The National Railway Museum in York is the largest railway museum in the world, home to iconic locomotives, world-class exhibitions and free entry every day. 

National Railway Museum | Museums in York

• Opening Hours: 
  • Main museum: daily, 10am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm). 
  • Wonderlab: daily, 10am-4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm). 
• Location: National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ
• Suitable for: All ages - guide and assistance dogs welcome
• Booking: Free entry - booking in advance recommended, especially during busy periods. Walk-up entry available daily
• Website: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/visit

The National Railway Museum is the world's largest railway museum and one of the most visited attractions in the north of England. Set across two grand halls - Great Hall and the recently refurbished Station Hall - the museum houses an extraordinary collection of locomotives, carriages and railway artefacts spanning nearly two centuries of railway history. Stand face to face with Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive, or marvel at the Japanese Bullet Train; the collection ranges from workaday wagons to carriages fit for royalty.

Admission is free, and the museum is open seven days a week, making it an ideal destination for families, enthusiasts and curious visitors of all ages. There is a miniature railway (seasonal), a Flying Scotsman VR experience (bookable separately), and Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery - an interactive science and engineering space suitable for younger visitors. Cafes are located in both Great Hall and Station Hall, and there is a well-stocked museum shop in Great Hall. Note that Station Hall is cashless; Great Hall accepts both cash and card.

The museum is undergoing a major transformation as part of its long-term Masterplan project, with a new Central Hall planned to connect the two existing buildings. Wayfinding signage is in place throughout the site. Please check the travel information page before visiting, as routes to the museum have recently changed. There is no on-site parking, but the museum is well connected by bus and is around a 20-minute walk from York city centre.

Photo credit: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/visit