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 World 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 2022

The Ryedale Hoard: A Roman Mystery
Opens 8 April 2022

The Ryedale Hoard contains some of Yorkshire’s most significant Roman objects including an 1,800 year old bust of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. For the very first time in Yorkshire, visitors will be able see this exciting new discovery and explore the mystery of who buried the Hoard and why.

The 13cm bust is part of a collection of bronze objects found by metal detectorists James Spark and Mark Didlick in a field near Ampleforth in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, in May 2020.

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.