Best Museums in Harehills

"The National Railway Museum is a world class museum dedicated to the glory days of Britain's railways. Opened in 1975 the museum is housed in a former steam locomotive depot within walking distance of York Station. The free museum displays over 100 locomotives and nearly 200 other items of rolling stock and presents the history of the railway from the early 19th century to the present day."

"The National Railway Museum in York is home to some of the country’s greatest feats of engineering, and tells the story of Britain’s railway innovation. The museum was founded in 1975 on the site of the former North York locomotive depot, where it still stands today. In the early days of locomotive transport, York was revered as the heart of the rail networks of the north."

"Return of the Vikings ~ JORVIK Viking CentreThe year is AD960 and the last Viking King in Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe, has been banished. The city is thriving with a flourishing manufacturing centre and wide trading links. There are new buildings, new peoples and new stories to be told..."

"A visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre will send you on a trip back in time to the days of York under Danish rule. Way back in 866, York was invaded by the Danes. The Jorvik Viking Centre gives visitors a snapshot of what Viking life would have been like."

"The world famous JORVIK Viking Centre is a ‘Must See’ attraction for visitors to the City of York. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK. Learn everything there is to know about Viking life in York."

"It’s home to a sensational collection of art, including one of the biggest collections of 20th-century British art in the UK, starting with Henry Moore’s sculpture of the Reclining Woman outside and Lothar Götz’s Xanadu in the entrance hall. Inside, you can head to the Lower Galleries to discover important works by the likes of Francis Bacon, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst or visit the Upper Galleries to explore works from their modern artworks and temporary exhibitions. Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AA."

"Leeds Art Gallery reopened in October 2017 following an extensive refurbishment, including works on its original Victorian roof and renovation of the Central Court - meaning visitors can now see the stunning glass ceiling as part of the gallery. As well as the gallery’s main collection, artist room feature regular exhibitions. The Headrow, Leeds,LS1 3AA, open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 11am-3pm, closed Mondays."

"Kirkgate, at York Castle Museum, is the oldest, most famous Victorian Street experience in Britain. Since 1938 it has been visited by more than 30 million people. Now a massive makeover means that you can discover even more about Victorian Life."

"This excellent museum has displays of everyday life through the centuries, with reconstructed domestic interiors, a Victorian street and a prison cell where you can try out a condemned man's bed – and it could be..."

"The Tetley is a gallery like no other as a former brewery that’s now become three floors of art and workshops. They showcase emerging artists and show their work to a wider audience, from cool prints to boundary-pushing, immersive installations. Over the years, they’ve presented work by the likes of Jonathan Trayte, Joseph Buckley and Dora García, as well as big shows that sees local artists come together to collaborate."

"Founded in 1822, Tetley was once the biggest brewery in the North, and for a while, it was the largest producer of cask ale in the world. Its reign ended when the brewery was taken over by the Carlsberg Group, and the brewery closed in 2011, before being demolished a year later. Thankfully, out of its ashes, a new venue was born."

"This restored medieval townhouse, tucked down an alleyway, includes a permanent exhibition of life in the times of Henry VIII. It was once the home of York’s Lord Mayor. The centrepiece is a double-height banquet..."

"One of the most impressive exhibition spaces outside of London, The Hepworth’s architecture is just as spectacular as the collections housed inside. View rare pieces by famed local sculptor Barbara Hepworth, alongside a series of visiting exhibitions."

"The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate has a collection of over 2000 19th and 20th-century fine art pieces, along with temporary exhibitions running throughout the year. There are paintings, photography, sculptures and crafts on exhibit, including displays from local artists. Open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm to 5pm Sunday, open on Bank Holidays, closes 4pm November to March."

"York Art Gallery boasts the largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the country in its Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The 19th century building (restored 2013-2015) contains works from the 14th century to the present day including altarpieces, drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture. Highlights include works by Pablo Picasso, L S Lowry and David Hockney."

"As well as an impressive collection of Old Masters, York Art Gallery possesses works by LS Lowry, Pablo Picasso, Grayson Perry, David Hockney, and the controversial York artist William Etty who, in the 1820s, was..."

"In a city with the biggest student population outside of London, it would be absurd for the prevailing university culture not to have some influence on the art scene. Housed within the University of Leeds campus in the Grade II listed Art Deco Parkinson Building, The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery showcases a mix of contemporary art as well as works from the university’s special collections department spanning over 200 years. The gallery expectedly supports and promotes its students’ and its graduates’ work, in addition to displays from local artists and those from further afield."

"You don’t have to be a student to enjoy the art of The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery at the University of Leeds. Since 1970, it’s been home to the University Art Collection, which features ceramics, photographs and sculpture. That’s not all – you can see an incredible selection of British and European paintings, drawings and prints from 17th century to the present day."

"I was actually intending to spend a couple of hours in the Tiled Hall Cafe (see above) but it was closed for a private event, so I wandered into The Light centre and spotted this pink, flowery, instagram-perfect wonderland!. Haute Dolci has eight locations, so it’s a much larger operation that the other Leeds’ coffee shops I’ve included here, but it’s so pretty that I just had to include it. I would say it’s more of a dessert restaurant than a coffee shop, serving up the most elegant looking desserts, but I had a cappuccino and a couple of macarons which were intensely sweet (in a good way)."

"Although Haute Dolci isn’t a cafe, I couldn’t skip this dessert restaurant. You’ll find this beautiful restaurant inside The Light leisure centre. Their menu is all about desserts which is the dream for anyone with a sweet tooth."

"Puddings to die for from Haute Dolci in The Light - now delivered on UberEats. Choose from chocolate fudge brownies, banana split sundaes, stacked American pancakes and plenty more."

"Head to Ice Stone Gelato where you can devour over 30 crazy flavours. We’re talking everything from popping candy to raspberry pavlova, bubblegum to blueberry muffin. There are so many imaginative creations you’ll be spoilt for choice."

"During the day, Afterz is the perfect place to get some refreshing ice cream with the kids. But, it’s also a late night cafe, which means you can go in and satisfy your midnight munchies with some incredible ice cream flavours – think Curly Wurly, Toffee Crisp and Skittles. That’s not all, as they do a pretty tempting menu of candy shakes, waffles and majoun, a Moroccan jelly-like sweet."

"This day to late-night cafe bar serves ice cream non-stop, making it just as perfect for midnight munchies as a trip in the day with the little ones. Order an epic knickerbocker glory-style sundae drenched in hundreds and thousands, or simply grab a few scoops in a tub. Flavours include the likes of Curly Wurly, Skittles and Toffee Crisp."

"It’s currently tasting incredibly moreish at @thecrosskeysdunnington #WhosRoundNext?. #Beer #yorkshirebeer #brewedinyorkshire #yorkshirepub #leedsbrewery. A post shared by Leeds Brewery (@leedsbrewery) on Sep 4, 2020 at 8:01am PDT"