Local Museums
Wakefield museum is situated in the centre of Wakefield on Wood Street admission is free and there are lots of different things to see. There is a collection of coins, costumes and exhibitions to see and the museum is open all year round seven days a week. A timeline of Wakefield’s history is an interesting piece including artifacts excavated at nearby Sandal Castle and victorian life. Historical photo’s are a very interesting collection as you can be transported back in time and see the familiar landmarks and streets as they used to be also a favourite with the children is the old toy collection.
Pontefract Museum is situated in the centre of Pontefract on Salter Row and is also open all year round. The admission is free and the museum provides a history of coal mining in Pontefract and shows how the town grew to what it is today.
The Royal Armouries in Leeds is situated at Clarence Docks and is open all year round the admission is free and there are three whole floors of history to walk through. The displays are magnificent and the museum features the only elephant armour that exists in the whole world, the detail and preservation of the armour is wonderful. The displays feature weapons and ancient armour from all over the world and some date back to BC. Bringing us into modern day is the army and gun display showing how the first heavy inventions became what they are now. The museum provides guides and information for every display in great detail and museum staff are placed regulary on the floors should you wish for further information on the artifacts. The Royal Armouries is definatly worth visiting and you can even watch staged reproductions of jousting in the jousting arena. A souvenir shop is of course on hand selling replicals of the helmets etc.
Leeds city museum is a new museum which only opened recently in Millenium Square. The admission is free and the museum offers a variety of exhibitions and displays including Roman artifacts, an Egyptian mummy and various pottery etc. There are interactive displays, rotating temporary exhibitions and a history of Leeds area and as the museum is easy to access via public transport it will make a great day out for the kids.
The National Railway museum in York is a great day out as it features the great Yorkshire wheel. The museum is open all year and admission is free the displays are amazing and the museum provides a full history from the early steam train to the current day. There are various interactive stands available to encourage children to learn the history and on display you will find old artifacts recovered and preserved from up to a hundred years ago. The Yorkshire Wheel is just outside the museum and gives a spectacular view of York showcasing the minster, the centre and the race course. The museum is only a short walk from the centre of York and various museums are situated in the centre such as York Dungeon and the castle museum.
