Immersive makeover revealed for Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall after public saved site from closure
Ambitious plans for the Grade II listed Kirkstall attraction include interactive Victorian streets, intergenerational play spaces, and fresh display areas ahead of its 2027 centenary
An ambitious vision for the future of Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall has been unveiled, proposing a major transformation into an immersive, family-friendly visitor experience ahead of its 2027 centenary.
The proposals mark a dramatic turnaround for the Grade II listed building, which was put forward for potential closure in 2024 as part of Leeds City Council budget measures.
A passionate public campaign persuaded the council to keep the museum open and develop plans to make the site financially viable for the long term.
Supported by Leeds City Council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Museum Renewal Fund, the new concepts focus on intergenerational play and hands-on interaction.
Plans include updating the museum’s famous 19th-century Victorian streets with magical reveals and hands-on activities, as well as creating flexible display spaces for toys, games, archaeology, and social history collections.
Interactive streets, Kirkstall heritage, and centenary plans
The designs - drawn up by Leeds-based architects Bauman Lyons and Halifax exhibition designers Creative Core - also root the museum in its wider local history, celebrating its origins as the 12th-century gatehouse for Kirkstall Abbey before later serving as a farmhouse and home for the owners of Kirkstall Forge.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: "This is an exciting moment for the future of Abbey House Museum and one which we hope will be the beginning of a bold new direction for a special place which has been part of the Kirkstall community for centuries.
"During the public consultation on the museum’s future, what really came across was the passion and determination people have to see the site succeed, and we want to channel that enthusiasm into creating an attraction which can continue to welcome visitors for many years to come."
The proposals will undergo further community and stakeholder engagement before external funding applications are submitted, with a major centenary exhibition planned for 2027.
Residents can hear more about the proposals at a community information session - the Abbey House Museum Keeper Update - taking place at the museum on Abbey Road in Kirkstall on November 8.
Entry is free, but advance booking via the Leeds Museums and Galleries website is essential due to limited venue capacity.