Looking for a lovely day out in York this summer? Look no further than The National Railway Museum, where you can enjoy a summer holiday in a day, with a packed programme of free activities. From 20th July to 6th September 2026, families can travel to the countryside, seaside and destinations around the world, all without leaving the museum.

☀️ Pick up your summer holiday passport

Visitors can collect a free Summer Holiday Passport when they arrive and then gather stamps as they explore the museum and take part in the different activities. It’s a fun way to celebrate the excitement of travel, with plenty of opportunities for children to play, create and use their imaginations.

🌳 Begin your adventure at the station, then escape to the countryside

Every great holiday begins at the station, and young visitors can start their journey in the museum’s interactive ticket office. Children can dress up, sell tickets, sort through lost luggage and even have a go at making their own station announcements before setting off to explore.

Next stop is the countryside, where families can try birdwatching, browse the produce at a pretend countryside market and sketch the surrounding scenery. It’s a lovely way for children to slow down, look closely and enjoy a taste of rural life right in the heart of York.

⛱️ Have fun at the seaside

Families dreaming of a traditional British seaside holiday can make their own Punch and Judy puppet show or design a classic carousel to take home as a souvenir. There will also be live Punch and Judy performances on selected dates during August.

🌍 Travel around the world

Visitors can head further afield with a specially created card game that challenges them to match trains from around the world with their countries and landscapes. Families can also write postcards about their travels and pose for photographs in front of a giant vintage-style travel poster.

😎 Special summer events

Alongside the daily activities, the museum will host a selection of special events throughout the holidays.

🚂 Giant Track Layout

Mini engineers can use track pieces to build their own railway layouts, follow challenge cards or play with sections of pre-built track. There will be motorised trains and carriages available to test each design.

Dates: 3rd to 5th August
Location: Great Hall
Suggested age: 2 years and over, with adult supervision

🛤️ Immersive storytelling aboard the Shinkansen

Step aboard the Shinkansen, the only preserved Japanese bullet train outside Japan, for a special storytelling adventure. The experience will explore how railways connect people, places and cultures around the world.

Dates: 11th to 13th August
Location: Great Hall

🌊 Punch and Judy shows

Enjoy the fun of a traditional British seaside holiday with classic Punch and Judy performances for the whole family.

Dates: 18th, 21st and 25th August
Location: South Yard or Station Hall

🎶 York Railway Institute Band

The York Railway Institute Band will perform an hour-long programme of brass band music inspired by holidays and trains.

Date: 29th August at 2pm
Location: Great Hall

A free summer day out in York!

Admission to the National Railway Museum is free, and all of the main summer holiday activities are included. Advance booking is recommended, particularly during the school holidays.

📍 National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ
🗓 20th July to 6th September 2026
🎟 Free admission, advance booking recommended
🌐 railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/summer-holiday-fun

This is a sponsored article in partnership with our friends at the National Railway Museum