M&S Archive
M&S Archive
4.5
10:00 - 16:00
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 16:00
Thursday
10:00 - 16:00
Friday
10:00 - 16:00
About
Did you know M&S was born in Leeds? Discover the fascinating journey that has made M&S one of Britain's best loved retailers. Explore our exhibition and uncover some fascinating facts from over 135 years of M&S history: Did you know that we sold our first bra in 1926? How about that our scientists worked with the government during WW2 to help with rationing strategy? Or even that when we were one of the first to introduce 'avocado pears' in 1959 one customer tried to serve it as a dessert with custard? From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, our exhibition showcases the M&S Archive collection, tracking the development of the business from 1884 to the present day.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
40 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Foodiegirly
7 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Terrible breakfast. Tasteless and lukewarm warm. Quick service not sure what the eggs were undercooked hash browns and sloppy mushroom
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Y
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Solo
Interesting exhibition and good family fun. Relaxed, helpful atmosphere. Proof of Pudding workshop very appealing for kids and grown ups alike!
Written 19 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you enjoyed your visit!
Written 22 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mcleodalimc
Anlaby, UK822 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Fascinating piece of social history with all the history and exhibits and films from the 60s etc. well worth going
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed your visit!
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
judithr238
29 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Fascinating talk by Katie on the history of fashion at M&S as well as lots of archive footage and a small exhibition. Well worth a visit and free of charge!
Written 13 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Really glad you enjoyed your group visit, thanks for leaving a review!
Written 23 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rosiewill
98 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Excellent free interactive experience, really interesting for anyone who has grown up with M&S. we saw our curtains from the late 70s. Little gift items for sale (cards books posters and Percy pigs). Interesting videos showing how M&S has changed in the past 100 years. Take the older people in your life, they’ll love it. Immaculate toilets inside the exhibition. No cafe.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the lovely review, really pleased you enjoyed your visit!
Written 7 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael N
Cheadle Hulme, UK4,269 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Quite an uphill walk from our initial location near Crowne Plaza and easy to get lost. Once there quite a lot to see and various items brought back memories.
We shop quite a lot at M&S and were both wearing 4 or 5 items of their clothing and footwear.
When asking about location of a cafe where pleasantly surprised when invited to use kitchen are and make our own cuppa.
Found that there was a bus reasonably close that took us back to the Headrow.
We shop quite a lot at M&S and were both wearing 4 or 5 items of their clothing and footwear.
When asking about location of a cafe where pleasantly surprised when invited to use kitchen are and make our own cuppa.
Found that there was a bus reasonably close that took us back to the Headrow.
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review, glad you enjoyed your visit!
Written 7 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Swedishtomcat
Diss, UK3,566 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Nicely done but it doesn’t take that long to see everything on show but it is free. The old adverts were worth pausing to watch. Bus 56 from the city centre stops almost outside.
Written 22 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith S
Clitheroe, UK102 contributions
Nov 2022
On a day of torrential rain we spent a happy hour here. It is certainly one of the best small museums, full of interest. Be warned, parking anywhere near is virtually impossible. It is absolutely essential to make use of the audio guide. This is free as is entry. I have to say looking at the history of the company it does make one wonder why they seem these days to have everything manufactured with extended supply chains in China. If we see 'Made in China' we walk away. I do think too that M&S are missing a trick in not reverting to more flexible and responsive supply lines in the UK. It certainly seems to be what their customer base would appreciate. The other thing that struck both of us was, looking at examples of their fashion through different decades, how old fashioned it was even for its time. It shows a complete lack of imagination. As we were away for a short break we decided to buy our evening meal in an M&S store and we soon realised how good their food offer is. We had forgotten. If they had the same standards for home wear and fashion, they wouldn't have to be shutting so many city centre stores. All thoughts provoked by the museum, it really is worth a visit!
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for leaving a review Keith, glad you enjoyed the exhibition!
Written 21 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hannah
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
I really enjoyed reading about and seeing the history of M&S. The museum was very interesting and had a lot of products in a small space. I would definitely recommend it if you are in the area.
Written 4 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for the review, really pleased that you enjoyed your visit!
Written 8 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NeilMcD
Halifax, UK25 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Excellent museum. Very interesting history of the company. I was also interested in the Jeager section as I worked for them in the early 1980s
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind review Neil!
Written 30 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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- M&S Archive is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00
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