News

Museum experts in Leeds are bristling with excitement after their resident hippo’s fabulous facial hair was studied during new research into the inner workings of whiskers.

Analysis recently carried out at the Leeds Discovery Centre saw curators comb through their vast collection of historic taxidermy, including century old stuffed hippo Billie, to explore exactly how the number and placement of their whiskers help animals sense the world around them.

Life below stairs at a historic Leeds mansion has been rediscovered thanks to a dazzling new display.

The Butler’s Pantry at Temple Newsam House has been carefully restored by experts, giving a fascinating insight into the stories of servants and staff whose tireless work behind the scenes kept the house going for hundreds of years.

A curator’s dedication to helping young people in care play their part in ground-breaking events and exhibitions in Leeds has seen her scoop a top national award.

Angie Thompson, Leeds Art Gallery’s youth engagement curator, is the driving force behind Leeds Museums and Galleries’ innovative Care Creatives programme, which first launched in 2021.

Pinnies, petticoats, booties and breaches are all on display as part of a new exhibition exploring the history of children’s fashion.

Looking at the changing styles from the 1600’s to the modern day, Fashion at Play: Children’s Clothing Through the Ages opens at Lotherton on March 1.

Looking for free and low-cost things to do with the family over the February half term? Check out our list of events and activities taking place in Leeds.

A crumb of bread entombed thousands of years ago alongside an ancient Egyptian’s mummified remains has been discovered amongst an astonishing collection of microscopic treasures in Leeds.

Believed to be up to 3,000 years old, records show the tiny morsel was originally unearthed in Thebes, the site of some of the most famous and spectacular archaeological finds of the last century.

Collected and preserved by an unknown Victorian microscopist, it has since been stored as part of a collection of previously uncatalogued slides, which have only recently begun to be documented at the Leeds Discovery Centre.

One of the world’s most beloved bunnies has hopped into Leeds City Museum this week, inviting visitors to celebrate a very special birthday.

From Friday (Feb 7) museum-goers can step inside the world of international phenomenon Miffy, the adorable rabbit created by Dutch artist and illustrator Dick Bruna, as the iconic character marks her 70^th anniversary with a new exhibition.

Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall is to remain open following a passionate response to a public consultation, it was announced today.

Leeds City Council has been consulting on the attraction’s future as the authority explores a range of proposals to address unprecedented financial pressures.

And after considering almost 10,000 responses, the council has taken the decision to withdraw the proposals as part of its budget plans for the coming year, which will be presented to the council’s executive board next week.

Hundreds of thousands of antique plants and flowers carefully preserved for centuries will be given new life thanks to a fascinating environmental history project in Leeds.

The city’s vast collection of precious herbarium sheets was collected by botanists and horticulturalists over the past 200 years, with many of the fragile plants gathered in parks and grassland in east Leeds.

Stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre, the plants are now set to be studied by people living and working in the same area where they once grew, connecting their communities and ecosystems through time.

A pedal-powered prototype designed by a Leeds inventor to take on the toughest terrain has been put through its paces at a Leeds museum.

The hulking Fen Easy Rider bicycle was made in the late 1970s to tackle the rugged roads bordering parts of the British countryside, and gives a remarkable insight into the fascinating story of Leeds pioneer Henry Brown, who recently died at the age of 102.

Cherished childhood stories are being retold to visitors thanks to a nostalgic new exhibition in Leeds.

The Story Time exhibition at Abbey House Museum features a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children’s stories.

A vintage Little Bo Peep costume proudly worn by a Leeds girl more than 120 years ago has been restored to its former glory ahead of a new exhibition.

Records show the beautiful, dainty garment was Gladys Redman’s fancy dress outfit when she attended a prestigious chapel concert, held in Leeds in 1900.