t disappointed. Our sons had a great time oggling all the different exhibits. A fantastic day out that’s free for all the family!

Dangerous!
Great if your into History. The outdoor birds of prey show was fantastic and great for adults and kids alike.

A great place to go on a day out, been many times from school trips to just a day out with family. The HUGE amoured Elephant is amazing as is most. I’ve been when they’ve had outdoor events on such as fencing which has been great to watch. You can never really see all of it

Meet the “birds” at the Royal Armouries - Birds of prey I mean !! A real treat if you’re into Falconry or just think they’re really cool. Best in the Summer. Lots of jousting. Shout for your favourite knight.
Medieval wonderment for all the family.

Leed’s Royal Armouries is an absolute treasure. It’s packed full of real history and has to be one of the best days out in West Yorkshire.
First of all, it’s free: and you can easily spend a whole day exploring inside and out.
The museum is bright, clean and well set out with good lighting.
It has a range of different galleries highlighting different eras of warefare, from medieval to the Northern Ireland Troubles and Iraq and Afghanistan.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just for the boys as the live re-inactments are going to appeal to children of all ages.
In a single day we watched falconry, jousting *the jousting yard has men in armour on real war horses) sword fighting - both broadsword in armour and with rapiers, a wild west shootout and a bit of Samuri armour-wearing.
During the week you might bump into a school party - but there’s enough space for everyone to get a great sense of the past.
There are plenty of loos and the cafe is reasonably priced.
There’s a great shop with learning toys to help keep the history bug biting - have a look for great and unusal Christmas presents.

what a place.. i absolutely love the royal armouries. best of all. its free.. awesome day out for the lads.. but still a damm good day out for the girls.. elephant armour and umbrella guns. Brilliant the live jousting and bird shows are the icing on the cake.

Fantastic free day out. Lots to see and do. We watched the falconry display which was really good.I think more of interest to lads and dads than girlie girls!! Nice cafe.

A wonderful musuem sitated in the heart of Leeds, the Royal Armories is a must visit for anyone interested in wars and battles. As mentioned previously it is free to enter and it is very big and you could easily spend the better part of a day looking around.

I have not been in for a few years but highlights at the time included a 4 barrelled shotgun and the WW1 exibit.

Highly recommended.

A great place if you like guns etc. Sadly I don’t. The museum is well set out, and very visitor friendly, even free to go in. You could easily spend a whole day wondering around this mussum. Don’t forget to check out the grounds too, being situated on the lovely Leeds canal front it’s nice outside too. If you like armour, you’ll love this place, my boyfriend did. Watch out for the big elephant armour which was the highlight of the visit for me!

This is a great place for the day out (for free)! Even, when you are not really interested in armouries or weapons! The place is massive, there are a lot of exhibitions and events. You have to have a loooot of time to visit everything. After several hours I was a bit bored, but there are several restaurants/cafes, so you can seat down and have a break! The best there was falconary show!! Amazing. Highly recommended!

This is by far one of the best arms museums I have ever visited. It has four large floors that cover the gambit of arms, hunting and warfare. The admission is free, but parking isn’t cheap at five pounds for three hours, and because of the layout, their parking lot is the only feasible place to park. Also has a full service metalworking shop that can be viewed through glass, a tilt yard and cafeteria. This museum is modern, clean and well worth the time it takes to see it all. I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in arms, self defense or hunting.

Another 5 star rating from me.

I’ve been here a number of times really found the place interesting, educational and very enjoyable.

If your ever in the area it’s well worth taking the time (and you will need loads of time as the place is huge) to visit.