Top Things to do in North Yorkshire
What to do and see in North Yorkshire, England: The Best Specialty Museums
Discover the best top things to do in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom including Museum of Victorian Science, Beck Isle Museum, Georgian Theatre Royal, Nidderdale Museum, Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum, National Railway Museum, York Castle Museum, Fairfax House, Yorkshire Air Museum, World of James Herriot.
Restaurants in North Yorkshire
1. Museum of Victorian Science
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 278 reviews
A virtual visit to Dr Frankensteins laboratory with Geissler Tubes, Bouquet Tubes, Railway Tubes, Jacob's Ladder, telegraph system, early x-ray tubes and many more crackling spark, electric flame laden demonstrations. Showing the education of the young Victorians, using many of the static accessories and rare artefacts, as used by them. We hope your visit here will prove interesting, stimulating and will give an insight into this largely extinct branch of science.
Reviewed By Lee-Lynne - Sheffield, United Kingdom
What an amazing and unique experience. The museum is run by a lovely couple an consists of 2 hours of demonstrations with explanation and refreshments at the halfway point. The room is small and can fit 4 visitors only. Tony is so enthusiastic and the museum is his lifes work, an entertaining and unique experience!
2. Beck Isle Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 402 reviews
Housed in what was intended to be England's first agricultural college, this fine historic building is Pickering's hidden gem. We have 27 areas of displays, covering aspects of local and social history. Thousands of objects are thoughtfully displayed in re-created period shops throughout the building. On our special event days we have a number of working craftspeople, demonstrating printing, rag-rugging, lacemaking, quilling, spinning and butter making. Get hands on in the Activities Room with a range of Victorian games and creative activities for children from dressing up to drawing. On a sunny day enjoy a picnic at our riverside picnic area. We are open 7 days a week from February to November. See website for times and prices.
Reviewed By Benrose21 - Pickering, United Kingdom
My husband and I went in here when the pickering Christmas lights were due to go on, very informative building, old farming tools, dairy implements snd also at this time there were plenty of stalls in the building selling different bits and peices so well worth a visit.
3. Georgian Theatre Royal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 435 reviews
Built in 1788, The Georgian Theatre Royal is the UK's oldest working theatre in its original form. We are currently still open for tours, although all live performances have been put on hold for the moment. Guided 'back-stage tours are suitable for children and adults alike and run every hour on the hour (10am until 4pm Monday to Saturday). Our enthusiastic guides will entertain you with the fascinating story of the Theatre as well as providing a colourful insight into life in Georgian England. Find out who has graced the historic stage over the centuries and discover how the early actors lived and worked, walking miles between venues with their families in tow. Come and see why we're consistently number 1 of 'things to do in Richmond' on TripAdvisor!
Reviewed By sarahp177
We visited for a tour of the theatre with our 2 little boys aged 5 &6 having always fancied exploring this historic little gem of a theatre. We were the only ones on our tour and the guide Shiela was absolutely fantastic. She made sure she kept our boys interest with interesting facts and was so patient with answering all of their questions and letting them perform on the stage! She really is a credit to you and made the whole experience one to remember for all of us - please pass on our thanks to her. We loved the theatre so much, we have booked to come and see Aladdin in December - the boys can't wait because they know how it all works now!!
4. Nidderdale Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By RichardC826 - Foulridge, United Kingdom
In the area... visited this museum and very impressed; number of rooms with a range of exhibits from the locality giving good exploration of past lives and local history Good show
5. Pateley Bridge Nidderdale Museum
6. National Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,169 reviews
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.
Reviewed By andrewmR3427OB
Excellent museum free entry or you can put a voluntary donation toward the upkeep of the locos and museum lots to do and very informative.There are different talks on various subjects of railwayana.The museum has 3 large halls film of locos and railwayana there are also viewing platforms where you can see staff working on different locos.You can easily spend all day here there is a resteraunt and shops well worth a visit
7. York Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,316 reviews
Famous for its collections of costume, textiles, military and social history, York Castle Museum brings history back to life. Wander through the Victorian streets, venture into the prison cell of notorious highwayman Dick Turpin and discover what life was like on the front line in the First World War. There's something for everyone at York Castle Museum.
