York Minster Undercroft

About the museum

The Undercroft Museum lies beneath York Minster in chambers built around spaces opened up by excavations in the 1970s. It opened to the public on 25 May 2013 under the name Revealing York Minster, as part of the £20 million York Minster Revealed project, which received £10.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The displays tell about 2,000 years of the site. Glass floors show Roman walls from a barracks, and objects from the Anglo-Saxon period include evidence of a royal mint. The Horn of Ulf, an elephant tusk used about a thousand years ago to pass land to the cathedral chapter, represents the Viking period, and visitors can see the foundations of the first stone Minster from the Norman era.

The Treasury is a medieval underground chamber that holds ceremonial objects such as chalices which are still used in services. The York Gospels, an illuminated manuscript, were shown to the public here for the first time, and a film about a typical day at the Minster brings the story up to the present.

Highlights

• Roman barracks walls seen through glass floors
• Horn of Ulf, a Viking-era elephant tusk deed
• Foundations of the first stone Minster
• Treasury with ceremonial objects still used in services
• York Gospels illuminated manuscript

Permanent exhibition

• Undercroft Museum – Underground displays on Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman York, the Minster foundations and the cathedral treasury.

Founded

2013

Admission & discounts

The Minster sightseeing ticket includes the Undercroft Museum, the Crypt, changing exhibitions and free guided tours. Tickets are valid for a calendar year. York residents and York students enter free with proof of address.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The Undercroft Museum is reached by steps or a lift from the South Transept and has level or ramped access throughout. The Treasury and Crypt are reached by stone steps in the North Quire Aisle or by a platform lift inside the Undercroft Museum. Audio induction loops are provided in parts of the interior. An accessible toilet and ambulant cubicles are located after the North Transept. Service animals are welcome. A tactile model and a tactile site plan are available, and audio description pages and a social story exist for the Undercroft Museum. The Central Tower is not wheelchair accessible. On-street accessible parking bays are close to the Minster.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Interactive trails, seasonal activities and Little Explorer Backpacks are offered for families, and baby changing is available in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

The closest cycle parking is at the Refectory, about a three-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The York Minster Refectory, a brasserie in a former school building, serves refreshments and meals. The Minster shop is open Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday 12:30 to 16:00. Wheeled bags and bags larger than hand luggage are not allowed inside, and left luggage must be arranged elsewhere in the city.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit