During our two week holiday in York, we have the immense pleasure of visiting the Royal Armouries Museum (just down the road in Leeds). The best surprise of all was that entry was FREE, brilliant, as usually to visit national treasures like this one it costs you an arm and a leg at least. ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: FREE ENTRY, BRILLIANT DISPLAYS, CLEAN, EDUCATIONAL Disadvantages: GIFT SHOP A LITTLE EXPENSIVE
...immense pleasure of visiting the Royal Armouries Museum (just down the road in Leeds). The best surprise of all was that entry was FREE, brilliant, as usually to visit national treasures like this one it costs you an arm and a leg at least. There is so much to see here you need to schedule a day for the visit.
DAILY ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE:
Here is a sample of activites from our day visit, the events are changed on a daily ... .../>
Although The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world (this being the Tower of London Armouries). Leeds opened its doors in a brand new beautifully designed glass building during 1996.
It has five floors covering War, Tournament, Self-Defence, Hunting and the arms and armour of the Orient.
I will now try and take you through a tour of the Museum. more
During our two week holiday in York, we have the immense pleasure of visiting the Royal Armouries Museum (just down the road in Leeds). The best surprise of all was that entry was FREE, brilliant, as usually to visit national treasures like this one it costs you an arm and a leg at least. There is so much to see here you need to schedule a day for the visit.
DAILY ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE:
Here is a sample of activites from our day visit, the events are changed on a daily basis to offer variety.
11.00hrs for 20mins on Floor 4 (Oriental)
Be entertained by STORYTELLING: "HOW THE GUN CAME TO JAPAN" - this was the tale of a Japenese Swordsmith's first encounter with Europeans and their firearms.
11.30hrs for 20mins on Floor 2 (War)
On the stage in this section will be JOAN OF ARC - The Maid of Orleans: 1429 - this being about obviously Joan of Arc during the 100 years war, when she donned armour and led the army of France to Victory against the English, at the town of Orleans.
12.00hrs - lasting 20mins on the Tiltyyard located outside
On offer here was a demonstration of Falconry.
13.15hrs - a 20min display held on the 4th Floor (Oriental)
A Demonstration called 'The Soul of the Samurai' - where sword skills are shown using the Kantana. The demonstration is an ongoing part of their training in the use of traditionsl Japanese and Okinawan weapons, encompassed by the martial art of KOBUDO.
14.00hrs - 20min demonstration held outside in the Tiltyard.
Here you will see demonstrated weapons used by mounted archers from around the world which includes Samurai ad Moughal warriors.
14.45hrs - 15mins Talk - Nurse Edith Cavell: 1915 on the 2nd floor (War)
Here a young actress played the part of Nurse Edith Cavell from 1915 she retold a moving story of the brave British Nurse who risked her life to help hundreds of allied soldiers escape form persecution in occupied Belgium during the First World War.
15.15hrs - 20 mins (Oriental) Floor 4 - The Elizabethan Sword Master
A demonstration of sword and buckler, rapier and dagger techniques, taken form the 16th Century manuals.
This was a lesson in the use of traditional Japanese & Okinawan weapons encompassed by the martial art KOBUDO - lesson was taken by Sensai Charlotte Cooper.
The outdoor activities on thoughout the summer include jousting, falconry and horsemanship.
They have expert gunmakers and leatherworkers in the Craft Court, you can discover how history was made. You can also see animals at close quarters in the Menagerie.
MY VIEWS:
The list of event open during the day were indeed vast and I felt that they were educational and interesting. There is something there for varying tastes. We did not attend all. But the ones we did attend will well presented - The young girl that played Nurse Edith Cavell - acted well into her roll, we watched her from the floor above, there was a large group of people around her hanging on her every word.
WORKSHOPS:
Also during the day there are workshops available which are mainly free - there is occasionally a small charge of approx £1.00 for adults and 50p for oap's and children.
These workshops are held between 1100 - 1600hrs - a sample of these are Calligraphy (Demo and workshop), Kumihimo & Kute-chi - (Demonstration of Japanese braiding, a craft which has long been an important part of Japanese culture, Artkark (Hands-on art and craft activites for visitors of all ages.
We did not attend any of these, but I did take a look in on the craft activites and both children and adults in there seemed to be really enjoying themselves, it was held in a very large room with plenty of space for everyone to attend and enjoy the activity.
