The 15 best art galleries in Leeds will satisfy your artistic appetite!
Most folk groan at the thought of the Louvre being a stressful ten-hour flight from Leeds. But for the true art aficionados among us, there’s no need to hop on a plane. Fine art is one cab ride away!
From parks where sculptures pop up at each turn to Victorian manors filled with paintings, our city’s art galleries have a knack for wowing guests. The world of creative wonders below will back our words.
Leeds Art Gallery
– From leedsartgallery
Address: The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 378 5350
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Leeds Art Gallery spoiled us with a treasure trove of 18th to 20th-century British masterpieces, including historic showstoppers like Scotland Forever! and The Shadow of Death.
Ramping up the charm was Stuart Croft’s Eternal Return, a November 2024 exhibit that left us puzzled and astonished. The no-end, no-beginning film was a heady mix of never-ending road trips, 1950s musicals, and air travels that were as stunning as they were trippy.
Tip: If you want to have a certain artwork in your space but are not ready to fork out the full price, you can borrow it. The website offers a detailed guide on pricing and the conditions.
Henry Moore Institute
– From henrymooreinstitute
Address: 74 The Headrow
Contact Details: 0113 246 7467
Operating Hours: Thu to Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Henry Moore Institute’s three galleries are stacked with Leeds’ most striking sculptures, blending the modern with the historic. From edgy takes on animals to mind-bending imaginary creatures, they have it all here, all from legendary figures like John Hoyland.
These exhibitions are temporary, though, so don’t laze off. The good news is they last for up to four months, and the majority don’t cost a penny.
Tip: Unlike some other Leeds galleries, this one doesn’t have a café. Best to rock up with a full belly or scan the area for nearby cafes.
Temple Newsam
– From templenewsam
Address: Temple Newsam Rd
Contact Details: 0113 336 7460
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 10:30 am to 5 pm
Temple Newsam’s collection boasts some of the most iconic paintings you’ll find in Leeds—or anywhere else, honestly. Take Dietrich’s The Raising of Lazarus, a magnum opus in oil beautifully capturing the Biblical figure’s return from the grave.
Beyond that, expect an eyeful of still-life paintings, timeless portraits, and posh English furniture spanning from the 1530s to today. Add to that shelves of ornamental pottery and wallpaper, and you’ll be snapping away for hours.
Tip: Join a guided tour or talk for a more insightful art experience.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
– From yspsculpture
Address: West Bretton
Contact Details: 01924 832631
Operating Hours: Mon, Thu to Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Yorkshire Sculpture Park smashes it as both a gallery and a stroller’s dream. On our last wander, we and the sprogs enjoyed an afternoon with larger-than-life bronze Venuses and a sombre depiction of Melpomene’s head half buried into the earth.
The mythical wonders were just the start! Abstract pieces, from a molecular masterpiece to the colossal 10-meter Virgin Mother, were also part of the massive collection.
Tip: Dogs are welcome, but make sure they’re on a leash.
The Tetley
– From the.tetley.pub
Address: The Tetley, Hunslet Rd
Contact Details: 07519 560310
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Fri – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 11 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 10 pm
Once the hub of a global cask beer empire, The Tetley now pours its heart into contemporary art. Much of it nods to the art deco pub’s boozy roots; think vintage paintings and posters dedicated to all things ale.
To top it off, exhibitions here are nothing short of legendary, often shaking things up. Years back, the gallery revisited Stass Paraskos: Lovers and Romances, which caused such a stir back in 1966 with its unfiltered portrayal of free love.
Tip: Check their events schedule to find a gathering that suits your style.
Abbey House Museum
– From rhinoskin
Address: Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd, Kirkstall
Contact Details: 0113 535 2219
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 5 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Sitting alongside the stunning 12th-century Kirkstall Abbey, the Abbey House Museum is a true blast from the past. Even better, it’s one of Leeds’ most kid-friendly spots in terms of its art pieces.
Victorian Leeds comes alive in the paintings, from portraits of local figures to idyllic landscapes of the time. Childhood is another focal theme, highlighted by must-see pieces like Frederick Morgan’s Marguerites and After School.
Tip: Other than glossing over the pieces, you can also learn a thing or two from their workshops.
Castle Fine Art, Leeds
– From castlefineart
Address: 38-40, Victoria Quarter Queen, Victoria St
Contact Details: 0113 245 6873
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 6 pm
- Thu – 10 am to 8 pm
- Fri to Sat – 10 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
Castle Fine Art’s contemporary works are right up our artist’s alley. The pieces push boundaries through daring and imaginative works like Whatshisname’s colourful, shadowy, and provocative take on childhood and nostalgia.
On top of the art, the gallery keeps things lively with regular talks, preview evenings, and book signings. What sets it apart, though, is the way it blends poetry, music, and architecture into the mix.
