Collaborative post
Given that there’s a New York, shouldn’t there be an Old York? Well, as it happens, there is. Although it’s simply called York, this ancient city is one of the top tourist attractions in the whole of the UK, and it’s the rich history you encounter here that makes it so appealing. For a time, the Roman Empire was even ruled from here when Emperor Septimius Severus took up residence here and later died in the city. This was also where the famous Roman Emperor Constantine was first proclaimed the ruler of Rome.
Besides its Roman history, York preserves remnants of the Viking Age through the Middle Ages and the War of the Roses up to the city’s industrial heritage and the importance of the wider region in Britain’s Industrial Revolution. York is undoubtedly a city where history has been made again and again, and you can feel it in the old bones of the city as you explore the charming streets.
The best place to uncover various facets of this intriguing history is in the many museums of York. And these museums often take a quirky and interactive approach to teach the lessons of the past to current visitors. However, large bags are not allowed in many of these institutions, so drop off your bags at a luggage storage in York and check out some of these great museums for yourself.
National Railway Museum
Railways, first invented in the north of England, changed the face of the UK and the rest of the world. The National Railway Museum is housed inside York’s central train station and tells the story of the creation of the railways, from the earliest engines used to transport coal from mines up to today’s high-speed trains from around the world.
The museum has several authentic trains inside, including one of the only Japanese bullet trains on display anywhere outside of Japan itself. It also has a great collection of historic locomotives and carriages, so you can see how royalty used to travel during the Golden age of rail. You can also learn more about the powerful impact this new mode of transport had on just about every part of society.
This interactive museum is interesting even if you don’t have a special interest in railways, and it’s a great place to explore with the family. Plus, it’s completely free to visit, so it’s a great choice for a place to spend some time if you’re visiting York on a budget.
Jorvik Viking Centre
One of the main tourist attractions in the city, the Jorvik Viking Centre feels as much like a theme park ride as a museum. This facility transports you back in time to when York was known as Jorvik and was one of the most important cities in Viking Britain.
Climb aboard the train, and you’ll be transported through a re-created Viking village, experiencing the sights, sounds, and even smells of Viking England in 975 A.D. But although the Viking Center could feel like a fairground attraction, it’s a serious museum and is located on the site of some of the most important finds from the Viking era.
Along with the ride, you can explore the museum area where authentic artifacts from the site are preserved and learn more about the history of Viking York and about the work it took to bring this area back to life so convincingly.
A guaranteed hit with kids, this museum brings history to life in a unique way. That makes it definitely worth a visit while you’re in York.
Yorkshire Museum
For more of a traditional museum experience, head to this free museum that will tell you all you need to know about the history of Yorkshire. The largest county in England, Yorkshire has an accent, culture, and history all its own, and this fiercely independent region celebrates its rich heritage at this museum.
The archaeology collection has items that go back half a million years to the oldest known human occupation of Britain, as well as a great collection of Iron Age, Roman, Viking, and medieval artifacts. The exhibits here aren’t only historical. There’s also an impressive paleontology collection, including the famous Alan the dinosaur, a 172 million-year-old sauropod of unknown species.
There’s also a biology collection that dives into natural history from around the world and an astronomy area in the gardens that probes the mysteries of outer space. A visit here is like taking a walk through several different scientific disciplines, so leave yourself a good few hours to appreciate everything this collection can show you.
York’s Chocolate Story
York is blessed with some great family-friendly museums, but this may be the most enticing of them all. York was once home to some of the most famous confectioners and chocolate makers in all of the UK, so it’s no surprise that the city is home to one of the UK’s best chocolate museums.
York’s Chocolate Story uses interactive displays to take you through the history of chocolate, from its ceremonial use in ancient South America to its discovery by Europeans and the development of modern chocolate-making techniques. The displays here will soon have you drooling but don’t worry. You’ll also have opportunities to taste chocolate, and there’s a well-stocked gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs – assuming they last long enough to make it home with you.
York’s exciting museums
It’s hard to deny that York has some of the best museums for families in the whole country. Most of the museums here focus on interactive exhibits that bring their chosen subject to life, so you can scramble around an antique railway carriage, see a real dinosaur, or take a ride through Viking York – not to mention try some delicious chocolate.
This historic city is by no means stuck in the past. And as you wander through some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets, you’ll feel history all around you. These museums can give you a fun way to learn more about history and enjoy your trip to the fullest.