The Yorkshire Museum

05/10/2026

The second act joining us for Live at York Museum Gardens 2027 has just been announced! 🎉

We’re so excited to welcome The Human League along with special guests Go West, Blancmange and Toyah to York Museum Gardens next summer! ✨

Find out more in the post below. ⬇️

Sheffield’s new wave pioneers The Human League will be bringing their legendary live show to York Museum Gardens on Saturday 3rd July 2027!

The multi-platinum Sheffield trio will be joined by some very special guests - energetic and infectious pop-duo Go West; eccentric, electronic two-piece Blancmange, and new-wave punk singer Toyah for a very special, nostalgic 80's evening in the gardens!

Since forming in 1978, The Human League have remained one of the UK’s most iconic and innovative pop groups, releasing nine studio albums including the multi-platinum DARE, and delivered timeless hits such as ‘Don’t You Want Me’, ‘Human’ and ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)

Tickets will first be available, exclusively to York Residents with YO1 | YO10 | YO19 | YO23 | YO24 | YO26 | YO30 | YO31 | YO32 postcodes from 10am on Wednesday 7th October via: https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/the-human-league/york-museum-gardens/3732643?pre=postcode

General sale tickets are available from 10am on Friday 9th October via: https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/the-human-league/york-museum-gardens/3732643

For full information, including access information head to www.liveatyorkmuseumgardens.com

01/10/2026

Testing is underway! 🐋🧬

The Naburn Whale is a rare specimen believed to be a beluga whale, found stranded at Naburn Lock near York in 1905. Its skeleton has been part of our collection for more than a century, but its species has never been scientifically confirmed.

Now, experts from the University of York, Department of Archaeology have collected a small bone sample from one of its flippers to help solve the mystery.

Part of the sample will be analysed using ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry) — a technique that identifies animals using the protein ‘fingerprint’ preserved in their bones. This will help determine whether the skeleton is a beluga, a narwhal or another species of whale.

The remaining bone powder will undergo DNA analysis, providing further evidence to confirm the species and determine whether the whale was male or female.

We can’t wait to find out what the results reveal! 👀

This research has been made possible thanks to funding from RICHeS: Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science Access Fund.

28/09/2026

The first act joining us for Live at York Museum Gardens 2027 has been announced, and we can't wait! 🎉

Find out more in the post below ⬇️

Your first announcement for Summer 2027 is here!

We’re delighted to announce multi-platinum selling pop-star Olly Murs live at York Museum Gardens on Friday 9th July.

Since rising to fame as a star on The X-Factor, Olly Murs is now a household name with a string of huge number one singles under his belt including ‘Heart Skips a Beat’, ‘Troublemaker’ and his new latest album ‘Knees Up’.

Tickets will first be available on Wednesday 30th September at 10am to York residents with YO1 | YO10 | YO19 | YO23 | YO24 | YO26 | YO30 | YO31 | YO32 postcodes via https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/olly-murs/york-museum-gardens/3730256?pre=postcode

General admission tickets go on sale Friday 2nd October 10am via https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/olly-murs/york-museum-gardens/3730256

For full information, including access information head to https://www.liveatyorkmuseumgardens.com

26/09/2026

It’s International Rabbit Day! 🐇

We’re marking the occasion with this Roman copper-alloy brooch in the shape of a hare (close enough, right?).

In the decades after the Roman invasion of Britain, new fashions and new kinds of jewellery were imported into Britain. Brooches — the most practical piece of jewellery — constantly evolved in style. Soon, local markets were filled with brooches in bright colours, and elaborate designs, all used to fasten cloaks in style.

24/09/2026

Have you seen the incredible treasures of the Melsonby Hoard for yourself yet? 👀

‘Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard’ tells the story of an unprecedented discovery — the largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork ever found in the UK!

🔗 Plan your visit at: https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/exhibition/chariots-treasure-and-power-secrets-of-the-melsonby-hoard/

15/09/2026

1066 changed England forever, but what was York’s connection to these momentous events? 👀

With the Bayeux Tapestry now on display at the British Museum, we’re taking a closer look at the historic events it depicts and York’s place in the story.

Join us this weekend (19–20 September) at the Yorkshire Museum to discover more, with storytelling, craft activities and a special curator talk exploring York’s connection to 1066.

🔗Find out what’s on at: https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/your-visit/events/

🎟️ Included with general admission.

08/09/2026

Calling all primary school teachers! 📚🍏

Join us at the museum for a deep dive into Yorkshire’s prehistoric past...

Enjoy a tour of the Chariots, Treasure & Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard exhibition and handle original Iron Age artefacts as we discuss ways of bringing the story of Prehistoric Yorkshire to life in the classroom.

Teas, coffees and cakes will be provided.

🔗 Spaces at this free event are limited, so secure your place now using our online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=5PhW14h2vE-P_rxAJEcR9cFdpdOgzwJOpERxuejrVmFUNUM2SE9aSzRXRkJSVEJHWFpKTlRaV1Y0MS4u

🗓️ Thursday 1 October

🕟 4.30pm - 6.30pm

📍The Yorkshire Museum

08/09/2026

Less than 2 weeks to go until York Dog Show! 🐾

See the post below to find out more and book your tickets 👇

York Dog Show is just around the corner! 🐶

Browse our pop-up shopping village, filled with pet accessories, toys and treats, informative stalls, and a delicious food and drink offer from local artisans.

Plus, enjoy a lively programme of activity including exciting dog classes, impressive agility demonstrations, talks by veterinary experts and professional dog photography in our beautiful grounds.

📅 Sunday 20 September 2026
🕙 10am–4pm
🎟️ Adult £5, Child £2
📍 York Museum Gardens

Hosted in partnership with the team from York Dog Park

🔗 Book now at: https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/whats-on/events/york-dog-show/

04/09/2026

Yesterday, we were thrilled to welcome Professor Alice Roberts for a tour of our collections. ✨

While in York as part of her tour for her new book, The Goddess Queen, Alice explored our exhibitions, including the remarkable Iron Age Melsonby Hoard in ‘Chariots, Treasure & Power’, before discovering more in ‘Viking North’.

It was a great opportunity to share some of the stories behind these fascinating objects and exhibitions, and to hear Alice’s own insights and perspectives on the history and archaeology on display.

Thanks for visiting us, Alice – we hope you enjoyed your time at the Yorkshire Museum! 💛

26/08/2026

An ancient doggo was here! 🐶

This , we’re taking a closer look at a fascinating Roman tile tomb, dating from AD 120–410, which was discovered near Tadcaster in 1833.

The tiles once covered the remains of a funeral pyre following cremation. Beneath them were skeletal remains, along with iron nails from the shoes worn by the deceased.

Many of the tiles are stamped “LEG VI V”, marking the Sixth ‘Victorious’ Legion – the Roman army unit stationed in York.

But look closely… One of the tiles also bears the unmistakable paw prints of a curious dog who wandered across the clay before it was fired! 🐾 👀