Reviewed By RodD185
This is not a straightforward museum all geared around one theme, instead it has a smorgasbord of themes to explore, peppered with historical curios along the way ( such as the face mask for Oliver Cromwell, next to the opening displays of Georgian and Victorian living quarters ). When we went, these including rooms on toys, fashion, victorian living ( the victorian street is very impressive ), the 60s, and the history of an old debtors prison, amidst nods to York's own history. Obviously, what it has in breadth it loses in depth, but if you want to enjoy a little bit of lots of themes, this is a fine place to feel like you've got your money's worth over 90 minutes - 2 hours.
8. Fairfax House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
Unlock the splendour of an eighteenth century townhouse and discover one of the finest examples of rococo decoration in England, including the famous Terry collection of Georgian furniture and clocks. With an exciting programme of special events and changing exhibitions, there is always a reason to visit Fairfax House. We are open 7 days a week between Saturday 5th - Sunday 20th December. Visit our website for more information about our dazzling Christmas exhibition, and a link to pre-book!
Reviewed By RosieT224 - Reading, United Kingdom
A stunning example of a Georgian townhouse filled with a delightful collection of Georgian furniture ( originally belonging to Noel Terry (of the Chocolate family)and passed on in his will to the York Civic Trust) and showcased so beautifully in this renovated house. This is an intimate place with passionate friendly local guides who give you historical information on each floor - you can also just explore alone if you prefer this. The Georgian Edit is a current exhibition of fabulous Georgian clothes which look so at home in the room settings of Fairfax. The only annoying thing is photographing is not allowed however sadly no brochure available on the current clothes exhibition would love to have been able to read more at home about the interesting items on show. A huge collection of shoes from the period were fascinating particularly the men’s shoes with heels and easily if not more ornate then their female counterparts! Catch it if you can has a few children’s trails involving mice but better for older children given you can walk around the rooms without barriers to restrict you.
9. Yorkshire Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,720 reviews
The Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial is located on the outskirts of the City of York within easy reach of the City centre. The Museum welcomes family visitors, with lots of things to keep everyone in the family entertained. We are also pet friendly, so you won't need to leave your four legged part of the family home alone. Authentically based on an original World War II Bomber Command Station, this unique history museum is filled with a great combination of original buildings to explore, including the restored Control Tower and more than forty aircraft exhibits, from early aviation biplanes to our unique Halifax Bomber "Friday The 13th" all the way to modern Cold War military jets such as the Victor, Nimrod and Tornado jet fighters. Our regular Thunder Days are always popular as a great family day out and our NAAFI cafe has a range of snacks, drinks and meals for everyone. Our guides are on hand to help you explore the museum. They are all volunteers and love to read your reviews!
Reviewed By O7889YImarcelp - Bolsover, United Kingdom
Fantastic museum It’s a Hidden gem Ram packed full of aviation abs military history Some amazing planes , helicopters , Engines , Everything from uniforms to rations in the blitz on display Personally I loved to see the nose and cockpit of the of the Vulcan bomber XL388 Lot of history in that plane There’s harrier, electric lightening Tornados Hawker , helicopters , Staff are really friendly And it’s got a sit down inside area to eat , not a sure if there’s cafe or not Went on wet windy Day But didn’t spoil a thing 80 % indoors in hanger buildings 2nd visit for me And will be definitely going again Most staff are volunteers and are doing an amazing job of keeping our aviation history alive There’s huge section on the Falklands war Large , gift / memorabilia / model shop which is all priced about the average price for items Can’t say a bad thing Also Very proactive COVID aware
10. World of James Herriot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,291 reviews
You’ve probably read the books written by James Alfred Wight or watched “All Creatures Great and Small” on TV. Now come and see where James Herriot, the world’s most famous vet, lived, worked and relaxed. See his home and surgery in Thirsk; travel back in time to what life was like when James was a vet in Yorkshire. See the car he drove, step into the TV set, try your hand at being a vet and even experience what it was like to hide in a World War 2 air raid shelter!
Reviewed By bentleycooper - Sevenoaks District, United Kingdom
This has got to be one of my favourite place's I have visited. The house looked as though the family had just popped out and you was visiting. The write ups were interesting and explained what happened in each of the rooms and how they were used over the years. There was also a room where children and adults could take part in interactive tasks. I use a mobility scooter and it was all fully accessible with the exception of the air raid shelter and this is explained on entry, there photos you can see if you wish, you also get free entry for one carer. The staff were very helpful and happy and items in the gift shop reasonable priced. Would highly recommend
