York Castle Museum

Take a trip back in time with a visit to one of the most popular museums of everyday life in England.

It is housed in two converted 18th century prison buildings which are Grade 1 Listed.

Take the opportunity to walk along Victorian Kirkgate, the famous cobbled street which has been recreated in vivid detail.

All the life of Victorian England is here from the shops displaying their wares, to the stagecoach getting ready to leave for London.

The idea for the museum came from John Kirk, an Edwardian country doctor whose inexhaustible enthusiasm led to its creation.

Kirk was the creator of Victorian Kirkgate and visitors to the museum still marvel at the reality of the street.

Kirkgate is not the only street in the museum. A second life-size street called Half Moon Court has been built in the former debtors' prison and represents life in Edwardian York.

From the Court, the path takes you into the prison cells. The first contains fixtures which were brought to York from Northallerton Gaol.

The rest of the cells have been turned into workshops, which demonstrate the many crafts and skills that were practised in Yorkshire.

However, there is one cell that remains empty after it was used as a condemned cell for the infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin, who spent his last night there before execution.

There are extensive costume and military galleries.

Further details:

Open: Daily 9.30am to 5pm. Closed Dec 25th & 26th & Jan 1st. In term time the museum opens at 10am on a Friday due to staff training.

Admission: Adults £6.50, children £3.50, concessions £5, family (2+1) £15, York residents - free with a current York Card.

Facilities: Shop, cafe and educational facilities for schools.

Disabled access: Limited to ground floor galleries. Toilet for the disabled on ground floor.

Contact: Tel: (01904) 687687. Fax: (01904) 671078

Email: castle.museum@york.gov.uk

Website: www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

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