York Army Museum

Is it right for my child?

• All ages are welcome, including babies and toddlers. The museum suggests short visits for under 5s, looking for colourful objects, animals and uniforms.
• Ages 5 to 7: the museum suggests a trail, object spotting and a game of TANKS, plus plenty of “why?” questions.
• Ages 8 to 11: children can play museum detective, look for clues and take on a family mission.
• Ages 11 and over: the museum says TANKS is especially popular with older children. Teens can dig into the people behind the objects.
• TANKS is the museum’s own family-friendly computer game with colourful cartoon-style tanks. The museum says it is easy to pick up and play for all ages.
• Code breakers: children can try Morse code and work out cryptic messages.
• Honest note: this is a military museum about British Army soldiers from 1685 to today. Displays include weapons, uniforms and medals. Most objects are protected and cannot be touched.
• Sensory note: free sensory backpacks include ear defenders, and ear defenders are also available from reception. The evening Twilight Tours run in dimmed galleries and are for ages 10 and over.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Avoid Sundays, when the museum is closed. Last admission is 30 minutes before the 5pm closing time.
• Start at reception. Staff can tell you which family activities and trails are running that day.
• Keep your ticket. It is valid all day and for 12 months, so you can leave for lunch and come back.
• Travel light. The museum cannot store bags or luggage during your visit.
• Leave the dog at home. Only assistance animals are allowed inside.
• Bring your Max Card or York Residents Card if you have one, as these bring free or cheaper entry.
• Nervous about a new place? Look at the museum’s virtual tour before you go.

Prices and tickets

Under 5s go free, and every ticket lasts 12 months. Prices from the museum’s visit page:

• Adult: £8.
• Child (5 to 18): £4.
• Family ticket: £19 for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
• Concession: £6 for over 60s, students and disabled visitors. A disabled visitor’s ticket includes free entry for one companion.
• Max Card: free for up to 2 adults and 2 children.
• Service personnel and veterans: 25% off.
• York Residents Card, York Mix+ members and York City Sightseeing ticket holders: 25% off.
• Regimental Association members: free. This includes serving members of the Royal Dragoon Guards or the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, and their family members pay half price.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Step-free entrance: you can get from the street into reception without steps.
• 11 steps down to the galleries: there are 11 steps from reception down to the museum, with a platform stairlift. The museum says the galleries are flat and accessible with pushchairs.
• Nappies and wipes: under its baby changing heading, the museum lists free nappy bags, nappies, wipes and sanitary products in its toilets. Help yourself or ask at reception. The page does not describe a changing table.
• Feeding: breastfeeding is welcome.
• Toilets: the museum has an accessible toilet.

Food and drink

There is no café or picnic area in the museum. It sits in the middle of York, with plenty of cafés and restaurants close by.

Your ticket is valid all day, so you can head out for lunch and return. For a picnic, the museum points families across the road to Tower Gardens. The base of Clifford’s Tower, opposite, is another popular place to sit.

Getting there and parking

• Address: York Army Museum, 3 Tower Street, York YO1 9SB. It is opposite Clifford’s Tower, next to the Hilton Hotel.
• From the station: the museum says York station is about a 15 minute walk.
• Castle car park (Tower Street, YO1 9SA) is about a minute’s walk, according to the museum. The council charges £5 for up to an hour from Sunday to Thursday, and £5.50 on Fridays, Saturdays and event days.
• Castle car park details: charges apply 8am to midnight every day, with no maximum stay. You can pay by coins, card or phone (location number 808748).
• Blue Badge: Castle car park has 30 Blue Badge bays. Blue Badge holders can park free in any bay there, for as long as they want.
• St George’s Field car park is about 3 to 4 minutes’ walk, according to the museum. It is on the River Ouse floodplain and can close when the river is high.
• Bus and Park and Ride: buses stop in the city centre, and six Park and Ride sites serve York. Check iTravelYork for routes.

When to visit

• Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Closed on Sundays. The visit page does not list bank holiday or Christmas times, so check before you travel.
• School holidays and weekends: the museum runs family activities through the year, particularly at these times. Its events page lists what is on.
• Little ones: look out for Rhyme Time sessions and the Nursery Rhyme Trail for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
• Twilight Tours: 45 minute guided tours on selected Wednesday evenings at 6.15pm, in darkened galleries. They suit ages 10 and over. After 11 November, the next listed date is 9 December 2026, and booking is essential.
• First World War walking trail: from Monday 2 November, the museum offers a self-guided trail around York. There is a family version with clues and activities. Printed copies are at the museum.

Additional needs and disability support

York Army Museum lists these official support options for visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Is York Army Museum free for children?

Under 5s go free. Children aged 5 to 18 pay £4, and a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children costs £19.

How long do you need at York Army Museum?

The museum says most families explore it in around 45 minutes. Tickets last all day and for 12 months, so you can come back.

Can you take a pushchair to York Army Museum?

Yes. The entrance is step-free and the museum says the galleries are flat. There are 11 steps down from reception, with a platform stairlift.

Is York Army Museum open on Sundays?

No. It opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm.

Is there a café at York Army Museum?

No, there is no café or picnic area inside. You can pop out to nearby cafés, or picnic in Tower Gardens across the road.

Is York Army Museum good for autistic children?

The museum offers free sensory backpacks, ear defenders and quiet breaks on request. A carer goes free, and Max Card holders get free entry.

Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official York Army Museum visit, families, accessibility and events pages, and the City of York Council Castle car park and St George’s Field car park pages. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.