Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum sits in York's Museum Gardens, a proper haven if you're after Roman relics, medieval treasures and the odd Viking artifact. Walk through the galleries and you're looking at thousands of years of northern history - mosaics from Hadrian's Wall, Anglo-Saxon jewellery, stone crosses that have survived more than a millennium. It's the sort of place where an hour disappears without you noticing.

This one works well for history buffs and curious kids alike, though you'll want to budget a couple of hours minimum to actually absorb what's on display. The Roman collection is genuinely impressive - pottery, coins, carved stones - and the medieval section has enough detail to keep serious history types occupied. Younger children might find the interactive bits engaging, but don't expect them to stay interested for four hours straight.

Admission's free, which is worth knowing when you're planning a rainy Yorkshire day. The gardens themselves are lovely for a wander afterwards, with decent spots to sit down with a coffee if you've had your fill of display cases.

If you're based at Nurseries Caravan Park or Wagtail Park just outside York, the museum is a straightforward trip into the city centre. Pair it with a walk around the city walls or a visit to the Minster and you've got a solid day sorted. York's compact enough that you can fit multiple attractions in without feeling rushed.