List of museums in North Yorkshire facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A museum is a special place where interesting objects are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about history, art, science, or culture. Think of them as treasure chests filled with stories from the past or amazing creations from artists! In North Yorkshire, England, there are many different kinds of museums waiting for you to explore.

Museums in North Yorkshire
Defunct museums
See also

Museums in North Yorkshire

Here's a list of some cool museums you can visit in North Yorkshire:

Archaeology and Ancient History

Aldborough Roman Site (Aldborough): This site is run by English Heritage. You can see an excavated Roman fort and artifacts found there. It's like stepping back in time to see how Romans lived!
DIG: an archaeological adventure (York): This discovery center is all about archaeology. You can learn how scientists dig up and study things from the past.
Jorvik Viking Centre (York): Get ready for a trip to the Viking age! This museum has preserved parts of the Viking city of Jórvík. You can ride through a reconstructed 10th-century village and meet living history actors.
Malton Museum (Malton): Discover local Roman-era artifacts here. There's also a reconstructed village home and items from Wharram Percy, a deserted medieval village.

Art Galleries

Mercer Art Gallery (Harrogate): This gallery in Harrogate has a large collection of fine art, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (Middlesbrough): If you love modern art, this is the place to be! It's a gallery dedicated to contemporary art.
Quilt Museum and Gallery (York): Learn about the history of British quilt making and other textile arts. You'll see amazing fabric creations.
Scarborough Art Gallery (Scarborough): This gallery in Scarborough showcases various artworks.
York Art Gallery (York): This gallery has a wide collection of paintings, from the 14th century right up to modern times. It also has 20th-century ceramics.
York St. Mary's (York): This is a cool space for contemporary visual art, located inside an old medieval church.

Historic Houses and Castles

Bar Convent

The historic Bar Convent in York.

(York): This 17th-century Roman Catholic convent was once a secret place. Now, it's a museum showing its fascinating history.
Barley Hall

The reconstructed medieval Barley Hall.

(York): Explore a medieval house that has been dug up and rebuilt. It shows how people lived long ago.
Beningbrough Hall

Beningbrough Hall, a grand Georgian mansion.

(Beningbrough): Run by the National Trust, this is a beautiful late Georgian mansion with a baroque interior and a walled garden. It also displays over 100 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery.
Bolton Castle

Bolton Castle, a medieval fortress.

(Castle Bolton): This medieval fortress is famous because Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned here in 1569.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum

The house where James Cook once lived.

(Whitby): This 17th-century house was where young James Cook lived as an apprentice. It has period rooms and exhibits about his voyages.
Castle Howard

Castle Howard, a grand stately home.

(Castle Howard): This early 18th-century stately home has huge gardens. It's filled with amazing paintings, old artifacts, bronzes, furniture, and tapestries.
Fairfax House

Fairfax House, a Georgian townhouse.

(York): Step into this Georgian townhouse with its beautifully restored 18th-century interior.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

The ruins of Fountains Abbey.

(Aldfield): Managed by the National Trust, this site includes the ruins of a 12th-century monastery, a cornmill, and a beautiful water garden.
Goddards House and Garden

Goddards House, former home of the Terry's family.

(York): This was once the home of the Terry's family, famous for their chocolate! It has exhibits about their family and business.
Hovingham Hall

Hovingham Hall, an 18th-century country house.

(Hovingham): An 18th-century country house built in the Palladian style. It was the childhood home of Katharine, Duchess of Kent.
Kiplin Hall

Kiplin Hall, a 17th-century Jacobean house.

(Scorton): This 17th-century Jacobean house has an exhibit about George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore and his family.
Knaresborough Castle

The ruins of Knaresborough Castle.

(Knaresborough): Explore the ruins of this medieval fortress. It also has a Courthouse Museum and exhibits about medieval life.
Mansion House

The Mansion House in York.

(York): This early Georgian townhouse is the official home of the Lord Mayor of York.
Markenfield Hall

Markenfield Hall, a medieval country house.

(Ripon): A 14th-century medieval country house that offers a glimpse into the past.
Moulton Hall

Moulton Hall, a 17th-century manor house.

(Moulton): This 17th-century manor house is operated by the National Trust and can be visited by arranging in advance.
Newby Hall

Newby Hall, with interiors by Robert Adam.

(Ripon): A late 17th-century house with beautiful interiors designed by Robert Adam and lovely gardens.
Nunnington Hall

Nunnington Hall, a country house.

(Nunnington): Another National Trust property, this country house has 17th and 18th-century period rooms, plus art and photography exhibits.
Ormesby Hall

Ormesby Hall, an 18th-century mansion.