The Museum's ArtKart helps children to let their imagination take over, within arts and crafts, this includes embossing, brass rubbing, drawing, dressing up and playing games, or they can just relax and listen to a story. Any work the children do, they take home to decorate your kitchen, living room, fridge door. (any space left)
Cost : £2.00 per child
Birthday Parties:
The birthday child is a VIP for the day, they are given a guided tour around the museum with their friends, they get involved in art activities and get to meet the horses in the Tiltyard and watch them in action. A birthday party with a theme and a bit different to McDonald's.
Cost : £6.95 per child
Sleepovers:
Wow, Bed and Breakfast with a difference. Your child will need to bring a sleeping back, they will get a guided tour of the museum and be told facscinating stories about the individual objects bringing history to life. Before they retire in one of the Galleries they will be given a bedtime story and a drink. Not forgetting breakfast in the morning.
Cost : £15.00 per child/ £5.00 per adult.
I have not experienced any of the above three activities, information is from the musuem leaflets from our visit. I must say they do sound interesting and a bit different from the 'norm'.
Now believe it or not I haven't covered everything yet, there is more to come:
THE MUSEUM :
Although The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world (this being the Tower of London Armouries). Leeds opened its doors in a brand new beautifully designed glass building during 1996.
It has five floors covering War, Tournament, Self-Defence, Hunting and the arms and armour of the Orient.
I will now try and take you through a tour of the Museum.
You walk through the main doors and go through a security station, where they check your bags with a device to see if you are carrying anything you shouldn't be carrying. Yes I had a metal nail files etc in my handbag, so had to empty the contents until the machine did not bleep. During this current climit you can't complain, it's better to be safe than sorry.
The ground floor comprises of the main restaurant which has a smoking and a non smoking section, they did the usual beverages, light menu, full menu, biscuits, cakes, crisps etc. covering all tastes I may add, my hubby says there coffee did not taste like dishwater which is a pleasant change. Prices here are average for this type of restuarant. We managed baggettes and chips, which were presented well and very eddible.
Also on this floor was two gift shops, one very large gift shop, which covers the main museum, selling artifacts relating to the history, you can by full scale swords, samurai swords, history books, various items for children including plastic armour, helmets, toy swords and various other things you get in gift shops.
Yes I succumbed to the gift shop, spending possibly a little too much for things that caught my eye. I did get a great medieval style birthcard card for my sisters 50th birthday (it was something different).
The other smaller gift shop was for the exhibition they were holding called 'SHOGUN' (I will talk about that later), I looked at this shop and the items were very pretty and relevent to the style of the exhibit - but I did feel that they were very overpriced. I have also looked on the royal armeries site - www.royalarmouries.org and they have items for sale on there also, so if you missed anything from this shop nip onto the site.
On this level are information sites where you can get the Royal Armouries Guide Book for £3.50. This I can most defineately say is well worth the money, not only does it give you a map of each level (as believe me each level coveres a exceedingly large area with loads of exhibits to look at), but it gives you information to go with it and history on the Armouries.
You can also get a list on the days activities that you may want to participate in. There are also leaflets around 50p which are activities for the children to do with their parents as they go round the musuem - i.e. Treasure Hunt.
Just to get you in the mood there are target simulators around which cost £2.00 a go, these cover various weapons. You can find these machines on most floors. Also there is a chance for you to try you hand on the crossbow (under supervision). On all the floors apart from the ground floor is the computer question machines. You have a list of questions about the exhibits and the history that is appropriate to the floor you are on, it gives you a percentage score at the end. It is a good way of learning as you cannot move forward until you have picked the right answer. (I beat my husband by 5% on this - lol).
To get to each floor you can either use the stairs or take the lifts, there are four lifts available and we never had to wait long for one. We chose to start on the fifth floor and work our way down, the floors. To be honest I am glad we choose to do it this way, because on every other floor there is are magnificent exhibits deplicting scenes representing the area of history on that floor, you can look over the rails at this statues from above and then make your way down to see them from the ground. Fantastic and beautifully designed, seeing them from above first made me want to go down to see them on the level even more.
FLOOR 1:
There is a Restuarant on this floor, which was closed and this floor was the education centre and conference centre. The museum does a lot with schools, we took a quick walk round this but it was just class rooms and a restuarant. Sorry can't give much detail on the restaurant as it appears it may be only open in the evenings.
FLOOR 2.
This area is about WAR - covering - THE BOER WAR: 1899-1902 , CULLODEN: 1746, THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR: 1642-6, THE GREAT WAR: 1914-18, HEREWARD THE WAKE AND THE SEIGE OF ELY: 1071, JOAN OF ARC- THE MAID OF ORLEANS 1429, VIETNAM: 1965-75, ZULU WARS: 1879 and many more persons and stories of wars and battles.
