23/10/2009

Torch lit tours of the York Castle and Yorkshire Museums, floodlit river cruises on YorkBoat and visits to Barley Hall by candlelight will bring a new dimension to the Illuminating York festival this October. Coordinated by Visit York, for the first time to celebrate Illuminating York, seven of the city's key attractions will be opening their doors at night to offer a completely different visitor experience.

Friday 30th October will see all participating attractions open their doors after dark, with some offering a selection of dates for late night opening throughout half term week (Friday 23 to Saturday 31st October).

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York said, ‘The late night opening of some of York's key attractions brings a new dimension to this year's Illuminating York festival.  As well as the opportunity to experience cutting edge artworks amongst beautiful historic buildings, visitors will have the chance to encounter some of the city's most exciting visitor experiences by night.'

Offering tours by candle and torchlight, costumed guides will be offering tours of a different kind.  At the Treasurers House visitors might catch the glint of candlelight on gold, the sparkle of glass chandeliers on the grand staircase, and shadows will be cast in gilt mirrors, by visitors or even ghosts... The first evening opening of Treasurer's House as part of Illuminating York promises to be one to remember. This will be a rare opportunity to see the house by night where thirteen historic rooms are full of rich and curious antiques all belonging to one Yorkshire man, Frank Green.   If ghosts appeal, then visitors can join a tour to the famous ghost cellar where the Roman legion walked.

Charlotte Dootson, marketing manager for the Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum, said: "This is a rare chance to enjoy some of York's top attractions under the cover of darkness.

"The Yorkshire Museum's incredible Roman, Viking and Medieval objects look breathtaking in the beams of the torch, with every little detail being revealed."
"And of course the haunting cells at York Castle Museum and the terrible tales connected to them makes it the perfect place to visit this Halloween."

The following visitor attractions are offering late night opening during Illuminating York 2009 and all will be open on the evening of Friday 30th October 2009:

 

York Castle Museum, the Yorkshire Museum, York Art Gallery, York St Mary's (currently showing Five Sisters), YorkBoat, Barley Hall and the Treasurer's House.

Full details and timings are as follows:

York Castle Museum

Torch Lit Tours: Peeling back the Prison Walls
Thursday 29th, Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October, 7pm - 9pm
£5 per person - Limited tickets.
To book, please telephone: 01904 650333
York Castle Museum

Yorkshire Museum

Torch Lit Tours
Friday 23rd to Saturday 31st inclusive with tours at 6 & 7 pm plus the shop will be open each evening too.
£5 per person - Booking not required.
Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens

York Art Gallery

Late Night Opening
Friday 23 October 6pm - 8pm
Saturday 24 October 6pm - 8pm
Friday 30 October 6pm - 8pm
Saturday 31 October 6pm - 8pm
Admission Free
York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square

York St Mary's - Five Sisters

Late Night Opening
Friday 30 October 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 31 October 4pm - 8pm
Admission Free
York St Mary's, Castlegate, York YO1 9RN

YorkBoat

Time Tour
Friday 30 October
7pm from Kings Staith Landing
£8 for adults, £4 for children.

Floodlit Tour
Friday 30 October
9.15pm from Lendal Bridge
£9 for adults, £6 for children.

Barley Hall

Friday 30 October only
6.30pm to 8pm
Hall dressed with candles, plus costumed interpreters to answer any questions.
Admission Free and complimentary hot chocolate

The National Trust
Treasurer's House
(adjacent to York Minster)

Friday 30 October
5-8pm (last admission 7.30pm)

Adults special price of child's ticket only £3*
(*excludes ghost tour).
Free to National Trust members.
Free to York Residents (with card).

Refreshments: Warming light refreshments available & free tasting samples of Treasurer's House specialities.

Note: All attractions taking part are open on the 30th October and many are also open on other dates between 23rd and 31st October.  Friday 30th is the only date that all participating attractions will be open. 

Visit http://www.visityork.org/ or http://www.illuiminatingyork.org/ for more information.  ENDS