Why do I keep on going back to this place?? Well, besides the fact it is brilliant.. The annual pass included with admission certainly helps.

I’ve lived in Leeds since I was born and how I never visited this museum as a kid baffles me. So flash-forward to 2024 and I find myself on Maternity leave with a mission. A mission to take my baby to as many museums as I can before I head back to work. This isn’t for her benefit (although I’m sure it can’t hurt) it’s actually for mine. Being sucked in to the rat race for so many years really got me appreciating the value of free time. I really wanted to make the most of not being chained to a desk.

So in March 2024 for the first time ever I headed to Thackray Museum of Medicine (previously called Thackray Medical Museum).

My daughter was just 9 months old and I loved pushing her around in the pram; letting her take it all in. It was one of her first ever visits to a museum and in my opinion, a great place to start. It really is an immersive museum!

If you’ve never been before, I don’t want to spoil it for you. Not knowing what to expect I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging this museum was from the offset. What an amazing interactive journey it presents! This museum really sets the scene and takes you back in time. It demonstrates medicine in such a unique, fun and impactful way that makes you remember what you learn from it.

Thackray made such an impression that I’ve now used my annual pass three times! That’s quite the record for me since I normally don’t re-visit attractions often. I returned when my daughter was 13 months in July 2024 and again this week now she’s not far off turning 2. It’s been interesting to see her engage with the museum as she continues to grow and develop.

This museum is brilliant for toddlers. It’s very interactive with different sights, sounds, things to touch and play with and even different smells! A lot of local schools take their children here. I’ve seen the museum will host pupils whilst engaging in a spot of roleplay. I’ve witnessed the staff all dressed up on a couple of my visits already.

There are many exhibitions throughout the museum across two floors. This includes a temporary exhibition that alters depending on when you visit. A feature a lot of museums tend to include to keep people going back.

From 8th Feb 2025 to 29th June 2025 this exhibition is all about blood. Blood: Ties and Tensions it’s called. My daughter found it particularly fascinating because of the way it’s decorated.

Besides this, there is a lot of information to read. Even if you think you are not so interested in medicine, you are bound to find some of it fascinating. Throughout our lives we’ve all come in to contact with medicine. You may have been to a hospital or done something as simple as taking a paracetamol. This museum delves in to the history behind it all and even features the not-so-distant memory that is the Covid-19 pandemic.

When I was writing this review I popped over to TripAdvisor to check out the page for the museum. I was surprised to see a recent review slating the museum and how much of a ‘waste of time’ it is. It’s amazing how one persons perspective can differ so drastically from anothers isn’t it?

Anyway, I’ve left my favourite part until last –

Sparks!

Sparks is a small soft play area with a delightful role play section. It’s actually my favourite of all the play centers I’ve come across in Leeds. I appreciate it even more now that my daughter is old enough to really play along.

The play area is set up like a hospital with a reception, beds with patients (dolls) and even an ambulance to ride in! It has a kitchen with plenty of play food, tables and chairs and a giant mouth with teeth to brush! The whole play area is so unique I love it. There are even little outfits for the kids to play dress up with!

The soft play portion is small but so very unique. It represents the digestive system starting with food entering the mouth. Kids can walk along the tongue, down the throat, in to the stomach and out the other end. Yes, you’ve guessed it… You can’t avoid coming out! The most unique poo slide you’ll ever encounter. Don’t forget to try out the giant toilet before you leave!

I had lots of fun here with my daughter when she first learned to crawl. She enjoyed it even more as an active toddler. Therefore, I’d recommend coming here with your little ones at any age. There is no denying that it also makes for some unique photographs too.

Perhaps I love this museum because it’s in Leeds and I’m always proud of anything local. I can only compare it to those that surround it and in my opinion it is one of the best. There are a bundle of free museums in Leeds to compete with (stay tuned as I write about these). The fact that this museum includes admission for a year is definitely a big selling point especially if you make use of Sparks. I don’t know of any other places you can access soft play with your little one over and over without paying again. If you don’t have a child then don’t rule Thackray out completely – It has a lot of historical artifacts and I personally found it very interesting. Worst case scenario you grab a cuppa in the cafe instead – I’m always one for a hot chocolate!

Have you visited Thackray Museum of Medicine? What did you think? Please let me know in the comments! I’d be interested to hear your views.

~ Visited March 2025

Useful bits

Website: https://thackraymuseum.co.uk/
Location: Harehills, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Entry Fee: (Correct in March 2025) – Adult £11.95 – Child (5-16) £8.95 – Under 5s Free – Prices include Sparks and free admission for 12 months from first visit. Various offers available including resident discount and family tickets.
Transport: Get the bus from Leeds city centre or even walk (20 minutes). There are various bus routes that stop next to the hospital which is located next to the museum. I got the number 4 directly from Pudsey which stops closeby. If you wish to drive, parking is not free.
Verdict: Very good price for an unforgettable experience! Great value.
TripAdvisor: Thackray Museum of Medicine