Thackray Museum of Medicine

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Thackray Museum of Medicine Based in Leeds, we tell the inspiring story of medicine.
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Through play, creativity, talks, exhibitions, social events and formal education, we celebrate our health heroes and inspire the next generation of big thinkers.

90s kids, this one’s for you…We’ve been rummaging through the archives (the photos, not the medical specimen) as we get ...
16/10/2026

90s kids, this one’s for you…

We’ve been rummaging through the archives (the photos, not the medical specimen) as we get ready for a BIG birthday next year. That’s right, we're turning 30! 🎂🎉

Looking back at these pics got us thinking… we bet some of you have a story or two to tell 👀

🏫 Did you come here on a school trip?
🤢 Did the smells, sights and sounds scar you for life? (We promise we’re mostly harmless…)
🩺 Did a visit spark your love of medicine? Are you now a doctor, nurse or other medical marvel?
📸 Did you feature in one of these photos? Bonus points if you can spot yourself!
💀 Or do you have a story that’s too weird, too wonderful or too gross to forget?

We want to hear your stories... we know you’ve got them!

Tell us in the comments. Let’s see what you remember… 👇

Our Autumn-Winter 26/27 season is here! ✨Complexion centres the experiences of people with melanin-rich skin – balancing...
08/10/2026

Our Autumn-Winter 26/27 season is here! ✨

Complexion centres the experiences of people with melanin-rich skin – balancing the profound joy and pride with stories of being unheard, overlooked and mistreated.

Ready to explore? Check out our full season via link in our bio 👀

Discover the museum after-hours with Thackray Lates!

No Filter: Love Letters to Melanin 🩷

Join us for a joyful celebration of diversity with unfiltered talks, flawless crafts, and a live DJ to help shake off the winter blues.

Thackray Insights is back! Delve into eye-opening topics and groundbreaking discoveries with leading academics.

🧠 What Colour is a Brain? (7 November 2026)
🫀 The Heart of the Matter (16 January 2027)
✋ Body Politics (13 March 2027)
💉 Adverse Reaction (8 May 2027)

For the very first time, step into our Victorian Operating Theatre for a festive offer like no other - perfect for future fossil finders and mini medics alike! 🦖

Through creativity, play and exploration, we bring a different medical theme to life each holiday with crafts, live science shows, interactive trails and more.

Coming up:
🍄 October Half Term: Mighty Mushrooms
🤧 Winter Holidays: Seasonal Sniffles
💪 February Half Term: My Skin and Me

where seat are you choosing? 👀for those who don't know (get to know) from left to right we have...Thomas Sowden, Charles...
06/10/2026

where seat are you choosing? 👀

for those who don't know (get to know) from left to right we have...
Thomas Sowden, Charles Thackray, Joseph Lister, Elizabeth Blackwell, Mary Seacole, James Allan, Gertrude Elion and Florence Nightingale.

Did we miss any of your gothic faves? 👀If you’re into monsters, murder, mad science and all things macabre, join us this...
03/10/2026

Did we miss any of your gothic faves? 👀

If you’re into monsters, murder, mad science and all things macabre, join us this Halloween... 🦇

Thackray Late: Grave Expectations - Gothic Fiction Unmasked

Come for the gothic stories, stay for the anatomy, tarot, creepy crafts, expert talks, live DJ and drinks. 🔮🫀🎶

What happens when your experience of healthcare isn’t fully represented?For Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we’ve been thin...
25/09/2026

What happens when your experience of healthcare isn’t fully represented?

For Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we’ve been thinking about the stories that make up the experience of sickle cell, and the stories that might still be missing.

The people who live with sickle cell are experts in their own experiences. Their knowledge, memories, creativity, strength and everyday lives are all part of the story of medicine. We want our collections to reflect that.

We’re continuing to build our collections so they better represent the people and communities around us. That means listening, learning, growing and being willing to ask ourselves what we might be missing.

And awareness doesn’t stop when September ends. ❤️

We’ll keep asking: what’s missing?

What stories, experiences, knowledge or objects could help us see medical history differently?

If you have something to share, we’d love to hear from you. Your story could help us think differently about what a medical collection can be, and who it can be for.

rip Isaac Newton you would’ve loved a sour apple elf bar 🍏💨
22/09/2026

rip Isaac Newton you would’ve loved a sour apple elf bar 🍏💨

16/09/2026

⛪ Welcome to the Workhouse Chapel…

Opened in 1861, this chapel was once part of the Leeds Union Workhouse.

It was a place of worship for the people who lived and worked here, offering a fascinating glimpse into everyday life inside the workhouse.

But there’s so much more to discover… 👀

🔎 Want to uncover the stories behind the chapel and explore Leeds’ workhouse history?

🎟️ Book a History Tour and discover the fascinating history of this remarkable building.

Link in our bio.

we've got you girl 💅shoutout to and for the inspo 🫀
14/09/2026

we've got you girl 💅

shoutout to and for the inspo 🫀

📣 ARTIST CALL-OUT | COMPLEXION 📣We’re looking for a visual artist to design and create artwork for our upcoming exhibiti...
28/08/2026

📣 ARTIST CALL-OUT | COMPLEXION 📣

We’re looking for a visual artist to design and create artwork for our upcoming exhibition, Complexion, opening February 2027.

The exhibition explores skin through the medical, social and cosmetic experiences of Global Ethnic Majority communities, with a particular focus on lived experience.

We’re especially interested in artists who:
🎨 Work sculpturally or with textiles
✨ Create work that can transform an exhibition space
🤝 Have a socially engaged practice and experience working with participants
🌍 Are part of the African-Caribbean, Asian or South Asian diaspora
📍 Are based in Yorkshire or the North of England

There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with local communities in Harehills through co-creation.

Are you an artist who could be a great fit? Or know someone who might be? We’d love to hear from you.

👉 Find out more and apply via the link in our bio.

Time flies when you’re growing magic! ✨Before summer ends, can you get BINGO? 🌸Spot, discover and explore your way throu...
27/08/2026

Time flies when you’re growing magic! ✨

Before summer ends, can you get BINGO? 🌸

Spot, discover and explore your way through our curious plant patch. Don’t worry, Where Magic Grows isn’t going anywhere - although you might spot a few seasonal changes popping up soon! 👀🍁

How many squares can you tick off?

Address

Beckett Street
Leeds
LS97LN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

0113 244 4343

Website

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