Exploring God’s Own County with the little ones has never been easier with such a rich array of fantastic museums and attractions to visit. Here we pick out 10 of the absolute best places in Yorkshire to take the kids to. Enjoy!
National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
The museum is located in one of Yorkshires first purpose built combined Police, Fire and Ambulance Stations dating back to 1898. This amazing building houses over 45 vehicles relating to the worlds Emergency Services from Horse Drawn Fire Engines to Ambulances and from Police Cars to Mines Rescue!
A fun day out for all the family at the National Railway Museum in York. Discover 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Marvel at the record-breaking Mallard, watch engineering work in progress, see locomotives moving on the turntable or let off steam in the outdoor play area.
Explore Leeds City Museum for free and visit our four floors of interactive and exciting galleries. Meet Nesyamun, the Leeds mummy in his final resting place in the Ancient Worlds gallery, dig for fossils in the Life on Earth gallery and come face-to-face with the Leeds Tiger! Also, currently there is their Michael Morpurgo exhibition – with distinctive areas created around the themes of Michael’s stories, you can step in to the replica of Michael’s ‘creative caravan’, sail away to the Wreck of the Zanzibar and get your wellies on for a trip to Mudpuddle Farm!
National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield
This 45-acre site allows visitors to discover the hidden world of mining through the centuries. Adventurers can embark on a journey 140m underground donned with hard hat and lamp to find out all about how coal was extracted and brought to the surface, as well as the history of how local miners lived and worked in the area.
World of James Herriot, Thirsk
Come and see where James Herriot, the world’s most famous vet, lived, worked and relaxed. See his home and surgery in Thirsk; travel back in time to what life was like when James was a vet in Yorkshire. See the car he drove, step into the TV set, try your hand at being a vet and even experience what it was like to hide in a World War 2 air raid shelter, and don’t forget the chickens!
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax
Eureka! Is the only fully interactive museum totally dedicated to children aged 0-11 anywhere in the UK and not a single thing is trapped inside a glass cabinet. Discover six unique zones each with a different theme to explore. Make some noise and explore how music is created, experience the world of work, take over a child sized town and even step inside giant body parts.
National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
This museum explores the science and culture of light and sound technologies – inspiring the scientists and engineers of the future to see more, hear more, think more and do more. The galleries & exhibition spaces help to illuminate world-famous collections in photography, film and television. Journey through popular photography, watch your favourite TV moments, explore the world of animation and get gaming in the Games Lounge!
For a fantastic day out for the whole family in York, visit the award-winning Yorkshire Air Museum. With over 60 historic aircraft and vehicles, their collections span the entire history of flight from the early pioneers of aviation, through both world wars and on through the Cold War era. You can also climb aboard one of the world’s most famous military transport aircraft used by the Allies during WWII – how cool is that?
Three great museums, one great day out! Ripon’s three museums follow a common theme of law and order and are based in the original workhouse, prison and courthouse buildings. These are all within walking distance around Ripon’s city centre – these all tell the unique story of the Liberty Courthouse, Prison and Victorian Workhouse. Find out about the people who ended up here and what happened to them next.
Climb aboard at the Streetlife Museum of Transport and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the past. Experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940s high street, board a tram, or enjoy the pleasures of the carriage ride or vintage car ride. Discover a unique collection of early motor cars, horse drawn carriages and bicycles. Railway and local history are also well covered as well as their display on Joseph Ranks’ Clarence Mill that dominates the River Hull.
This is just a snippet of Yorkshire’s amazing museum offering – to find more places, click here.