Museums and galleries in York
53 museums and galleries in York, from the big collections to small independent spaces.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 53.
.JPG?width=900)
.JPG){kind=link}
Museums and galleries in York
.JPG?width=240 "Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 4.0")
SeeRailway museumNational Railway Museum
The largest railway museum in the world, with a magnificent collection of locomotives, rolling stock, railway equipment, documents and records. The bulk of it is British, but there are also great snorting monsters from China and the U.S. Highlights include Queen Victoria's opulent Royal Train, famous locos such as Stephenson's Rocket and Mallard, and a first-generation Shinkansen - the only one outside of Japan. When it's not cruising the rails in summer, Flying Scotsman overwinters at the NRM. Out in the yard, a steam-engine hauls rides in the summer, and a miniature railway operates year-round. And the best thing for railbuffs: the museum is in sight of York station and has a viewing deck overlooking the East Coast Main Line!.
Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-5PMMuseum and all exhibitions free. Steam rides £4, miniature railway £3, under-2s free. Donations encouraged. · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric siteClifford's Tower
In the 11th century, the Normans built a castle here to keep the Vikings at bay and subdue the local population following their conquest of England. The Vikings being Vikings, they promptly smashed it, so the Normans built bigger and better - the tower you see today was the castle's keep. The tower was the scene of the infamous massacre of York's Jews in 1190. In 1684, its interior was wrecked by an explosion, but the hollow tower is now the oldest remnant of the castle. The rest fell into disrepair, before being re-built as a gaol, and in modern times housing the Castle Museum. Access is by very steep steps up the hillock; it's a bit like climbing a pyramid. After closure, you can still climb to the front door and look back over the square - this is especially atmospheric after dark.
Daily 10AM-6PM (last entry 5:50PM)Adult £9.54, child £4.72, concession £8.75, English Heritage members free
SeePublic artYork Minster
Cathedral of St Peter in York
Seat of the Archbishop of York and the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster dominates the skyline and dates back to the 8th century at least. The inside of the cathedral has beautiful stained glass and several interesting and peculiar features – look for the modern statues signalling "Christ is here" in semaphore and the dragon hanging from near the ceiling. The Undercroft Museum, beneath the Minster, displays centuries worth of archaeological findings in an interactive display. Then, climb the 275 steps to the top of the Minster's Central Tower to experience panoramic views from York's highest spot (ages 8+ only). The nightly Evensong worship has haunting acoustics, and is the only way of accessing the cathedral on Sunday late afternoons. On the south side of the Minster outside, don't miss the, who was in 306 AD proclaimed emperor of Rome in York. At the far end of the plaza from this is a which was unearthed beneath the Minster and reerected in 1971 to mark the 1,900th anniversary of the city's founding. Once you've seen all this, relax in the – a simple expanse of grass and trees that affords views of the north side of the Minster. In spring or summer, you may catch a glimpse of nesting peregrine falcons.
Minster visits: Mon-Sat 9AM-4:30PM, Sun 12:30PM-3PM; Museum: Mon-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun 1PM-3:15PM; Worship: 4 or more services daily 7:30AM-6PMAdult £11.50, senior £10.50, student with ID £9, child under 17 free. Access to Minster, museum and guided tour included; £5 extra for tower. Worship, park and plaza free. York Pass accepted · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumYorkshire Museum
Interesting, and quite good for curious children. Features permanent displays of Roman and medieval riches, including the Vale of York Hoard of Viking treasure. There are also natural history sections dedicated to astronomy, biology and geology. A long-term exhibition exploring Yorkshire's Jurassic World uses VR technology and up-to-date research to engage you in the county's prehistoric past.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £10, student + 65+ £9, child £6 · Wheelchair accessible
SeeArt galleryYork Art Gallery
A public art gallery with a collection of paintings, prints, watercolours, drawings and ceramics from the 14th century to the contemporary era. The Burton Gallery hosts Italian and Flemish Old Masters, and early 20th century modern art, while an 18th century automaton clock featuring Hercules, waterfalls and dancing figures has pride of place. Look out for paintings by York natives William Etty and Albert Moore. There are regular temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Wed-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £9, Child 5-16 £5.40, student & 65+ £8.10, child 0-4 free, · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumJorvik Viking Centre
Reconstruction of York as it might have looked 1000+ years ago. The visit takes the form of a sit-down ride as you experience the sights, sounds, smells and diverse languages and faces of everyday 10th century life, with the aid of animatronics, dioramas and touchscreen technology. Although a bit like the Viking version of It's a Small World, everything you see has been meticulously researched and the centre is itself built on the archaeological remains of the real Jórvík. Audio commentary available in 15 languages. After the ride is a collection of artefacts, including replicas - for more visit the Yorkshire Museum.
Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM, longer hours during school holidaysAdult £12.50, child 5-16 years £8.50, concession £10.50. Fasttrack entry with Pastport. York Pass accepted · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumYork Castle Museum
Outstanding museum of everyday life with exhibits to appeal to all ages. Highlights are Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street, and Half Moon Court, an Edwardian street, exhibitions of York's confectionery industry, plus costumes and toys through the ages. The site includes a former prison, in which you can experience the cells, and imagine what it was like in 1739 when infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was awaiting his execution by hanging. There are numerous special exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Mon 11Am-5PM, Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £18, student & 65+ £16.20, child £10.80 · Limited wheelchair access
SeeAttractionYork Museum Gardens
This extensive botanical collection is a great place for a picnic. Perambulate through a variety of borders (butterfly-friendly, oriental, prairie), not missing out the fern garden and rockery. Daffodils and bluebells abound in spring. The gardens are not just for nature lovers, however, as they also contain much significant archaeology: the third century Roman fortification known as the, which only saw action 14 centuries later during the English Civil War; the remains of, where the poor and sick of medieval York were cared for physically and spiritually; the ruins of the Benedictine, which date from 1088 and once rivalled the Minster for grandeur. The small, which was constructed in 1832/33 and is still in working condition, is also located in the gardens. It's open most days 11:30AM-2:30PM, plus some winter evenings for public astronomy events.
Daily 10:30AM-6PM. Free tours every Sun 1PMFree. Wheelchair accessible · Wheelchair accessible
SeeGardenTreasurer's House
Grade I-listed town house and garden dating from the 12th century that acted as the official residence of York Minster's treasurers over the centuries. Frank Green, heir to an industrialist's fortune, purchased it in 1897 and transformed it into a lavish pad to flaunt his enormous wealth and eclectic decorating tastes and collection of art, antiques, and furniture. Today it is managed by the National Trust, and the visitor can discover both Green's dizzying collection and the contrastingly calming gardens. Like all good Trust properties, there's an on-site shop and café.
Sat–Tue noon–4PM -- confirm on websiteAdult £12, child £5. NT members free · Free entry
SeeMuseumFairfax House
A Georgian townhouse built as the winter home for the Viscount Fairfax and his daughter, which has today been lovingly restored as a charming example of aristocratic life in York. It is decorated and furnished similar to how it would have been in the 1760s, almost exclusively using objects from the private collection of chocolatier Noel Terry (1889–1979). Giuseppe Cortese's elaborately-wrought stucco ceilings are a particular highlight, adorning half a dozen of the Fairfaxs' stately rooms. 'Gregory the Townhouse Mouse' will keep your kids entertained with his exploration trails around the property. Audio tours in eight languages.
Mon–Thu 10AM–5PM, Fri entrance by guided tour 11AM, then noon-5PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PMAdult £8.50, guided tour £9.50, children under 17 free, concessions for students & 65+. see website for details
SeeMuseumMerchant Adventurers' Hall
Remarkable timbered guild hall, built by city merchants between 1357 and 1361. The great hall was where they gathered for business and socialising, the undercroft was an almshouse for the poor and sick, and in the chapel all mercantile sins were conveniently forgiven. Good café on-site.
Sun-Fri 10AM-4:30PM, Sat 10AM-1:30PMAdult £6.50, concession £5.50, under 17s free. York Pass accepted. Admission includes audio tour in English / written guide in other languages · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumBarley Hall
Reconstruction of a medieval townhouse. Built in the 14th century by the monks of Nostell Priory in Wakefield, but serially chopped, changed and neglected over the centuries. By 1970 it was a plumber's storeroom, on the brink of demolition. It's now been rebuilt to how it was in the 15th century, discarding later additions. Its detractors say this was more like a retro-fit and prettification of history, but it's difficult to see how anything more "authentic" could have been made viable, and it can be accurately described as a large piece of experimental archaeology carried out by experts.
