Quick answer
Champney Treasure House in Beverley holds a free museum and art gallery, with costumes to try, hands-on displays and baby activity bags. As it is indoors, it suits a rainy day. The museum record gives hours of Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.45pm and Saturday 9am to 3.45pm. It lists Sundays and bank holidays as closed. East Riding Culture says a lift links the floors and the building has a Changing Places toilet.
Is it right for my child?
- Hands-on history: East Riding Museums says children can dress up in historical costumes, make their own Iron Age round house and try interactive exhibits.
- Under 5s: the museum record mentions beach themed activities beside a museum display and Explorer Resources to borrow. Little ones can spot “5 Things” and collect a sticker.
- Babies: the art gallery has Baby Art Explorer bags for under 2s. Each bag unfolds into a blanket and holds sensory items linked to the art.
- Young artists: the art gallery offers sketching and drawing materials. Children can also dress up as an artist at an easel, an activity aimed at 4 to 7 year olds.
- Big painting: “A Panic” by Henry William Banks Davis is on permanent display. The gallery says it is considered the world’s largest cattle painting.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the day. The museum and art gallery records list Sundays and bank holidays as closed.
- Admission to the museum and art gallery is free.
- Time lunch around the café. It closes earlier than the museum: 3.15pm on weekdays and 2.45pm on Saturdays.
- Plan parking. Pay and display parking behind the building is open to visitors on Saturdays only.
- Ask about the “5 Things” sticker trail and the under 5s Explorer Resources when you arrive.
- Go up the tower. East Riding Culture says you can take the lift or stairs to the top for 360-degree views over Beverley and the Minster.
Prices and tickets
Admission to the museum and art gallery is free.
- Exhibitions: on 13 November 2026, East Riding Museums listed these free exhibitions.
- Cool Britannia: Britain in the 1990s runs from 10 October 2026 to 13 February 2027 in the museum. Its page says no booking is necessary.
- The Open Art Exhibition shows around 100 artworks in Beverley Art Gallery from 26 September to 17 December 2026.
- Tiny Treasures: these free drop-in sessions are for under 5s and their grown-ups. On 13 November 2026, the next session listed was 14 January 2027, 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Getting in: the museum record describes a street level flat entrance with automatic doors.
- Between floors: East Riding Culture lists a lift between floors. The art gallery, café and Education Room are on the first floor.
- Buggy storage: the library record says there is limited space to store buggies or wheelchairs at Beverley Library. Items are left at the owner’s risk.
- Toilets: the museum record lists toilets, a Radar key toilet and wheelchair accessible toilets.
- Baby changing: the official pages we saved do not mention baby changing.
- Breastfeeding: East Riding Museums welcomes breastfeeding anywhere on site. Staff can arrange a discreet space if you ask.
Food and drink
There is a café on the first floor, along the corridor towards the art gallery. It serves sandwiches, paninis, cakes, pastries, scones and drinks.
- Café hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.15pm and Saturday 9am to 2.45pm. The menu lists it as closed on Sunday.
- Sample prices: the menu lists a regular hot chocolate at £3.20 and soup at £3.40.
- Allergies: the menu asks you to tell staff about dietary needs before ordering. It says it cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
- Gardens: the landscaped Champney Gardens are open to the public. They have seating areas, a sundial and pergolas.
Getting there and parking
The address is Champney Treasure House, Champney Road, Beverley. East Riding Museums gives the postcode HU17 8RL. East Riding Culture gives HU17 8HE and the what3words address twinkled.beside.socket.
- Train and bus: it is a five minute walk to Beverley’s train station and bus station.
- Parking: pay and display parking behind the building is available on Saturdays only. One event page says this car park has a 4 hour maximum stay.
- Other parking: the museum record names the nearest pay and display car park and mentions limited on-street parking within easy walking distance. No parking prices are given.
- Blue Badge: disabled parking bays are directly outside the entrance.
When to visit
The museum and art gallery records give hours of Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.45pm and Saturday 9am to 3.45pm. They list Sundays and bank holidays as closed.
- Library: Beverley Library’s normal staffed opening hours exclude Thursdays and Sundays. Its self-service Library Now hours are for members aged 16 or over.
- Christmas: the museum record publishes no dated Christmas closures beyond its bank holiday rule. The library record lists Friday 1 January 2027 as closed. Check before you travel in late December.
- Sunday 13 December 2026: East Riding Museums lists Christmas in the Collections from 11am to 3pm, as part of the Beverley Festival of Christmas.
- The free pop-up display of archive documents and museum objects sits on the first floor outside the museum.
- The event page also mentions a family craft activity in the Education Room and a festive storytime in the library.
- It says the café will open from 11am until 3pm that day.
- Beverley Festival of Christmas: Visit East Yorkshire says the town festival runs on Sunday 13 December 2026, 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.
Additional needs and disability support
East Riding Culture says access was greatly improved in the 2024 transformation of the building.
- Sensory room: East Riding Culture lists a fully immersive sensory room. The council’s 2024 opening news said it is in the library.
- That news release said the room uses light and sound for immersive storytelling. It added that the room can also be a calm, quiet space for people with sensory needs.
- The pages we saved do not say how to book the sensory room or when it is free. Ask the library on 01482 392750 before you travel.
- Changing Places: East Riding Culture and the museum record both list a Changing Places toilet.
- Step-free access: a street level flat entrance, automatic doors and a lift between floors are listed.
- Blue Badge parking is next to the entrance.
- Dogs: only assistance dogs are allowed on site.
- The pages we saved do not mention relaxed sessions, sensory guides or ear defenders to borrow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Champney Treasure House free?
Yes. Admission to the museum and art gallery is free. The café and parking cost extra.
Is Champney Treasure House open on Sundays?
The museum and art gallery records list Sundays and bank holidays as closed. East Riding Museums does list one Sunday event in the building: Christmas in the Collections on 13 December 2026, 11am to 3pm.
Is Champney Treasure House good for toddlers?
East Riding Museums provides beach themed activities, Explorer Resources and a “5 Things” sticker trail for under 5s. Under 2s can borrow Baby Art Explorer bags in the art gallery.
Can you take a pushchair to Champney Treasure House?
The official pages list a flat entrance, automatic doors and a lift between floors. The library record says buggy storage space is limited.
Is Champney Treasure House good for autistic children?
East Riding Culture lists a fully immersive sensory room, which the council says can be a calm, quiet space. Ask the library how to use it before you travel.
Is there a café at Champney Treasure House?
Yes, on the first floor. It opens Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.15pm and Saturday 9am to 2.45pm.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official East Riding Museums pages for Champney Treasure House Museum, Beverley Art Gallery, family friendly and what’s on, plus East Riding Culture’s Champney Treasure House page and the Beverley Library record. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
