I love trains, especially steam locomotives so I was totally thrilled to find out that our New England road trip took us through Scranton, Pennsylvania home to the Steamtown National Historic Site which is full of old locomotives & rolling stock.
UK: York – National Railway Museum
🚂 The National Railway Museum, York — A Proper Day Out
We’ve always had a soft spot for anything with moving parts — gears, pistons, levers, the lot. Which is, admittedly, a bit peculiar given that we spent our entire working lives in electrical and electronic engineering. None of that greasy, clanking machinery for us professionally, oh no. But put a steam engine or a vintage aircraft in front of us and we’re like a kid at Christmas. Cars are well enough — the engineering is clever — but our real passions have always been aircraft and trains. So whenever the opportunity presents itself to visit a museum dedicated to either, we don’t need asking twice.
Now, we know how that sounds. Getting genuinely thrilled about a train is, by most people’s reckoning, deeply nerdy. We hold our hands up. But there’s something about rail travel that gets under the skin in a way that motorways and airport lounges simply don’t. Train journeys feel romantic — there’s a pace to them, a scenery to them, a rhythm to them. Driving is just sitting in traffic pretending you’re going somewhere, and flying is basically a bus that’s mildly terrifying. Trains, though — proper trains — have soul. And the old steam trains? Utterly magnificent. Give us a well-preserved locomotive over a shiny modern electric unit any day of the week.
🏛️ What’s Inside
The museum charts the entire story of rail transport in Britain and its far-reaching impact on British society and commerce. It’s housed in a former railway engine shed and locomotive stockyard, and opened its doors to the public back in 1975. Over 6,000 objects are on display, including around 100 locomotives and items of rolling stock, all of them telling different chapters of Britain’s extraordinary railway story.
The collection ranges from fine jewellery worn by railway queens — yes, that’s a thing — to scale models of planes, boats and hovercraft. There’s also genuinely weird stuff, like Louis Brennan’s Gyroscopic Mono-rail Car, an experimental single-rail vehicle from around 1909 that somehow stayed upright using spinning gyroscopes. Bonkers, and brilliant. The museum is home to the Stirling Single, the Duchess of Hamilton, a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train, a household recipe book from George Stephenson’s own home, and footage of the peculiar “never-stop railway” developed for the British Empire Exhibition of 1924. Eclectic doesn’t begin to cover it.
And the crown jewel of the whole collection, as far as we’re concerned, is the Mallard. Built in 1938 by Sir Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway, the Mallard set the world speed record for a steam locomotive on 3rd July 1938, clocking 126 miles per hour on Stoke Bank in Lincolnshire — a record that has never been beaten. Never. By anything with a boiler and wheels. Extraordinary.
We’re clearly not alone in our enthusiasm — in the year or so before the Covid-19 pandemic brought everything to a grinding halt, nearly 800,000 people passed through its doors. That’s a remarkable figure for any museum, let alone one sitting outside of London.
🗺️ Getting There and Getting Around
The museum sits right on the edge of York city centre. Driving is technically an option, though there’s a fair amount of construction work going on in and around the area at present, so it might not be the smoothest experience. If you do bring the car, there’s a decent-sized car park a short walk away that’ll set you back £10.
Frankly, coming by train is the obvious choice — and not just because it feels appropriate. The museum is only a few minutes’ stroll from York’s main railway station, and about a ten-minute walk from the city centre. Follow this link to find out more about travelling to the National Railway Museum.
Once you’re there, it couldn’t be simpler. Entry is free — yes, free — though it’s well worth booking tickets online in advance to avoid hanging about at the door. The main exhibits are spread across two areas: the Station Hall and the Great Hall. For a downloadable PDF map, click here.
🚉 The Station Hall
The Station Hall is laid out like a proper Victorian railway station, complete with platforms, and it’s a cracking space. All the engines and rolling stock on display here are vintage steam, so if you’re going to get misty-eyed anywhere in the museum, this is probably the spot.
The Royal carriages are the real draw in this hall, running from the 19th century right through to more modern times. Now, we won’t pretend we weren’t a little disappointed that you can’t actually climb aboard — it’s strictly a nose-against-the-glass situation. But even peering through the windows gives you a genuine sense of how royalty and the aristocracy travelled in considerable style whilst the rest of us were presumably wedged into a third-class compartment somewhere near the guard’s van. The interiors are sumptuous — all deep upholstery, polished wood panelling and ornate fittings. A different world entirely.
Throughout the day, museum staff give presentations from the platform that flesh out the history and the occasional bit of juicy intrigue surrounding these remarkable carriages. Well worth catching one if you can.
And naturally, no self-respecting station would be complete without somewhere to sit down with a brew. There’s a pleasant café right there on the platform — ideal for a morning coffee or a restorative afternoon tea with cake. Which, after all that history, you’ll have thoroughly earned.
