The Coolest Museums to Visit in Yorkshire
History buffs, this one's for you
Dales Countryside Museum
Head to the Dales Countryside Museum with the family, the perfect entry point to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, housed in Hawes’ former Victorian railway station. Dedicated to sharing the stories of the people and places of the Yorkshire Dales as well as putting on exhibits (like their current Labour of Love exhibition which looks at the ‘common land’ that’s central to rural life), the museum also hosts regular events that are perfect for getting stuck into. Expect themed guided walks, drop-in family craft sessions and regular Hands On History days where kids can learn more about what makes Yorkshire so fascinating.
Station Yard, Burtersett Road, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3NT
01969 666210
dalescountrysidemuseum.org.uk
Brontë Parsonage Museum
Discover the home of Yorkshire’s most famous literary family, the Brontës. Step inside the rooms where Charlotte, Emily and Anne wrote classics such as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfelll Hall as you learn more about the fascinating (and often tragic) lives of the siblings. For 2024, the museum is focusing on the Brontës during childhood with plenty of events and family days to keep everyone happy. From 26th–28th July expect a weekend of festivities to mark Emily’s birthday, and every week of the school holidays you can enjoy Wild Wednesday, dedicated to family activities including everything from dressing-up and live storytelling to museum trails and crafts.
Church Street, Haworth BD22 8DR
01535 642323
bronte.org.uk
Royal Armouries
The national museum of arms and armour, Royal Armouries is home to fascinating artefacts from ancient times to the present day (from Japanese samurai to iconic movie props). In the War Gallery explore how technology has changed how we fight and make peace with each other, discover the history of jousting in the Tournament Gallery and marvel at an elephant in full body armour in the Asian and African Gallery. Plus, visitors can see a walking stick that’s also a gun and a vampire slaying kit. Have a go at shooting a real crossbow or immerse yourself in an Escape Room.
Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
royalarmouries.org/leeds
The Thackray Medical Museum
Not one for for the squeamish, this fascinating museum takes you on a journey through healthcare, from the ultra-modern to the less-than-sanitary past.There are 11 permanent galleries in the beautiful Grade II-listed building which was once the Leeds Union Workhouse. Travel back to Victorian Leeds to witness the sounds and smells of the grimy, disease-ridden city and discover the gruesome reality of 19th century operating theatres, and visit the apothecary shop to learn the tricks of pharmacy (as it was 400 years ago). There’s also a 70s-style sexual health clinic, and plenty of informative and inspiring exhibits highlighting historic advances and cutting-edge innovations that have made healthcare what it is today.
Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7LN
0113 2444343
thackraymuseum.co.uk
Kelham Island Museum
Starting in the Victorian era, Kelham Island Museum takes visitors on a journey through Sheffield’s history as you discover how its industrial heritage forged the city we know today. Indeed, even the island that this iconic museum stands on was created when a stream was diverted in the 1100s to power a nearby mill. Find out what life was like in the industrial revolution, discover the story behind the Women of Steel and their role in the war effort and, of course, hear the roar of the most powerful working steam engine in Europe.
Alma Street, Sheffeld S3 8RY
sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
Cliffe Castle Museum
Completed in the 1880s, this was originally the home of textile manufacturer Henry Isaac Butterfield. In recent years, the grand home has undergone major renovations and visitors can now explore breathtaking Victorian rooms, special galleries dedicated to natural history and archaeology, and a stunning stained glass display from Morris and Co. There are plenty of unusual and unique things to explore and try here including their ‘musical stones’ (a historical instrument for visitors to play) and a prehistoric tooth from a might megalodon.
Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley BD20 6LH
01535 618231
bradfordmuseums.org
National Coal Mining Museum
There’s no better place to learn about the harsh realities of mining than 140 metres under the ground, and that’s exactly what the National Coal Mining Museum offers. Book onto one of their tours, pop on a hard hat and stay close to your tour guide, himself a former miner, as you descend into the dark history of Yorkshire’s coal industry. Count your blessings as you learn about a time when children worked underground, and track the industry’s evolution as pit ponies are finally replaced by machines and safety becomes a pressing issue. As well as their pit tours, keep an eye out for their ever changing exhibitions and special events for all ages.
Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RH
01924 848806
ncm.org.uk
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is home to an impressive collection of more than 260 locomotives and rolling stock in addition to millions of photographs, documents, medals, uniforms and all manner of other train-related ephemera. Visit the great hall to marvel at the Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive or admire the sleek design of the Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic 1960s bullet train. Then, of course, there’s the pleasure of switching off and let yourself spend a quiet moment watching trains tootle by on the ultimate model railway.
Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
033 0058 0058
railwaymuseum.org.uk
Yorkshire Air Museum
From a tiny 1930s Flying Flea to Cold-War-era Tornadoes, the collection of aircraft at Yorkshire Air Museum is enough to thrill any aviation enthusiast. One of the largest independent museums of aviation in the UK, it sits on the former site of RAF Elvington, a World War II bomber base, and boasts an impressive collection of historic aircraft, military, armoured and emergency-service vehicles too. Grab lunch in Café 77 and take home a souvenir from the shop.
Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
01904 608595
yorkshireairmuseum.org
Eden Camp
Built on the site of a real prisoner of war camp, the award-winning Eden Camp isn’t your average World War II museum. Each hut shines a light on different areas of wartime Britain on the home front and the front line, beginning with the rise of the Nazi Party then progressing through stories of rationing, propaganda, women at war, The Red Cross and, a newer addition, the Blitz experience in Hut 5. With live music, the chance to try authentic ration recipes and learn about some of Eden Camps’ fascinating military vehicles, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Malton YO17 6RT
01653 919464
edencamp.co.uk
Leeds City Museum
Discover the history of Leeds across the four floors and six unique galleries of Leeds City Museum. The collection is best described as eclectic, covering areas from natural science to archaelogy, Leeds’ heritage, ancient history and Leeds’ connections with Asia and Asian communities within Leeds. The Life on Earth gallery, home to a remarkable 800,000 animals, vegetables and minerals is definitely worth making time for, but perhaps the museum’s most iconic piece of taxidermy is its tiger: curators once wanted to throw out this oddly-shaped, beguilingly cross-eyed piece of 19th century taxidermy, but the people of Leeds campaigned for it to stay. If weird and wonderful is what you’re after, this is the place for you.
Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH
0113 378 5001
museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
