Yorkshire Museum of Farming
From cereal to cattle, potatoes to pigs, Yorkshire is a big food producer, and this family-friendly attraction celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage. Spread over about 16 acres (6.5 hectares, the museum features vintage farm equipment and farm animals, as well as the Danelaw Centre for Living History and a heritage railway.
The basics
Entry to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming is often included as part of York sightseeing passes. It’s a popular day out for families, with plenty of kid-friendly attractions, from nature trails and playgrounds to live animals. Browse the Four Seasons exhibit, which charts the changing work of a farmer over the course of a year; the Livestock Gallery, which explores the history and practices of keeping domestic animals; and exhibits covering the work of the Women’s Land Army, who took over farming duties from departed soldiers during the world wars. The site is also the setting for the Danelaw Centre for Living History, which encompasses a reconstructed Viking village and Roman fort, and the last functioning stretch of the Derwent Valley Light Railway.
Things to know before you go
- There’s a café, a gift shop, restrooms, and a library in the main reception building.
- The two main exhibition buildings are wheelchair-accessible, as are some of the outdoor paths.
- A complimentary information sheet and audio guide are provided to visitors.
How to get there
Yorkshire Museum of Farming is in Murton Park, about 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) east of central York. From the A64, follow the brown signs pointing toward the Yorkshire Museum of Farming. Alternatively, take the 747 East Yorkshire bus station from York station to Murton village. The museum is just a few minutes' walk from the station, but part of the walk is along a road with no sidewalk.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming opens from Easter through October, as well as for special festive events over Christmas. The Danelaw Centre for the Living History is only accessible to visitors outside of school term time. Expect bigger crowds on weekends and during school vacations.
Derwent Valley Light Railway
The first trains ran along the track in July 1913, bringing passengers and goods between Layerthorpe Station in York to the village of Cliffe Common near Selby. Though the railway closed in 1981, a small half-mile section still operates within the grounds of Murton Park during the summer season (usually beginning in Easter) and at Christmas.