York has a rich tapestry of history and is a great place to have a fantastic day out discovering ages past. There are lots of museums in the city centre to explore and you will be assured of a day out to remember!
Hop aboard JORVIK’s improved ride experience and be transported back in time over 1,000 years! The centre’s gallery experiences have been completely updated, with new display cases allowing you to get up close to the astounding Viking artefacts that inspired the creation of JORVIK. You will have the chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York using the latest in cutting-edge technology located throughout the centre.
Barley Hall is a stunning medieval house, once home to the Priors of Nostell and a Lord Mayor of York. Until the 1980s the building was hidden under the relatively modern facade of a derelict office block. Only when it was going to be destroyed was the amazing medieval structure discovered and its rich history uncovered. It has been decorated to replicate what it would have looked like as the Snawsell home around 1483 and boasts a magnificent Great Hall. Visitors to Barley Hall can make themselves at home and sit on the chairs and handle the objects and experience what it would have been like to live in Medieval England.
After major refurbishment the Mansion House has finally opened its doors again to welcome visitors. Past the grandeur of the prominent green doors and beautiful facade lies an inspiring, interactive environment where you can experience the story of York’s past and present. See how every Lord Mayor from the middle ages to the present day has danced, dined and entertained. he York Mansion House is the earliest purpose-built house for a Lord Mayor still in existence and predates the Mansion House in London by at least twenty years. The home was built as a place for the Lord Mayor to entertain visitors to the city and to house York’s wonderful civic collections.
Experience the tremendous atmosphere of the award-winning Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial, in York, whilst admiring fascinating displays, such as the superb Bomber Command exhibition, restored Control Tower, Air Gunners Room, Archives & Uniform Displays, Airborne Forces Display, Squadron Memorial Rooms and much more. Their attractive Memorial Gardens offer a tranquil place to reflect on those who gave their lives in defence of the nation. See Yorkshire’s pioneering Cayley Glider along with the Wright Flyer, unique Halifax Bomber and Mosquito Nightfighter and modern jets such as the Harrier GR3 and Tornado GR4 taking us into the supersonic age!
The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is one of York’s medieval marvels. Set in beautiful gardens in the heart of the City, it is open to the public as a museum, wedding and hospitality venue and meeting place some 650 years after construction began in 1357. This stunning timber framed building was constructed by a fraternity made up of York citizens to provide a base for charity, worship and business. Today, as well as being a fascinating accredited museum it is also a scheduled ancient monument and Grade 1 listed building. The Hall is home to many remarkable collections. Including silver, furniture and paintings, which provide a glimpse into the rich history of the Hall and the people associated with it. The Hall also remains the everyday base for the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York.
The Stewart Museum at Burnby Hall, is primarily dedicated to the travels of Major Percy Stewart and the eight World Tours he undertook between 1906 and 1926. Often accompanied by his wife Katharine, Percy visited every continent, explored remote regions and collected a remarkable range of cultural and religious exhibits. Several of these have been recognised by UNESCO as of national and international importance. The Stewart Collection is now housed in state-of-the-art display cases in the museum with a number of interactive stations.
The National Railway Museum is home to the largest and finest collection of royal railway vehicles in the world. Feel like royalty as you peek into the elegant carriages, and make sure you visit Queen Victoria’s favourite saloon. Lose yourself in thousands of books and documents in Search Engine, their library and archive centre. A hands-on experience you won’t forget! Immerse yourself in the home of iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance!
