After visiting the JORVIK Viking Centre in the morning and enjoying a lovely brunch at The Old York Tea Room, it was time to head over to York Castle Museum, our last attraction in York. Honestly, my hubby and I are not really the gallery and museum kind of people. We have super short attention spans and usually can’t last long inside before museum fatigue kicks in and our brains just shut down, haha. But while researching things to do in York, I came across reviews about York Castle Museum and noticed it had something a bit different — a replica village from the Victorian era. That caught my interest, so we went in with an open mind. So glad we did, because it turned out to be a pretty interesting museum to explore.
The grand exterior of York Castle Museum, housed in the former York County Gaol. The architecture alone is impressive — you can already feel the history before even stepping inside.
Couldn’t resist a photo with this giant grass bear standing guard near the museum exit. Such a cute, quirky touch!
York Castle Museum Ticket Prices
Tickets are valid for admission for 12 months, and prices are as follows:
- Adult: £18 (admits one adult for 12 months)
- Child: £10.80 (admits one child aged 5–16 years for 12 months; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
- Under 5s: Free
There are also discounted rates for young persons/students, seniors and families, so do check out their website for the full pricing details.
You can book your tickets online or just walk in. That said, prebooking is strongly recommended to guarantee entry at your preferred timeslot.
Step into a Victorian parlour, complete with ornate wallpaper, a piano, and the kind of detail that makes you feel like you’ve walked onto a film set.
This humble cottage scene felt so warm and lived-in. Loved the spinning wheel and the little sleeping dog by the fireplace — such a lovely touch.
What to Expect at York Castle Museum
According to the York Castle Museum, they have a number of permanent exhibits, and from time to time they bring in new exhibitions too. So there’s always something new to check out, even for return visitors.
How adorable is this “Five o’clock Tea” porcelain figurine? The Victorians clearly knew their cat content.
Another gem — “Hark Tom, somebody’s coming.” These little ceramic pieces were unexpectedly charming.
When we were there, here’s what we got to see:
One of the actual prison cells from the old York County Gaol. Standing in front of it, you can’t help but imagine the stories of those who were once locked up here. A bit chilling.
York Castle Prison
The buildings that house York Castle Museum used to be the York County Gaol — the main prison for the whole of Yorkshire. You’ll get to learn about its infamous inmates here.
A cosy mid-century living room frozen in time. Spot the boxy TV and the toys scattered on the floor — felt like walking into grandma’s house.
The Sixties
An immersive social history display showcasing British life during the 1960s. It features iconic items from that era — fashion, music, pop culture and more.
And THIS is the showstopper — Kirkgate Victorian Street. Walking through felt like stepping straight into a Dickens novel. Honestly the highlight of our entire visit.
Kirkgate: Victorian Street
This part features original items from the Victorian era or earlier, so mostly artefacts. It’s a recreated old street from the Victorian era with lots of spaces to explore — the pharmacy, sweet shop, toy shop, draper’s shop and more. These shops are based on real businesses that operated in York between 1870 and 1901.
Peeking into M. Cooper’s shop window — saddles, harnesses and horse clothing all on display. Such a cool glimpse into the trades that once ran this street.
“The Little Dust Pan” household shop with a vintage carriage parked right outside. Loved how the lamps and earthenware were beautifully laid out in the window.
A grand old carriage on display, surrounded by vintage lanterns mounted on the wall. The vaulted ceiling really adds to the atmosphere.
The half-timbered Tudor-style buildings on Kirkgate Street look straight out of a storybook. The nighttime lighting really sets the mood.
Inside the draper’s shop — stacks of fabrics, lace trims and a row of pretty bonnets. Imagine doing your fabric shopping here back in the 1800s!
An old outdoor privy (yes, that’s a Victorian toilet)! Definitely makes you appreciate modern plumbing, haha.
A quiet little backstreet with laundry hanging out to dry. So atmospheric — like stepping into an old film scene.
The Victorian pharmacy was one of my favourite spots — rows and rows of glass bottles, labelled drawers and apothecary jars. Apothecary aesthetic on point.
A vintage Lever’s Toilet Soaps display, complete with old Sunlight Soap and Royal Primrose Soap boxes. Old-school packaging hits different.
Period Rooms
Showcases authentic, detailed spaces that highlight mid-19th-century life.
“How to Get Warm” — a Victorian reading lesson that’s both charming and unintentionally hilarious. Imagine learning English from this!
A recreated Victorian classroom with wooden benches and old-school decor. Visiting kids get to sit in and experience what school was like back then.
WW1
A look into life on the front lines and the home front. It features a recreated trench, personal artefacts, and interactive displays detailing the war’s social impact.
A trip down memory lane in the Toy Stories exhibition — vintage bikes, a classic red pedal car, and toys from generations past.
This vintage Gilligan’s carousel is pure nostalgia. Imagine the kids who once rode this back in the day!
Toy Stories
Featuring a vast collection of toys, games and dolls spanning the past 150 years.
A gorgeous blue Victorian gown from the Shaping The Body exhibition. The craftsmanship is unreal.
Another stunning piece — this red and cream gown shows just how dramatic fashion silhouettes used to be.
Shaping The Body
A multi-sensory exhibition exploring how fashion, diet, and lifestyle have altered human body shapes over the last 400 years.
And finally, the beautifully restored Raindale Mill — a working Victorian watermill tucked away on the museum grounds. A peaceful spot to wrap up the visit.
Raindale Mill
A beautifully restored Victorian watermill.
Spotted this gem on the wall: “Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don’t do it.” Felt that one in my soul, haha.
Final Thoughts on York Castle Museum
All in all, it was quite an interesting museum. We spent 2 hours in here, which is honestly quite long for us. The most interesting part was the Victorian Street, which really brought us back to the old days. I had seen similar scenes in movies before, and yet, being in it and seeing it in person felt utterly surreal.
Definitely recommend York Castle Museum to anyone visiting York!
Before You Go — Useful Info
If you’re planning a visit, here are some handy details to keep in mind:
📍 Address: Eye of York, York YO1 9RY
🕙 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Mondays from 11am to 5pm (last admission at 4pm)
🎟️ Tickets: Best to prebook online via the official website
⏱️ Time Needed: Allow at least 2 to 3 hours
🚶 Getting There: Around a 20-minute walk from York Railway Station