Yorkshire Museum is in Museum Gardens on Museum Street in York, close to the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. Its collections connect the county’s natural history with York’s Roman, Viking and medieval past: look for dinosaur fossils, Roman objects, Viking weapons and jewellery, and the York Helmet. Interactive displays include rune writing and a virtual reality dinosaur experience, with activities that can keep children engaged. After the galleries, take a walk through the gardens, where the abbey remains and an observatory are also nearby.
Collections from Yorkshire’s past
Yorkshire Museum brings together archaeology and natural history in galleries set in Museum Gardens. Its collections range from fossils and geological finds to objects that trace York’s history through Roman, Viking and medieval times.
The Roman displays include local artefacts, while the Viking collection has notable pieces such as the York Helmet and Gilling Sword. Other treasures include the Ormside Bowl, a delicate Anglo-Saxon silver-gilt object, and the Middleham Jewel, an example of medieval jewellery. The material spans a long stretch of the region’s history, so you can move from ancient environments to objects made and used by people in York.
Fossils and interactive displays
Yorkshire’s Jurassic past is a major part of the museum. Fossils and dinosaur remains show how the area’s natural history reaches back to a time when Yorkshire lay beneath the sea. The displays include large marine fossils, and interactive activities give younger visitors ways to engage with the subject. These include a virtual reality experience in which you feed a dinosaur and opportunities to search for fossils.
The museum also connects its archaeological collections with activities. You can try writing in runes, and some displays invite visitors to handle or explore the subject through practical experiences. The range makes the visit suitable for families as well as people focused on history or natural science.
The museum and Museum Gardens
The museum stands in the grounds of the former St Mary’s Abbey. The abbey ruins remain in Museum Gardens beside the building, offering a chance to see the site’s earlier history beyond the galleries. The gardens also contain an observatory, tucked among the trees.
Plan to explore the outdoor space as part of your visit. It gives you room to pause after the exhibits and to see the abbey remains up close. The museum is a short walk from York Minster, so it can fit into a day exploring the city centre.
Planning your visit
Admission is listed at £10, and a ticket allows return visits for a year. Free entry may be available to Art Pass holders. Advance tickets are recommended, though one visitor reported being able to buy a ticket on arrival.
There is no café in the museum, so arrange a coffee or meal nearby. The museum has accessible entrances, lifts and toilets, as well as baby-changing facilities. Check the museum’s website for current exhibitions and visit information before setting out.
FAQ
How much is entry to Yorkshire Museum?
Admission is listed at £10. The ticket includes return visits for a year, and Art Pass holders may be eligible for free entry.
How long should I spend at Yorkshire Museum?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours for the galleries and a walk through Museum Gardens.
Is Yorkshire Museum suitable for children?
Yes. Interactive activities include rune writing, fossil-related activities and a virtual reality dinosaur experience.
Is there a café at Yorkshire Museum?
No. There are places to get coffee and food nearby.
What can I see in Museum Gardens?
The gardens contain the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and an observatory among the trees.