Daily 10AM-3PM/4PMAdult £6.50, child 5-16 years £3.50, concession £5. Combo ticket with Jorvik: adult £15, child £10, concession £12. York Pass accepted
SeeHistoric siteCold War Bunker
From the 1960s to the 1990s, behind blast-proof doors, sat volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps, waiting to log nuclear bomb explosions in the region and monitor radioactive fallout. Fortunately they had a quiet few decades at the office. It is now English Heritage's most modern property, and also one of its spookiest. Visit only by guided tour, which takes an hour and includes a film and thorough radiation decontamination.
Apr-Oct: Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM, Nov-Mar Sat Sun 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM)from; Adult £11.11, concession £10.33, child £5.51. EH member free · Limited wheelchair access
SeeMuseumYork Army Museum
Contact via Facebook and X. The museum brings together the collections of one of the Army's oldest cavalry regiments - the Royal Dragoon Guards, dating from 1685, with one of its newest infantry regiments - the Yorkshire Regiment, which was only formed in 2006. Charting the relationship between Yorkshire and the Army going back centuries, the collections span medals, standards, uniforms, firearms, swords and soldiers' personal effects, with interactive exhibits and many tales of individual courage and hardships to bring the history to life.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PMAdult £5, child aged 5-16 years £2.50, under 5 years free, concession £4, service personnel 50% off applicable ticket. York Pass accepted · Wheelchair accessible
DoFood tourYork's Chocolate Story
Email via online contact form. A guided tour telling you all about York's historic role in the confectionery industry. Find out about the origins of chocolate and the city's big name brands, hear testimonies of the people employed by local factories, watch chocolate-making demos and taste some of the good stuff yourself. As a bonus, you can make your own chocolate lolly (full chocolatier workshops can be arranged upon appointment). There is a café and chocolate shop at the end of the visit.
Daily 10AM-4PM (start time of last tour)Adult £15, child 4-15 years £12.50, under 4 years free · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric siteYork Mansion House
The grand official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, dating from 1732, holds an unparalleled collection of civic gold and silver, plus extensive items of furniture, ceramics, glassware and art. Gastronomes will be interested in the daily cooking demonstrations in the authentically-restored 18th-century kitchen.
Wed-Sun, bank holidays 10:30AM-5PM, (last admission 4PM)Adult £7, concession £5.5, child £3.50.
SeeMuseumMicklegate Bar
Micklegate Bar was first recorded in the 12th century, but reuses stone from an earlier Roman gate. It has long been the official entrance to the city of York for royalty, and welcomed Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. The indoor exhibition closed in 2025, but you can still view the very impressive exterior.
Closed · opens 10 am tomorrowFree
SeeMuseumThe Bar Convent
Founded in the 17th century, when Catholics were widely persecuted in England, the convent is still home to a community of nuns, members of the Congregation of Jesus. In a small interactive museum, you can discover the brave sisters' remarkable story, from their underground origins hidden in plain sight of the authorities, right through to their survival under the bombs of the Luftwaffe. There is also an on-site café and 'secret' garden, as well as B&B-style accommodation.
Mon-Sat 10AM-5PMAdult £5, child £2, concession £4. York Pass accepted
SeeHoly Trinity, Micklegate
Founded prior to 1066, this is the only pre-Reformation monastic building in York that is in use today. The wooden beams supporting the roof are breathtaking, and there is a small interactive exhibition about those medieval monks and their priory, making use of touchscreens and 3D imagery.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 9AM-4PMFree
SeeBeningbrough Hall
18th-century mansion in Italianate Baroque style, now managed by the National Trust. It is the red-brick creation of John Bourchier, who was inspired by the Grand Tour of Europe he took as a 20-year-old. Inside, it's all gilt and ornate white plaster, with an ever-changing rotation of over 100 period portraits on permanent loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London, while outside the gardens are rich, extensive and diverse. Eclectic too are the attractions on offer: Beningbrough is no staid stately home, with dogs welcome in the gardens and children well catered for by heaps of activities throughout the year, bicycle hire and several themed walking routes with such intriguing titles as 'Top ten trees of interest'. A restaurant, shop and adventure playground complete the package.
see websiteAdult £16, Child £8, NT members free
SeeYorkshire Air Museum
Allied Air Forces Memorial
The former site of RAF Elvington (a WWII bomber command station and base for the Free French Air Force) has been converted into a large open-air museum. In addition to over 60 historic aircraft and vehicles, many original elements of the RAF base - such as the air traffic control tower, hangars and an officers' mess - remain as testament to the sacrifices of airmen and women in all conflict. It also hosts the only Allied Air Forces memorial in Europe. Dogs on leads welcome. On-site NAAFI-style canteen. Information brochures in five European languages available.
