Yorkshire Museum

Chronicling the history of Yorkshire from its founding, through the Roman and Viking invasions to the Middle Ages, the Yorkshire Museum is one of York’s top museums, renowned for housing some of Britain’s finest archeological finds. Since opening its doors in 1830, the museum has amassed an impressive permanent collection of almost 1 million objects, with everything from prehistoric artifacts to fine medieval sculptures.

Highlights include the exquisite Middleham Jewel, a gold and sapphire pendant dating back to the mid 15th century; a reconstructed Roman mosaic floor and a statue of the Roman god Mars; a fascinating collection of Viking clothing and weaponry; and over 200,000 biological specimens, including extinct species like the Great Auk and the Moa.

Built around the ruins of St Mary's Abbey on the banks of the River Ouse, the museum is also set in 10 acres of botanical gardens, laid out by Sir John Murray Naysmith in 1830 and including exotic specimens like an Indian chestnut and a Monkey Puzzle tree.