12 of Yorkshire's most unusual and quirky museums you need to visit

Yorkshire is home to an array of unusual and quirky museums

Soak up some history at one of these unusual museums around Yorkshire, where a host of fascinating artefacts and displays await to be discovered.

Jorvik Viking Centre, York

Enjoy a glimpse into Viking life at this exciting museum in York, which will transport you back to the year AD690 and allow you to travel around a reconstruction of the city, with plenty of fascinating artefacts and displays to see along the way.

Visit: 19 Coppergate, YO1 9WT - jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

The Jurassic World exhibition was opened by Sir David Attenborough on 23 March 2018 at the Yorkshire Museum

Mental Health Museum, Wakefield

Housed in the heart of Fieldhead Hospital, this unique museum showcases what mental health care was like during the 19th century through a remarkable collection of historic mental health related objects.

Visit: Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, WF1 3SP - southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk

Bondville Model Village, Bridlington

Bondville Model Village in Sewerby is home to more than 200 miniature buildings

This quirky model village on the outskirts of Bridlington is set over one acre of gardens and features more than 200 miniature buildings, including a caslte, ruined abbey and a harbour, and a working model railway, giving the impression of a real-life kingdom.

Visit: Sewerby Road, Sewerby, YO15 1ER - bondvillemodelvillagebridlington.co.uk

Skidby Windmill, Cottingham

Set in more than an acre of land, with glorious views over the Wolds, The Museum of East Riding Rural Life at Skidby Mill houses an intriguing collection of photographs and objects relating to the rural and agricultural heritage of the area, which are displayed across two exhibition galleries.

Ilkley's Toy Museum boasts one of the finest private collection of toys in the North of England

Visit: Beverley Road, Skidby, HU16 5TF - museums.eastriding.gov.uk

Ilkley Toy Museum, Ilkley

Take a journey back to childhood days and reminisce over you favourite toys at Ilkley's Toy Musuem, which boasts one of the finest private collection of toys in the North of England, with everything from dolls and teddies, to wooden and paper toys on display.

Visit: 2 Whitton Croft Road, LS29 9HR - ilkleytoymuseum.co.uk

Visitors can gain a fascinating insight into the harsh conditions of Victorian prison regimes at this museum housed inside Ripon's former House of Correction and Libery Gaol

Prison and Police Museum, Ripon

Housed inside Ripon's former House of Correction and Libery Gaol, this unusual museum traces the history of policing through displays of uniforms and artefacts, offering visitors an intriguing insight into the harsh conditions of Victorian prison regimes.

Visit: 1 St Marygate, HG4 1LX - riponmuseums.co.uk

Yorkshire's Jurassic World, York

Opened by Sir David Attenborough in March this year, this new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum takes visitors on an epic journey 150 million years into the past to meet the dinosaurs and sea monsters which once roamed the landscape.

Visit: Yorkshire Museum, Museum Street, YO1 7FR - yorkshiremuseum.org.uk

Abbey House Museum, Leeds

Nestled in the gatehouse of the ruined Kirkstall Abbey, visitors can step back in time and experience a taste of Victorian life in Leeds, with an enchanting cobbled high street, old fashioned shops, houses, schools and a Victorian drinking house to explore inside.

Visit: Abbey Walk, LS5 3EH - leeds.gov.uk

The Bear House, Ripon

Take a trip to Newby Hall and Gardens in Ripon to visit the teddies on display at The Bear House. Collected over many years, the ever evolving display features some of the world's best loved bears including Paddington, Sooty and Fozzie Bear.

Visit: Newby Hall and Gardens, HG4 5AE - newbyhall.com

The Alfred Denny Museum of Zoology, Sheffield

Hidden away in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, this under the radar museum houses an array of strange and interest specimens from the world of natural history, including fossils, fully articulated skeletons, remnants of extinct animals and rare letters written by Charles Darwin.

Visit: Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, S10 2TN - sheffield.ac.uk

Last of the Summer Wine Exhibition, Holmfirth

Dedicated to the world's longest running television sitcom, this unique exhibition is housed inside Compo's house, as seen in the series, where an array of memorable props are on display, making it a treasure trove of memories and a must-visit for fans of the show.

Visit: 30A Huddersfield Road, HD9 2JS - summerwine-holmfirth.co.uk

National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield

Located inside a purpose-built combined police, fire and ambulance station which dates back to the 1890s, this Sheffield museum features more than 45 emergency services vehicles and makes use of lights, sound and smoke to recreate the drama of a real life emergency situation.

Visit: Old Police/Fire Station, West Bar, S3 8PT - emergencymuseum.org.uk