Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
A free city museum on New Walk with dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt and the story of Leicester; its art galleries are closed for redevelopment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum opened in 1849 and is described as one of the first public museums in the United Kingdom. The original building was designed by Joseph Hansom, who also designed the hansom cab, and it has been extended several times, most recently in 2011, when the dinosaur gallery was reorganised and enlarged. It was long known as New Walk Museum and Art Gallery. After closing during the Covid-19 pandemic it reopened in August 2020 under its present name, chosen to make it easier for visitors from outside the city to find online.
The collections cover natural science, ancient history and art. Highlights include the Rutland Dinosaur, a Cetiosaurus skeleton found in Rutland in 1968 and shown with mostly replica bones, a plesiosaur known as the Barrow Kipper found in 1851, and the holotype of the Precambrian fossil Charnia masoni. The Ancient Egypt gallery has four mummified individuals and over 400 objects. The art collection includes what is described as the largest collection of German Expressionist art in the United Kingdom, including works brought out of Nazi Germany before the Second World War, and more than 100 ceramics by Picasso donated by Richard Attenborough.
The museum is being refurbished. Several ground-floor art galleries are closed for redevelopment, and the new art galleries are expected to reopen in late 2026. The museum has also received a Museum of Sanctuary award.
Highlights
- Rutland Dinosaur, a 15-metre skeleton in the Dinosaur Gallery
- Life and Death in Ancient Egypt, with four mummified individuals
- Geology Gallery
- Leicester Stories Gallery
- Free entry, with child-friendly handling sessions and activity packs
Permanent exhibitions
- Life and Death in Ancient Egypt – A gallery of Egyptian objects that includes four mummified individuals.
- Dinosaur Gallery – Fossils from Britain, including the 15-metre Rutland Dinosaur.
- Leicester Stories Gallery – A gallery about the history and people of the city of Leicester.
- Founded
- 1849
- Operated by
- Leicester City Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
General entry is free for all visitors. Prices for temporary exhibitions or other paid activities are not listed.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A lift serves the first floor, and all galleries have level access for pushchairs. Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in nearby on-street parking. An access statement dated May 2021 is available as a PDF on the museum’s website, and information can be requested in large print and other formats by phone on 0116 454 4554.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
The museum describes itself as a family friendly day out, with the Ancient Egypt and Dinosaur galleries, children’s handling sessions and interactive activities. Printable activity packs, such as a butterfly pavement spotting game and dinosaur sheets, are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum’s website refers visitors to the Choose How You Move site to plan local bus routes and suggests using the Leicester Park and Ride to reach the city centre. It is a walk of about 13 minutes from the Clock Tower in the city centre.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum car park has been closed to cars since 13 January 2025 for the duration of the works. Paid on-street parking is available around the museum, and the nearest large car park is Newarke Street Car Park (LE2 7AD). Blue Badge holders can park free in nearby on-street bays.
- Accessible parking
Cyclists can reach the museum in about 5 minutes from the Clock Tower and walk through Museum Square Park to the entrance; bike racks are in the museum car park. The satnav address for the (closed) museum car park is Princess Road West, LE1 6TR.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop: not available
- Lockers
Visitor lockers cost £1 each (coins only) and are in the entrance hall behind the grand staircase; items left after closing are removed. The shop has been temporarily closed since 27 April 2026, and no refreshments are available during the works, although a new café is planned. The seating area for visitors’ own food is currently not available, but outdoor benches stand on Museum Square in good weather. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography is allowed for personal use; commercial photography requires contacting the museum. |
| Good to know | Self-led group visits are free, and private tours can be booked. There is no buggy storage, but limited space may be found in the main foyer; ask at reception. |
