Free Museums in Helperby

"National Railway Museum – Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating railway history at the National Railway Museum. Explore giant halls full of trains including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, step on to the futuristic, Japanese Bullet Train simulation or marvel at the stunning opulence of the Royal Trains."

"York's National Railway Museum – the biggest in the world, with more than 100 locomotives – is well presented and crammed with fascinating stuff. It is laid out on a vast scale and is housed in a series of giant... Top ChoiceMuseum in York"

"Learn about the history of Vikings in York on the very site where the excavations had taken place. Different to most historical exhibitions or museums, at the Jorvik Viking Centre you are transported abound in what they call a “ride experience” (a bit like a very slow cable car, but only inches off the ground – nothing to be scared of!) – really good fun!. This attraction got a big thumbs up by an excited 4 year old (Rebecca’s friend’s son) – it was his second favourite thing that we did in York when he visited – and we did a lot!"

"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..."

"Focused on modern and contemporary art, there’s still plenty which makes the Leeds Art Gallery family-friendly – this summer, for example, there were creative activity bags to take away, ideal for inspiring your kids. Another of the string of free places to visit in Leeds with kids, you’ll find exhibits to get everyone thinking – a Damien Hirst sculpture, as well as works by Anthony Gormley, between bright contemporary art and Victorian paintings. There are also regular temporary exhibitions, and don’t miss Artspace, a creative space in the heart of the gallery, which is designed to be family-friendly."

"Leeds Art Gallery is free to visit and this summer has two current temporary exhibitions from artists Zadie Xa and Georgina Starr. Families can download learning and activity packs from home including Mindful Creatives fact sheets and colouring-in."

"This major gallery is packed with 19th- and 20th-century British heavyweights – Turner, Constable, Stanley Spencer, Wyndham Lewis et al – along with contemporary pieces by more recent arrivals such as Antony..."

"Situated in the shadow of Clifford’s Tower, York Castle Museum is home to a wealth of exhibits surrounding the rich history of York and wider Great Britain, where historical sights from Georgian gowns to Dick Turpin’s prison cell may be found. Its standout exhibit however is a fully-recreated Victorian street, dubbed Kirkgate after the museum’s founder, complete with horse and cart, costumed guides and cobblestones. Though opening as a museum in 1938, the site on which it stands holds an important place in York’s history."

"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."

"It is housed in 18th century prison buildings, built over the original Norman castle. The diverse collection of exhibits includes cells from the original prison, a recreated Victorian street (Kirkgate) and a children's toy collection. There's also a homage to the Sixties with exhibits covering counterculture, fashion, music, sport, and women's liberation."

"Situated in the former headquarters of the Tetley Brewery, The Tetley is a transformative contemporary art exhibition space which focuses on education and community engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds. There is always opportunity for discussions about the high standard of art on display, with the hope that it can inspire future artistic talents. The bar and kitchen downstairs is a great place to kick off the discussions over brunch."

"The former headquarters of the Tetley Brewery at Leeds’ South Bank is now a creative space for art, events and workshops, and also houses a bar serving Yorkshire fare. The art gallery, open daily, offers regularly changing exhibitions, while live music, yoga, guest speakers and family art workshops are also on the calendar. The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ, gallery open faily 10am-5pm and Wednesdays 10am-8pm, admission free."

"The Tetley is a contemporary art gallery in what was the headquarters of the former Tetley Brewery. The art deco building is in central Leeds features a gallery space, function, rooms, a public bar, and carefully preserved rooms from the old Tetley offices. We hope you enjoyed seeing some of our most treasured buildings from our home city."

"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."

"Located in the center of the city, the Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York. But along with being a home, this historic house is popular with visitors. The Mansion House exhibits an impressive collection of paintings, silver and furniture."

"The Mercer Art Gallery is home to Harrogate district's art collection which consists of some 2,000 works of art, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes works by William Powell Frith, Atkinson Grimshaw, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dame Laura Knight and Alan Davie. A changing exhibition programme for the main and North galleries ranges from national touring exhibitions of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts to exhibitions from the permanent collections to displays by local artists."

"The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate has a collection of over 2000 19th and 20th-century fine art pieces, along with temporary exhibitions running throughout the year. There are paintings, photography, sculptures and crafts on exhibit, including displays from local artists. Open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm to 5pm Sunday, open on Bank Holidays, closes 4pm November to March."

"Sunny Bank Mills was once a key part of the city’s industrial past, but since being restored by the Gaunt family, it’s been turned into a multi-purpose creative space with a 3,000-square-foot art gallery at its heart. It’s one of the best galleries in Leeds to find exhibitions by local artists, as it gives them a platform to show their work, from Mel Davies’ colourful landscapes to Kate Kenney’s oil paintings of Yorkshire. It’s also home to Spinning Mill Studios, where local artists and makers create and display their work."

"This Grade I listed Georgian church was nearly lost in the 1950s, but was saved when church officials decided that it was a building of historical and architectural importance. While it’s still a place of worship, Holy Trinity Church is also a lively community space and they put on all manner of events for you to enjoy, including art exhibitions, vintage fairs and live music – the acoustics are fantastic. Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HW."

"Rarely does one come across a church with so much personality. The 15th century building, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town, has a marvellous architectural design. The Goodramgatearea comprises of some of York’s oldest structures."

"Sunny Bank Mills was once a key part of the city’s industrial past, but since being restored by the Gaunt family, it’s been turned into a multi-purpose creative space with a 3,000-square-foot art gallery at its heart. It’s one of the best galleries in Leeds to find exhibitions by local artists, as it gives them a platform to show their work, from Mel Davies’ colourful landscapes to Kate Kenney’s oil paintings of Yorkshire. It’s also home to Spinning Mill Studios, where local artists and makers create and display their work."

"National Railway Museum – Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating railway history at the National Railway Museum. Explore giant halls full of trains including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, step on to the futuristic, Japanese Bullet Train simulation or marvel at the stunning opulence of the Royal Trains."

"York's National Railway Museum – the biggest in the world, with more than 100 locomotives – is well presented and crammed with fascinating stuff. It is laid out on a vast scale and is housed in a series of giant... Top ChoiceMuseum in York"

"The Merrion Centre is a city centre stalwart that remains one of the most interesting and diverse places to go shopping in Leeds. It’s home to Jumbo Records, perfect for all your musical needs, while footie fans can make a pilgrimage to the official Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos stores. It’s a great mix of popular names – Morrisons, 3, Wilko, Iceland – and indie brands such as Chilli Shop and The Bookish Type."

"It is one of the well-known shopping centres in Leeds that has gone through many transformations over the period. You will find a wide range of stores inside with some big household names such as Home Bargains, Morrisons, Superdrug etc. My Thai, Smoke Barbecue and Bulgogi Grill are also some of the famous brands which have made strong influence there."

"A Leeds fixture for decades, St Johns has three entrances, two levels and is home to the Post Office and Poundland. Step inside and you’ll find over thirty eateries and shops, the location making it an ideal spot to pick up some essentials or something to eat during your lunch break if you work nearby. Get your nails refreshed at Magic Nails, your eyebrows threaded at Browline and grab a culture fix at the branch of HMV on the lower floor."

"Though it is not creating as much loud as other shopping centres in Leeds, St Johns Centre has been serving its regular segment of customers for many generations. It established in the year 1985 and now possesses more than 30 stores spread across two floors. St Johns Centre features few of the famous brands like Poundland, Card Factory, Stampede and Taco Bell."