Wed-Sun 10AM-4PM (summer until 5PM)Adult £12, child 5-15 years £5, under 5 free, concession £9. York Pass accepted
- Eat
Countess of York
Railfans rejoice! You can get your afternoon tea fix in the NRM's opulently-restored train carriage, the Countess of York. There are a dozen blends of Harrogate tea to choose from, and a seasonal selection of sandwiches and cakes, with the highlight being traditional Yorkshire scones, vanilla cream and homemade jam. As capacity is constrained by the size of the carriage, it is recommended to book weeks in advance. Free parking token for the museum's car park.
Tea served at noon, 2PM, 4PMTraditional afternoon tea £26, with champagne £36
.JPG?width=240 "Photo: Richard Harvey, CC BY-SA 3.0")
SeeMurton Park
Three attractions in one: The Yorkshire Museum of Farming takes visitors through a typical year on the farm, and charts the industry's development from the 1800s to the 1960s, with farming equipment and lovable animals to meet too. Explore reconstructions of a dairy parlour, blacksmith's forge and veterinary surgery which features equipment from James Herriot's famous clinic in Thirsk. Special focus is on an indoor exhibition about the Women's Land Army, who helped keep Britain fed during two world wars, and paved the way for postwar gender equality. Afterwards, take a walk along the nature trail to discover the rich diversity of wildlife that lives on farmland. The Danelaw Centre for Living History presents a number of recreated rural dwellings from Yorkshire's past, from Iron Age, Saxon/Viking villages and a Roman fort, to a Tudor homestead and wartime farm. As it is used as an outdoor history classroom during term time, access to the centre for the general public is limited to weekends and school holidays, and if you want to make the most of the 'living history' aspects (reenactors, stories from long ago, hands-on activities, weapons training etc), you'll need some children with you. The range of cool stuff for them to do will make you wish you were a kid again. To find exactly which activities are happening on which days see the site's events page. The Derwent Valley Light Railway is the half-mile remnant of a line which once linked York to Selby. Nowadays, you can enjoy unlimited - if admittedly short - diesel-hauled rides from Murton Park's cute little station. And if you're still put out at not being able to join your little Vikings in defending their village from attack, you can console yourself by learning to be a train driver, with a practical lesson from one of the DVLR experts. Once you've learnt the ropes, you can drive your loco the length of the track and back – sorry, kids, you have to be 18 or over.
Farming museum: Easter-October daily 10:30AM-4:30PM. Living history: school holidays daily, same hours. DVLR: Sun, bank holidays, same hoursAdult £11, child/concession £9, includes all living history activities (when available) and unlimited access for one year. Locomotive driving experience (adult only): £10
- Do
Road train
A fun way to travel between the centre of York (Duncombe Place, next to York Minster) and the Railway Museum.
Daily 11AM–3:45PM. Departs every 30 min from the museum on the hour and half-past, from the Minster at quarter-past and quarter-toAdult £3 one-way, child £2 one-way. York Pass accepted
.jpg?width=240 "Photo: Chris06, CC BY-SA 4.0")
SeeMuseumYork Saint Mary's
St Mary's Church is a Grade I listed former parish church in the Church of England on Castlegate in the city of York.
Limited wheelchair access
- SeeArt gallery
Norman Rea Art Gallery
University of York
"Exhibitions"Free entry
- BuyArt shop
Blue Tree Gallery
23 Bootham
- BuyArt shop
Pyramid Gallery
43 Stonegate
- BuyArt shop
The Braithwaite Gallery
42 Low Petergate
- BuyArt shop
York Fine Arts
83 Low Petergate
- SeeMuseum
Kohima Museum
Imphal Barracks, Fulford Rd
- SeeArt gallery
Jardine Gallery & Workshop
12 Colliergate
- BuyArt shop
Clarendon Fine Art
Davygate
- BuyArt shop
Coppergate Gallery
21 Castlegate
- SeeArt gallery
Corner Gallery
2 Telford Terrace
- SeeHistory museum
DIG
DIG St Saviour Church, St Saviourgate
- SeeArt gallery
Kentmere House Gallery
53 Scarcroft Hill
- SeeHistory museum
The Royal Dragoon Guards Museum and Regimental Association
3 Tower St
- SeeArt gallery
Whitewall Galleries
9 Davygate
- SeeArt gallery
Art of Protest Gallery
11 Walmgate
Browse all 1,084 places in York
Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to York (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).