Museum Gardens & St Mary's Abbey
York Museum Gardens
A botanical garden beside the River Ouse, with the Gothic ruins of St Mary's Abbey and a Roman multangular tower, plus rich collections at the Yorkshire Museum.
The Museum Gardens are the most beautiful green space in central York. St Mary's Abbey, once the wealthiest Benedictine abbey in northern England, was destroyed after the Reformation, leaving only towering Gothic walls. Beside it stands the Roman Multangular Tower. The Yorkshire Museum displays Roman, Viking, and medieval artifacts, with highlights including the Middleham Jewel. The gardens are free, and museum admission is about £10. In summer, performances of the York Mystery Plays and Shakespeare are often staged in front of the ruins.
Opening hours
Gardens approx. 07:30–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- York Art Gallery
- Mansion House, York
- Bettys Café Tea Rooms
- Stonegate
- Barley Hall
- York Minster
- Treasurer's House
- Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate