Cool Places
Royal Armouries
Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
The UK’s national museum of arms and armour has a spiffing, purpose-built dockside home in Leeds, which is big enough not only to display thousands of years’ worth of fighting paraphernalia, but also to allow sword-fighting, javelin demos and a crossbow range. Needless to say, kids will love this place, whether they’re marvelling at the elephant armour or handling a long-sword (careful son, you’ll put someone’s eye out with that!). Weekends and school holidays are the best times to come to handle stuff and join in, though the Armouries promises a dramatic visit at any time.
