The Royal Armouries

Lesley - During the summer there are loads of kids stuff on, & Fri & Sat there is jousting.  They were really good with bear.  Lots of cases full of weapons, bits of film, often there are displays or interpreters. Website http://www.royalarmouries.org/home.  Look out for the Jesters Yard with kids activities (£2.50) or knight 'training' (over eights, I think that is @ £4 but don't quote me)

Parking is rubbish, a pay for multistorey car park, but not many options for casual parking around, you get out of the car park into a sort of plaza and across the road to the armouries, it's all signposted.  As a Leeds dweller, I can't think of anywhere inexpensive/free to park without a hike, but directions to the car park start around about Huddersfield with the brown signs for the Armouries.  TAKE SANDWICHES as food is unpleasant and a complete rip off!

Things like the falconry displays (Sundays), the jousting, the jesters yard and Knight School are all to pay for, but the museum itself is free and there are loads of little screens with films of reenactments etc.  They have Henry VIII's armour, Japanese armour, a stonking great model elephant from the hunting days of the Raj etc.  I think there may be elephant armour in there, but again don't quote me.

I could keep going back time and again, but despite everything there will be lots of walking past cases saying things like, 'that sword is taller than you.' They've done their best and at least the main museum is free.

btw They currently have a free display of swords and stuff used in the film 'Lord of the Rings'.  One does not simply walk past a display case containing Glamdring.  Link here

hth