York Castle Museum

21/08/2026

The York Gala is in full swing on our Victorian Street! 🎈💐

With bunting overhead, summer blooms in full colour and plenty to discover along the street, it’s the perfect time to step back into Victorian York and experience the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a summer celebration.

🔗Plan your summer visit at: https://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/exhibition/summer-at-york-castle-museum-2026/

19/08/2026

For World Photography Day, we're taking a look at these fascinating cartes de visite (calling cards) from our collection. 📷

Before telephones, if you wanted to visit someone, you couldn't check whether they were at home first. Instead, you would call at their house and, if they were out, leave a carte de visite (calling card) to let them know you'd stopped by.

Originally, these cards simply featured a person's name and were often beautifully decorative. But as photography became more widespread in the late 19th century, people began adding their portraits too.

Cartes de visite soon became more than just calling cards. People kept them as souvenirs and collectors' items. Some people, often young women, even modelled specially for these photographic cards.

18/08/2026

Need some bank holiday inspiration? ☀️

Step into the past at York Castle Museum for a family day out packed with history, fun and discovery.

Explore our recreated Victorian Street, experience the sights and sounds of the Swinging Sixties, enjoy live entertainment, have a go at retro games and discover fascinating stories from across York’s past.

🎟️ Your ticket includes unlimited daytime entry for 12 months, so you can return throughout the year.

🔗 Plan your summer visit at: https://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/exhibition/summer-at-york-castle-museum-2026/

11/08/2026

Don’t miss our York Attractions Week Family Saver offer! ✨

In association with York Attractions Week, we’re offering families the chance to enjoy 12 months of unlimited visits to York Castle Museum for just £40.

This special Family Saver ticket admits up to 2 adults and 4 children and is valid for 12 months from your first visit, offering fantastic value for money and endless memorable days out. Pay once, visit free all year!

🗓️ Available Monday 17 – Sunday 23 August 2026

🔗 Book now at:

In association with York Attractions Week, we’re offering families the chance to enjoy 12 months of unlimited visits to York Castle Museum for just £40!

08/08/2026

The ultimate low-maintenance pet? 🐱

We've welcomed a very special visitor to our Georgian Room for International Cat Day – this charming tortoiseshell cat dummy board from our collection!

Popular from the 17th to 19th centuries, dummy boards were life-sized, flat wooden figures used as decorations, doorstops and even fire screens. Animal versions, like this cat, were especially fashionable – and unlike a real pet, this one never wandered off! 🐾

In candlelit rooms, these 'silent companions' could appear almost lifelike, adding a touch of surprise and amusement to the home. 🕯️

05/08/2026

Planning a visit to York Georgian Festival? 🎩✨

Make the most of your visit with a day out at York Castle Museum, where you can see our authentic Georgian room, discover remarkable Georgian clothing in our Secrets of Dress display and discover the history of the 18th century York Castle Prison.

🔗 Read our latest blog to find out more: https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/blog/york-castle-museum-a-must-visit-during-york-georgian-week/

🗓️ York Georgian Week runs Thursday 6 – Monday 10 August 2026

03/08/2026

Curator Talk ✨

Join Curator of Social History, Dr Faye Prior, for a talk about c.18th dress and textiles on display in York Castle Museum’s Secrets of Dress gallery. From patch boxes to knitted silk breeches: every object has its own secret, and Faye’s talk will reveal the secrets behind these fascinating and beautiful Georgian objects.

This talk is held in association with York Georgian Festival. For more information about the programme, visit: https://www.mansionhouseyork.com/yorkgeorgianfestival.

🗓️ Friday 7 August 2026
🕒 3pm – 3.30pm
📍Meet in the Secrets of Dress gallery
🎟️ Included in general admission

01/08/2026

Happy Yorkshire Day! ✨

Did you know every shop on our Victorian Street recreates a real York business from the 19th century?

Today we're celebrating Yorkshire's rich trading history by sharing the stories behind some of these iconic shopfronts – each inspired by businesses that once lined the streets of York.

📚 Sessions Printers and Booksellers - From 1865–2010, they thrived selling York maps and guidebooks, and even pioneered self-adhesive labels! They also offered letterpress printing and stamping.

🥦 George Britton's High End Grocers - selling premium quality produce from 1820 up until 1916.

🧹 The Little Dustpan - opened by John Parkes, diversity was the key to his success. By 1900, he offered everything from home furnishings to brush making, hardware, mattresses, locksmith services, and more!

👗 Leak & Thorp – York's first department store, specialising in household textiles and dress fabrics.

🐴 M. Cooper - Matthew Cooper was a well-known saddler in York. In 1851 he travelled to London to the Great Exhibition where his saddles won the first prize medal!

Which would you stop by first? 🛍️

30/07/2026

Would you have guessed this bag was embroidered by an 11-year-old? 🪡

This World Embroidery Day, take a look at this delightful drawstring slipper bag embroidered by a young girl called Martha Kemp in 1828. She was just 11 years old at the time and embroidery would have been a key part of her education.

The flowers, pomegranates and bird are stitched in crewel embroidery – a colourful style using wool threads that was hugely popular in the 17th century and again in the 19th century. 🐦🌸

As was normal for girls of her time, she also used cross stitch to sign and date her work. It was an essential skill used to mark household linen and some clothes. This helped keep track of everything a household owned, especially in the laundry! 🧵

29/07/2026

Get ready for a summer of Sixties nostalgia! 🌸☮️

Explore the Swinging Sixties with retro games, from Cat’s Cradle and dominoes to outdoor classics like swingball, hobby horses and space hoppers in the museum yard.

Plus, every Saturday until 22 August, enjoy the Sounds of the Sixties with live performances throughout the day to bring the soundtrack of a generation to life! 🎸🎤

🔗 Plan your visit at: https://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/exhibition/summer-at-york-castle-museum-2026/