York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum is housed in 18th century prison buildings and teaches about what life was like throughout 400 years of history.

Exhibitions include:

York Castle Prison
In York Castle Prison you can get a flavour of what life was really like in the original cells and see some of the most infamous inmates brought to life in this fascinating exhibition. Experience a brutal and crooked prison and meet the most notorious prisoner: the legendary highwayman, Dick Turpin. York Castle Prison focuses on the lives of eight former inmates, including Turpin. The others include the last woman to be burnt at the stake in Yorkshire, a Luddite, a notorious turnkey, a man who was beaten so badly in prison he died and a young tearaway who went on to lead a successful life in Australia. There is also a database of former prisoners and victims where visitors can check their own family name.

1914: When the World Changed Forever
The terror of total war and its revolutionary impact on life around the world is explored in this major exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War featuring objects from our military, costume and social history collections

Kirkgate: The Victorian Street
Our world-famous Victorian street reopened in June 2012 with more to see and explore of the life of the rich and poor – with new backstreets, authentic York businesses and thousands more goods on display

Toy Stories
Take a trip back to childhood and rediscover some of your favourite toys in our popular exhibition. Bikes, bath toys, computer games, Lego and beautiful handmade dolls are among the toys on show from the last 150 years

The Sixties
his exhibition uses fascinating and iconic objects from our social history, art, fashion, military and astronomy collections to bring back the atmosphere of change which swept over the country during the 1960’s


Workshops on a variety of topics for school groups can also be arranged.
https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/education/schools-2-2/york-castle-museum-downloadable-resources/