Where is Abbey House Museum located?
Abbey House Museum is in Kirkstall, just a few miles outside of Leeds city centre. Abbey House Museum is situated opposite Kirkstall Abbey, and was the original inner-gatehouse for the abbey.
What is the history of Abbey House Museum to the present day?
Abbey House Museum was opened in 1927 and is one of eight venues in the Leeds Museums & Galleries family. The building was originally the inner gatehouse of Kirkstall Abbey, founded in 1152. After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII, the gatehouse became a farmhouse and then a family home. It was bought by Leeds City Council in 1926 and transformed into a social history museum.
The museum's highlights include three authentically recreated Victorian Streets (Abbey Fold, Harewood Square, Stephen Harding Gate), which were developed in the 1950s. Between 1998 and 2001 the museum was granted funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to refurbish and update the museum with new additions to the streets.
Today, the museum offers a great value, family-friendly experience for local people and anyone who is interested in social history. The interactive streets offer glimpses into Leeds' Victorian past, while the upper galleries showcase stories and objects which include childhood nostalgia, toys, and games.
The museum is also home to some of the best working original penny slot machines in the country, which provide entertainment for everyone who visits. There is a regularly changing temporary exhibition on the first floor, as well as a community-curated display area that focuses on different themes.
What is there to see and do at Abbey House Museum?
The museum is home to a fascinating selection of some 30,000 social history objects, ranging from Victorian furniture to contemporary children's toys. The Victorian Streets feature popular shops from the time, as well as a pub, schoolroom, and different types of housing. You can step inside the famous Burmantofts pottery shop, choose your traditional pick ‘n’ mix in the grocers, and pick up various lotions and potions from the chemists.
There is a regular programme of events for adults and families, including school holiday activities and trails. Families are invited to take part in crafts, explore the museum on a themed trail, and dress up in authentic Victorian costumes. Talks, workshops, and study days take place throughout the year for adults, focusing on different aspects of the collection and history.
Abbey House Museum hosts a magical Christmas season each year, and sees the Victorian Streets dressed up in all their festive finery for children to discover. Santa and his elves take up residence in the grotto and meet families throughout December, offering a traditional experience in a relaxed setting.
Other Information
Abbey House Museum has a Changing Places facility in the entrance, offering visitors a fully-accessible toilet and changing area.