As I said earlier each level is very large with a centre exhibit and various alcoves coming off the centre to walk around. The centre exhibit on this floor is of men on horses in armour.
Not only are the uniforms dressed on to dummies for a more realistic view, you can actually touch the chained armour to see how heavy it must have been to wear. They also exhibit the weapons of each era and war. In this section they even show todays war terrorism and how you would not know you are standing next to a terriorist (frigtening), and for a laugh the war of the future (Star Wars type).
As you walk round some of the sections have a narration going on telling a story which represents the item on display.
The computer quizes on this floor cover Pavia, American Civil War - Sharpsburg, Zulu - Isandlwana and the Great War.
Films showing on this level cover - Pollock Theatre - Pomp & Ceremony Introduction to the War Gallery Bows and Crossbows Agincourt Armada How a man schal be armyd Civil War firearms Marston Moor 18th-century warfare Culloden Waterloo The Age of Invention The American Civil War Crimean War The Cavalry Sword Mass Production Zulu World War 1 World War 2 Modern Warfare.
We watched the odd film on some of the floors we found them to be well presented and informative. Some were like watching a movie, others like watching a documentary.
There was a wonderful exhibit of Pavia Diorama on this level, I must say it is well worth seeing. It was outstanding, unfortuneately our photo did not come out too well, so I will not be displaying it, I will try and describe it, but I doubt I will do it justice. The background setting appears to be a white marble picture frame (guestimate of 20' x 12') showing a war scene in blacks, greys and whites. Infront of this picture on a marble platform was a war scene of two horses and men in armour, one horse raising his front legs in fight, and approximately six men in various outfits (not armour) pointing their weapons towards the horses and their riders. Each of the men in a different pose and one had fallen over just near to the horse. I can only say that it was magnifient and my compliments to the artists that created it, they should be commended. The scene was captured and made to look realistic.
This floor also has toilets and a cafe area.
FLOOR 3
Here the story of the Tournament unfolds - showing the developement of a form of early Medieval practice of war.
The center piece on this floor demostrates a Medieval Setting, with the tents and the men in armour in side. Horses wearing there Armour - (you have to feel sorry for the horses, carrying all the weight of their armour and a man in armour as well). This is the type of setting you would have found in Henry VIII time.
The setting on all the floors are similar with a centre exhibit and the various areas coming off it.
Computers quizes in this area Costume for combat An Introduction to hearaldry (this is the one I beat my hubby on)
Films : Introduction Field of Cloth of Gold The Lion Armour.
Very Impressive once again. Apart from feeling very sorry for the horses of that day and beating my hubby on the quiz nothing else jumped out at me. Just the brilliant displays put out on all floors.
FLOOR 4
This covers the Oriental - Central Asia, Islam and India, Japanese Arms and Armour, China and Japan, South and South-east Asia. Once again covering there traditional fighting dress, there weapons, the statues in this section were also magnificent, on one section there were 3 (or maybe 4) horses and riders in there tradition gear and weaponary. Also a Mughal Indian Elephant fully armoured for war with his two passengers on its back also dressed for war (dated from about 1600). 'The armour the elephant is wearing was made in the late 16th Century in Mughal India, it is the heaviest armour in the collection, weighing 118kg. Two of the three mail-and-plate panels for the right side are missing, it would have originally weighes approx 159kg. It now comprises of 5,840 plates from an original 8,439. It was bought back to England in 1801 by Lady Clive, wife of Edward 2nd Lord Clive, Earl of Powis, while he was Governor of Madras.'(this snipet of info compliments of my guide book)
This gallery concentrates upon the great civilisations of Asia, and its purpose is to show how arms and armour can provide a key to understanding Asian history.
Computer Quizes
Oriental Database
Films
The Mongols The Mughals Yabusame Japanese Sword Making The British in India
I found this floor fascinating when you see what they had to wear and weapons they uses. Once again all the models were fantastic and depicted the scenes expertly.
This floor also has toilets and Cafe area (no smoking) for a rest and a cuppa.
FLOOR 5
Covering Hunting, guns, the armed civiilian. Hunting for sport and Hunting through the ages. The titles here speak for themselves. This floor is also where you can try your talents out on the cross bow.
Computer Quizes
Tracker
Films
Hunting Introduction Conservation in Britain Conservation in Africa Whaling Gunmaking Wildfowling.
