Admission to the attraction was provided by Visit York. All reviews by Travelling History are voluntary and of honest opinion.
The York Castle Museum is a first class example of how to present history in an informative and interesting way. From its interactive exhibitions, various activities and knowledgeable and passionate staff, the museum has plenty to offer. It is both the variety and general warm feeling I get when visiting that has cause me to return on multiple occasions. It’s also the interactive nature of the museum that means you can have a slightly different experience every time you visit!
History of the York Castle Museum
The award-winning York Castle Museum first opened its doors on April 23, 1938. The museum was designed to showcase the collection of a man named Dr. John Lamplugh Kirk. Dr. Kirk was fascinated with ways of life that were quickly disappearing at the turn of the 20th century. His dream was to build a museum that showcased these ways of life in immersive ways. In 1935, Dr. Kirk decided to gift his collection of various objects to the city of York and was very involved in the creation of the museum. Dr. Kirk sadly passed away just a few years later in 1940, but the York Castle Museum remains his cherished gift and legacy to the city.
Visiting York Castle Museum Today
Today, visitors to the York Castle Museum can explore over 400 years of history and thousands of historical objects. What I love about the museum is that it is completely immersive, with various rooms recreated as they would have been in their original time periods. Whether it’s the Jacobean era, the Victorian age or the swinging 60s, as you wander through the different areas of the museum, you really feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
My favourite part of the museum is the recreated Victorian street known as Kirkgate. This part of the museum is filled with recreated storefronts, workshops, homes and alleyways that let you explore with all of your senses. You’ll not only see the sights of the Victorian era as you wander around, but also hear the hustle and bustle and even smell a few things… both pleasant and unpleasant! Kirkgate really is a wonderful 360 degree experience and fun for all of the family. It’s also great to visit around the holidays when the street is dressed up for the season!
Another interesting area of museum to explore is the York Castle Prison. The museum is located in the same building that housed an 18th century prison, and this exhibition gives visitors an insight into the gruesome conditions prisoners would have experienced while incarcerated. You’ll also get to learn about some of the prison’s infamous inmates, including the highway thief Dick Turpin.
I would also recommend visiting the exhibition 1914: When the World Changed Forever, which opened to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and tells the stories of the people of York who lived throughout the conflict. It’s both a moving and informative part of the museum, which does an excellent job of both preserving and commemorating the many sacrifices made by the people of York during the war.
There is also the fabulous The Sixties exhibition which showcases a variety of objects from the decade and recreates the swinging times that sparked a massive cultural change. You can explore objects that showcase the change in fashion, music, politics and overall social history of the time period.
Another one of my favourite areas of the York Castle Museum is the Toy Stories exhibition which displays favourite childhood toys from the past 150 years. Whether it’s a doll, teddybear or bicycle, it’s certainly a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
There are also a number of other fabulous exhibitions and areas of the museum that are well-worth exploring. The museum also often holds special events so I highly recommend checking out their website here before your visit.
Key Information for Visiting York Castle Museum
When is the best time to visit York Castle Museum?
Any time of year is great for visiting the museum. However, I do have a soft spot for visiting near the holiday season as I love the festive atmosphere (and sometimes festive events) in the museum at this time.
How much does it cost to enter the museum?
Entrance to the museum is approximately £13.00 for an adult or around £6.50 for a child. And if your child is under the age of 5 then they can enter for free! To learn more about purchasing a ticket you can visit the York Castle Museum website.
The York Castle Museum is also one of the attractions included in The Visit York Pass. If looking to visit multiple attractions while in York, then I would recommend looking into the York Pass, as you receive a discount on various attractions.
How long do you need to visit York Castle Museum?
This is very dependent on what you want to see! You could easily spend an afternoon in the museum exploring all of the exhibitions and perhaps pick up a thing or two in the gift shop. However, if you have less time, you can easily pick and choose which exhibitions you want to explore. For example, moving at a quick pace, you could probably explore Kirkgate in about 20 minutes.
What is the best way to get there?
The York Castle Museum is located in the city centre, which makes it easy to get to on foot. If you’re arriving to York by train, it’s about a 20-minute walk, or 5-minute drive from the station.
What other historical things are there to do in York?
There are a number of fantastic historical things to do in York and if you have the time, I recommend them all! Across from the museum is Clifford’s Tower, an 11th century structure that was a part of the original York Castle. You’re also a 5-minute walk to the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, where you can explore a real medieval guildhall. For fans of Harry Potter, the Shambles is also a 7-minute walk from the York Castle Museum and is the street believed to have inspired Diagon Alley. You can also check out a full list of recommendations for 10 Historical Things to do in York, England here.
This article’s information was last updated in August 2022.