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, 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 2025

Open now

Viking North

Filled with magnificent objects, many unseen for generations and others which have never been on public display, this exhibition will showcase the best collection of Viking finds to be shown outside London and tells the story of the Viking Age in the North of England from 866 to 1066.

NEW FOR 2026

Coming Soon 

Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard 

Opening 15 May 2026, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard presents the unprecedented discovery of the largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork to ever be found in the United Kingdom, the Melsonby Hoard.

Over 800 objects discovered outside the village of Melsonby in North Yorkshire in 2021, including fragments of vehicles, adornments from horse harnesses, weapons and hundreds of other individual items that make up the momentous discovery will be displayed together for the first time. Taking centre stage, ‘The Block’, an amalgamation of materials that were found fused together weighing over 150kg and measuring nearly a metre across, allowing visitors to see this extraordinary structure.

The objects will be showcased alongside digital resources, inviting visitors to get up close to the discovery and dive into the archaeological, scientific, and conservation work shaping future research.

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.