York, England: Castle Museum
japra | Apr 22, 2009 | Comments 43
York is filled with at least two full days worth of goodness–and that’s picking and choosing from many worthy venues. Using the Rick Steves and Michelin guidebooks, we settled on our top three sites: the Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, and the York Minster. We also enjoyed an evening stroll around the city’s beautiful wall as well as a some aimless walking with the occasional stop for a cappuccino.
The Castle Museum, according to Wikipedia, is located on the same spot where William the Conqueror built his castle back in 1068. The buildings that are there now were built in the 1700s using bricks from the original castle and served as the debtor and women’s prisons. Pretty nice prison, eh? From the outside anyway.
The museum is a bit like Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress. Have you been on that “ride”? The first part of the museum has examples of city vs country living areas progressing over time (until the 1950s). The museum also has an amazing collection of costumes and textiles as well as objects from military and social histories.
However, the star of the museum has to be Kirkgate, an amazing life size recreation of a Victorian street. You can sit in a school room, peek into a grocer’s, and go into a sweet shop (and buy some sugar mice). Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the local newspaper, The Examiner, better reading than the London Freesheets ;-) It “rained” while we were there. And we experienced the street during the “day” and “night”. It’s very well done.
See that vat of Golden Syrup? How in the world was that measured out? When I cook with it, I make such a sticky gooey mess.
BTW, you can visit a more extensive candy shop before you head into the cafe or the second half of the museum. We bought a bag of toffee and a jar of lemon fizz hard candies.
Oh look! It’s Anne and Elizabeth (or Elizabeth and Jane, depending on which Austen novel you like best). As an aside, I stayed up really late last night watching the Lost in Austen DVD. I loved it! Is that wrong? I am a Austen devotee but I took this show in the spirit in which it was offered ;-)
And Wickham, fancy seeing you here! LOL. In all seriousness, this museum has one of the largest costume collections in Britain. There are some beautiful examples of wedding clothes from the 18th century as well as Victorian dresses and accessories.
Mr. DJ thought the gaol was pretty neat. I was surprised to read that prisoners had to pay for their upkeep. And men and women were kept in the same cells. I liked the workshops set up in some of the cells.
And yes, we did have lunch in the museum cafe :-)
Across the street from the museum is the 13th century Clifford’s Tower, well the ruins of it anyway. We didn’t go in as we had budgeted the rest of the day for the National Railway Museum. But it made for a nice ending picture, didn’t it? ;-)
Castle Museum in York, England
Length of Visit: 4 hours
Recommended for families
For price and hours, check the museum’s website.
Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • Featured • Museums • United Kingdom • What to Do • York
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Very nice. I’m an Austen fan, too – mostly Pride and Prejudice. Gothic and regency romances are my favourites.
American in Britain, I’m currently re-reading Jane Eyre. It was the trip up to York that did it ;-)
Was there a guillotine on the Low Door? !!!
David, only if you don’t duck ;-)
Hi JaPRA,
So glad you got a taste of ‘Old England’ York is a great base to capture that feel as you found out. Even is you don’t go on a tour it give that oldie world atmosphere in places.
A great pictorial account with good commentry alongside. A good advert for many that may well wnat to go there and do the same thing.
Another comment of the low door, this sign must have been put there due to mordern health and safety reasons, it just spoils it a bit with the bold printed style.
Maddog, the only thing I regret about our time there is I didn’t have the chance to try some of the regional cuisine. There is always next time, I suppose! And thank you for your kind comments. I do a lot of looking around the internet when we are deciding on where to go and what to see, so if my post is helpful to someone, I am happy.
Amazing. I have never even heard of that museum and I had a 7yr old at the time who would have loved it.
Maureen, oh no! That is really too bad. But I am sure you have a lot of lovely memories from your time there anyway.
Wonderful! I love these York posts. I NEED to visit Kirkgate. I’m a sucker for those kinds of things. By the way, thank you for sending David Mcmahon my way!
Xoan-Wahn, LOL! The dangers of reading travel blogs, eh? I feel that way a lot. I may need to start keeping a list of places to visit. And you’re welcome about David. He’s a great and generous guy. And your blog is amazing, so I was happy to recommend you to him :-)
Yay for York posts! I have Lost in Austen on my Netflix queue and am hating how long I have to wait for it. I’m glad you thought it was good and can’t wait to see it myself!
Lucylucia, you are going to love Lost in Austen! I was very tempted to watch it again today (four hours!). It does take a bit of getting used to seeing other actors in the roles; I am a P&P 1995 purist. I was afraid I was going to hate the “new” Darcy, but Elliot Cowan won me over. You are going to get such a kick out of it–all the little twists. Maybe you should just buy it now! LOL ;-) Let me know what you think, okay?
Lunch looks particularly yummy! Was the bread as tasty as it looks?
Anonymous friend, the bread was certainly tastier than the run of the mill bread in the US, but probably not as fantastic as you might have imagined.
However, the prepared sandwiches here are quite a bit better than their American cousins. Brie and cranberry, crawfish salad, shrimp salad, pork and apple stuffing, bacon and cheddar, ploughman’s, cheddar and onion… all surprisingly good.
