York Castle Museum
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
Take a journey through six hundred years of everyday life in Britain, from parlours to prisons, marriages to the mill house. Walk down cobbled streets, peer through windows of shops long gone and experience life in Victorian Britain.
Discover a city at war, see toys that children used to treasure and then venture into the prison cells where notorious highwayman Dick Turpin spent his last night. Young or old you'll never forget this journey to the past.
The collections at this museum are Designated Collections of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum, Castle or defences
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
The entire collection of York Castle Museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
It houses some of the country's finest collections of costume, textiles, military and social history. Kirkgate, the famous reconstructed Victorian Street that provides the core of the Castle Museum, is a milestone in the history of museums.
Collection details
Weapons and War, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Science and Technology, Personalities, Music, Medicine, Land Transport, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archives, Agriculture
Key artists and exhibits
- Exhibition - Spotless
- Discover the history of keeping clean at York Castle Museum's latest exhibition - Spotless. Find out why cleanliness was next to godliness and what people used before deodorant at the exhibition which puts the spotlight on household and personal hygiene.
- Designated Collection
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
The Sixties
Reel back the years and travel back to a time when the cultural changes were massive but the cars and skirts were mini.
Swinging into life in March 2008, the brand new 1960s experience at York Castle Museum will change your perspective on one of the most explosive decades in recent times.
The gallery will bring the spirit of the decade back to life, looking at the iconic images but also offering alternative viewpoints in an exciting and interactive way.
Rare items from a range of collections across the Trust - social history, art, fashion and textiles, militaria, astronomy and decorative art – will all be included together with sound, light, moving images and innovative design.
Suitable for
- All ages
- Family friendly
Admission
Adult £6.50
Child £4
Under 5s Free
Concessions £5.50
York Card Free
2 Adults 1 child £15.50, 2 children £19, 3 children £22.50
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
Introduction to Hooky Rag Rugs
Back by popular demand! Expert York-based rag rug artists Louise and Lewis Creed guide you through starting your own hooky rag rug. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the masters!
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-1pm
Admission
£8 per person for one day - payable on the day to the artists. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Introduction to Hooky Rag Rugs
Back by popular demand! Expert York-based rag rug artists Louise and Lewis Creed guide you through starting your own hooky rag rug. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the masters!
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-1pm
Admission
£8 per person for one day - payable on the day to the artists. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
An Introduction to Crewel Embroidery
Take inspiration from our wonderful collection of Crewel Embroidery. Join qualified tutor Nicola Hulme from The Silver Thimble craft workshop, who will show you how to stitch a Jacobean flower design to take away. Learn a variety of interesting and traditional stitches using Appleton's crewel wool and linen twill. Perfect for beginners and improvers.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-4pm
Admission
£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Victorian Chocolate Making
Learn how Victorian chocolates were made, including the art of sugar boiling, a skill at the centre of Victorian confectionery and medicines. Discover how amazing flavours were made in Victorian times that are still enjoyed today, with Sophie Jewett, of Little Pretty Things.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
1-3pm
Admission
£10 per person. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
An Introduction to English Patchwork
Take inspiration from our patchwork quilt collection. Qualified tutor Kath Allaway from The Silver Thimble craft workshop will show you how to start your own interpretation of English Patchwork, with a variety of designs and your own colour choice. If you wish you can even create a miniature version. Suitable for beginners and improvers.
Suitable for
- 18+
- 16-17
- Not suitable for children
When
10am-4pm
Admission
£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Wild Willow Flowers
Come and make your own multicoloured willow or cane flowers. Add ribbons and hang them where you can enjoy them or pop them in a pot for year-round colour. With artist Heather Dawe.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
10am-12pm
Admission
£10 per person (an additional charge will be made for materials, please check when booking). To book, telephone York Explore (library) on 01904 552806 or email adult.education@york.gov.uk
Making Museums - Curator's Talk
In 1938 Dr Kirk opened York Castle Museum, a new home for his collection. At its heart was Kirkgate, a Victorian street where for the first time museum visitors could step back in time. Kirkgate is seen by the museum world as a crucial landmark in the 'making of museums'. Using sources from Dr Kirk's personal archive we will explore this fascinating story.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-12pm
Admission
£5 per person. To book place, telephone 01904 650333.
A Victorian Lesson
Sit up straight or we will be getting the back straighteners out! You'll be glad to get back to the 21st century after an hour in the schoolroom with our school master or ma'am. Come and sample a 19th century lesson on Kirkgate, our Victorian street, and try your hand at the 3 Rs. You will write on a slate, use the abacus, practice drill and work on your posture, amongst other things!
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-12pm
Where
telephone 01904 650333.
Admission
£3 per person and suitable for all the family. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
A Tour of Kirkgate
Kirkgate, our Victorian Street, is set between 1870 and 1901, and reflects the stories of the businesses and people of York from that time. Take a guided tour and hear about the entrepreneur ironmonger John Parkes, proprietor of The Little Dustpan on Fossgate, the extraordinary life of Edward Allen, the Taxidermist, and the everyday experiences of the inhabitants of 'Rowntree Snicket'.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-12pm
Admission
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
George Hudson - Railway King
Come and meet 'Railway King' George Hudson, played by actor Chris Cade, in our York Castle Prison cells, and listen to his story. Hudson was instrumental in bringing the railways to York and at the height of his fame was a very rich and powerful man - find out how he came to be held as a prisoner in York's Debtors' Prison.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
6-7pm
Admission
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
A Tour of Kirkgate
Kirkgate, our Victorian Street, is set between 1870 and 1901, and reflects the stories of the businesses and people of York from that time. Take a guided tour and hear about the entrepreneur ironmonger John Parkes, proprietor of The Little Dustpan on Fossgate, the extraordinary life of Edward Allen, the Taxidermist, and the everyday experiences of the inhabitants of 'Rowntree Snicket'.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-12pm
Admission
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
A Victorian Lesson
Sit up straight or we will be getting the back straighteners out! You'll be glad to get back to the 21st century after an hour in the schoolroom with our school master or ma'am. Come and sample a 19th century lesson on Kirkgate, our Victorian street, and try your hand at the 3 Rs. You will write on a slate, use the abacus, practice drill and work on your posture, amongst other things!
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
11am-12pm
Where
telephone 01904 650333.
Admission
£3 per person and suitable for all the family. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
The Archaeology of York Castle
Discover the history of York Castle through objects at the Yorkshire Museum with our curators of archaeology. Then take a walk through the city to see the remains of the castle itself. Part of the CBA Festial of Archaeology (14 - 29 July).
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
1-3:30pm
Admission
£5 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
1914 - When our World Changed Forever
We are planning an exhibition called The Year the World Changed Forever. It will focus on life in the period 1912 - 1918. The Great War tore into people's lives from 1914, but the period also saw great innovations, great changes and great ideas. Come and join us for this informal opportunity to share your thoughts: What interests you about this period? What would you like to see included in the displays? What questions would you like to see addressed? There will be a chance to look at objects and archives and chat to curators. Refreshments provided.
Suitable for
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
1:30-4:30pm
Admission
Free, please book by telephoning 01904 650333.
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
The Eye of York
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 9RY
England
Website
Telephone
01904 687687
Fax
01904 671078
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