🏛️ The Great Hall
This is where the big stuff lives, and we mean that quite literally. It’s a vast space, and it needs to be — the exhibits on display here are some of the most significant railway vehicles ever built. You’ll find modern giants like the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train and the Eurostar rubbing shoulders with the legends of the steam age, but let’s be honest, it’s the classics that most people come to see.
And the undisputed star of the show is the Mallard. She’s an A4 class locomotive, designed by the brilliant Sir Nigel Gresley for the London and North Eastern Railway, and built in 1938 specifically to haul high-speed express services. The A4s were aerodynamically shaped — actually tested in a wind tunnel, which was genuinely cutting-edge thinking at the time — to slice through the air as cleanly as possible. It shows. That long, streamlined nose and deep blue livery make her look fast even standing still. On 3rd July 1938, on Stoke Bank in Lincolnshire, she hit 126 miles per hour, a world speed record for a steam locomotive that has never been beaten. Not once. Magnificent.
Elsewhere in the hall there’s a reproduction of George Stephenson’s Rocket — the original lives at the Science Museum in London — built in 1829 and widely regarded as the world’s first truly modern steam locomotive. There’s also a steam engine with the boiler casing cut away so you can peer inside at all the workings, which is utterly fascinating.
The warehouse adjoining the Great Hall is well worth a wander too. It’s absolutely rammed with railway memorabilia spanning the entire history of British rail operations — the sort of place where you turn a corner and find something that stops you dead in your tracks. Brilliant.
🎟️ The Bottom Line
Look, we’ll be straight with you — the National Railway Museum is genuinely one of the finest museums in the whole of the United Kingdom, and we don’t say that lightly. We’ve been to a fair few in our time. It’s the sort of place that works brilliantly for families, because there’s enough to keep the kids entertained whilst the grown-ups quietly lose themselves staring at a 1938 locomotive for longer than is strictly normal. It’s free to get in, it’s right on the doorstep of York city centre, and whether you arrive by train — the obvious and rather poetic choice — or on foot from town, you’ll have no bother finding it. If you’re ever in York and you don’t pop in, frankly, you’re doing it wrong.
Planning your visit to the National Railway Museum
| 📍 | Location | Leeman Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO26 4XJ, England | |
| 🕖 | Opening Times | Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed 24–26 December. | 🌐 Website: railwaymuseum.org.uk |
| 📞 | Phone | +44 (0)330 058 0058 | 📧 Email: nrm@railwaymuseum.org.uk |
| 🚂 | By Train | York station is a 20-minute walk or short taxi ride. The museum runs a free road train — the Station Shuttle — from outside the station on busy days. | |
| 🚌 | By Bus | Several First York bus routes serve Leeman Road. The number 2 stops close to the museum entrance. | |
| 🚗 | By Road | Follow signs for the National Railway Museum from the A1237 or city centre ring road. Pay-and-display parking available on site off Leeman Road. | |
| ℹ️ | Notes | Admission is free. Some special exhibitions may charge separately. Advance booking recommended for peak times and events. |
🎟️ Entry Fees
| General Admission | Special Exhibitions | Parking | Station Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Varies | Charged on site | Free on operating days |
The Best Time to Visit Yorkshire
🌸 Spring — March to May
Spring breathes new life into the dales and moors. Bluebells carpet the woodland floors, lambs dot the hillsides, and seabirds return to the cliffs at Flamborough Head. The North York Moors and Dales are vivid and uncrowded, and May is the pick of the season — mild weather, long days, and lower prices than summer. Coastal towns such as Whitby and Scarborough are pleasantly quiet.
What to pack: Waterproof jacket, fleece or mid-layer, sturdy walking boots, quick-dry trousers, thermal base layer for early mornings, sun protection, compact umbrella, daypack.
☀️ Summer — June to August
The finest all-round season for outdoor activity. Days are long, the countryside is lush, and the coast comes alive. June and early July offer the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds; August brings school holidays and busier roads. The Great Yorkshire Show in July and the Tour de Yorkshire cycling event require accommodation booked well in advance.
What to pack: Lightweight clothing, reliable waterproof jacket, walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, factor 30+ sun cream, light fleece for evenings, insect repellent for moorland walks, swimwear, reusable water bottle.
🍂 Autumn — September to November
Arguably the most spectacular time on the North York Moors, when heather blazes purple from mid-August through September. October turns the woodland valleys gold and amber. Temperatures remain comfortable into early October and visitor numbers drop sharply after the summer holidays end. November brings shorter days but atmospheric abbeys, quieter villages, and excellent value accommodation.
What to pack: Fleece or light down jacket, waterproof outer layer, walking boots with good grip for muddy paths, warm hat and gloves for later in the season, thermal base layers, scarf.
❄️ Winter — December to February
Yorkshire at its quietest and most atmospheric. York’s Christmas markets and medieval streets are magical in December, and Rievaulx and Whitby abbeys are dramatic under frost or snow. Higher dales roads can close in severe weather — check conditions before heading out. Accommodation is at its cheapest and most available throughout January and February.
What to pack: Warm waterproof coat, thermal base layers, heavy fleece or down mid-layer, warm hat, gloves, scarf, insulated waterproof boots, thick walking socks.
🗓️ Overall Best Time to Visit
For most visitors, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are the standout choices. May offers a fresh, vivid landscape, comfortable walking weather, and none of the summer crowds. September brings the spectacular heather bloom, golden light, and pleasant temperatures once the holiday rush has passed. Both months combine natural beauty with practicality and value — though Yorkshire has something to offer in every season, whatever draws you there.
Other things to do in York
1. Jorvik Viking Centre
The Jorvik Viking Centre is built on the site of an actual Viking settlement that was excavated in the 1970s and 1980s. The main experience involves a slow-moving ride through a reconstruction of what the area would have looked like around a thousand years ago, complete with sounds, smells, and replica figures. It is a fairly short experience overall, but it is well put together and the archaeological finds on display are genuinely interesting. Entry is ticketed and it is one of the more popular attractions in York, so booking ahead online is a sensible idea, especially during busy periods. It is located on Coppergate in the city centre and is easy to reach on foot from most of the other main sights.
2. York Minster
York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe and sits right in the heart of the city. You can walk in and look around the main nave for free, though a ticket is needed to access the tower, the crypt, and the underground visitor centre. It gets busy, particularly in summer and around religious holidays, so arriving early in the day tends to make things a little easier. The stained glass windows are genuinely impressive, and if you are able to climb the tower, the views over York are well worth the effort. There are regular services throughout the week, so it is worth checking the website before you go if you want to be sure of access..
3. Castle Museum
The Castle Museum is housed in a former prison and covers everyday life in Britain from the seventeenth century up to more recent times. One of its most popular features is a reconstructed Victorian street, which gives you a sense of what shopping and daily life looked like in that era. There are also displays covering fashion, toys, and domestic objects across the centuries, as well as sections looking at the First and Second World Wars. Entry is ticketed, and it is worth setting aside at least two to three hours if you want to see most of what is on offer. It tends to be a little quieter than some of the other main York attractions, which makes it a pleasant option if you prefer a more relaxed visit.
4. Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower is the largest remaining part of York Castle and sits on top of a steep grassy mound near the centre of the city. It is managed by English Heritage, so entry is ticketed, though members get in free. The tower itself is not enormous, but climbing up gives you good views across York and the surrounding area. There is a rooftop walkway which was added in recent years, making the most of the elevated position. The site has a difficult history — in 1190, a large number of Jewish residents of York were killed here — and there is information on site that addresses this. The climb up the mound can be a little steep, but the tower is accessible once you reach the top.
Where to stay
1. YHA York Hostel
Sitting along the banks of the River Ouse at Water End in Clifton, YHA York is one of those rare hostels that genuinely surprises you. Far from the spartan, no-frills image that “youth hostel” might conjure, this is a warm, welcoming space with a café, bar, and comfortable rooms that cater equally well to solo travellers, couples, and families. The riverside setting gives the whole place a peaceful, almost countryside feel, despite being a short walk from the city centre. Guests regularly rave about the friendly atmosphere, the hearty breakfasts, and the good-value evening meals. Whether you’re here to explore the Viking heritage of York or simply need a comfortable, affordable base, YHA York delivers in spades.
2. The Jorvik House
On the tranquil stretch of Marygate, opposite the ancient ruins of St Mary’s Priory and just moments from the River Ouse, Jorvik House has quietly built a reputation as one of York’s most characterful boutique hotels. The Scandinavian-influenced décor gives the interiors a cool, distinctive edge — think clean lines and considered styling — while the staff are known for going above and beyond, including round-the-clock reception cover. Rooms range from cosy doubles to impressive junior suites, and breakfast delivered to your room is a touch that elevates the experience further. Centrally located yet away from the bustle of the main tourist drag, Jorvik House strikes an enviable balance between accessibility and calm. It’s a genuine local gem.
3. Galtres Lodge Hotel
Right in the beating heart of historic York, Galtres Lodge Hotel on Low Petergate offers something that larger chain hotels simply cannot replicate: genuine character. With rooms featuring open fireplaces, exposed beams, and deep roll-top baths, the hotel wears its heritage with real style. Several rooms enjoy jaw-dropping views directly across to York Minster, which is the kind of morning sight that makes you want to linger over breakfast. And what a breakfast it is — the Full Yorkshire is a proper affair, and the dining area downstairs has the cosy, relaxed atmosphere of a place that takes hospitality seriously. Under the watchful eye of general manager David and even the resident dog Toby, guests leave feeling genuinely looked after. Highly recommended.
More to Explore
