I remember the Castle Museum from my childhood as the one with the Victorian street.

Nowadays it's not the only one, of course, but historic recreations don't come much more atmospheric than this.

Recent changes have added visual effects such as lighting changes during "thunderstorms".

And there are now staff in period costume to chat with visitors as they explore the shops and alleys.

Historic Kirkgate is the centrepiece of the museum but there's far more to enthral families.

There was enough to keep my bunch occupied for three hours during a rainy visit to York.

The focus is on the everyday -- with lots of imagination to interest children as much as nostalgic adults.

Grown-ups of any age can enjoy exploring wide-ranging collections of costumes, furniture, toys and household implements.

Youngsters meanwhile will find strange objects prompting lots of "what's that?" questions to their elders.

And there's an excellent full-colour activity guide, the Castle Challenger, inspiring close examination of the many displays.

The museum begins with carefully-recreated rooms from various eras and continues with a display of births, weddings and funerals.

The historic kitchens were closed for refurbishment when we called but we spent quite a while looking round the home cleaning gallery.

Kirkgate kept us occupied for quite a while, particularly talking with the toymaker and exploring the window displays.

The Civil Will displays are rather dry -- probably interesting only to history buffs -- but the Second World War gallery are more user friendly.

Lots of 1940s memorabilia is placed around dummies dressed in the uniforms of soldiers and Home Front organisations.

Then it's on to the toys and costumes, and finally the condemned cells and the nearby exercise your full of historic children's games.

Due to open at Easter 2008 is a new gallery devoted to the 1960s.

In short: surprisingly fascinating visit to the past.

Duration: around three hours.

Age suitability: little for free-schoolers; primary-age children and younger teenagers should be interested; fascinating for children or adults with their parents!

Access: disabled parking outside; seating around the museum; several staircases: one disabled toilet; pushchairs must be left in foyer (baby backpacks available); baby changing around museum. Free entry to wheelchair users and one carer, but only the Victorian street its accessible to wheelchairs.

Extras: shop, cafe, outdoor picnic area.

Open: 9.30am-5pm.

Prices: £7.50 adults, £4 children, free for under-fives, £6.50 concessios, £20 family (2 + 2). Tickets valid for whole year -- "come back for free".

Tickets are valid for a whole year - see Come Back For Free below for details.

Getting there: follow pedestrian signs from railway station; car drivers use Park & Ride at various points in the York ring road (free parking, bus fare £2 return for adults, two children free with each adult).

Website: www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

3:33pm Wednesday 27th February 2008

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York Castle Museum

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