York
Agricultural heritage

Visiting the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

Plan your journey into agricultural history at Murton Park in York.

HistoryLocal heritage

Located at Murton Park, this museum showcases Yorkshire's agricultural past through the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can explore a vast collection of historic tractors, seasonal farming tools, and exhibitions dedicated to the Women's Land Army.

Discover Yorkshire's rural heritage with historic farm machinery, restored tractors, and exhibitions on wartime agricultural workers.

Yorkshire Museum of Farming
About the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming in Murton, York, dedicatedly preserves the region's rich agricultural heritage from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of historic machinery, hand tools, and restored vintage tractors. The museum also highlights wartime civilian contributions through its engaging Women's Land Army exhibition.

Green wooden barn building with 'Murton Park' sign in large white letters across the facade, three arched openings with a red tractor visible under the left arch, blue handcart and concrete planter on a green lawn in the foreground
Visitor amenities at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming provides a variety of facilities to support the visitor experience, including provisions for accessibility and family-oriented activities. Please note that access to certain areas is limited by outdoor terrain and specific site conditions, and some children's play facilities are subject to temporary operational adjustments. These amenities are designed to assist guests while exploring the agricultural history and reconstructed heritage settings at Murton Park.

Wheelchair friendly

Limited
Location of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming is situated on Murton Lane in the village of Murton, near York, England. Located on-site at Murton Park, this countryside setting offers an authentic backdrop for exploring the region's rich agricultural history. Its location makes it an ideal destination for those wishing to discover local heritage in a tranquil rural environment.

Planning Your Visit to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

When planning a visit to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming in the Murton area of York, allow ample time to experience the extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits at Murton Park. Visitors can comfortably explore the historic machinery, reconstructed settings, and working heritage at a leisurely pace. Be sure to check seasonal hours and admission details before arriving at the site.

Planning Your Visit to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Agricultural Heritage of Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming in York preserves regional agricultural heritage spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Inside the permanent barn display, visitors discover an extensive collection of seasonal ploughs, historic machinery, and traditional hand tools. A key highlight is the Women’s Land Army Exhibition, which recreates civilian farming contributions during both World Wars. Visitors can also explore the John Sawkill Building to see classic restored vintage tractors and view a replica ironmongery workbench showcasing heritage trade tools.

Vintage horse-drawn cart with large red spoked wheels and a tractor on display inside the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The History of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

Established in 1982 to preserve regional machinery, the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton Park serves as a dedicated guardian of agricultural heritage. The site expanded in 1993 by opening a restored section of the Derwent Valley Light Railway. After completing a project documenting local farming families in 2008, the institution earned **full accreditation status** in 2010. A permanent exhibition honoring the Women’s Land Army was later added in 2013.

  • Established in 1982

    1982Founding

    The Yorkshire Museum of Farming was established in 1982. It was originally created to preserve and house a growing collection of farm machinery donated by various farms from North and East Yorkshire to the East Yorkshire Farm Machinery Preservation Society.

  • Opening of Derwent Valley Light Railway exhibition

    1993Milestone

    In 1993, the museum opened a restored section of the Derwent Valley Light Railway on the site. The display includes approximately 3/4 mile of track along the original trackbed and incorporates a station building that was formerly located at Wheldrake.

  • Farming families project completion

    2007-2008Renovation

    During the period of 2007 to 2008, the museum completed a project documenting various Yorkshire farming families. This initiative included the construction of a new audiovisual room to display films featuring interviews with local farmers about diverse agricultural practices.

  • Granted full museum accreditation

    2010Heritage status

    In the autumn of 2010, the museum was awarded full accreditation status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, formally recognizing its standards and collection management.

  • Opening of Women's Land Army exhibition

    2013Collection

    In 2013, the museum opened a new exhibition titled 'Feeding the Nation: A Celebration of the Women's Land Army' on the upper floor of the Four Seasons Building. This project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and features oral history recordings and archival footage.

Curious Minds: Yorkshire Museum of Farming FAQs

Planning a trip to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming? You won't need to hunt for a separate ticket, as entry is handily bundled with admission to Murton Park. Just be prepared for some authentic rustic terrain, as wet weather can turn parts of our scenic trails into a muddy, classic farm adventure!

How do I contact the Yorkshire Museum of Farming?

Direct contact details such as an online contact form, email address, or phone number are not currently provided for the Yorkshire Museum of Farming.

What is the phone number for the Yorkshire Museum of Farming?

A public phone number for the Yorkshire Museum of Farming is not listed in the available contact information.

What is the Yorkshire Museum of Farming email address?

The official email address for the Yorkshire Museum of Farming is not publicly available at this time.

How do you get to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming by public transport?

Specific directions and public transport options for reaching the Yorkshire Museum of Farming are currently not specified.

Visitor Tips for the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

When preparing for a visit to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton Park, keeping a few practical considerations in mind can help ensure a smooth experience. While the museum offers wheelchair accessibility, the outdoor terrain may pose some challenges due to loose gravel on the main tracks. Visitors should note that the Viking village surfaces can become slippery in wet weather, and parts of the Nature Trail may be inaccessible during poor weather. For families visiting with children, a selection of toys is available for use in the John Sawkill Building.

Visitor Suitability at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming in York is well-suited for families, student groups, and history enthusiasts interested in regional agricultural heritage. Visitors can explore a variety of historic tractors, traditional farming tools, and exhibits highlighting wartime civilian efforts. The museum is family-friendly and offers play resources for children, though some play facilities may have limited availability. While efforts are made to support guests with accessibility needs, visitors should note that some outdoor terrain and gravel paths can present mobility challenges.

Visual Preview of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming

Visitors to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming at Murton Park can expect a visual journey through historic barns filled with agricultural heritage. The gallery showcases beautifully restored red vintage tractors, traditional plows, and rustic carts set against exposed brick walls and wooden beams. These scenes capture the authentic, rugged atmosphere of the region's farming past.

Green wooden barn building with 'Murton Park' sign in large white letters across the facade, three arched openings with a red tractor visible under the left arch, blue handcart and concrete planter on a green lawn in the foreground
Interior of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming showing a yellow crawler tractor, vintage farming plows, a blue cart, and a hanging Winter exhibition banner in a brick-walled hall.
Two red vintage tractors on display inside a barn-like museum interior with a wooden mezzanine balcony overhead and farming tools mounted on the right wall
Yorkshire Museum of Farming logo showing a black silhouette of a horse-drawn plow and farmer against an orange sun, with the museum name in orange text below.
Vintage horse-drawn cart with large red spoked wheels and a tractor on display inside the Yorkshire Museum of Farming
Interior of the Yorkshire Museum of Farming entrance hall with exposed brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, a wooden shop counter, information boards, a leaflet rack, and a mannequin figure in period clothing
Blue train carriages and a wooden cart sitting in a grassy field under a cloudy sky at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming.
Visitors seated on benches watching a wall-mounted screen in an audiovisual room at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, with a glass partition revealing an exhibit hall beyond
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