February Half-Term at York Castle Museum

Saturday 14 February – Sunday 22 February 2026

All activities included in general admission. Book tickets.

The Last Stop Before Kirkgate

Experience the sights, smells and sounds of Victorian York like never before in this brand-new immersive installation, open for a limited time from Saturday 31 January until Sunday 22 February. This experience has been created in collaboration with NOVO Theatre and introduces you to the characters and businesses from York’s past.  

As you arrive at the coaching inn, The Last Stop, you’ll hear emotive soundscapes from five lively Yorkshire folk making their way to visit the street for different reasons. This new experience promises to excite and entertain, transporting you back in time to the 1870s and allowing you to delve deeper into the real stories behind the objects from our historic collections. Linger, listen and travel with us!

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What’s On

Castle Kitchen: Coaching Inn food
Saturday 14 February, Monday 16 February, Thursday 19 February and Saturday 21 February 2026
Drop-in, 10.30am – 4pm
Included in general admission 

Inspired by our new experience set in a Victorian coaching inn, The Last Stop, drop in to the Castle Kitchen to see and sample what type of foods would be available to weary travellers in the 19th century from classic soup dishes to lemon blancmange and spotted dick pudding.

Creative Family Friday
Friday 20 February 2026
Drop-in, 10.30am – 3.30pm

Make and curate your own portable exhibition to tell the story of your journey to York, or the things you’ve seen and done whilst in the city, in this artist-led creative workshop inspired by our new installation The Last Stop Before Kirkgate.

Sunday Sounds
Sunday 15 February and Sunday 22 February 2026
Performance times: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3pm and 4pm
Drop-in, included in general admission 

Enjoy live performances of songs inspired by travelling and changes of transport through time as you explore Kirkgate. This upbeat duo will have your toes tapping before you know it! 

Daily activities:

Creative Studio
Drop-in, self-led activity 

Sketch out your dream Victorian outfit using the fabrics, hats, shoes and dresses on display for inspiration. 

Cells talks
11.30am and 2.30pm

Discover the history of York Castle prison and some of its notorious inmates. 

Kirkgate talks
11.30am and 2pm 

Learn about the creation of the Victorian street, Kirkgate, one of the oldest recreated indoor streets of its kind in the world. 

Object Encounter 
Monday 16 – Saturday 21 February 2026
10.30am and 4pm
Drop-in object handling sessions

Get up close to a pair of dainty, yet striking, 19th century slippers in this object handling session in Leak and Thorp’s on Kirkgate. 

Time-Travellers Activity Trail
Collect a booklet from the admissions desk.

A self-guided trail which explores some of the objects you might see on your visit and the wonderous history waiting to be discovered.

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All activities, experiences and exhibitions at York Castle Museum are included in your general admission ticket, as well as giving access to the incredible Period Rooms, World War One gallery, Sixties Street and York Castle Prison cells, where famous highwayman Dick Turpin was once held. 

There’s so much to see and do at York Castle Museum this February Half-Term, you won’t want to miss out!  

General admission tickets last 12 months and allow unlimited free entry to York Castle Museum for 12 months, meaning you can visit now and return for Easter, Summer and even Christmas 2026! Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the admissions desk on the day. 

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The Last Stop Before Kirkgate experience is created in collaboration with NOVO Theatre.