National Railway Museum York — Attraction in Great Britain

We love the NRM and came for a visit before a large part is closed for refurbishment of the roof. Even now the museum is as fab as ever.

I'm not a fan of the booking a free ticket idea with two toddlers on public transport hitting even a 30 min slot can be challenging so I end up booking a few slots and wasting some so the museum potentially loses out on that.

Equally most turn up and enter people without tickets seem to be admitted - but that's not something you know of until you get there. Just seems pointless stress and a waste of money and resources for the musuem. That said there seems to be plenty of staff including someone stood outside telling people to go inside. I think a few could be more gainfully employed with a duster or air duster.

Wandering around the museum is great, you can get up close with most things. Some platforms would be nice in the main hall. With children in particular it would be good if we could have more open cabs and coaches. Why not put a few cabs from scrapped engines and units along the wall like the class 800 mock up which seems to have been shoved out of the way and hidden at the moment. Make one of them a driving SIM or just play a cab ride video over some of the more interesting places and charge £3 for a go. Like the Mallard experience.

The perennial let down at the NRM is the cafe/food, the food is grim and daft prices... £4.60 for a naff cheap sausage roll, £6.40 for a ham and cheese toastie. The quality is poor and we ended up leaving a bit earlier and going into York, a missed opportunity for the NRM. Kill off some of the horrible items add in stuff like jacket potatoes with a choice of salad and fillings £5. Freshly made sandwiches on decent bread with a few crisps and a bit of salad again £5 and so on. The numbers of cafe staff certainly already exist largely inefficiently standing about or faffing.

Seriously NRM Have a look at Eureka's kids meal offers for sensible kids meals with a nod to being healthy.

Sometimes, The NRM seems to forget what it is at heart and some precious space has been consumed with stuff like the Bramhall Gallery. While excellent it's should be at a branch of the science museum or Eureka. Seems to be used as a play centre by locals.

The model railway section is perennially hugely popular, with young and old... Why not expand this? Off some exhibitions? Educational activities, model making for kids even if it is at an...

This is a must visit for any rail enthusiast, no matter of age. This museum is free to enter, so it relies on donations and ticket sales to 'add ons' such as the Flying Scotsman VR experience. You can book tickets in advance to help avoid queues. We booked for the opening time of 10:00. On our arrival, there was already a queue of people who had not booked and a fee in the pre-booked queue. Those ofnus that had pre-booked were allowed entry first, so I would certainly recommend booking ahead if you know roughly what time you will be there. The museum itself is fantastic. I have always had an interest in trains, and my 13 year old son loves them. Here you will find all sorts of different locomotives, steam, diesel, electric, of all shapes and sizes. You can have a sit on board the only Shinkansen or 'bullet train' outside of Japan. My favourite has to be the Mallard - an absolutely stunning steam locomotive that if you are thinking of visiting, will likely have already heard of. There are also lots of other train related exhibits to see. A small gift shop sells lots of different train themed items - printed mugs, t-shirts, model railway items, building block models, whiskey, gin, I could go on. There is a cafe available, with a seating area where you are sat amongst the trains - we did not use the cafe but it seemed popular and the coffee smelled great. There is even a balcony where you can look out towards York railway station and watch trains coming ang going, with live signalling screens just inside (I am not familiar with how these work but if you know, I am sure it will add to the experience). We didn't try out any of the paid exhibits so couldn't give comment on them. Parking is available just a minute or so walk away. The cost of the car park is £10 for all day, payable once inside the museum and you are given a ticket with a code to exit. This is very reasonably priced considering other car park prices in the city centre. (You can also use the park and ride which is very good - we used it on another day). Overall, I thoroughly recommend a visit here even if trains are not your thing, you may just be...

A Fascinating Journey Through Rail History

Rating: 4.5/5

The Museum offers a captivating journey through the history of rail transportation. Upon entering, visitors are greeted with an impressive collection showcasing the vast array of locomotives and carriages. There is the opportunity to explore the fleet of trains on display, providing a hands-on experience for enthusiasts of all ages. Additionally, the availability of virtual reality for the Flying Scotsman adds an exciting dimension to the visit, particularly for those above the age of 8.

There is also an impressive collection of train related artefacts from dining sets, to leather benches, to signs etc in the North Shed.

Families will appreciate the ample space for children to roam and explore, as well as the soft play area catering to younger visitors. Moreover, the provision of locker space for luggage enhances the convenience of the visit.

Accessibility is seamless with easy step-free access to the rail station, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the museum comfortably.

While the cafe offers a good quality selection, the limited warm food options may leave some visitors wanting more variety. However, this minor drawback is overshadowed by the overall excellence of the museum experience.

With so much to see and do, it's easy to lose track of time, as evidenced by our enjoyable three-hour visit, which exceeded our expectations. Additionally, the inclusion of Wonderlab within the museum further enriches the experience, offering additional opportunities for discovery and exploration.

In conclusion, the National Railway Museum of York is a must-visit destination for both railway enthusiasts and families alike, offering a rich tapestry of history, interactive exhibits, and memorable experiences. We will...