Free Museums in Birdsall

"When I said Jorvik was York’s best-known attraction I should probably have said its equal best-known attraction because the National Railway Museum is also very famous. And, because it’s just a five-minute walk from the train station, it’s an obvious first port of call for many people. Tracing the history of rail travel around the world, this museum holds over a million different exhibits and if your kids are train buffs they will absolutely LOVE it here."

"This part of the UK often conjures up thoughts of the great age of the railway. York’s National Railway Museum does the train-era serious justice, and you’ll get some cracking old-school photos when here. View this post on Instagram"

"The Jorvik Viking Centre is one of the most popular museums in York, so much so that you’ll often find a long queue out the door!. The Viking Centre provides visitors with an immersive experience of 10th century York, where you’ll get to know the sounds, sights and even smells of Viking England. It really is an incredible experience, just make sure you book in advance to avoid the queues!"

"Return of the Vikings ~ JORVIK Viking CentreThe year is AD960 and the last Viking King in Jorvik, Eric Bloodaxe, has been banished. The city is thriving with a flourishing manufacturing centre and wide trading links. There are new buildings, new peoples and new stories to be told..."

"Interactive multimedia exhibits aimed at bringing history to life often achieve exactly the opposite, but the much-hyped Jorvik manages to pull it off with aplomb. It's a smells-and-all reconstruction of the..."

"This award-winning museum attempts to bring 400 years of the city’s history together in one place. The interactive style of this museum is full of loyal recreations that accurately imitate how life would have been; a street plucked straight from the Victorian era, a row of iconic shops straight from the 1970s and much more. Children enter for free with a paying adult and there is enough variety to keep all ages happy."

"Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life."

"Join us in a mouth-watering journey through York’s newest visitor attraction. Celebrate the city’s special chocolate and confectionery story; from chocolate’s roots in the Central American rainforests to our present love affair with all things sweet. Meet chocolate’s founding families; discover the stories of the people of York who made, packed, labelled and shipped chocolate to every corner of the globe."

"Two words that you might not have heard put together before are ‘chocolate’ and ‘museum’, but it’s happened in York and all our dreams have come true. You’ll find it fairly tough to drag yourself out of here…. View this post on Instagram"

"One of the UK’s finest Georgian townhouses, Fairfax House on Castlegate was designed by John Carr. Originally the winter retreat of Viscount Fairfax, the house was converted into a dance hall and cinema in the 20th Century. The York Civic Trust however restored it to its former Georgian glory, and today it’s open to the public with the Noel Terry collection of furnishings, ornaments, decorative arts and paintings on display inside."

"This 18th-century townhouse offers a glimpse into the tastes, fashions, and daily life of Georgian-era nobility. It began as the home of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax and then enjoyed brief stints as a gentlemen’s club, cinema, and dancehall before being restored to its Georgian-era glory."

"Art And Culture, Historical Site, Architecture , Specialty Museum. When you visit the castles and cathedrals of York, you see places where the rich and famous of old Yorkshire worked and prayed. But where did the nobility of Yorkshire live?"

"If you want to take a photo wearing a traditional medieval cape in some beautiful surroundings (as well as learn more about the relationship of science, religion and chemistry in the Middle ages in York), head to the Barley Hall, where you can do all that."

"This restored medieval townhouse, tucked down an alleyway, includes a permanent exhibition of life in the times of Henry VIII. It was once the home of York’s Lord Mayor. The centrepiece is a double-height banquet..."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"This pink facade building on St. Helen’s Square (near Betty’s Tea Rooms) is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York and has only recently opened to the public. The grand, 800 year old house showcases collections of silverware and ceramics, ceremonial items used by the Lord Mayor as well as recreated 18th century bedrooms and dining rooms. The downstairs kitchen has interactive exhibits and equipment to learn about Georgian cooking ."

"The Georgian-style Mansion House in York is the home of the city's Lord Mayors during their term in office. This is the earliest purpose-built house of this sort still in use – it predates the Mansion House in London by at least 20 years. The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1725, and it was completed seven years later, in 1732."

