Museums & Galleries · Leeds
Second World War Experience Centre
📍 LS21 1AQ
Photo: Mel Towler (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Archive holding wartime material of around 10,000 individuals
- Access WW2 biographies and audio clips from collections
- Journal of the Second World War Experience Centre archive
- Collections organised by War at Sea, Air, Land, Civilian's War
- Education packs and DVD produced for young people
The Second World War Experience Centre is a registered charity archive in Otley near Leeds, dedicated to collecting and preserving the personal testimony of people who lived through 1939-1945. Visitors by appointment can explore collections covering War at Sea, War in the Air, War on the Land and the Civilian's War, along with biographies, audio clips and a journal archive. It's a resource well suited to students, family historians and researchers wanting first-hand wartime accounts rather than a typical hands-on museum visit. Menston station is around 2.1 miles away, and with 18 bookable places to stay within 5 miles, it's an easy addition to a short break exploring Yorkshire's heritage sites.
Practical details
- Booking
- Visitors currently welcomed only by appointment
- Best for
- Students, family historians and researchers
From the attraction's own website on 19 Oct 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ WiFi
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near Second World War Experience Centre
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
1.2 mi
1.5 mi
2.2 mi
2.5 mi
Bramhope Scout Camping Ground
✓ Dedicated Squirrels play area with climbing wall and mud kitchen
Leeds
2.8 mi
2.9 mi
🎪 What's on near Second World War Experience Centre
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
Rhythm Of The 90's
Project House, Leeds · 9.1 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 18:00
Sanctuary of Senses Ladies night
44 Water Royd Mirfield WF14 9SG, Mirfield · 15.3 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 18:30
Evening of mediumship
The Leigon Kippax, Kippax · 16.2 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
Outside The Original Prog Classics Show
Skipton Sound Bar Ltd, Skipton · 13.9 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Second World War Experience Centre into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Menston 2.1 miles
- Guiseley 2.3 miles
- Burley-In-Wharfedale 2.6 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page