The mummy of Nesyamun
A 3,000-year-old priest from Karnak with a forensic facial reconstruction, and the mummy whose voice scientists recreated in 2020.
On an upper floor of this museum lies an Egyptian priest called Nesyamun, a senior priest of Karnak who died around 3,000 years ago, reached Leeds in 1824, and in 2020 was made to speak again when scientists 3D-printed his vocal tract and coaxed a single vowel sound out of it. That is what everyone remembers afterwards, and it alone justifies an hour in a city not overburdened with great museums. The building is by Cuthbert Brodrick, the architect of Leeds Town Hall and the Corn Exchange; it began life as a Mechanics' Institute in the 1860s and reopened as the museum in 2008 after a refit costing more than £19 million. Inside are four permanent galleries: Life on Earth for natural history, where a stuffed Bengal tiger shot in India in 1860 and on show in Leeds since 1862 does the welcoming; Ancient Worlds for Egypt, Greece and Rome, mummy included; World View for objects from Asia and beyond; and Leeds Story, which explains how a modest wool town became an industrial city. A floor of temporary exhibitions sits above. To be plain about it, this is a mid-sized city museum, not a rival to the British Museum or Manchester Museum. But it is handsome, calm and clearly built with families in mind: lifts reach every floor, there are ramps at the entrance, toilets on each level and a pop-up sensory room for children that runs once every school holiday and must be booked in advance. Ninety minutes is enough; allow two hours with children who like things slightly macabre. Entry is give what you can, with a suggested £5 donation per person, and nothing needs booking. The museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Friday 10:00-17:00, Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 11:00-17:00. It stands on Millennium Square, ten minutes' walk from Leeds station and five from the Town Hall, and pairs neatly with Leeds Central Library and the Art Gallery next door for a wet-weather loop - a real possibility in Yorkshire even in August. The Herbarium Café on the lower ground floor serves until 16:00 and has room for buggies.
A 3,000-year-old priest from Karnak with a forensic facial reconstruction, and the mummy whose voice scientists recreated in 2020.
A stuffed Bengal tiger shot in India in 1860 that has greeted visitors since 1862 and become the museum's mascot.
The former 1860s Mechanics' Institute by the architect of Leeds Town Hall, restored for more than £19 million.
Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH
With only half a day in Leeds, the Royal Armouries is bigger and more thrilling for children over seven. The City Museum is quieter, more central and better for toddlers and buggies, and ninety minutes covers it; save it for a wet morning and carry on to the library and Art Gallery next door.
No. Individuals walk in without booking even in July and August, and queues are rare. Booking is only needed for ticketed events and workshops, and for organised groups of 20 or more.