Welcome to Thirsk Museum
Experience the history of Thirsk
in the house where Thomas Lord, founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground, was born in 1755. Explore rooms full of exhibits
featuring local life and industry, cricketing memorabilia, farming equipment, furniture, costumes and toys. Marvel
at the bones of our Saxon Giant and shudder at the legend of the Busby Stoop Chair!
Thirsk Museum is in Kirkgate, just
across the road from The World of James Herriot in the market town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Admission is free.
We’re closed for our winter break and look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Information for Visitors
Opening Times
We’re currently closed for our winter break and will reopen on Monday 24th March 2025. Opening days and times will be announced in the near future.
COVID-19 Safety
We have taken several measures to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. A one-way system is in operation throughout the Museum.
Accessibility
There is a ramped entrance to the ground floor for wheelchair users, but the first floor can only be reached by narrow stairs. For visitors who are unable to access the staircase and first floor, we have an iPad with slides and commentary showing the displays in these locations. Guide dogs are welcome.
Group Visits
Groups and school parties of up to 30 can be accommodated (both during and outside normal opening times) by prior arrangement. Guided tours are available on request, please contact us for further information.
How to Find Us
Thirsk Museum is in Kirkgate, a short distance from the Market Place and close to St Mary’s Church and the World of James Herriot.
From the clock tower in the Market Place:
Kirkgate is the road to your right as you look towards the Nat West bank. As you follow Kirkgate, the Museum is on your right, opposite the Zillah Bell Gallery.
From the car park in Marage Road:
Follow Marage Road to St Mary's Church. Turn left into Kirkgate. The Museum is on your left.
View location on Google MapsParking
Parking in the Market Place is limited to a maximum of two hours, of which the first hour is free. You can also park in the Short Stay and Long Stay car parks in Marage Road. Please check local display boards for information about parking fees.
Visitors’ Comments and Reviews
Thirsk Museum received Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2020, based on visitors’ ratings and reviews.
Read reviews on Tripadvisor
From our Visitors Book:
“Lovely little museum”
– EE, Edinburgh
“Wonderful history”
– C & JH, Clacton
“A credit to Thirsk”
– J & JW, Bury, Lancs
“Cool! Awesome”
– P & JS, Denver, Colorado
“Vivid, not like a museum,
very enjoyable”
– CRD, Chesterfield
“We have found out a lot
thank you”
– Thirsk County Primary School
“Great displays, wonderful”
– C & LJ, New South Wales, Australia
“Best one I have been to yet
in years”
– DW, York
“Very nostalgic thank you”
– AW, Ontario, Canada
“Очень интересно!”
(“Very interesting!”)
– EK, Moscow
“Excellent tour”
– St Martins School, Nawton
“Brings back memories”
– OB, Oxford
“A lively impression of the
life of a town”
– KA, Copenhagen
“Very entertaining”
– MK, Bahrain
“Many treasures”
– DC, Kirby Wiske
“Delightful museum”
– BH, Novato, California
“Lovely collection, imaginatively displayed”
– TH, Warrington
“A trip to the past”
– N & DM, Bicester
“Beautifully laid out”
– TA, Stoke-on-Trent
“A walk back in time”
– BP, Victoria, Canada