The Abbey House: Gatehouse to the 12th century Cistercian monastery of Kirkstall Abbey
Overlooking the main A65 route from Leeds to Skipton, the core of the building served as the gatehouse to the 12th century Cistercian monastery of Kirkstall Abbey.
After Henry VIII closed the monasteries it became a farmhouse and then a private residence. A squared gritstone building scheduled as a Grade II listed sculpture, the original gatehouse has had several modifications over the years, including a 16th century wing and early 20th century additions to reflect the Tudor style and blend with the earlier stonework.
It was purchased by Leeds City Council in 1926 to provide space for a museum. This is where the social and domestic life of the Leeds area is recorded. Among highlights are recreations of the city’s Victorian streets. Stephen Harding Gate is the 19th century equivalent of a modern high street. The Hark to Rover Inn is a gas-lit Victorian drinking house with many original features, complete with sawdust and spittoons. Abbey Fold is a reminder of the grim side of life for the Victorian poor.
Among the many shops and workshops is an authentic reproduction of a Victorian chemist’s shop, its beautiful mahogany drawers and ornamental glass jars all well preserved. Other premises include a haberdashery, a barber’s shop, grocer, ironmonger, clay pipe maker, saddler, blacksmith, wheelwright, musical instrument maker, clock and watchmaker, tobacconist and printer.
There are collections of jigsaws, board games, miniature soldiers, dolls’ houses and Regency, Victorian and Edwardian dolls, while folk galleries illustrate the customs and beliefs of the West Riding. A Penny Arcade is home to a collection of penny slot machines, many of them in working order.
There was a major refurbishment between 1998 and 2001, but in 2024 Leeds City Council announced it was planning to close the museum. After strong opposition, however, the Abbey House was reprieved.