11/06/2026
You heard it here! Pop in and say hello! 👋
Looking for some indoor activities? Over 20 great places to visit for history and culture lovers:
- Swaledale Museum is a small museum crammed with fascinating items, with a hands-on approach to history
- Join a tour and enjoy the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire Experience in Richmond, led by a knowledgeable guide who will tell you about the shows, actors and audiences from Georgian times
- Visit the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes to discover the story of the people and landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, past and present
- Visit 17th century Kiplin Hall by George Calvert, Secretary of State to James I and the founder of Maryland, USA. There's also an award-winning tea room!
- Venture underground and explore one of the show caves at Stump Cross Caverns, Ingleborough Cave and White Scar Cave
- There are plenty of indoor areas at Bolton Castle including the armoury, dungeon, Great Chamber, old kitchens, nursery and bed chambers.
- Explore every corner of Skipton Castle, from the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber, and discover the Long Drop
- Appreciate the treasures inside Newby Hall, and then contrast them with the very different conditions at Ripon Workhouse Museum
- Nidderdale Museum, Pateley Bridge is a small museum that's a little tardis-like, with room after room crammed with fascinating exhibits about Nidderdale life
- Visit the Grade 1 listed The Folly Museum and Coffee House, Settle built in 1679 (currently undergoing refurbishment), home to the Museum of North Craven Life, with a lovely cosy cafe (still open)
- Visit Skipton Town Hall, cultural hub and home to Craven Museum (see Shakespeare's First Folio and lots of local history,
- The Richmondshire Museum displays local history. They have ten galleries including: James Herriot's surgery, lead mining, Victorian grocer's shop, ironmonger's shop and life in a cruck barn
- Learn more about the story of James Herriot at the The World Of James Herriot in Thirsk.
- The Green Howards Museum in Richmond charts the 300 year history of this local regiment.
- Go to a gallery to buy something beautiful to treasure. Take a look at Masham Gallery, The Nolon Stacey Gallery, Stacey Moore, Inspired by gallery
- Ryedale Folk Museum is in the lovely setting of Hutton-le-Hole, and offers plenty of beautiful historic buildings, workshops and cottages to explore.
- The Land of Iron museum near Skinningrove tells the story of ironstone mining heritage with interactive exhibits and guided underground experience.
- At Danby Lodge National Park Centre interactive displays, the Inspired by... Gallery, and a great programme of exhibitions and events offer interesting insights into the nature and life of the North York Moors National Park
- Castle Howard is a magnificent stately home and setting for many TV programmes and films. There are few more splendid places to shelter from the rain!
- Nunnington Hall (National Trust) is a manor house on the banks of the River Rye with period rooms and changing exhibitions
- Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby is in the 17th century house where young James Cook lodged as apprentice seaman.
- visit Whitby Museum to learn about fossils, local jet jewellery, archaeology and local history
Which other indoor attractions in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales would you add?