"Set inside a large and elegant building, an £8 million development back in 2015 has seen York Art Gallery rise to one of the best regional galleries in the country. Boasting 7 exhibition spaces across 2 floors and an outdoor Artist’s garden, there’s plenty to see for the art lovers visiting York, including an internationally significant collection of ceramics spreading across 2 galleries and temporary exhibitions that mean there is always something fresh to see. Keep your eyes out for works by hugely famous artists such as Turner and Hockney."

"As well as an impressive collection of Old Masters, York Art Gallery possesses works by LS Lowry, Pablo Picasso, Grayson Perry, David Hockney, and the controversial York artist William Etty who, in the 1820s, was..."

"This bare, plain drinking space – stripped wooden floor, blue and cream colour scheme, Celtic cross logo – looks a bit like an O'Neill's, but the beer range is worlds away from the Oirish chain. Ten hand-pulls concentrate on Yorkshire and northern breweries, such as Isle of Man outfit Okells (owned by same people as Brigantes' parent company, Market Town Taverns), York Brewery (which Brigantes backs on to), and Great Heck Brewing, a micro much-loved in this part of the world, which produces Mo Hops (half, £1.78), a very interesting supercharged best bitter. Seven keg pumps deliver a mixture of classic continental and innovative craft beers, with a short, solid bottled menu (Nøgne Ø, Flying Dog) further ensuring that every drinker leaves happy."

"On a street that is notorious for its Saturday-night drunken revelry, Brigantes is a wood-panelled haven of peace and sophistication, with hand-pulled ales (mostly from Yorkshire) on tap and a dining room that..."

"A community-owned co-op, it pays staff a living wage and focuses on Yorkshire beers, with super-local micros, such as Treboom and Brass Castle, to the fore. A grade-II-listed Victorian building, the main bar is a suitably plain space. There is original tile work around the bar, an open fire, copper-topped tables and a bottle-green banquette that sweeps around the room."

"At the heart of Coppergate Shopping Centre take a break from shopping at this lovely ice cream kiosk. With a choice of at “least eight flavours daily” and also milkshakes and coffee to choose from, this is an oasis amidst the busyness of the city centre. St Mary’s Square, Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT"

"LICC is excited to be back in business and will be operating daily from 10am-6pm. They are adhering to strict social distancing guidelines by only allowing 2 people in the shop at a time, but will make exceptions for small babies & children of course. Daily specials and deals are on their Instagram stories so stay tuned!"

"This beautiful vintage-style ice cream parlour (also known as LICC) is a must visit. Enjoy a daily selection of homemade ice cream and fun toppings. Take a seat inside and admire the quirky interior or outside in the sun!"

"From their website: ‘Our exciting, inventive and varied menus have been especially created by our experienced staff, and are La Vecchia Scuola’s distinguishing – and distinguished – culinary feature. We believe in serving only the very best in contemporary Italian cooking.’"

"05/06/2021: The restaurant is one of two we tend to visit whenever we come to York. The building and surroundings are stunning and this is a big draw. On this occasion we were put in a side room with three other tables."

"Although he trained with the Roux brothers at Le Gavroche, Michael Hjort’s restaurant has a wonderful lack of pretension, a relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices for what is one of York’s finest restaurants. Classy starters such as scallops with lovage pasta and caponata or home-smoked ox tongue with kohlrabi remoulade lead on to salted East Coast coley (with fennel and saffron gnocchi) or Yorkshire pig (‘The Whole Hog’ is a perfectly sized plate of trotter, belly and hock served with pommes boulangère and cabbage). Refreshingly, vegetarian options are meat-free takes on the main courses and suggestions for wines to match each dish are a welcome touch."

"Melton’s is renowned for serving high-quality food in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, with a fine selection of wines; it is one of York’s leading restaurants. Since the opening hours are limited, it would be better to make a reservation prior to your visit. The pleasant staff will guide you through the menu and will find the most suitable wine for your options."