There is something deliciously fitting about a vampire exhibition that refuses to stay neatly in the horror section. Quite Shameless: Cultural Reflections on the Vampire at the University of Leeds explores the undead through literature, folklore, medicine, sexuality and performance — and the regular exhibition is completely free.
When and where?
Dates: 27 October 2026–29 May 2027 (check for exceptional closures). Usual hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm. Admission: free; no regular exhibition booking required. Venue: Treasures of the Brotherton, Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Lane, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT.
From Dracula to the ghosts of Gothic literature
Drawn from University of Leeds collections, the exhibition follows the vampire from medieval revenant beliefs and dances of death into Gothic fiction and beyond. Highlights reported for the exhibition include Bram Stoker correspondence and early responses to Dracula, a first edition of the novel, Lord Byron’s handwritten Fragment of a Novel, and a Mary Shelley-signed edition of Frankenstein. It is an opportunity to think about the 1816 Villa Diodati circle as well as the literary afterlife of its stories.
Vampires on stage
The theatre connection is particularly tempting: Hamilton Deane’s Dracula playbills and archive material and designs relating to Northern Ballet’s Dracula show how the Count escaped the page and found new life in performance. The wider exhibition considers fears around disease, medicine, desire, exclusion and bodily change, including queer interpretations of the vampire. These are historical and cultural perspectives, not claims that every object has the same interpretation.
Special event: Creatures of the Night — 29 October only
On Thursday 29 October 2026, 6–9.30pm, the free drop-in Creatures of the Night brings Gothic and nocturnal piano music to Parkinson Court. Performers include Keano Ritchie and Cleve Freckleton. Sit, stand, wander or enjoy the performance from a beanbag. The exhibition itself stays open until 9pm. Expect music, lights and possible crowds and echoing sound. A dedicated quiet zone is available from 6pm in rooms G22 and G23, Baines Wing. Check the official event information.
Accessibility and sensory information
The galleries provide step-free access, accessible toilets, assistance dogs, induction loops, seating and portable stools, large-print guides, visual stories and sensory maps. The ACCESSories Hub offers sensory and practical aids including ear defenders and fidget toys. The gallery itself is relatively small and dark and can feel cold; displays include glass cases. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Laidlaw Library, approximately five minutes away, not inside Treasures of the Brotherton; check access/keycard arrangements before travelling. Visitors sensitive to darkness, cold or sound may want to plan accordingly. Check the official gallery visitor information before setting off.
Planning a visit
This is an exhibition worth building a Leeds day out around, particularly if you love Gothic books, theatrical adaptations or the history behind our favourite monsters. The university’s Parkinson Building is on Woodhouse Lane. Check transport and route accessibility for your own journey rather than assuming every entrance is step-free. There is no ticket affiliate link: the regular exhibition is free.
Official exhibition details: University of Leeds — Quite Shameless.
