Quick answer
The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough is an indoor museum of coastal heritage and geology, full of fossils and ancient sea creatures. It suits a rainy day, and under 18s and registered carers go free. Adults buy a £5 Annual Pass, which also covers Scarborough Art Gallery. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. On 13 November 2026, the museum’s page said the West Wing was closed because of water leaks.
Is it right for my child?
- Fossils and sea creatures: the Ancient Seas Gallery shows creatures that once lived in Yorkshire. The visual story describes fossils in glass cabinets and a replica Ichthyosaurus to look up at.
- Things to touch: the visual story says children can touch a large ammonite fossil. Drawers under the cabinets carry “open me” stickers and hold drawings of skeletons and beach finds.
- Little legs: dinosaur footprints on the floor lead to the Ancient Seas room, and the visual story suggests jumping or hopping on them. An activity corner near the West Wing has a replica dinosaur called Meg the Megalosaurus.
- Older children: the Star Carr Collection holds artefacts about 11,000 years old. Opened in 1829, the Rotunda is one of the world’s first purpose-built museums.
- Sensory notes: the visual story says reception can be busy and noisy, and the spiral stairs are a bit dark. The Star Carr area has a video with sound. The Rotunda Gallery is usually quieter, though the room can feel dark.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the day: the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
- Bring £5 per adult for the Annual Pass. Under 18s and registered carers are free.
- Download the visual story and sensory map from the access page, or pick up copies at the museum.
- Check for closed areas: on 13 November 2026 the museum’s page said the West Wing was closed after water leaks, with no reopening date given.
- Plan food: the official pages do not mention a café at the Rotunda. The museum points families to Sitwell Nibbles café at Woodend.
Prices and tickets
- Adults: a £5 Annual Pass gives admission to both the Rotunda Museum and Scarborough Art Gallery.
- Free: under 18s and registered carers.
The official pages do not say how to buy the pass.
Festive Donkey Trail: on 13 November 2026, the museum’s event page listed this trail from 2 November to 31 December 2026, during opening hours. Children find a hidden donkey at the Rotunda, Scarborough Art Gallery and Woodend Gallery, collecting letters for a Christmas clue and a sticker. The trail is free, but admission charges may apply.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Getting in: the museum says there are no steps to the front door. From the main road you can choose steps or gradual inclined walkways.
- Inside: the museum is on three floors. A lift on the ground floor serves all floors, and there are no steps into the galleries. The ground floor is fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Stairs: spiral stairs also lead up to the first part of the exhibition.
- Toilets: there are separate female and male toilets, plus a fully accessible unisex toilet on the ground floor. The visual story says there are no toilets upstairs.
- Baby changing: the accessible toilet has baby change facilities.
- Breastfeeding: the museum says it is breastfeeding friendly, so feed wherever you feel comfortable.
Food and drink
The official pages do not mention a café or a picnic area at the Rotunda. The museum’s page points to Sitwell Nibbles café at Woodend, a short walk through the Valley Gardens.
The two official pages disagree on its days and payment. The Rotunda page says Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm, card payments only. The Woodend page says Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, and accepts cash and card. Check before you go, especially on a Saturday. The Rotunda page also says the museum is next door to Brewed Coffee Shop and Eatery.
Getting there and parking
The address is Rotunda Museum, Vernon Road, Scarborough YO11 2PS, off Valley Road. The museum says it is less than 5 minutes from the South Bay beach.
- Train: Scarborough station is a 15-minute walk away. It is step free, and taxis are available there.
- Bus: the nearest stop is opposite the entrance, across Valley Road.
- Parking: there is no car parking on site. South Bay underground car park is close by, and Palm Court multi-storey is 5 minutes’ walk away. Both are pay and display.
- Street parking: pay and display parking is on Valley Road and The Crescent. No parking prices are given.
- Blue Badge: accessible parking for Blue Badge holders is on Valley Road, 2 minutes’ walk away.
When to visit
Opening hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 4.30pm, and Thursday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The museum notes it can sometimes be busy with school visits.
Christmas and New Year 2026 to 2027: closed Monday 21 December. Open Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December, 10am to 4.30pm, and Thursday 24 December, 10am to 5pm. Closed Friday 25 to Monday 28 December. Open Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 December, 10am to 4.30pm. Closed Thursday 31 December and Friday 1 January. Open Saturday 2 January, 10am to 5pm. Closed Sunday 3 January, and Monday 4 to Friday 8 January for collections maintenance.
Additional needs and disability support
Scarborough Museums and Galleries publishes access resources for the Rotunda. Call ahead with any questions.
- Visual story: written with autistic children in mind, it explains what to expect. The current download is dated June 2024.
- Sensory map: it shows which spaces may be busy, noisy, quiet, bright, dark or interactive, and where there might be smells.
- Sensory Backpack: the visual story describes one to borrow, with fidget toys, ear defenders and a PECS board. Children swap it for a certificate at the end.
- Ear defenders are available on request from the reception desk.
- Sound: galleries sometimes have background music and sound, depending on the exhibition. You can ask staff to turn off the Star Carr video sound.
- Large print: a large print guide for the Star Carr exhibition is available from the Welcome Desk.
- Registered carers go free. Assistance dogs are welcome, and drinking bowls are available on request.
- Changing Places: the Rotunda page does not mention one at the museum.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rotunda Museum free for children?
Yes. Under 18s and registered carers go free. Adults need the £5 Annual Pass, which also covers Scarborough Art Gallery.
Is the Rotunda Museum good for toddlers?
The official pages give no minimum age. Toddlers can follow the dinosaur footprints and touch the ammonite. The lift serves every floor, but there are no toilets upstairs.
Can you take a pushchair to the Rotunda Museum?
Yes. There are no steps to the front door, a lift serves all three floors and there are no steps into the galleries.
Is the Rotunda Museum open on Sundays?
No. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. It opens Tuesday to Saturday, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Is the Rotunda Museum good for autistic children?
It offers a visual story, a sensory map and ear defenders on request. The visual story describes a Sensory Backpack to borrow. Reception can be busy and noisy, while the Rotunda Gallery is usually quieter.
Can I bring my dog to the Rotunda Museum?
Yes. Well behaved dogs kept on a lead throughout the visit are welcome. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome too.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Scarborough Museums and Galleries pages for the Rotunda Museum, access, what’s on, the Festive Donkey Trail and Woodend, plus the Rotunda visual story and sensory map. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
