Yorkshire Museum, York: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

Walk through 150 million years of history in the heart of York. This 2026 Yorkshire Museum visitor guide covers ticket prices, family passes, and the famous dinosaur footprints.

When I first visited the Yorkshire Museum, I was expecting a dusty collection of local pottery. Instead, I found myself staring eye-to-socket with a massive Ichthyosaur. The museum sits smack in the middle of York‘s Museum Gardens, and it feels like a Tardis — much bigger on the inside and packed with properly world-class treasures. It manages to cover everything from Roman emperors to Jurassic sea monsters without feeling cluttered.

Quick overview

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry costs £10.00 for adults, and the ticket is valid for 12 months. It stands within the beautiful Museum Gardens, which are free to explore.

How much does the Yorkshire Museum cost?

Tickets here are excellent value because they automatically convert into an Annual Pass, allowing you to return as many times as you like for a full year. This is great for people who live nearby, not so excellent if you’re coming from overseas. If you plan to visit the Castle Museum and Art Gallery too, the YMT Card is the smarter buy.

Note: The YMT Card is worth it if you visit just two of the trust’s sites. It covers the Yorkshire Museum, York Castle Museum, and York Art Gallery for a year.

Is the Yorkshire Museum free to enter?

Standard entry is paid, but there are exceptions for young children and locals.

• Under 5s: Free entry.
• York Resident Children: Free for under 16s with a valid YO postcode (proof of address required).
• Max Card Holders: Free entry for up to two adults and two children.
• National Art Pass: Free entry for Art Fund members.

What time does the Yorkshire Museum open?

The museum is generally closed on Mondays, except during school holidays when they often open the doors to manage the crowds.

• Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
• Mondays: Closed (Open 10:00 – 17:00 during school holidays)
• Museum Gardens: Open daily 09:00 – 18:00
• Closed: 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Warning: During the winter months (November to March), the gardens may close earlier at dusk, though the museum itself keeps standard hours.

These Yorkshire Museum ticket prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.

Do I need to book Yorkshire Museum tickets in advance?

Pre-booking is not strictly essential, but it is recommended for weekends and school holidays. You can usually walk up and buy a ticket at the desk without much trouble on a weekday. If you have a YMT Card, you can often skip the main queue.

History of the museum

Opened in 1830 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, this was one of the first purpose-built museums in the country. It was designed to house the society’s growing collection of geological and archaeological finds and now present’s a wider view of Yorkshire’s history than other York attractions such as the Jorvik Viking Centre, York Dungeon and Clifford’s Tower. The building is on the grounds of St Mary’s Abbey, the ruins of which you can still see in the gardens today.

Inside: What to see

• The York Helmet: One of the most famous Anglo-Saxon objects ever found. It is breathtakingly intricate and surprisingly intact.
• Yorkshire’s Jurassic World: A high-tech exhibition where you can feed virtual dinosaurs. The real star is the massive Ichthyosaur fossil.
• The Middleham Jewel: A stunning 15th-century gold pendant set with a sapphire. It was found by a metal detectorist in 1985.
• Roman York: See the marble bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the statue of Mars, giving you a glimpse of Eboracum (Roman York).
• Star Carr: This exhibition showcases rare artifacts from the Mesolithic period, including 11,000-year-old headdresses made of red deer skulls.

What’s included with your ticket?

A standard entry ticket gets you:

• Unlimited entry for 12 months from the date of purchase.
• Access to all permanent galleries (Jurassic, Roman, Medieval).
• Entry to temporary exhibitions like Viking: North.
• Access to the Museum Gardens (which are free anyway).

Things to do near the Yorkshire Museum

York Minster (450m, 6 min walk)

The massive Gothic cathedral that dominates the city skyline. You can climb the central tower for incredible views if you have the legs for it.

York Art Gallery (100m, 1 min walk)

Located just across the square. It features a great collection of ceramics and paintings.

JORVIK Viking Centre (650m, 8 min walk)

A ride-through experience that recreates the sights (and smells) of Viking York. It is touristy but essential.

The Shambles (600m, 8 min walk)

The famous narrow street with overhanging timber-framed buildings. It is free to walk down, though the Harry Potter shops are expensive.

York Castle Museum (1.2km, 15 min walk)

Famous for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate. It is a bit of a walk but worth it for the social history.

Price: Adult £17.00 (Free with YMT Card).

Practical tips

• Accessibility: The museum is fully accessible with lifts to all floors. The gardens have paved paths but some slopes.
• Food: There is no cafe inside the museum itself, but plenty of options nearby. The Sketch Cafe at the Art Gallery next door is decent.
• Lockers: Small lockers are available for bags, which is handy if you plan to explore the gardens afterwards.
• Gardens: Don’t skip the Museum Gardens. They are the perfect spot for a picnic, and you can see the Roman Multangular Tower for free.

FAQs

More Yorkshire travel

Other Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• All you need to know about visiting the York Bird of Prey Centre.
• What overseas visitors should do in Leeds.
• Visitor guide to Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds.
• A practical guide to visiting Pontefract Castle.
• The best bits of Byland Abbey.