Housing some of the finest collections of archaeological and geological finds in Europe, the Yorkshire Museum, is the ideal first port of call for any trip to York.

From prehistory to the Romans, Vikings and the city's medieval splendour, see the whole story in our fantastic galleries. Marvel at Medieval treasures, including the stunning Middleham jewel, discover the incredible findings unearthed at Star Carr, Britain's most important Mesolithic site and follow the footsteps of pioneering geologist William Smith with this map that changed the world.

Walk on a genuine Roman mosaic floor and explore galleries packed with outstanding Roman artefacts, including the Wold Newton Hoard; the largest Roman hoard of its kind found in England, the statue of Mars; the best existing example of a Roman Statue in the country, and the marble head of Constantine the Great.

Inspect the finest details of an ichthyosaur and see the oldest true sauropod remains ever found in the UK in the major exhibition: Yorkshire's Jurassic World. From the depths of the deepest seas to the ancient coasts and tropical shallows; meet the dinosaurs and sea dragons that once roamed our vast and ever-changing landscapes - brought to life using the latest research and ground-breaking technology.

NEW FOR 2024

Open now

Star Carr: Life after the ice

Discover what human life was like 11,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the last Ice Age, through an exciting and interactive new exhibition Star Carr: Life after the ice which brings together wonderful artefacts from one the most famous Mesolithic sites in the world.

NEW FOR 2023

Mary Anning Rocks

Open now

Our exciting new exhibition ‘Mary Anning Rocks’ will celebrate the inspiring story of the renowned palaeontologist. Best known for discovering Jurassic marine fossils in Lyme Regis on the south western coast of England, this family friendly display will introduce Mary Anning (1799-1847), and explain how this pioneering woman of science changed the way we view the natural world.

York Museum Gardens

The museum is situated in York Museum Gardens, an idyllic haven with an array of plant species, wildlife, and historical features to explore. Established in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, the gardens are famed for their fantastic collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs set against the stunning backdrop of the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey.