FAQs

We look after a family of farmyard animals, from Nubian goats to Badger Face lambs. Our animals are subject to change throughout the year, and you can find our animal activity licence here.

Most of our animals are friendly and it’s tempting to give them a stroke (oh those puppy eyes!). Please wash your hands at the hand wash areas after touching the animals or their pens.

At the moment we don’t have dedicated animal petting activities and facilities – but we’re looking into it! As we’re a charity, we’re constantly making improvements as support for Murton Park grows. Every donation brings us closer to making new changes.

Feed is available to buy from the shop for £1.30 a bag.

If you would describe your dog as “well-behaved” and happy to stay on a lead throughout the visit, then yes, bring them along.

There’s something for everyone. Toddlers love the ride-on tractors, sand play and soft play area, while older children can enjoy climbing, exploring the playground and heading off on outdoor adventures around the site.

Our indoor soft play area is included in your admission whenever it is available, so children can climb, build and burn off some energy as part of their visit.

Lots! Younger visitors enjoy the soft play area, pedal tractors, sand pit, animals and outdoor play equipment. There are plenty of opportunities for imaginative play, exploring and getting outdoors.

We work hard to offer great value for families. Your admission includes access to our play areas, farm animals, museum and many of our family activities. For the latest ticket prices and to book online, please visit our booking page.

Yes! One of the things families love most about Murton Park is that standard admission tickets are Annual Passes. That means you can come back as many times as you like for 12 months and enjoy the park throughout the seasons

Definitely. If the weather isn’t playing ball, there’s still plenty to enjoy indoors, including soft play, the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, seasonal activities and our café.

Of course. We have picnic benches around the play area where families are welcome to enjoy their own food and drinks. If you’d rather treat yourself, our Yorkshire Barn Café serves a range of drinks, cakes and light meals too.

Yes! Our friendly farm animals are always popular with visitors. Say hello, learn about the different breeds and enjoy getting closer to some of our most loved residents.

A visit to Murton Park is much more than a playground. You can explore the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, meet the animals, enjoy family events throughout the year, discover our historic attractions and even ride on the Derwent Valley Light Railway during operating days.

Absolutely. Alongside indoor and outdoor play, families can enjoy the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, historic attractions, seasonal events, farm animals and the Derwent Valley Light Railway on selected days.

Your ticket includes most activities and events, including our monthly clubs. And because each ticket is an Annual Pass, you can visit as many times as you want within 12 months. We’re all about family value!

Some events, like our sell-out Christmas experience, are available at an extra charge. If this is the case, it will always be made clear at the time of booking.

We’re proud to be York’s first Makaton-friendly family attraction. We work in partnership with Makaton tutors and have been awarded the Bronze Makaton Friendly Accreditation. This means that you’ll find signs and symbols used across our site to help visitors with learning and communication difficulties, and our Front of House team is trained to welcome visitors and help them find their way around.

Yes, parking is completely free for all visitors. Our on-site car park is just a short walk from the entrance, making arrival easy, even with little explorers in tow.

It is! We’re located just outside York and are easy to reach by car. With free parking on site and plenty to see and do throughout the day, we’re a popular choice for family days out near York.

Families tell us they love the mix of outdoor play, indoor activities, animals, history and great value. With an Annual Pass included in admission, there’s always a reason to come back and make new memories.

Yes, it’s on display year-round and can be explored every time you visit.

We have a lift on-site in our museum. If you need any further support with access let our helpful staff know.

If you want to schedule an appointment to view the archives call us on 01904 489966 or email us to arrange.

Great question! The Women’s Land Army was a British civilian organisation created during both World War I and World War II to work in agriculture. As the name suggests, it was made up of mostly women who replaced men called up to the military. Members of the Women’s Land Army helped boost food production by working on farms, cultivating fields, and caring for livestock, playing a crucial role in maintaining the nation’s food supply during the wars.

Your Murton Park ticket price includes entry to the museum, there’s no need to book.

Not every day! Trains run on most Sundays and Bank Holiday weekends (Sat-Mon) from February Half Term to December (passenger train schedules are subject to safety regulations and weather conditions).

If you are solely visiting Murton Park to ride on our heritage railway then please call before travel to ensure that the train is operating on that day (for the latest updates, follow us @murtonpark).

You’re welcome to spend your time at Murton Park however you want – that’s the beauty of our historical grounds! But you still need to purchase an entry ticket to gain access to the DVLR.

Nope, on days the railway is running, simply show up and queue for your ride.

Ticket prices to ride on the train with park admission are:

• £1 per person, per ride OR 
• £5 per group (up to five people) for unlimited rides throughout the day
• Under 1s are free

Tickets can be purchased upon arrival at the front desk, where you’ll receive a receipt to present at the railway.

For some large events, these fees may be waived – details will be announced in advance on our website and social platforms.

Our on-site Roman, Viking and Saxon activity days comfortably cater up to 65 pupils, and require 1 accompanying adult for every 10 pupils.

Our Home Front activity day cater up to 36 pupils, and require 1 accompanying adult for every 10 pupils.

Our Prehistoric activity day cater up to 40 pupils, and require 1 accompanying adult for every 10 pupils.

Each of our activity days is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum so are suitable for year group 3 and upwards.

Yes, the content for each activity day is influenced by the Key Stage 2 curriculum.

A 25% deposit is required to secure your school activity day. We will then send you a VAT receipt.

You will be sent an invoice for the final balance, to be paid 4 weeks before your scheduled visit.

There is a link to a day appropriate risk assessment on each of the activity day landing pages, above the ‘Everything you need to know’ section.

There is a link to a day appropriate itinerary on each of the activity day landing pages, above the ‘Everything you need to know’ section and risk assessment link.

Yes, we’ve got a free car park with ample space for minibuses, cars, and coaches.

As our school activity days are enjoyed by over 20,000 students a year, we know how to blend education with engagement with our time-tested formats and talks.

We ask that  pupils bring their own packed lunches. Teachers are provided with tea/coffee and we have a café on site if you/your pupils need anything extra.

We always recommend a minimum of 2 hours for our in-school talks, so that pupils can really get a sense of the history and experience “a day in the life” of our costumed guides.

These backpacks have been created with visitors with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in mind; however, anyone is welcome to use them.

All we ask for is your name and mobile number so that we can contact you if it is getting close to closing time or the backpack has accidentally been taken home.

Clipboard with space for planning, Planning cards, Notebook, Ear defenders, Cow squishy, Hand puppet, Rainbow fidget, Fidget cube, Wind-up torch, magnifying glass, 3-minute sand timer, Sunglasses (small and large sizes), reading overlays, Pencils, Hand sanitiser. The important thing is you don’t have to use everything if you don’t want to.

We have tried to keep things the same as much as possible, but the hand puppets are different farm animals, the ear defenders and small sunglasses are different colours.