The 10 Best History Museums in York, England

Our heritage centre opened to the public in 2013, and our volunteers help to research and archive the local heritage for the parish of Eythorne, Waldershare, the former mining community of Elvington, and Tilmanstone Colliery, which was a closed that was part of the Kent Coalfield and closed in 1986.

FREE ENTRY Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.

* Fully open from Sept 1 Discover the history of England's oldest living convent- York's best kept secret since 1686. Discover York's fascinating religious history and how the convent survived times of turmoil, persecution and two world wars in our fascinating exhibiton and stunning 18th century Hidden Chapel. Hear the incredible stories of the Yorkshire martyr Margaret Clitherow, the radical pioneer of women's religious orders and education, Mary Ward, and about the followers of Mary Ward, the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus, who still live in the convent today. Our wonderful cafe serves award-winning breakfasts, light lunches and some of the best cakes and scones in York- on warmer days, don't miss the opportunity to dine in our tranquil private gardens. Did you know you can stay here? For an unforgettable and unique experience, enjoy a break in our guest house, ideally located close to York railway station and at the foot of Micklegate Bar Walls.

Erected in the 14th century, this is the loftiest and strongest of the four gateways into the city of York.

Owned by the same archaeologists who discovered the Viking-Age City and created JORVIK Viking Centre. DIG offers you a unique archaeological adventure to get you on your way to becoming a real archaeologist. This is a one of a kind! So... DIG IT! SHAKE IT! SEE IT! FEEL IT! FIND IT! At DIG, you get to discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Our four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, so you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times.

York Army Museum is home to some of the most important regimental collections in the UK. Visit us to discover the history of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Yorkshire Regiment, enjoy museum trails, dressing up and crafts during the half-term and summer holidays. Exhibitions: January - April 2019 The Case of the Steel-Plated Soldier, visit this Royal Armouries exhibition which tells the story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's campaign to improve body armour for WW1 soldiers. May -September 2019 DDay 75

Discover thousands of years of York's history in one place, from prehistory to the city's medieval splendour. Walk on a genuine Roman mosaic floor, kneel at St William's shrine, see the monsters of the deep that swam when Yorkshire was beneath the see and much more in our fantastic galleries in the hear of the city.

Barley Hall is a stunning medieval house, once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York. The building has been lovingly restored to its original splendour with its high ceilings, beautiful exposed timber frames, and possibly the only horn window in England. Explore the fine line between science, religion and magic in medieval society at Barley Hall's Magic & Mystery exhibition.

Discover Henry VII Henry VII was the first Tudor King of England who ruled for twenty-four years after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. His early reign was made unstable by Yorkist rebellion and pretenders to the throne but he established one of the most celebrated royal dynasties of the middle-ages and passed his crown to his son Henry VIII. Find out about his early life as an exile Lancastrian heir to the throne, see the impact on the city of York as it continued to prosper throughout his reign and enjoy interactive experiences exploring life and death in Tudor times. Children can get involved in our special Tudor camp featuring the gruesome bits Henry's history provided by 'Horrible Histories' author, Terry Deary. Find out more about Henry's life and reign by following his timeline. Explore one of the major gateways to the city - Micklegate Bar Micklegate Bar has served as the main gateway to the city and the route through which serving monarchs have entered York for almost 1,000 years. It has also been the place at which the heads of traitors have been displayed and where condemned prisoners spent their final days on the way to the gallows. Experience the 15th and 16th century city of York Henry VII first came to York in 1486, where the civic authorities welcomed him with magnificent pageantry.York's importance as a trading centre had grown in the medieval period, and although York's status as England's second city was being challenged at the time of Henry's first visit, its many craftsmen guilds continued to prosper throughout his reign.