Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to reopen after six-month closure during coronavirus pandemic

Home of the national collection of arms and armour, staff at the Leeds Dock museum say they are delighted to welcome back visitors on Wednesday, September 16.

The announcement is the final stage of a phased reopening plan for the three Royal Armouries sites after the museums in Hampshire and London reopened earlier this month.

The Leeds Royal Armouries will open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

There will be several exhibitions open to visitors including the War Gallery on floor two and the Hunting, Oriental and Self-Defence galleries on floor four.

Digital trails through the museum will be available to download and the museum shop will be open.

The Tournament Gallery and the fifth floor will remain closed.

New measures have been introduced in line with current Covid-19 guidelines including regular cleaning, support for social distancing and contactless payments.

Online pre-booking will be essential and bookings will open from Tuesday, September 1.

Dr Edward Impey, director general and master of the Armouries, said. “We are thrilled to be announcing the reopening of the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

"We have been keeping in touch with audiences through our digital activity during closure but we have missed them and welcoming visitors through our doors to engage with our collection is core to our vision.

"We will be opening most of our galleries during September and will be focusing on preparations to unveil our new Second World War display this autumn, as well as launching our new membership scheme.”

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