One of the models here showed a scen of Walter Linnet, a professional wildfowler, hunting birds on the marshes of Blackwater Estuary, Essex in the 1920's - (I have enclosed a picture of this), he looks very uncomfortable. We also watched the film and it was very interesting to see what lengths people went to (have you seen the size of his weapon!).
As you look down on the next level (sorry this is still covered by this section), There is another statue of a hunting scene containing an Elephant, a tiger and the hunter with his servant. This is a magnificent (sorry there's that word again) sulpture, see the picture at the bottom of the review.
For very personal reasons I enjoyed this section, because my father bless him (he passed over now), used to make replica guns. So it was nice to see the real thing, (he was very good, I couldn't tell the difference, apart from my dad usually made them in minature).
The museum is also showing the Shogun Exhibit until 30th August 2005 - entry fee £5.50 per adult, £4.50 O.A.P'S and Children. Last entry to exhibit at 1600hrs.
THE LIFE OF LORD TOKUGAWA LEYASU
Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu ruled over a single nation forged from hundreds of rival factions. His life heralded a period of peace that lasted more than two centuries. Shogun Tokugawa created modern Japan, founding its capital and its political culture, influencing its literature and art. He was made a god, and is honoured today as he was at the height of his power.' For futher info pls go to - www.shogun.org.
We ran out of time to visit this exhibit, it is only there for a short while longer.
Opening times:
The museum is open Daily from 1000hrs - 1700hrs - only closing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
A64 (m) leave at the Leeds exit to the cross roads turn right then left into Marsh Lane, 2nd right (which is the r/h fork in the road), at the end of the road turn right into East Street at junction left into Crown Point, left fork and left into Chadwick Street and finally left into Armouries Drive and to the multistory car park.
m621 Junction 3, left into Victoria Road, first right Great Wilsont. straight on Hunslet Lane, Left into Carlisle Rd, left into Chawick Street and right into Armouries Drive and onto the carpark.
There are at least 6 CCTV cameras on each level (we counted six on our level), large clean lifts.
BUS
Bus and Coach Station is approx 15mins walk away, there are two buses you could catch the number 28 First Leeds, or the 752 Black Prince - various bus-stops around the centre of Leeds.
TRAIN.
The Railway Station is approx 20min walk away.
TAXI
Taxis are available at both the Railway Station and the Bus Station and is approx 5min drive (sorry no idea of cost).
TO SUMMERIZE:
I have never been more impressed about a musuem in my life, I have been to the Tower of London (Which is the oldest Royal Armoury) and it is not a patch on the displays here. It was very clean, very well presented and thought out. There is something for everyone whatever their historic interests.
It offers great interactive family enjoyment.
I was throughly impressed and so was my husband. I may go back one day when my grand-daughter is a little older and join in the family activities.
Advantages: Lots to see, free and interesting Disadvantages: Quite a drive for me
...times were, he suggested the Royal armouries. I had never been before, and as I like to try new things we decided we'd give it a go. The final deciding point was that it was free, and we were rather skint.
Easy to find:
Mmmm? Well, I'm not too great at directions so I just left that part to my boyfriend. He went onto the Armouries website to get them, and looked at a map to check that he had them straight in his head.
He scribbled a few directions ... ...we went.
I must admit it seemed really easy to find. Everything was very well signposted, and at least two or three junctions before we were due to come off the motorway there were those big brown signs telling us which exit to take.
Once off the motorway there were still plenty of the brown signs telling us which way to go. But my boyfriend had looked up the directions to a multi storey car park which was near to the armouries, so he asked me ...
lynh17 11.03.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
Advantages: Lots do see and do, not to expensive Disadvantages: You get tired walking around
...more impressive swords at the royal armouries in Leeds along with many other exhibits revolving around weaponry throughout the ages.
**The Museum**
Whilst visiting Leeds not long ago I decided to visit the royal armouries museum that is situated here. After spending ages trying to find it I finally came across it and was quite impressed with what I saw. The building itself is situated against the river and is quite a large building. The building ... ...various events taking place in them.
Upon entering the building you are in a large corridor with the ticket booth quite a way down the hall. After getting through and receiving my tickets you are then left to explore and possibly get lost in this huge building. As I said the building is split into 5 layers, each representing a different theme. These are the War Gallery, Tournament Gallery, Self-Defence Gallery, Hunting and the Arms and The Orient.
...
adsalamon 18.10.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
Prices
Is it worth visiting?
