5 Rainy Day Activities in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire's indoor offer runs from major theatres and museums to family-friendly workshops, spread across all five districts, so a rainy day here is never a wasted one.
1. Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World, Royal Armouries, Leeds
This UK exclusive has over 250 rare objects from Mongolia, running at the Royal Armouries until November, alongside the museum's usual free entry and its permanent collection of arms and armour from across the centuries. Easily a half-day visit on its own and although the exhibition has an entrance fee, the rest of the museum is free, and well worth visiting as well.
2. Mrinalini Mukherjee at The Hepworth Wakefield
A major retrospective of the Indian modernist sculptor, running until 1 November, bringing together her textile, ceramic and bronze work in the UK for the first time. It sits alongside Rhythm, Dance and Everything, exploring Hepworth's legacy through movement and the body, and A Living Collection, both running well into 2027, so there's a full day of contemporary art on offer even after the Mukherjee show closes.
3. Sound and Vision, National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
The museum's new permanent galleries, packed with over 500 objects covering the history of media technology, plus the Wonderlab interactive gallery and an IMAX screen. A full day's worth of indoor activity in the middle of Bradford, whatever the weather is doing outside.
4. Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Kirklees' year-round home for theatre, comedy and family shows. Always worth checking what's on during a visit, since the programme runs continuously rather than around a single season.
5. Bankfield Museum, Halifax
A quieter option in Calderdale, covering costume and textile history in a beautiful historic house setting. Free entry and cosey, so a good choice when you want something indoors without the crowds of the bigger venues.