What’s On

We are now closed for the winter.

We’ll be reopening in March 2026. 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, so do check back for updates.

Apple and Pear Pruning Workshop

 
 
Saturday 7 February 2026, 9.30am – 1.00pm
 
Ryedale Folk Museum’s orchard has over 40 types of heritage apple, pear, plum, damson and quince trees. In this practical pruning workshop  you will learn how to prune and maintain apple and pear trees, including:
  • why we prune fruit trees
  • when to prune
  • how to prune for general maintenance and to encourage fruiting
  • how much wood to take off
  • managing an overgrown fruit tree
This event is perfect for anyone involved in local community orchards or gardeners with just a tree or two.
 
Please dress in warm clothes and good shoes as the majority of the workshop will be outside in the Museum’s orchard. All tools/secateurs are provided.
 
Includes coffee and cake. Course participants limited to 15.
 
£25.00pp
 
No dogs.
 

Apple Tree Grafting Workshop

Saturday 28 February 2026, 9.30am – 1.00pm

Apples don’t ‘come true’ from seed or root cuttings. Grafting allows for the propagation of known, desired apple varieties, ensuring the fruit will be the same as the parent tree. The technique involves joining a scion (a cutting from a desired apple variety) to a selected rootstock, determining the height and vigour of the new tree.

In this workshop you will learn how to graft – mastering the technique by watching demonstrations and having a go.

Scions will be taken from a selection of the Museum’s heritage apple trees and joined to rootstock (provided), suitable for producing cordon, espalier, step-over or freestanding apple trees so your new tree will fit into even the smallest garden. Full aftercare instructions will be given.

Please dress in warm clothes and good shoes as some of the workshop will be outside in the Museum’s orchard. Demonstrations and hands-on aspects will be inside. All tools will be provided.

Includes coffee and cake, and one grafted rootstock to take home.

Course participants limited to 10. £30.00pp.

No dogs.

 

Making a Meal of it

 

Closed for winter, re-opening in March 2026

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.