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Where Is The National Railway Museum?
The National Railway Museum is located on Leeman Road in the centre of York, right behind the York railway station. So an easy place to visit by train!
York is a beautiful city in North Eastern England, with lots of fun things to do as a family. Why not combine a day out at the National Railway Museum with a visit to Viking Jorvik or a walk around the ancient walls!
How To Get To The National Railway Museum
Being right beside the city train station makes this an easy place to get to by train. And it’s also a fun way to make it a train themed day out! There is also the possibility of using the road train during the summer to get from the city centre to the museum. Although as it’s only a 20 minute walk it’s not too bad to move around.
If you’re travelling by car then there is a car park across the road from the museum. So it’s really easy to access however you’ve travelled to York.
What To Do At The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is largest railway museum in the UK. The National Railway Museum is currently undergoing some big changes with a new look museum to be opened in 2025. So not all of the building is currently open for visitors. The good news is that there is still plenty to see for the moment and if you return in 2025 you will be blown away by the new look and things to do. However, it’s still worth a visit if you’re a railway enthusiast, like my eldest!
It’s free entry to the museum, although you still need to get tickets online to guarantee a space to visit.
Currently the great hall is still open for viewing the national collection of trains. With all the classic trains available to see and touch. Including the world record holding steam engine, The Mallard. You can visit all the trains around the turning circle, learning about their history and significance to the history of the railways. You can’t currently enter the Station Hall as this is being refurbished.
Don’t miss the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, The Mallard (world’s fastest steam locomotive), the Japanese bullet train and other iconic locomotives. There is plenty of information around the hall to tell you more about the different trains.
There is currently a Flying Scotsman VR immersive experience at the North shed. Which is worth paying a little extra for. This is part of the Flying Scotsman centenary celebrations and it’s great to see the Flying Scotsman in action using the headsets!
You can also find 2 cafes for snacks and lunch, plus a gift shop in the Great Hall. There’s a large selection for gifts for everyone, from toddlers to railway enthusiasts.
Future Additions To The National Railway Museum, York
As part of York’s National Railway Museum Vision 2025, there are lots of exciting new additions. Currently the Station hall is closed, but this will reopen with a refurbished hall and immersive interpretation. This is hoped to re-open in late 2024.
The miniature railway and play area outside in the South Yard are also currently closed. But plans are underway to reopen the miniature railway in late 2024. A newly designed railway themed outdoor play area and picnic area will also open post 2025.
A new open store will also be added to show enthusiasts examples of different railway memorabilia and artefacts.
Wonderlab at the National Railway Museum
If you are visiting the museum with children, then you may like to book tickets for the Wonderlab. It’s an exciting immersive science experience for children. With 18 different hands on challenges and experiments to explore.
It seems similar to the Wonderlab at the Science centre in London, which we’ve previously visited. So I’d definitely recommend it as an add-on for kids.
Other Family Days Out!
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