Ryedale Folk Museum

Ryedale Folk Museum Take a walk through time in this open-air Museum in the North York Moors National Park
(249)

Take a walk through time in this open-air Museum in the North York Moors National Park to learn about the lives of residents from centuries past.

We've made it to June - which means it's getting close to an exciting event that's very close to our hearts. This year w...
01/06/2026

We've made it to June - which means it's getting close to an exciting event that's very close to our hearts. This year we're launching a brand new weekend-long celebration of all things Midsummer across the 20 and 21 June.

✨The summer solstice has always been such an incredibly special - and magical - time of year. Inspired by centuries-old folk traditions, the museum will come alive with live music and folklore, with💛 special performances by Celtic Folk Musician Olivia Graham and Pickering choir The Ryelarks.

We have so much happening across the site - included within your entry ticket, or upon production of a valid annual ticket.

Don't miss our brand new seasonal interpretation, too, all about this special summer season.

And don't forget to book onto solstice Yoga sessions too! (Additional charge applies). Full details on the website.

It's been that kind of day....
30/05/2026

It's been that kind of day....

We've got a very special custom to share today! For centuries, 29 May was known as Restoration Day - a celebration of Ch...
29/05/2026

We've got a very special custom to share today! For centuries, 29 May was known as Restoration Day - a celebration of Charles II’s return to London in 1660 and the restoration of the monarchy after the tumultuous years of civil war, upheaval and political uncertainty.

The date was also affectionately known as Oak Apple Day, recalling the story of Charles II hiding in an oak tree at Boscobel while escaping Parliamentarian forces after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. To mark the day, people wore sprigs of oak — and anyone who forgot risked a playful, if painful, punishment: getting rapped across the hand with nettles.

But in North Yorkshire, a local version survived in our region in Great Ayton, where today was actually known as ‘Chalky-Back Day’. There, the punishment was to have chalk rubbed on your back. On this day, the children of Great Ayton were traditionally given a day off school, sometimes locking their teacher out of the schoolroom - this seems to have happened elsewhere in the country too.

The annual celebration on this day was eventually ended in 1859.

If you've visited us this month, you'll have spotted this story being told in our schoolroom, as part of our new seasonal interpretation.

A sunny end to the day at Ryedale Folk Museum...
27/05/2026

A sunny end to the day at Ryedale Folk Museum...

A huge thanks to brilliant volunteer Carol, author of 'Botany for Beginners', for teaching us so much about medieval pla...
26/05/2026

A huge thanks to brilliant volunteer Carol, author of 'Botany for Beginners', for teaching us so much about medieval plants in our Crofter's Cottage garden this week.

Among the many things we found out, we learnt...

💚 Bridewort (also known as meadowsweet) was an early source of aspirin - it naturally contains salicylic acid, which was the inspiration for the drug.

💚 Soft rushes were stripped of their green outer stem to reveal the pith. This was soaked in tallow, then burnt on a plate to give a gentle light. Sometimes both ends were lit - in which case you were burning the candle at both ends.

💚 Salad burnet is a lovely herb, perfect for - you guessed - salads. The leaves smell and taste like cucumber. We all smelt them and they really do!

We've all come out to enjoy the sunshine this week, even our gorgeous resident Puss the cat. We're having a lovely half ...
25/05/2026

We've all come out to enjoy the sunshine this week, even our gorgeous resident Puss the cat. We're having a lovely half term in the . Are we on your list for a visit?

It's all happening this week across our six-acre site...💚On Monday, we're looking forward to medieval plant talks at Cro...
24/05/2026

It's all happening this week across our six-acre site...

💚On Monday, we're looking forward to medieval plant talks at Crofter's Cottage - with our very knowledgeable volunteer Carol, author of botany for beginners.

💛On Wednesday, we'll be butter-making for our school holiday activity - find out about how people used to make and shape butter and have a go at making your own.

💜Throughout the week, we'll be hob-spotting - those cheeky hobs have jumbled up some pudding recipes, and we need your help to find them! Pick up a free trail sheet from reception.

Plus, call by High Barn to see 'Making a Meal of it', our exhibition exploring the history of food production in the region, and don't miss our new art exhibition of landscapes by the very brilliant Simon Palmer in the art gallery.

See you soon!

We're very excited about this one - if you're coming to see us this Monday, we've got some special short talks happening...
22/05/2026

We're very excited about this one - if you're coming to see us this Monday, we've got some special short talks happening up at our beautiful crofter's cottage. Join volunteer Carol to learn about medieval plants.

Carol is the author of 'Botany for Beginners: a guide to identifying the most common British wildflowers' and manages the garden at crofter's cottage, planting it with herbs and plants used in medieval times, which would have been used for a wide range of purposes.

No booking required, just drop in. Free with your entrance price.

Happy everyone. Did you know, Ryedale has a long history of beekeeping? We really do have a lot to thank the bees for....
20/05/2026

Happy everyone. Did you know, Ryedale has a long history of beekeeping? We really do have a lot to thank the bees for.

The natural resources of the region led to some really large-scale beekeeping historically in these parts, sometimes involving 150 or even 300 hives. It’s hard to imagine the work involved in this. In the days when horse and cart were their only means of transporting skeps, local beekeepers could spend up to five hours on each journey to reach the summer moorland heather.

Drystone walls near Glaisdale have been found to have harboured the largest number of 'bee boles' ever recorded in England and Scotland. These small alcoves designed for holding skeps likely date back to the 18th century.

If you're visiting the museum this season, you can find out all about bees and honey production as part of our 'Making a Meal of It' exhibition.

It's been such a joy to open our newest art exhibition at the museum this weekend - stunning Yorkshire landscapes by cel...
18/05/2026

It's been such a joy to open our newest art exhibition at the museum this weekend - stunning Yorkshire landscapes by celebrated watercolour artist Simon Palmer.

For once, we're going to say very little, and just leave the very lovely 'Swinney Beck Bank' here for us all to enjoy...

Address

Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton Le Hole
Kirkby Moorside
YO626UA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441751417367

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ryedale Folk Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category