The Observatory
@ Yorkshire Museum
Observatory Open Days
Come and gaze upon the stars in what is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire.
You’ll be finding out about the galaxy in one of the most historically important astronomy centres in the country.
York played a crucial role in the development of astronomy in the 1780s when York-based astronomers John Goodricke and Edward Piggot laid the foundations of the study of stars of varying brightness.
The observatory was built in 1832 and 1833, and its 4in refractor telescope was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850 before he went on to make the then-largest telescope in the world.
Entry to the Observatory @ Yorkshire Museum is FREE.
Time:
11.30am – 2.30pm
Date:
Every Saturday
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday, 10.00am – 5.00pm
Gardens
Monday – Sunday, 7.30am to 5.30pm
(from late March until late October the gardens open later into the evening)
The Gardens are closed on the mornings of Royal Salute ceremonies.
Observatory
Every Saturday, 11.30am – 2.30pm
Admission: Visit website for prices, buy one ticket for YEAR-LONG entry
Entry to the Gardens is FREE
Entry to the Observatory is FREE
Address:
Yorkshire Museum
Exhibition Square
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 7EW
Tel: 01904 687 687
Yorkshire Museum on Directory of York
Yorkshire Museum website
