What did the Romans use to wipe? Where was the biggest poo fossil ever found? And what can we learn from old poo to stay healthy today? 

This summer, we’re celebrating the science of going to the loo with Poo, Glorious Poo. There’ll be games outside the museum, as well as science shows, soap making workshops and backpack trails.  

From diet and digestion to disease and dung beetles, explore what happens after you eat and why your toilet habits matter more than you think.

Watch this space for more stinky and scientific summer treats.

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Delve into the deceptive world of quackery in this new Thackray talk

Travel back to the origins of the quack doctor and explore the most dangerous and daft cures of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Taking place in our Victorian Operating Theatre, this talk will expose some of the most notorious historical medicines of the past 300 years.

Where else could you uncover a hearing aid crafted from real human hair, a handwritten recipe book from the 1600s or a surgical kit from the Napoleonic Wars?

At any given time, only 4% of our collection is on display. With over 81,000 artefacts in our care, Thackray Museum holds one of the UK’s most unique and intriguing collections. Join our dedicated Collections team to go behind the scenes and explore rare objects, books, and archives seldom seen by the public.

This ticket includes free admission to the museum galleries on the day of your tour.

Welcome to the number one exhibition on number twos.

This summer, we’re lifting the lid on bums, tums and stinky science to answer your most potty-mouthed questions about poo!

Through recreated smells (oh yes!), touch and discovery, POO! will flush out the science behind one of the body’s most remarkable (and messy) functions.  

Why does poo smell? What colour should it be? How much poo is there in the world? This fun and fascinating family exhibition gets to the bottom of digestion, responding to questions from children at Harehills Primary School.

Step into the Arena – the Gladiators are Coming to Leeds!

Unleash your inner warrior at Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum - a blockbuster international exhibition storming into the Royal Armouries Museum for summer 2025. See rare Roman artefacts from Pompeii and the Colosseum, discover the gruelling training, battle tactics, and fame of the ancient world’s fiercest fighters, and immerse yourself in the roar of the crowd with thrilling interactive experiences. This is more than history - it’s blood, grit, glory… and you’re on the front row.

Discover our exhibition with something for all the family. Enjoy free refreshments and try our kids' exhibition trail to claim your free pack of mini Percy Pig cookies!*

Why not bring a packed lunch to eat in our indoor picnic space?

Booking Details: No need to book, just drop in – it’s all free!

*One M&S Percy Pig cookies mini-bag per child