Rainy Day Activities: Discover military history at The Royal Armouries

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is a sister attraction to the Tower of London and home to the UK’s largest collection of arms, armour and artillery. The collection is displayed across six galleries, each with a different theme: War, Tournament, Asia and Africa, Self-Defence, Hunting and Peace.

Get up close to the royal armours of the Tudor and Stuart kings (including Henry VIII), and reveal the secrets of how soldiers defended themselves in the English Civil Wars. Your historical experience could also include sword fighting and jousting as events take place regularly throughout the year, offering visitors a true taste of sporting spectacles dating back thousands of years. Movie fans should look out for iconic film props including Ripley's famous M14A "pulse rifle" from James Cameron's 1986 film, Aliens.

The Royal Armouries Museum is open every day (except 24-26 December) from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free to all adults and children.