Step Back in Time This February Half-Term at York Castle Museum

About

Families are invited to experience Victorian York during February Half-Term at York Castle Museum. Running from Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February 2026, the programme offers immersive displays, food demonstrations and creative activities inspired by nineteenth century life.

Discover a Victorian Coaching Inn Experience

Opening in the final week of January, a new immersive installation has been created. The Last Stop Before Kirkgate transforms the museum entrance into a recreated Victorian coaching inn, setting the scene for a journey into the historic street of Kirkgate.

The installation draws inspiration from the many coaching inns that once served travellers arriving in York, including the Black Swan and The George on Coney Street. Visitors are introduced to the sights, sounds and stories of nineteenth century travel, offering an atmospheric start to their visit.

Stories and Characters from Victorian York

Available from 31 January until 22 February 2026, the installation features a range of fictional characters travelling to York for different reasons. Through voices and storytelling, visitors encounter personal journeys that reflect everyday life in Victorian Yorkshire. The experience is designed for family audiences and is available for a limited period.

Food, Crafts and Live Entertainment

• Traditional food demonstrations in the Castle Kitchen, including soups, lemon blancmange and spotted dick puddings on selected dates.
• Creative Studio activities, encouraging visitors to design a Victorian outfit inspired by the museum’s collections.
• A guided Creative Families craft session on Friday 20 February, led by artist Lendita.
• Sunday Sounds performances on 15 and 22 February, featuring live historical music.
• Daily talks exploring the history of York Castle Prison and Kirkgate.
• The Time Travellers Trail, available free from the admissions desk.

Explore Kirkgate and Beyond

After passing through the coaching inn installation, visitors can explore Kirkgate, the museum’s recreated Victorian street. Features include a large park drag coach, mounting steps and original signage such as the Black Swan inn sign, preserved from its Coney Street location. The shop fronts and interiors are based on authentic York businesses operating between 1870 and 1901.

Included with General Admission

All February Half-Term activities are included with general admission. Tickets provide access to the museum’s wider galleries, including Period Rooms, World War One, Sixties Street and the historic prison cells where the highwayman was once held.

General admission tickets are valid for 12 months, allowing unlimited revisits throughout the year, including Easter, summer and Christmas 2026.

Plan a February Half-Term Visit

Further details and the full February Half-Term programme can be found on the official website. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead to make the most of this limited time Victorian experience.

View the full February Half-Term programme