York Castle Museum

Name: York Castle Museum
Address: Eye of York Tower St, York, York, GB
Telephone: +44 1904 687687

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Museums ·York ·Closed

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#2Museums in YorkTravelers' Choice 2026

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About

York Castle Museum explores social history in York, in former prison buildings within York Castle grounds, just south of Clifford’s Tower.

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What's on here

Green Father Christmas Sunday · All day

Scrooge 20 Nov – 18 Dec

Green Father Christmas Sunday · All day

Victorian Classroom: The 3 R’s Until 29 Nov

Why go

Kirkgate recreates a late Victorian street, including back alleys and a slum home.
Moorland Cottage’s period rooms include a Victorian parlour and a 17th-century dining room.
The former Debtors’ Prison cells show prison life; one cell may be linked to Dick Turpin.

Opening hours

Today11:00 – 17:00Show all

Monday11:00 – 17:00

Tuesday10:00 – 17:00

Wednesday10:00 – 17:00

Thursday10:00 – 17:00

Friday10:00 – 17:00

Saturday10:00 – 17:00

Sunday10:00 – 17:00

Don't miss

Princess Mary’s 1914 Christmas GiftA collection highlight.
The Fairfax Buff CoatA buff coat associated with the Fairfax family.
Automaton Clock
Berwick Kaler Outfit
Iron Stays

Know before you go What's inside With kids Tips for your visit

Know before you go

The former Female Prison section closed to visitors in September 2023 after RAAC was found in its roof.

What's inside

Half Moon Court recreates an Edwardian street.
Raindale Mill is a reconstructed early 19th-century flour mill moved from the North York Moors to the museum grounds.
Exhibitions explore fashion, the 1914 war years, the Sixties, York’s confectionery workers and automata.

With kids

Toy Stories explores childhood toys, and the museum offers family visits.

Tips for your visit

Consult the museum’s visitor access information when planning your visit.
The shop sells souvenirs, books, food and gifts connected with the collections and exhibitions.
Call the museum on +44 1904 687687.

Interesting facts1

The collections span social and economic history, textiles and clothing, and military history.
Musée du château d'York - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

1068William the Conqueror built the first castle on this site.
1701–1705The County Gaol was built; its former cells later became the Debtors’ Prison display.
1780–83The Female Prison was built, designed by Thomas Wilkinson and John Prince.
1934The city bought the Female Prison for the museum’s first collection building.
1938John L. Kirk opened the museum in the former Female Prison to house his social history collection.

Show all

1952Debtors’ Prison display spaces were added to the museum.

How to get there

On footFind the museum at Eye of York, Tower Street, York, next to Clifford’s Tower.

Sources: York Castle Museum - Wikipedia · York - Wikivoyage (see) · York Castle Museum · York Castle Museum · Tickets | York Castle Museum · Musée du château d'York - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where

Eye of York Tower St, York

Website: yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/
Phone: +44 1904 687687

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How can I book a visit to York Castle Museum?

Book a visit through the museum’s website.

Does York Castle Museum offer group visits?

Yes, group visits are available.

How can I contact York Castle Museum?

Call +44 1904 687687.

Has York Castle Museum presented exhibitions about Caribbean heritage?

A 2024 exhibition about Caribbean heritage was curated by Museumand, the National Caribbean Heritage Museum.

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