23 April 2019

The dinosaurs and sea monsters of Jurassic Yorkshire have helped the Yorkshire Museum have a huge 12 months – with visitor numbers the highest since York Museums Trust was formed in 2002.

More than 163,000 people came to the museum between April 2018 and April 2019.

This was 36% up on the previous financial year which is the second most successful year thanks to the Viking: Rediscover the Legend exhibition.

Richard Saward, head of visitor experience for York Museums Trust, said: “It has been a fantastic year for the museum and brilliant to see so many people engaging with our collections in new and exciting ways.

“Yorkshire’s Jurassic World has added a new element to the museum which already contained some of Britain’s most impressive archaeological treasures.

“The team has worked really hard to ensure we offer a great experience for everyone who comes and we are looking forward to another busy year, with the Eboracum Roman Festival in June just around the corner.”

The news follows the announcement that the Yorkshire Museum has been shortlisted for Visitor Attraction of the Year (over 50,000 visitors) at this year’s Visit York Tourism Awards.

The winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony on Thursday June 20.

Yorkshire’s Jurassic World combines nationally significant collections and cutting edge technology to bring to life the huge beasts which lived in Yorkshire 150 million years ago.

The exhibition was officially opened by Sir David Attenborough and attracted more than 10,000 people in its first week of opening.

York Museums Trust was formed as a charity in 2002 to look after the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York Art Gallery and York Castle Museum, previously managed by the City of York Council.