About

Gateway to the North Yorkshire Moors Pickering has a long and fascinating history. Step back in time and enjoy exploring what life was like in this thriving market town. Visit shops from the past, discover the ancient craft of the blacksmith and marvel at our magnificent printing press (see events for demonstration dates). With special events, changing exhibitions, family activities and a beck side location for picnics there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The museum is housed in what was intended to be the first agricultural college in the country. It now holds an amazing array of objects which tell the story of the people of Pickering. With over 50,000 objects in the collection many visitors have likened the museum to a tardis!

Once a month the museum comes alive as we host local artisans to demonstrate traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, willow weaving and butter making.

We welcome families to the museum and always have craft activities, quizzes, games and dressing up available and in school holidays we have a host of special activities to keep everyone busy and happy!

With so much to see and do we recommend spending one to two hours at the museum.

"Don't be fooled by the exterior of this building, it is like a Tardis, it holds so many interesting displays of Pickering's past and rural living, there is something for all ages and interests"

"Took you back in time, without these places the younger generation will never know what and how it was like in those days, inside blew me away, the amount of stuff that was in there worth every penny"

 

Access Information:

We look forward to welcoming you to the museum should you require any further assistance or information before your visit please give us a call.

Limited parking on the flat is available outside the museum.

Assistance dogs are welcome.

Toilets are wheelchair accessible.

The outside galleries have a chair and wheelchair lift. The ground floor of the main house has a ramp at the entrance and is wheelchair accessible downstairs. Due to the historic nature of the building the upstairs of the house is only accessible by a flight of stairs. Once upstairs there are five more steps spread across the space.

If you would like to visit at a quiet time then Friday and Saturday afternoons are usually our quietest times. We do however sometimes have pre-booked groups so please ring ahead to check.