York Museum Gardens

A place to relax and unwind in the heart of the city.

Current opening times: 7.30am – 8.00pm*

Set in the stunning surroundings of the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, York Museum Gardens is a great space to meet friends and family and enjoy the peace and tranquility that the gardens have to offer.

York Museums Gardens are FREE and open every day apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – please check our website for seasonal opening times. Opening times on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are 7:30am – 4.00pm.

There is so much to see and do including a chance to see inside Yorkshire’s oldest working observatory, wander round the gardens and see the vast botanical collection, spot some of the 40 species of bird within the gardens and visit the award winning Yorkshire Museum, which showcases some of Britain’s finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils, in exciting new displays.

*In certain circumstances it may be necessary to close some gates to the Gardens earlier than advertised.

Click here to find out more about visiting the gardens.

International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition

International Garden Photographer of the Year is the world’s most prestigious photographic competition and exhibition for garden, plant and botanical photography. The winners of the competition go on to form exhibitions, which tour the UK, Europe and worldwide. The exhibition will be on display in our gardens from 9 May to 7 August 2018 (admission is free). Click here to find out more.

Please note that due to security and public safety issues, drones may not be flown in Museum Gardens. Permission to fly may be granted for specific projects – please contact York Museums Trust directly to arrange this beforehand on 01904 687687 or by email to enquiries@ymt.org.uk.