What's on at the Museum
The Museum is now closed and will re-open on Monday 10 March, please see the Visit page for details on all opening days and times.
As well as a six-acre site and over 20 heritage buildings to explore, we have a varied and creative programme of events and activities throughout the year. We put details of all events on this page and those for 2025 will be listed soon.
Making Low-Input Farming Work
As the landscape of farming continues to evolve, policy changes are reshaping how we farm and support the environment.
This event offers practical advice and real-world insights into reducing off-farm inputs like fertilisers and concentrated feeds while making the most of your existing resources, such as grazing and habitats, to create a more sustainable farm.
Speakers include:
- Hannah and Alex Fraser: Doctor-turned-farmers from Barnsley share their six-year journey of producing healthier food while improving soil, biodiversity, and water quality.
- Charlotte Bickler: Researcher in ecology and sustainable farming explores how to bridge the gap between science and practical application.
- Angus Gowthorpe: With 10 years of learning through a regenerative farming approach on his mixed beef and arable farm, Angus will talk about reducing inputs whilst maintaining outputs, improving soil health and having a lower environmental footprint.
What you’ll gain:
- Practical insights into organic and regenerative farming.
- Advice on low-input varieties and growing methods.
- Understanding the health and environmental benefits of a low-input system.
- The chance to connect, share, and learn from fellow farmers and others committed to shaping the future of farming together.
Farm / Mill / Bake by Tessa Bunney
Saturday 22 March – Monday 5 May 2025
For over 30 years, Tessa Bunney has documented rural life through her photography. From hill farmers near her home in the North York Moors to Icelandic puffin hunters, from Romanian nomadic shepherds to Lincolnshire flower farmers, her work reflects on the relationships between people, work and the land.
Free to visit (this exhibition does not require a Museum ticket). Open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm (4pm in March), closed Fridays.
Making a Meal of it
Monday 24 March – Sunday 30 November 2025
From the humblest cottage bakers, to the farmers and growers, how our ancestors fed themselves is a story of hard graft. Join us on a tantalising journey through the resilience, innovation and culinary creativity of the people of the past. Behind every bite and morsel, there is a story.
Discover… the story of the Sonley bakers from Kirkbymoorside, baking recipes of Museum founder Hannah Crosland, old beer brewers and bottlers of Ryedale, pig, poultry and beekeeping of the past and ways to cook and eat your Yorkshire Pudding – plus more!
This exhibition is included with admission to the Museum. Open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm (4pm in March), closed Fridays.
Whodunit? Solve the Mystery of the Missing Simnel Cake
Saturday 5 April to Monday 21 April 2025
The inhabitants of Ryedale Folk Museum are in uproar. Mrs Huntley’s special Easter simnel cake has gone missing from the Kitchen at Stang End cottage. Can you discover the suspects and solve this curious case? Follow our trail and decide for yourselves Whodunit! Join us for this free, family-friendly activity throughout the Easter holidays (closed on Fridays).
This trail is included FREE within normal admission to the museum. Buy your museum tickets on the day or show a valid annual pass for entry.
Wonder Wednesdays
Wednesday 9 April and Wednesday 16 April 2025
Ever wondered what life was like in the past? Join us on Wednesdays during school holidays to try out a range of historic activities! Check back soon for more details about what we’ll be exploring.
Access is included within your entry ticket to the Museum or on presentation of a valid annual pass.
May Day at the Museum
Monday 5 May, 2025
Last season, we took delivery of a brand new maypole and can’t wait to try it out. Join us throughout the afternoon for Maypole dancing at the Museum. This isn’t just a spectator sport – you’ll get to take part too.
We’ll be leading dances at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Hope to see you there.
Normal admission prices apply or remember to bring your valid annual pass.
The Spaces Between by Francesca Simon
Saturday 10 May – Sunday 29 June 2025
Artist Francesca Simon works from a studio in the North Yorks Moors. The organic colours, lines and textures of the landscape around her have, paradoxically, led Francesca on a journey into geometric abstraction. The Spaces Between exhibition shows the series ‘Check Works’, which emerged from the confinement of Lockdown and daily walks near her studio. In these paintings the arrangement of right angled or half square triangles is disrupted by horizontal bars, resulting in playful, almost musical, compositions, in colours that suggest the particularity of the landscape in different lights and weather conditions.
Francesca Simon has a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MA in Fine Art Painting from Central Saint Martins. She has recently had paintings in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy.
Free to visit (this exhibition does not require a paid for Museum ticket). Open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm, closed Fridays.
Francesca’s Goaf Works series (forming part of The Spaces Between) will be exhibited at Platform-A gallery in Middlesbrough from 8 May to 19 June 2025.
History Walk About - Explore the Reenactment Encampment
Nurturing Nature Day - bee-friendly plants
Wonder Wednesdays
Wednesday 23 July, Wednesday 30 July, Wednesday 6 August, Wednesday 13 August, Wednesday 20 August, and Wednesday 27 August
Ever wondered what life was like in the past? Join us on Wednesdays during school holidays to try out a range of historic activities! Check back soon for more details about what we’ll be exploring.
Access is included within your entry ticket to the Museum or on presentation of a valid annual pass.
History Walk About - Explore the Reenactment Encampment
Autumn at the Museum
From Saturday 11 October
Visit the museum to see it all decked out in its autumn finery. Soak in the atmosphere at this special time of year – we like to think there’s a little bit of magic in the air!
The people of the past turned to customs and rituals to cope with the changing seasons, and especially their anxieties around the drawing in of darker nights.
With pumpkins galore, seasonal wreaths and apple displays, we’re celebrating this very evocative season in traditional style.
We’re delving back to time when the calendar was marked with celebrations and festivals, including ‘Hallowmas’, which incorporated All Hallows’ Eve on 31 October, All Saints Day on 1 November and All Souls Day on 2 November. These three festivals also drew on Pagan celebrations of Samhain at this time of year.
We also have a programme of seasonal activities and events taking place this autumn at Ryedale Folk Museum.
After Dark... at the Museum
Wednesday 29 October and Thursday 30 October, 4pm – 7pm
Join us for these very special late openings at Ryedale Folk Museum, where you can experience the Museum between 4pm and 7pm when we are normally closed to the public.
A selection of the museum’s buildings will be open for you to explore. Wander through the museum spaces after dark this autumn and savour the atmosphere of this special time of year.
Free entry upon presentation of a valid annual pass. Alternatively you can purchase a ticket for this after-hours opening for £5 per person or an annual pass to give you access to the Museum for one year from date of entry.
Trick or Treat Experience
Hutton-to-Do
