Free Museums in Westow

"The National Railway Museum in York is home to some of the country’s greatest feats of engineering, and tells the story of Britain’s railway innovation. The museum was founded in 1975 on the site of the former North York locomotive depot, where it still stands today. In the early days of locomotive transport, York was revered as the heart of the rail networks of the north."

"The world’s largest railway museum, from the Japanese Bullet Train to Queen Victoria’s favourite carriage, The Rocket and The Mallard. This is one giant museum with free entry!"

"The Yorvik Viking Center was inspired by the Coppergate dig of 1978 which lasted 5 years and revealed York's Viking heritage. The 2017 reopening introduced a new multilingual ride experience featuring animatronic Viking era residents replete with authentic smells. Moreover, all new galleries feature the collection of 1000 year old Viking artifacts."

"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..."

"The world famous JORVIK Viking Centre is a ‘Must See’ attraction for visitors to the City of York. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK. Learn everything there is to know about Viking life in York."

"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."

"Lots of things to do, including learning about the history of the building, which was once a prison – hear what crimes some of its inmates had committed. The best part (in our opinion) is the recreated Victorian Street, Kirkgate – a cobbled street with traditional shops to visit. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE >>"

"Just a minute or two walk from the hotel (turn left out of our front door and walk until you get to King’s Square). Hear about York’s chocolate history, get lots of samples to try, and make a chocolate lolly to take home – really good fun for adults and children. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE >>"

"If you’re a chocolate addict, York’s Chocolate Story is the place for you. Discover the history of the city’s rich, chocolatey past and even learn how to make chocolate yourself. There’s also plenty of chocolate to choose from in the museum’s shop."

"While the York’s Chocolate story itself isn’t an Instagrammable spot, if you take a tour, you’ll have a chance to create your own chocolate lollypop as well as decorate it as you’d like and then take a photo of it in front of some famous landmark."

"Fairfax House is a Georgian town house open to the public between February and December. The house displays a collection of eighteenth-century furniture and shows how Georgians lived in their day. 901 metres from the Minster.Castlegate, York, North Yorkshire YO1 9RN, United Kingdom"

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"Situated in the heart of the bustling city, The Cafe 68 Gillygate has much to offer visitors with its varied selection of Yorkshire brunches, including vegetarian alternatives, homemade cakes, and house-blend coffee. Offering generous portions of full English breakfasts, poached eggs on an English muffin, and bacon or sausage sandwiches, The Cafe 68 Gillygate is the ideal place to experience lovingly made, traditional English food."

"Escape from the busy street of Gillygate into this welcoming cafe!. Currently their beautiful garden is open for outdoor dining, so take advantage of the spring sunshine and book a table here. And they do breakfasts all day on Sundays, so really what’s not to love."

"Plenty of vegan/vegan options and all dishes on main menu can be made GF on request. ‘Osborne’s @68 on Gillygate – lovely people, great coffee, and the cakes are delicious and enormous!!"

"Picnics are officially ON and, after the year we’ve all had, you’d be justified in splashing out on some delicious provisions made by somebody else. Now we’ve nothing against a homemade cheese and pickle or peanut butter and jam (our kids’ sandwich option of choice), but there are plenty of places in York that will do the hard work for you, whether you’d like a complete, fit-for-royalty picnic selection or just a mouthwatering sandwich, scone, snack or meal to take away and eat in the nearest green space (take a look at our best places for a picnic in and around York here). York’s food businesses have all had a difficult year, so we’d always recommend that you shop local and independent if you can."

"Stonegate Yard is a place that I’ve been eating at ever since I was a young teenager and went out for meals with my friends. It has such a cosy and homey vibe to it and I’ve eaten there many times, both inside and in the heated outdoor patio area. I’d recommend: nachos, gammon and eggs, fish and chips or the steak flatbread."

"13/04/2021: We don't live near the take away but have really enjoyed quality chinese food from here. Not easy to find good chinese in York so worth the detour. 28/03/2021: Good, reliable Chinese food."

"The Milton Rooms is an arts centre and hub for cultural and community lead activities located in Malton, North Yorkshire, a market town in England. Photo: Roger Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0."

"The walled city of York was founded by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago, and has seen it’s fair share of history – for a time it was even ruled by the Vikings, and was known as Jórvík. Today, there are still many reminders of the cities medieval past. A walk through “the Shambles” is a must – a winding medieval street overhung by old, timber framed houses and lined with pretty shops."

"For a trip to York or Leeds, you would need just under four hours. With your car hire from Auto Europe there are no limits, only those which you set. Enjoy your holiday in the UK!"

"This highly-regarded theatre is a cultural touchstone for North Yorkshire. For more than 35 years up to 2009 the theatre’s artistic director was playwright Sir Alan Ayckboure, and in that time nearly all of his plays premiered at this venue. On the menu will be high-quality productions at the 404-seatrer theatre in the round, and 165-seat end-on stage auditorium."