Free Things To Do In Leeds

Offering an exciting, fun and interactive day for the whole family, Leeds City Museum is packed to the brim with incredible sights, fascinating features and engrossing history. Discover the fascinating story of Leeds, and how it was shaped by its landscape and its people, from the city’s first archaeological finds to changing displays reflecting people’s lives in the area today. From there, journey into ancient history and learn how societies from around the world lived and breathed, with incredible artefacts from the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, and Egypt, which includes the final resting place of Nesyamun, the 3,000-year-old Leeds Mummy, the only known mummy to hail from the 20th Dynasty.

Home to over 4,500 objects of weaponry on display, the Royal Armouries Museum is the UK’s largest collection of arms and armour. Split into six galleries, the purpose-built museum teaches visitors how arms and armour have shaped history, art, and culture through history. You’ll see fascinating highlights such as Henry VIII’s foot combat armour, made for the grand tournament known as the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, a full-size all-metal elephant armour and tusk swords from the late 16th century, and the Tula Garniture – an elegantly decorated set of weapons belonging to Empress of Russia Elizabeth Petrovna from 1752.

One of the most popular parks in Leeds, Roundhay Park is free for all visitors to explore and enjoy. Featuring over 700 acres filled with parkland, lakes and woodlands, the park also features a beautiful, landscaped canal in the canal gardens. There are five different walking routes to choose from, leading you to a variety of wonderful sights to see, including a 19th-century mansion, ornamental gardens, castle ruins and more.

One of Leeds’ most striking and renowned landmarks, Kirkstall Abbey is one of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monasteries in England. Over 800 years, the tranquil grounds and dramatic architecture of the ruins are free to wander and marvel, serving as a fantastic backdrop for the incredible parkland found in the area, making for a wonderful mixture of history, exploration, and natural beauty. 

The Leeds Lunchtime Concerts are a fantastic opportunity to enjoy culture and music in gorgeous surroundings without spending a penny. Offering the general public a wonderful taste of live music, the concerts are regularly hosted at Leeds Conservatoire, with the packed calendar serving as the most extensive programme of free music in the UK. The sessions feature all forms of performance, from jazz recitals to piano soloists to opera singers, and are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy emerging talent free of charge.

Founded in 1888, Leeds Art Gallery is home to one of the largest collections of 20th-century British art in the UK. The Gallery contains a wide extension of modern and contemporary works by diverse artists such as Damien Hirst, Jacob Epstein, Barbara Hepworth and more. There are also several regular events and temporary exhibitions, regularly showcasing different elements from the artistic and creative worlds, all showcased within the gallery’s stunning grade II listed building.