Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills

Brilliant! Visited at the beginning of October 2025 when the outside area was closed for restoration. Having said that, there are still many great things to see inside. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff can explain the history and workings of the exhibits. A great museum.

Informative and slightly depressing museum showing how great the industrial and engineering prowess of Leeds was. Friendly and helpful staff. Can get there by walking along the canal or there is a free carpark a short walk from the mill.

Great place to visit at a reasonable price. Lots of history and engineering in one place. I think I've enjoyed it more than my teenage daughter.

Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills is a really interesting glimpse into the city’s industrial past, set inside a former woollen mill. The museum covers textiles, engineering, printing and steam power, with impressive original machinery and recreation of a historic cinema. The exhibits are informative and well laid out, and staff are really friendly. A worthwhile and affordable visit, especially for anyone interested in local history, industry or heritage buildings.

Very nice museum, even our kids (6 and 4) really enjoyed, because there is a lot of activities for kids to keep them busy. The big surprise was a little old cinema with a short movies and beautiful "engineer office" for kids to play. There is a lot to see in museum for adults as well, it was very interesting and we learned a lot about industrial history of Leeds and West Yorkshire. Very nice and friendly staff and it definitely worth the money. There is a family ticket available for family.

We visited yesterday with a group of blind and partially sighted people and sighted companions. We were absolutely blown away by how welcoming and accommodating the team were to our group. We had planned our visit in advance and Aleks (Assistant Community Curator) couldn't have been more helpful, both in the planning and on the day. We were given a guided tour by Aleks and their colleague Sapphia, so our group was able to learn about the machinery and the history of the Mill without needing to worry about reading the information accompanying the exhibits. Aleks also ran an artefact handling session for our group which really gave our group a wonderful experience. The museum is a fantastic place. There's so much to see and experience, it's absolutely fascinating. In terms of accessibility and inclusion I couldn't rate it highly enough. Nothing was too much trouble and everyone in our group had a wonderful time. Huge thanks to Aleks and their colleague Sapphia for looking after us so well. We would definitely recommend a visit, particularly if you are visiting with a group that has additional requirements.

Great to go with kids, lots to see and very friendly/helpful staff are about also.

Plentiful free car parking about 100 metres from the entrance. Good value £14 family ticket for 3 kids/ 1 adult, spent about 1hr 30 mins here. Interesting info about Leeds textile and engineering history. At 11:30am the looms were demo'd and there was a very good Q&A about the 14 hour work days, various textile processing related diseases and how phrases like "spinster" and "knocking-off" came to be. Armley canal is accessible via a small garden on the left as you come out of the entrance to combine your visit with a nice walk.

We had so much fun here! The staff was hilarious and just seeing this place made me think of the pictures in the textbooks I read as a child about the industrial times in England. The view outside is gorgeous and my children and I had so much fun seeing all the exhibits and different textiles. A really good part of the exhibit were the ages of the workers and the stories of all the health-related problems they were through. So fascinating.

Located in the dreary Leeds suburb of Armley, this large museum occupies a former industrial site alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the River Aire. At the time of my visit the whole of the outdoor area was closed because of flood-defence work so I wasn't able to see everything it offers. There is a lot of interesting stuff in this museum, particularly about the textile industry, and some of the other industries that helped to make Leeds one of England's great cities. However some of the interpretation is limited and some old machinery isn't restored. Being located beside the canal it is surprising that nothing at all was said in the exhibitions about the canal, which was an artery of industry in its heyday. Unfortunately access by public transport is poor, the nearest bus stop doesn't offer a very frequent service and doesn't connect very well to the main Leeds station. If you have time it is easier to walk from the City along the canal towpath.

The Leeds Industrial Museum does exactly what it says on the tin, showcasing the development of industry and its role in people's lives all in the apt setting of what was once the world's largest woollen mill. If you're a history buff or just interested in how things work there's plenty to keep you occupied here, with displays, exhibits and interactive activities detailing manufacturing through the ages. If history's not your thing it's still worth going once to learn a bit more about what made our city the way it is today, and the outdoor picnic area is a treat on a summer's day. It's not really a full day out, but if you combine a visit with a trip to the nearby Kirkstall Abbey you have an itinerary that will keep most families or visiting parents entertained.

Enjoyed myself here. Only $3.40 and half that for kids. Showing the development of textiles in Leeds. Plus the industrial revolution. Friendly staff. They are still recovering from the boxing day flood so some places were not showing. Looking for a afternoon or morning it's well worth your time.

Pretty much anything goes for me. When my friend comes round with small child in tow the pub is obviously out of the question and it's time to delve into many of the other mass of attractions on my door. So that led me to Leeds Industrial Museum. I must admit, I was never the world's biggest fan of museums as a child but that made me feel more willing to share my pain to yet more generations. However, my pain is no more. Museums are soooooo much better these days and Leeds Industrial Museum isn't half bad. It's one of the largest textile museums in the world and boasts a working mule (my personal favourite), a 1920s working cinema and what all small boys love, steam engine Jack. There is quite a bit to do and it's a very pleasant wander through the various buildings and area. You've got it full equipped out too, to deal with the inevitable school groups as well as people off the streets like me. So the learning zone keeps the small ones occupied and you can also refuel at one of the many picnic areas (when the Baltic weather front finally passes). There are also various workshops and adult learning programmes too, which you'd expect from any well thought out and planned set up like this. It's still a museum but there is definitely enough here to while away an afternoon and at a fiver for a family pass it's good value for money.

The River Aire splits to encompass either side of the mill. Canalisation of the river is deep and the river fast flowing, a well kept lawn with weeping willow standing proud makes a dramatic setting and you can imagine many picnickers feasting her in summer. The large old mill stark and rectangular dominates the picture with large chunks of machinery dotted around slowly being engulfed by plants. This gives the site an empty, abandoned feel, almost eerie. To complete the picture are warning signs for your safety. Inside there are many interpretation boards to fill you with information from the industrial past of Leeds; this was one of the first mills in Leeds and the start of it turning into a city. As the name suggests this is an industrial museum therefore if this doesn't appeal to you you may not wish to look around but the site is worth a look see. It is a shame that such a large space hasn't been given more use such as a café-restaurant and/or events space as it would be a lovely setting but there we go.