Yorkshire Natural History Museum

A small independent museum in Sheffield focused on deep time, with fossils from Yorkshire and further afield, including dinosaur remains and creatures from the Carboniferous forests and the Jurassic. The displays sit in a single gallery, so a visit is short and manageable for younger children, and the staff are known for engaging, friendly talks. Families can book a guided tour of the collection, where some specimens can be handled, or a hands-on session in the working palaeontology laboratory, which is aimed at visitors aged 12 and over. The museum also runs a free lecture series. Because the building is Edwardian and the gallery is reached by a staircase, it suits families who can manage stairs. Weekends and school holidays are the easiest times to drop in, while weekday visits outside the holidays are by pre-booked tour.