Royal Armouries

Royal Armouries We are the UK's National Museum of Arms and Armour. The Royal Armouries is home to the United Kingdom’s national collection of arms, armour and artillery.
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You will find our museum collections across Leeds, Fort Nelson in Portsmouth and The White Tower at the Tower of London. Entry into the museum is FREE.

Robert Dudley, famed situationship of Elizabeth I, had great taste when it came to armour.This field and tilt armour dat...
30/08/2026

Robert Dudley, famed situationship of Elizabeth I, had great taste when it came to armour.

This field and tilt armour dates from about 1575, and is thought to have been made for Dudley to wear at the entertainment he staged for the queen at Kenilworth Castle that year.

The armour was made at the Greenwich Royal Workshop under Master Workman John Kelte, and has a surviving matching shaffron (horse head defence).

📍Royal Armouries Museum, Tournament Gallery, 2nd Floor

Find out more about this armour: https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-3335

Did you know that Leeds was one of Britain’s top producers of ammunition for big guns during the World Wars?Mainly staff...
30/08/2026

Did you know that Leeds was one of Britain’s top producers of ammunition for big guns during the World Wars?

Mainly staffed by women, the Barnbow factory near Crossgates was the top shell factory between 1914 and 1918, and was fired up again for World War II 🏭

In this display case, you’re looking at a replica of the 25-pounder shells made at Barnbow during the Second World War.

We’ve loved spotlighting this piece (or should we say, wedge?) of history as part of the Trivial Pursuit trail, celebrating 400 years of Leeds 💛

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Frame of the Month. 📸Each month, our resident photographer and Digital Marketing Officer, Josh Heeley, shares a favourit...
29/08/2026

Frame of the Month. 📸

Each month, our resident photographer and Digital Marketing Officer, Josh Heeley, shares a favourite image captured by him from the museum.

This month's frame takes us back to Re:Loaded, our exhibition which explored some of the most spectacularly decorated fi****ms in the Royal Armouries collection.

At the centre of the frame is a lavishly decorated Walther PP, made in Germany in 1975. Its golden appearance might bring to mind James Bond's famous Walther PPK, or perhaps Scaramanga's rather more extravagant weapon from The Man with the Golden Gun, released just a year earlier.

Reflections, a glass prism filter on the camera and the colourful lighting of the exhibition create this more abstract object photo.

Re:Loaded may have left our galleries but the questions it explored around weapons, beauty, status and craftsmanship remain part of the stories held within our collection.

Stuck for what to do this bank holiday?How about exploring 700 years of history with live shows*, craft activities and f...
28/08/2026

Stuck for what to do this bank holiday?

How about exploring 700 years of history with live shows*, craft activities and family trails... all for free ⚔️

Open 10am-5pm every day this weekend.

*Mongolian Horse Shows running 11am and 2pm (weather permitting☔)

You seemed to enjoy our sword reactions, so we thought it was only right to look at the dagger emoji too.Curator of Euro...
27/08/2026

You seemed to enjoy our sword reactions, so we thought it was only right to look at the dagger emoji too.

Curator of European Edged Weapons, Dr Iason Tzouriadis, has only given one of these a 10... but what would be your top pick?

Thanks again to the Getty for the idea!

Gucci? Prada?Firearm.In today's episode Jonathan examines a four-shot .22 calibre example of a belt buckle gun and inves...
26/08/2026

Gucci? Prada?

Firearm.

In today's episode Jonathan examines a four-shot .22 calibre example of a belt buckle gun and investigates the surprisingly complicated history behind these bizarre weapons.

Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ9NdIndqxU

What is this... weapon?It's not a tank, we promise.Give it a guess and join Jonathan at 16:30 on YouTube.
26/08/2026

What is this... weapon?

It's not a tank, we promise.

Give it a guess and join Jonathan at 16:30 on YouTube.

Did you know that the inspiration for Highlander (1986) first struck screenwriter Gregory Widen during a visit to the Ro...
25/08/2026

Did you know that the inspiration for Highlander (1986) first struck screenwriter Gregory Widen during a visit to the Royal Armouries Collection at the Tower of London?

In celebration of the film's 40th anniversary, we're welcoming Gregory back to the museum to film some very exciting content - and we want your questions! 🎥

From iconic swordplay scenes in the Scottish highlands, to the concept of the immortals... what would you ask the man who created the legendary tale?

Drop your questions below, or via this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo_pWf_OgBRpuApGQsYPDA2lr5l5JHECzPpWQi3hB045Vrfg/viewform?usp=dialog

Almost too beautiful to use?Maces in Eurasia were often used as a status symbol as well as an effective close combat wea...
24/08/2026

Almost too beautiful to use?

Maces in Eurasia were often used as a status symbol as well as an effective close combat weapon. This one on display in our Asian & African Gallery dates from the 13th-14th Century, and is probably Mongolian.

The head of the mace emerges from flower petals and is covered in silver leaves and flowers. The wooden haft is covered with polished ray skin, with a leather strap woven into an intricate knot.

Don't miss the replica of this mace on display outside our Genghis Khan exhibition on the 4th floor.

📍Royal Armouries Museum, Asia & Africa Gallery, 4th Floor

Object number: XXVIC.82

Address

Armouries Drive
Leeds
LS101LT

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441132201999

Website

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