That is an interesting museum. Now, were the statues wearing those period clothes a bit shorter than people are today? I remember hearing something like that.
Christine, you know, I didn’t even notice! The mannequins were behind glass and set back a little bit. But I have been by the Jane Austen Center and Bath (I need to go back and actually tour it!) and the Jane Austen statue in front is surprisingly small. I don’t know if it’s to scale, but if it was, JA was a small woman.
Great photos JAPRA. I love regency fashion. :)
Akelamalu, I love regency fashion too! As long as I didn’t have to iron all those dresses! LOL
This place sounds great!
Laurie, it is worth a zip up there if you have a couple of days. Very interesting!
Hello! great to read your quick tour of York! – I was just there myself 2 weeks ago and wish I had planned a longer stay – a lovely city with so much history – we also followed Rick Steves guide, took a walking city tour with a private guide; loved the Castle Museum, a true find with its Victorian street and fashion exhibits, the gaol was an eye-opener! Thank you for sharing! [and by the way, yes, the figures seem small, as they were; but as for Jane Austen, she was described as tall in any references to her - tall for her time at least. In comparison, if you go to Haworth and see the Bronte Parsonage, the dress for Charlotte Bronte shows how very tiny she was...]
Best,
Deb
Deb, thanks for chiming in! That is very interesting about Austen and Bronte. I am sorry I missed Haworth did you enjoy your visit? I was just thinking about doing a pilgrimage to Chawton. Have you been there?
Hi again – yes, Haworth is worth the trip, esp if you have read up on your Bronte! The town itself is charming. And yes, I have been to Chawton several times – a must see for every Austen enthusiast! You should do the full triangle: Chawton, Winchester, Bath, Lyme Regis, and Southampton to hit all the spots – there are a few guidebooks just following Austen. I do a Jane Austen blog for our Vermont JASNA chapter: http://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com- you can check out a few things there as well as good links. Not sure where you are living – but I envy you your stay in the UK, and you seem to be taking advantage of being there and visiting all around! [We just visited Liverpool on this last trip as my Mom was born there - and my husband and I were amazed at what a wonderful city it has become.] I will keep checking back on your blog to follow your adventures!
Best,
Deb
Deb, I am definitely going to check out your Austen blog. I am practically hyperventilating over the thought of visiting Chawton. I really do want to see Lyme Regis too. Thanks so much visiting my blog!
I’m making a note to visit that museum and see Kirkgate….I’d love that.
The Cara Cara’s seem to me a little sweeter…
Sugar mice…I’ve seen those mentioned in a novel or two by either Elizabeth Goudge and Rumer Godden.
Happy to report it has cooled down considerably here and I’m very happy about that.
Sara, my husband ate one of those sugar mice. I couldn’t do it… so much sugar! BTW, here’s a recipe I found. Don’t know how good it is, but if you’re keen to give it a go: http://thefoody.com/sweets/sugarmice.html
I am going to look up those authors!
I have never been to York – but I love the look of it after your post. Besides I love golden syrup! xv
Vicki, I think York is living museum. Of course, there are some modern parts, but there’s so much old goodness to make it magical. Golden syrup with butter on pancakes… mmmm.
Thank you for this wonderful museum tour!
I came here thanks to David,
congratulations on his Post of the Day award.
That sandwich looks so tempting,
I would love to have a bite right now. ;-)
Merisi, thanks for stopping in. I’m glad to see you again :-) How are things in Vienna? It looks like you’re having a marvellous Spring!
Now I am longing to go there. To shop for candy, check out the clothing, and duck my head into the jail. Going farther might give me the willies!
Oh, that green is so soothing.
Thanks for stopping by my place. And congratulations on your listing in David’s POTD. Very deserving!
San, right back at you! I adored your Debbie Does Art post. Just so, so funny!! Hope you’re having a beautiful Spring in gorgeous Santa Fe :-)
I’ve been to York a few times, living in Northumberland it’s about 2 hours away.
Really enjoyed your photographs and write up. The jail is pretty attractive!
CJ xx
Crystal Jigsaw, lucky you!! Northern England is really beautiful. What is your favourite spot in Northumberland?
I love York! Brilliant reconstructions too – reminds me of Beamish in Northumberland which is totally reconstructed old mining village. Highly recommended too.
Great post. Over from authoblog.
(I had to go private on my blog – not keeping bloggers out. So you are very welcome to visit. Just email me for an invite and I will send you one. Thanks)
Oh no! I know we would love to see that mining village. Adding it to our ever-growing list…
Thanks so much for visiting, Cath! I’d love to see your blog as well.
What a fabulous blog you have!!!! I am in absolute awe!!!! This post is terrific, too! Congrats on your POTD! So glad as it led me here!!!!
Thank you, Janine! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting… and all of you wonderfully kind words!
Isn’t England a wonderful place to explore. I’ve been twice and feel like I’ve just dipped my toes in. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Grace, we’ve lived here a little over two years and we still feel like there is SO much to see! Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment. :-)
I felt like I was transported and taking a tour…very nice…
That’s an interesting way to run a jail. Congrats on Post of the Day. I came by from David’s.
Pouty, I agree. I was really surprised to hear how things were run back in the 1700s. It must have been just awful. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!