(Ormesby): This 18th-century mansion house, run by the National Trust, has a Victorian kitchen and laundry. You might even see living history actors on weekends!
Scampston Hall

Scampston Hall, a country house with a famous garden.

(Scampston): A country house built in 1690, with collections of paintings, porcelain, and furniture. It's also known for its modern walled garden.
Shandy Hall (Coxwold): This was the home of Rev. Laurence Sterne, who wrote the famous novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.
Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle, a medieval fortress.

(Skipton): A medieval fortress castle with six drum towers. It's a great place to imagine knights and royalty.
Sutton Park

Sutton Park, an 18th-century Georgian house.

(Sutton-on-the-Forest): An 18th-century Georgian country house.
Treasurer's House

The Treasurer's House in York.

(York): Run by the National Trust, this house shows different periods from Roman to Edwardian times. It has antique furniture, ceramics, textiles, and paintings.
Whitby Abbey

The ruins of Whitby Abbey.

(Whitby): Operated by English Heritage, you can explore the remains of this Benedictine abbey and see artifacts. There's also a visitor center.

Local and Social History Museums

Beck Isle Museum

Beck Isle Museum in Pickering.

(Pickering): This museum has displays of old shops, a Victorian-era pub and parlor, and a historic costume gallery.
Bedale Museum

Bedale Hall, where Bedale Museum is located.

(Bedale): Located in Bedale Hall, this museum tells the story of local history, with household and agriculture tools.
Craven Museum & Gallery (Skipton): This museum covers local social history, archaeology, geology, and art.
Dales Countryside Museum (Hawes): Learn about the history of the Yorkshire Dales, including school days, home life, leisure, religion, transport, and local crafts.
Filey Museum (Filey): Discover Filey's local history, culture, fishing, and farming. It has displays of old crafts and rooms.
Grassington Folk Museum (Skipton): This museum focuses on local history, lead mining, minerals, tools, farming, and period costumes.
Guisborough Museum

The exterior of Guisborough Museum.

(Guisborough): Learn about the local social, agricultural, and business history of the area.
Kirkleatham Museum

Kirkleatham Museum.

(Kirkleatham): This museum covers local history, art (including works by the Staithes group), toys, mining, and culture.
Nidderdale Museum (Pateley Bridge): Explore rural life, period rooms, old trades, costumes, farming tools, and local industries.
Richmondshire Museum (Richmond): This museum covers local history, transportation, lead mining, and has reconstructed shops like a chemist's and a post office. It even has a set from the All Creatures Great and Small TV series!
Robin Hood's Bay and Fylingdales Museum (Robin Hood's Bay): Learn about the local history of this famous bay, including smuggling, fishing, and shipping.
Royal Pump Room Museum (Harrogate): Discover Harrogate's local history, culture, and its heritage as a spa town. It even has artifacts from Ancient Egypt!
Ryedale Folk Museum

The front of Ryedale Folk Museum.

(Hutton-le-Hole): This is an open-air museum with historic buildings from different eras, showing various trades and lifestyles.
Swaledale Museum (Reeth): Learn about local history, geology, lead mining, trades, farming, and culture in Swaledale.
Thirsk Museum (Thirsk): This museum covers local history and culture. It has a 19th-century cottage kitchen, a Victorian bedroom, and old shop displays. It also has cricketing memorabilia.
Winkies Castle Folk Museum

Winkies Castle Folk Museum.

(Marske-by-the-Sea): This museum focuses on local history and culture.
York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum.

(York): Step into a recreated Victorian street with shops, period rooms, and displays about everyday life. It also covers the wartime experience in World War II and the history of York Castle Prison.
Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum.

(York): This museum has collections on natural history, geology, archaeology, and astronomy.

Military Museums

Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum

A V1 Bomb display at Eden Camp.

(Malton): This museum is located in a former prisoner of war camp from World War II. It has themed displays about the war in its barracks.
Green Howards Regimental Museum

The Green Howards Museum.

(Richmond): Learn about the history and see memorabilia of the Green Howards regiment.
Kohima Museum (Fulford): Located inside Imphal Barracks, this museum is dedicated to the 1944 Battle of Kohima in India and the British and Indian soldiers who fought there.
Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire Museum (York): This museum tells the history of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire. It's in the same building as the Royal Dragoon Guards Museum.
Queen's Own Yorkshire Yeomanry Museum (York): This museum shows the history and artifacts of the Queen's Own Yorkshire Yeomanry. You can visit by appointment.
Royal Dragoon Guards Museum (York): Learn about the history and see artifacts of this regiment.
York Cold War Bunker

The York Cold War Bunker.

