National Railway Museum, York

The National Railway Who?

The National Railway Museum, York is a museum of outstanding importance to the history and future of rail travel. It is free to visit and booking ahead is recommended. Because the National Railway Museum is a charity it relies on donations and you can make these when you visit and when you book online. The museum, offers the ideal day out for any train enthusiast and also offers trips for schools and groups.

Can I get something to eat and drink at the National Railway Museum?

There are 2 cafes, 1 in great hall and 1 in station hall. You can get an array of snacks, drinks, meals and cakes there.

What can you do when you get here?

There are different events, exhibitions and workshops being run all the time. Click here to check out what is on. The Museum is also home to some epic characters in train history, such as Mallard, the Japanese Bullet Train and Rocket. You can also expect visits from the world famous The Flying Scotsman. Check out the website for details of when it makes an appearance.

I feel like learning.

Well you’ve come to the right place! The National Railway Museum provides school programme trips, educational visits and is even home to STEM ambassadors. These people are a team of volunteers with specialist skills within the science, technology, engineering and maths. They provide talks on their careers within the field of STEM, and inspire younger people on building their dreams in this area, and provide talks on specialist subjects.

What does the future hold?

The National Railway Museum is venturing on a 6 year journey to take both the York Museum and Locomotion in Shildon into the realm of a world leading museum. Click here to find out how.

How accessible is the National Railway Museum?

All areas of the museum are either level or ramped for pushchair and wheelchair access. They have accessible toilets however you should ring prior to your visit. Their toilets are not changing places toilets. However they are planning to have one fitted in the future.

They also have quieter times for people to visit should they have sensory or cognitive needs that are helped by quiet time.

There are baby changing facilities here. Assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the museum.

There is a fixed hearing loop, which you can get at the welcome desk located at the entrance.

There is also large-print and braille versions of our map which are also available from the reception desk, also at the entrance.

When is the museum open?

From 10-6 every day! There, that’s nice and easy to remember isn’t it? Check what time of year you are going though as the museum as these apply to the beginning of February half term to the end of October half Term. Outside of these times it is open 10- 5.