Transport links
Family Friendly
Quick review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
We visited 28/12/07. It was set in a modern impressive building, and the displays were clearly presented, but overall the museum left me cold. We arrrived at 1pm and there was one live show about a highwayman.
I don't know if the museum cuts back its interactive displays in winter or not, but I think live displays would have added more life and soul and would have made my visit more memorable. I would not recommend this museum to others unless they had a specific interest in armoury. Shame really, because with a little effort it would had made it come to life, and increased my families' knowledge of science, history and geography ...
KEnglish 30.12.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
Advantages: Live Displays, and educational insights Disadvantages: None
...in the Leeds area, the Royal Armouries is one of the finest museums outside London.
Their exhibits range from early medieval weapons to modern self-defense issues along with opportunities to study weapons and famous battles.
The displays are huge with in depth explanations into the use and manufacture of arms and armour, but what really sets it apart is the live displays covering use of the Longbow, the story of people in the 1st World War, the ... ...to name a few.
Outside the museum you can see displays of Falconry and a medieval Joust along with craftworkers making armour and guns.
You need a good day to cover it all, and can do so for no more than 8 pounds per person. It is ideal for interested adults and children alike. ...
pabdesign 04.07.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
Advantages: good education links, good day out , near to shops and the town Disadvantages: expensive
...going to visit the leeds royal amouries musem as we thought took a bit to find as it wasnt in the city centre about 5 minutes or 10 minutes walk.
the building has 5 floors and a very large corridoor this is were we bought our tickets and stood in the long que this place is very easy to get lost in. the busiling is split in to differant sections the war gallary, tourament gallary, self- deffence gallery, and the hunting and the arms and the orient ... ...make a day off it like we did as we went shopping in the morning and went to the amouries in the afternoon.
we saw at both sides of the buildings we found out there were lifts which was handy with people with small children and wheelchairs they even tell you which floor you have reached.
there was onle large room were loads of men were playing with little plastic men having war battles. outside you can see people jousting this is could to watch ...
vador76 04.05.2006 (05.05.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)
Prices
Is it worth visiting?
Transport links
Family Friendly
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Royal Armouries Museum (Leeds)"
Advantages: Nice rooms, good for big events, reasonable price Disadvantages: Slight access problem in some rooms
a very reasonably priced room made it even better.
THINGS TO DO
The hotel is in a very good location, being close to Golden Acre Park, which is a natural reserve and makes for a nice family day out. It also makes a pretty good base from which to visit the Yorkshire Dales and take in some lovely scenery, if the weather is good. There are golf clubs nearby as well as several galleries, theatres and museums (including the famous RoyalArmouries) and being relatively close to Leeds city centre, you could always do a spot of shopping!
OTHER THINGS TO MENTION
Check in time is 2pm and check out time is 12pm.
Non smoking rooms are available.
24-hour room service is available.
The hotel has bars, restaurants a pool and gym at your disposal and 19 meeting rooms overall.
OVERALL OPINION
I don't really have any complaints about this ...
Advantages: Shopping, Drinking and Shopping Disadvantages: Same problems any city has!
as the RoyalArmouries (Free), Thackray Museum, Temple Newsam House, Oblong (free), Leeds City Art Gallery (free), Abbey House Museum, Collective (free), Leeds International Concerts, Theatres and Cinemas! Take your choice!
#4 All the rest!
Art Galleries
Henry Moore Institute
Liston Studios
University Gallery
Great Houses
Lotherton Hall
Guided Walks
A selection of City Centre walks
Misc Canal Gardens
Kirkstall Abbey
Middleton Railway
Town Hall
Tropical World
Leeds United Stadium Tours
Museums
Armley Mills Industrial Museum ...
Advantages: most of the attractions are included in the price Disadvantages: not a cheap day out
NAME OF LOCATION: Tower of London is perhaps the most famous of London?s attractions after Buckingham Palace. Situated on the River Thames near Tower Bridge, this impressive palace and fortress is an extremely popular tourist attraction.
BACKGROUND: Robert, (my boyfriend) and I had organised a weekend in London and this was one of the attractions that we wanted to fit in. I checked out the website www.tower-of-london.com which stated that prices were £11.30 adults and £8.50 concessions/children.
ATTRACTIONS: Crown Jewels (included in the price), Yeoman Guard guided tour (included in the price), Fusiliers Regimental museum (50p extra each), White Tower with armouries linked to RoyalArmouries, Leeds (included in the price), Bloody Tower (included in the price) and New Armouries café.
TRANSPORT: We went by tube from Victoria ...