(Holgate): This secret Cold War bunker was built to monitor nuclear explosions and fallout if a nuclear war happened.

Science and Technology Museums

Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum (Skinningrove): Also known as the Tom Leonard Mining Museum, this place teaches you about ironstone mining. You can even take mine tours and learn about the miners' lives.
Gayle Mill

Gayle Mill, a restored cotton mill.

(Gayle): A restored 18th-century cotton mill that now works as a sawmill.
Holgate Windmill

Holgate Windmill with a new cap.

(Holgate): A late 18th-century tower windmill that is being restored.
Museum of Victorian Science (Glaisdale): See early scientific equipment and electrical instruments from the Victorian era. You can visit by appointment.
Tockett's Mill (Guisborough): This is a restored water-driven corn mill, which also has a restaurant.

Transportation Museums

National Railway Museum

A locomotive at the National Railway Museum.

(York): This huge museum tells the history of rail transport in Britain. You can see locomotives, rolling stock, and lots of railway equipment.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Pickering): This is a heritage railroad where you can ride old trains. There are also exhibits in the Pickering railway station.
North Yorkshire Motor Museum (Thornton-le-Dale): See commercial vehicles, cars, motorbikes, and other memorabilia here.
Scarborough Fair Collection

A fairground ride at the Scarborough Fair Collection.

(Lebberston): This fun collection includes mechanical organs, steam engines, fairground rides, vintage cars, and model railways.
Yorkshire Air Museum

An aircraft at the Yorkshire Air Museum.

(Elvington): Explore historic aircraft, learn about the history of RAF Elvington, and see military vehicles.

Other Interesting Museums

Captain Cook & Staithes Heritage Centre (Staithes): This museum has items related to Captain James Cook, as well as local history about fishing and mining.
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

Captain Cook's Birthplace Museum.

(Marton): Learn all about the famous explorer Captain James Cook and see memorabilia from his life.
Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum (Great Ayton): See a reconstructed early 18th-century schoolroom. There are exhibits about James Cook's early life and education, and his amazing achievements.
City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar (York): Located in the Micklegate Bar, this museum tells the history of York's city walls.
Courthouse Museum (Ripon): Step into a 19th-century period courthouse. It's part of the "Yorkshire Law and Order Museums."
Dorman Museum

Dorman Museum in Linthorpe.

(Linthorpe): This museum has exhibits on industrial designer Christopher Dresser, local pottery, natural history, and ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts.
Merchant Adventurers' Hall

The Merchant Adventurers' Hall in York.

(York): A medieval guild hall, almshouse, and chapel with art, furniture, and furnishings from different periods.
Newham Grange Leisure Farm

A display at Newham Grange Leisure Farm.

(Coulby Newham): This farm park has rare breeds of animals and reconstructions of old veterinary surgeries and shops. It shows the history of farming since the 17th century.
Prison & Police Museum (Ripon): This museum is in a 19th-century prison and police station. You can see prison cells, a pillory, stocks, and learn about the history of policing. It's part of the "Yorkshire Law and Order Museums."
Richard III Experience at Monk Bar

Monk Bar, where the Richard III Experience is located.

(York): Located in the Monk Bar, this historic prison has exhibits about Richard III of England, the last king of the Plantagenet family.
Rotunda Museum

The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough.

(Scarborough): This museum focuses on natural history, with Jurassic fossils, minerals, and geology exhibits.
Whitby Lifeboat Museum (Whitby): Learn about lifesaving history and see artifacts, including a lifeboat, models, paintings, and items from famous rescues.
Whitby Museum

Whitby Museum.

(Whitby): This museum covers local and social history, costumes, Whitby jet, Captain James Cook, the whaling industry, and natural history.
Workhouse Museum (Ripon): Explore a 19th-century workhouse, which was a place where poor people lived and worked. It's part of the "Yorkshire Law and Order Museums."
World of James Herriot

The World of James Herriot Museum.

(Thirsk): This museum celebrates the life and work of veterinarian and author James Herriot. It's a 1940s period house with exhibits about veterinary science.
York Minster

Stained glass windows at York Minster.

(York): This famous cathedral has a tower, a stained glass window conservation center, and exhibits about its art and history.
Yorkshire Museum of Farming

A barn display at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming.

(Murton): Learn about agriculture equipment, rural life, and how farming has changed. It also has a small section of a light railway and live animals.
Zetland Lifeboat Museum and Redcar Heritage Centre (Redcar): This museum houses the Zetland lifeboat and has exhibits about lifesaving rescues, a replica fisherman's cottage, and maritime heritage.