Kirkstall Abbey

02/04/2026

A new height barrier has been installed at the Kirkstall Abbey car park.

The barrier is set at 1.9m and will be in place from tonight, throughout the school holidays, and until further notice.

This measure has been introduced in response to recent antisocial activity and unauthorised access to the car park.

As a result, some larger vehicles may not be able to enter, including:
- Vans
- Campervans
- SUVs fitted with roof boxes or tent boxes

If your vehicle exceeds the 1.9m height limit, please make alternative parking arrangements when visiting the site.

Thank you for your understanding.

02/04/2026

🐑 Round up our silly sheep on our family trail at Kirkstall Abbey this Easter holiday 🐑

📋 Bring along the whole family for a baa-rilliant Easter Holiday activity at Kirkstall Abbey. The Cistercian monks who lived and worked at the Abbey in its heyday loved their sheep and so do we. But our sheep don’t just come in white – look around the ruins for rainbow, gingham and polka dot flocks!

🐣 Silly Sheep Round Up, 3 –19 Apr, from 10am, Drop In, Give What You Can

ℹ️ Visit our website to learn more and discover more Easter holiday events across our venues

01/04/2026

⏳𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞⏳

to visit our exhibition on the life and legacy of Leeds' first historian Ralph Thoresby.

This special display will be at Abbey House Museum across the road from Kirkstall Abbey for a few more weeks!

With special thanks to 💚

📆Date: November 2025 - April 2026
🕧Opening Times:
Monday: Closed*
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: 12 - 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Last admission 30 minutes before close
*Open bank holidays: 10am - 5pm
📍Location: Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, LS5 3EH
🎟 Admission: Included with normal museum ticket - Adult: £7.15, Child: £3.50, Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children): £15.75

31/03/2026

Hello! We'll be closing at 2pm this afternoon for a staff training session.

We're sorry for any inconvenience this causes and we'll be open again tomorrow as normal. 🌷

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! In a couple of weeks, we are holding a study afternoon exploring Women and Music.

If you’d like to learn more about musical women throughout history and listen to the music of Victorian and Edwardian female composers, drawn from Leeds Museums and Galleries sheet music collections. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided!

Book now via our website 👉 https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/whats-on/study-afternoon-women-and-music-5zcn

📍 Abbey House Museum
📅 Friday 20 March, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
💸 £12.50 pp

24/02/2026

😍

23/02/2026

Spring is on its way and oh boy are we excited about our adult activities programme! Why not start by treating yourselves to a creative workshop exploring Kirkstall Abbey, and incorporating a lovely time spent creating your artists book in the equally inspiring Abbey House Museum Gatehouse tomorrow at 2pm? Includes expert guidance, lovely tea and coffee, and even lovelier cake. All materials provided. Did we say it'll be lovely enough yet?

Tickets are pre-bookable online, or get in touch by email or phone. Link in the comments.

16/02/2026

🕊️💌 Love is in the air – literally! 💌🕊️

Join us at Kirkstall Abbey this half term for a week-long celebration of our beautiful native British birds.
As you explore the abbey, look out for knitted and crafted feathered friends, and you could even spot our family of kestrels, a sparrow hawk or a red kite!
Please note this site is closed on Mondays.

🗓 From Sat 14 Feb, 10am-3pm
📍 Kirkstall Abbey
💸 Give What You Can

08/02/2026

26/01/2026

Loyle Carner is coming to Kirkstall Abbey! The celebrated introspective hip hop artist will headline 'Above All Else', a new curated event as part of the Live at Kirkstall Abbey concert series.

Joining him will be a full line-up including Jordan Rakei, Kokoroko, Kofi Stone, and Bricknasty.

Tickets will available from Friday 30 January here: https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/loyle-carner/kirkstall-abbey/3566917

17/12/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Unfortunately, due to staff sickness our Visitor Centre and Shop will be closed this weekend (Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December).

Don't worry, you can still come and enjoy the beautiful abbey ruins! Entry will be via the main church gates rather than through the Visitor Centre. The Abbey Café will be open as normal too ☕️

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.