Yorkshire Museum and Gardens







The Yorkshire Museum sits in the heart of York Museum Gardens, in the centre of York. The museum was opened in 1830 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society and was one of the first purpose-built museums in the country.
Housing some of the finest collections of archaeological and geological finds in Europe, the Yorkshire Museum is the ideal first port of call for any trip to York. From prehistory to the city's medieval splendour, see the whole story in our fantastic galleries.
Walk on a genuine Roman mosaic floor, kneel at St William's medieval shrine, see the monsters of the deep that swam when Yorkshire was beneath the sea - and all in the heart of the city.
Finally - immerse yourself in the story of England's other capital, all brought to life with the latest digital technology in a spectacular film show in our auditorium.
Venue Type:
Museum, Garden, parklands or rural site
The entire collections of Yorkshire Museum & Gardens are Designated Collections of national importance.
The collections cover numismatics, archaeological finds from Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Medieval times, biology, geology and studio pottery.
Collection details
Religion, Natural Sciences, Coins and Medals, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection

Medieval York: Capital of the North
- 2 December 2017 — 6 January 2019 *on now
From the fifth century, for a thousand years, the North of England was ruled from York.
In this new exhibition, showcasing the Yorkshire Museum’s permanent collection of the region’s greatest surviving treasures, explore how York became England’s second city and how its fortunes rose and fell with its ties to the Crown and the Church.
As the capital of religion, royal power, commerce, art, conflict and wealth across the Anglian, Viking, Norman, Medieval and Tudor periods, discover how the most powerful people in the world once ruled from within York’s City Walls.
Through the finest medieval discoveries ever unearthed, including the Middleham Jewel, the Escrick ring and a Richard III supporters Boar Badge, the latest metal detected finds and brand new research, this exhibition will tell the only complete medieval history of York in the city.
Admission
Included in the cost of museum admission.
Website
https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/medieval-york-capital-of-the-north/

Yorkshire’s Jurassic World
- 24 March 2018 — 31 January 2020 *on now
Take an epic journey back through 150 million years of Yorkshire to discover lost giants and the changing worlds they inhabited in this brand new major exhibition.
From the depths of the deepest seas to the ancient coasts and tropical shallows; meet the dinosaurs and sea dragons that once roamed our vast and ever-changing landscapes.
Experience each Jurassic world as the colossal creatures and their surroundings are brought to life using the latest research and ground-breaking technology.
Inspect the finest details of an ichthyosaur as its flesh and skin are superimposed over its preserved skeleton; serve a sauropod dinosaur its supper as our VR headset reincarnates the oldest sauropod remains ever found in the UK; tremble at a terrifying Megalosaur tooth as you stand amid the carnivore’s hunting habitat, and much more.
Rediscover our prehistoric predecessors through the oldest and most fascinating remains in the region as you step into Yorkshire’s Jurassic World.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Included in the cost of museum admission.
Website
https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/yorkshires-jurassic-world/
Alien Species in Britain, Friend or Foe?
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=499
This learning journey looks at the different plants and animals not native to Britain, and aims to teach children about the habitats that they live in.
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Ideas and Evidence in Science: The Kirkdale Cave
http://www.mylearning.org/overview.asp?journeyid=49
How scientists work today and how they worked in the past, including the roles of experimentation, evidence and creative thought in the development of scientific ideas. Includes video of curators talking about Hyena poo!
Publisher
- This resource was produced as part of the MLA-funded My Learning project.
Yorkshire Museum and Gardens
York Museum Gardens
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 7FR
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
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