The Yorkshire Museum

One of our favourite days out during half term was a visit to the The Yorkshire Museum in York, and it’s a brilliant place to explore with children.

If you’re staying The Green, Lastingham. North York Moors. and heading into York for the day, this is a great way to spend part of your visit. What starts as “let’s just pop in for a quick look” somehow turns into a good few hours wandering around.

There are lots of hands-on activities and interactive displays where the children are having fun while secretly learning quite a lot along the way (don’t tell them!). The dinosaur area was a huge hit – fossils, giant prehistoric creatures and plenty of excitement.

The Roman section was just as fascinating, especially seeing artefacts from when York was the Roman city of Eboracum.

There’s plenty to keep the grown-ups interested too. The beautiful Middleham Jewel, a delicate 15th-century gold pendant discovered by a metal detectorist, is incredible to see up close, and the detailed Roman cavalry helmet found near Ribchester is one of those artefacts that really makes you stop and stare.

Another bonus is that your ticket lets you revisit for free for a whole year. So if the children spend half the time pretending to be dinosaurs and Roman soldiers (as ours did), you can always come back and see the bits you missed.

A lovely museum, great for curious little minds and grown-ups alike, and an easy, enjoyable way to spend a few hours during a day out in York.