Stroll along our beautifully decorated cobbled street, Kirkgate. Meet our Victorian residents and discover the stories behind the traditions of Christmas. Free with admission, no need to book. Please note that York Castle Museum closes at 2.30pm on Christmas Eve.

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Children will follow a special Christmas mystery trail around the museum to discover the traditions and magic of a Victorian Christmas, meeting costumed characters and solving festive puzzles before finally finding where Father Christmas is waiting for them! £5 per child (includes activity booklet, meeting Father Christmas and a traditional Christmas gift). Museum admission applies […]

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York Observatory in the York Museum Gardens is the major part of York Museums Trust’s Astronomy Collection. It was built in 1832 to 1833 and is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire. Installed in 1981, its 4-inch refractor telescope was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850 and is still in use today. Join […]

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Our Relaxed Openings are designed for visitors who would prefer a quieter visit to the art gallery. The gallery provides a tranquil, spacious environment for visitors to explore without the need to worry about extreme light and sound levels, confined spaces, or large crowds. Our building is fully accessible (including the cafe, shops, toilets and […]

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Early Years Explorers – Activities for children aged two to five years old which include songs, stories, games and craft activities. Sessions are based on familiar preschool play areas, which are enhanced to help children learn about the gallery’s collections and exhibitions through play. Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which […]

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Museum Baby (under two years old) – Special baby sessions linked to exhibitions, including songs and sensory activities for babies and their carers. Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which all relate to the early years Curriculum. A perfect introduction to museums! Dinosaurs – Bounce on the dinosaur hopper, find […]

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Early Years Explorers – Activities for children aged two to five years old which include songs, stories, games and craft activities. Sessions are based on familiar preschool play areas, which are enhanced to help children learn about the gallery’s collections and exhibitions through play. Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which […]

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Museum Baby (under two years old) – Special baby sessions linked to exhibitions, including songs and sensory activities for babies and their carers. Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which all relate to the early years Curriculum. A perfect introduction to museums! Birds – Look at taxidermy birds, squeeze the […]

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The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free, really easy, and only takes an hour. If you love birds and want to help them, then this is your chance to do something that really counts. Come along to the York Museum Gardens to take part and meet the RSPB team who are supporting us this […]

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Early Years Explorers – Activities for children aged two to five years old which include songs, stories, games and craft activities. Sessions are based on familiar preschool play areas, which are enhanced to help children learn about the gallery’s collections and exhibitions through play. Sessions are a mixture of free flow and adult led activities which […]

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