DIG

DIG sits on the outskirts of York, and it's essentially a proper hands-on archaeology museum where you get to do actual excavation work yourself. You're not just looking at finds behind glass - you're in a real dig site, trowel in hand, sifting through soil to uncover Roman pottery, coins, and animal bones. It's brilliant if you've got kids who need to move around and get their hands dirty, though adults find it genuinely absorbing too.

The site operates like a genuine archaeological dig, so what you find depends on where they're excavating that season. You might spend an hour or three hours here depending on how deep you want to go into it. It's free admission, which is a genuine bonus, though donations are welcome and there's a small cafe if you fancy a break.

For families staying at Nurseries Caravan Park or Wagtail Park nearby, this is an excellent half-day activity that breaks up the usual holiday routine. History buffs and anyone with a curiosity about Roman York will find it worthwhile, though if your kids aren't keen on getting muddy or prefer action-packed attractions, it might feel slow. Best visited on a dry day - wet soil is less cooperative, and you'll leave looking like you've been in a building site. It's one of those places where the experience of doing archaeology beats watching documentaries about it.