Things to do in South Yorkshire, England: The Best Specialty Museums

PLEASE NOTE: The Vulcan XH558 Engine Ground-Run Experience and The Vulcan XH558 Airside Tour are pre-booked visits only. Contact for current availability.

The National Emergency Services Museum is located in one of Yorkshire's first purpose built combined police, fire and ambulance stations in the centre of Steel City, Sheffield. Opened in 1983 with just two fire engines and a few small exhibits and only two of the building's 46 rooms open for the public to view. Since then, the museum has grown and grown year by year. There are now thousands of exhibits and 26 exhibition areas, around 45 vehicles on display and many more exhibits and vehicles currently in storage ready to be displayed we are still developing. The Museum is a Registered Charity and does not receive any major funding. Everything that you see here at the museum has been achieved by donations and your entry fees.We are always working to update the museum and make the museum more hands-on and interactive for visitors.

We are an aviation museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the aviation history of South Yorkshire and other areas. The museum is run by volunteers and is a Registered Charity. The Museum is suitable and interesting for all ages groups and caters for school and others group visits. The site is accessible by wheelchair users and is pram friendly. We encourage people to become members and for them to be able to get involved with the running of a busy museum in all its aspects.

Bishops' House is the best surviving example of a timber framed house in Sheffield. As well as being a treasured part of Sheffield's architectural heritage, the building is also a museum containing exhibitions on life in the 16th and 17th centuries with two rooms decorated in Jacobean Style. Bishops' House has been managed on behalf of Sheffield City Council since 2011 by The Friends of Bishops' House, a charity run entirely by volunteers, with exhibits still being curated by Museums Sheffield.

Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre is dedicated to the history and people of Barnsley. Visitors will uncover the incredible story of Barnsley told through centuries-old artefacts, documents, films and recordings that have been donated by people living and working in the borough. Unique, hands-on and interactive exhibits encourage visitors to explore the people and places of Barnsley, ultimately leading them to discover a town with amazing stories and a rich and diverse heritage. Free entry - seven days a week. Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm

Weston Park is an award-winning, family-friendly museum where the visitors come first. Discover the real story of Sheffield, from its geological roots to the people, politics and music that shaped the modern city. Alongside old favourites such as Snowy the Polar Bear and Spike the Woolly Rhino, Weston Park plays host to a series of temporary exhibitions.

Elsecar Heritage Railway is South Yorkshire's only Heritage Railway. Currently operating on a one mile section of track, passengers are pulled by a selection of steam and diesel engines, with a variety of coaching stock. Run entirely by a team of volunteers, the main operating day is a Sunday. Day ticket prices are £5 adult, £4 concessions and £2.50 children (3-16) (Different prices may occur for special events)

The UK’s National Cultural Centre For Videogames. We think videogames are for everyone. At our Museum in Sheffield, you can explore how games are made, who makes them, and even why they are made. You can play them and make them. You can attend workshops to learn how they are made. You can discover careers within the UK’s fastest growing creative industry. You’re going to have an amazing time!