York Castle Museum is a museum located in York, North Yorkshire, England, on the site of York Castle, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068.
Our museum is in an historic building and this could make access difficult for some of our visitors.
Parking
Cars with a disabled parking permit can park for up to three hours on the road outside the main entrance to the museum.
Toilets
There are two accessible toilets in the museum, one on each side of the building. Both are gender neutral toilets.
Physical Access
The museum is split into two halves, with both sides covering three floors, linked by several staircases. There are handrails on all the stairs and seats are available throughout the museum.
The upper floors on one side of the museum are only accessible via stairs. This area includes: The Period Rooms, the Toy Stories gallery, the Shaping the Body exhibition, and some of the Chocolate: York’s Sweet Past displays.
Kirkgate, the museum’s recreated Victorian Street, is on the ground floor. The street does have a cobbled floor, but there is a smoother path around the edge.
The Sixties gallery and the Prison Exhibition are on the ground floor; however, some of the original doorways in the Prison Exhibition are very narrow.
Lift Access
A lift provides access to the upper floors on the right-hand side of the building, which includes the 1914: When the World Changed Forever exhibition. Please note that due to fire evacuation requirements, the exhibition can only allow access to two wheelchair users at a time.
Mobility Aids
We have walking sticks and a manual wheelchair that visitors are welcome to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask a member of our Welcome Team on arrival.
Mobility scooters are permitted. We ask that drivers take care when driving through the gallery spaces.
Those visitors unable to access the upper floors are eligible for an access ticket at a reduced cost.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome and water can be provided.