Tip: Browse through their shop. Most artworks are discounted!
Left Bank Leeds
– From edekthompson
Address: Cardigan Rd, Burley
Contact Details: 0113 278 5822
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 am to 4 pm
Eccentric and jam-packed sums up Left Bank Leeds. The creations here push the envelope, like Hale’s larger-than-life inflatable pieces inspired by kids’ drawings and Helen Dryden’s displays of explorers in new worlds.
Beyond that, the place rarely takes a breather. You can smash a game of ping pong, whip up a zine, or try your hand at sketching almost any day.
Tip: Consider tying the knot in this masterpiece of a wedding venue!
Sunny Bank Mills Gallery
– From sunnybankmills
Address: Sunnybank Mills, 83-85 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey
Contact Details: 0113 256 3239
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 10 am to 4 pm
Sunny Bank Mills Gallery keeps its gritty charm, with raw ceiling beams and a massive 3,000-square-foot space chock-full of playful creations. Best of all, you’ll find everything from ceramics to textiles, paintings to prints—mostly in modern styles.
One piece that stood out when we stopped by was Kit George’s unique take on Cumbria’s folklore and queerness. Brought to life through costumes symbolising death and rebirth, this exhibition was haunting and magnetic.
Tip: From what we’ve seen, business hours can change often. Give them a ring to confirm before making the trek.
The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery
– From lulgalleries
Address: Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse
Contact Details: 0113 343 2778
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 10 am to 5 pm
University of Leeds’ Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery is a love letter to art fans, featuring 17th-century classics and modern expressions. That means whether you’re into Marie Walker’s abstract expressionism or Liliane Lijn’s kinetic pieces, you’ll have a blast.
What’s more, the outdoors are just as artistic. Twenty-one stunning installations from names like Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore line the green trails, complete with an audio trail to guide you through the experience.
Tip: If you’re keen for a sneak peek, there’s a virtual tour right on their website’s homepage!
Harewood House
– From harewoodhouse
Address: Harewood
Contact Details: 0113 218 1010
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
When somebody asks where to catch some of the best Renaissance and Renaissance-influenced art, we always point them to Harewood House. Sir Joshua Reynolds’ majestic depictions of the elite as deities are just one of the classics inside.
Moreover, there’s Chippendale furniture and French porcelain that practically defines ‘ornate.’ And if you fancy fresh air, the 100-acre garden outside is perfect for a stroll, with exhibitions popping up every so often.
Tip: Got kids? Bring them along! They can play on the playground.
Assembly House
– From assembly_leeds
Address: 44 Canal Rd, Armley
Contact Details: +44 7581 629080
What was once a Victorian textile mill is now Assembly House, a community-driven gallery where both established and budding artists get the spotlight.
Almost every month, this joint’s creatives roll out new exhibitions and workshops. These displays cover numerous themes, like obscure figures, conscious awakening and, of course, the weirdness of humanity.
Tip: Photographers and event managers can hire the venue, and students get discounts!
Screw Gallery
– From screwgallery
Address: 130 Vicar Ln
Operating Hours: Thu to Sat – 12 pm to 5 pm
The second we walked into the artist-led Screw Gallery, we knew we were in for a raw experience.
Our team was greeted by contemporary works from both local and global artists that really pushed the limits. Bold, intimate, and dark photographs were just the start, with pieces tackling everything from blood-soaked dogs to graffiti-smeared loos.
Tip: All upcoming exhibitions are announced on their Instagram. Follow them to never miss one, as displays here typically last for days only.
Lotherton
– From lotherton
Address: Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Ln, Lotherton Ln, Aberford
Contact Details: 0113 378 2959
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
Lotherton is unlike any gallery we’ve discussed here. Sure, it’s home to some charming paintings of the manor’s former residents, but it’s this list’s only place where you can swim after soaking up the art.
If swimming isn’t your thing, you can just walk through the gardens or zoo trails. Just prepare your cameras as you might spot pink flamingos or tapirs next to topiaries and outdoor sculptures.
Tip: Bikes are welcome here, so you can cycle over instead of stressing over traffic.
Cole’s Gallery
– From coles_gallery
Address: The Corn Exchange. The Balcony, Call Ln
Contact Details: 07737 495681
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 10 am to 5 pm
Cole’s Gallery was one of our best finds. The works are energetic and forward-thinking, all set against the bright, minimalist upstairs room at Leeds Corn Exchange.
When we popped by, a couple of pieces were on display, including Joss Cole’s fluid depictions of blissful landscapes and everyday life. There were also multiple abstract cityscapes and thought-provoking sculptures representing the human psyche.
Tip: Paintings are available, but prices aren’t listed online. To find out the cost, drop them an email at [email protected] or send a DM on Facebook.