York Observatory
York Observatory
4.5
About
Built in 1831-33, this observatory has been used for more than 150 years and contains the 1850 Thomas Cooke telescope along with interesting exhibits chronicling the development of scientific instruments.
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4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,415 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
One of the most unusual sites in the beautiful grounds of Museum Gardens is The Observatory telescope🔭. .
Constructed between 1832 - 1833 ,its the oldest observatory in Yorkshire ,the 4 inch refractory 🔭 was constructed by Thomas Cook in 1850, there's a blue plaque attached outlining this on the side of the observatory .
An interesting fact is also houses within the York Observatory a clock ⏰ constructed in 1811 and tells the time through the alignment of the stars 🌟 ,all clocks in York at the time were set by this observatory clock and were thus always 4 minutes .20 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time.
I loved the look of the York Observatory, love the history and the location places such as Museum Gardens bring me back to York year after year, its most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along Museum Street and in Museums Gardens.
Constructed between 1832 - 1833 ,its the oldest observatory in Yorkshire ,the 4 inch refractory 🔭 was constructed by Thomas Cook in 1850, there's a blue plaque attached outlining this on the side of the observatory .
An interesting fact is also houses within the York Observatory a clock ⏰ constructed in 1811 and tells the time through the alignment of the stars 🌟 ,all clocks in York at the time were set by this observatory clock and were thus always 4 minutes .20 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time.
I loved the look of the York Observatory, love the history and the location places such as Museum Gardens bring me back to York year after year, its most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along Museum Street and in Museums Gardens.
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thomas g
York, UK496 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Visited once before on an organised trip in the 1980's but this was the first time I had seen the door open since. The observatory is in the museum gardens and is tiny. It has steep steps up to the small area where the restored telescope (restored by apprentices at Vickers Instruments, late of Haxby rd in 1981) is mounted, barely room for the guide and a couple of people. This area is not accessible by Wheel chair users however apart from examining the telescope closely it can be seen very well from the ground floor where everything else is. Entrance was free of charge, and there were to very helpful guides present to help us and answer questions without appearing to be breathing down our necks. There are displays of instruments and astronomical information, so much packed into so small a space. Absolutely fascinating little gem, well worth a visit if it's open when you pass, we asked a number of questions yet our visit took hardly 30 minutes.
Written 7 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve-and-Andie
Lancaster, UK3,525 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Popped in here on Saturday lunchtime. The visit only took about 20 minutes. The volunteer was informative and answered what questions we had. Telescopes and microscopes are on display. Entry is free but the observatory is only open for a few hours several times a week.
Worth a look if passing through the museum gardens.
Worth a look if passing through the museum gardens.
Written 4 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny C
Derby, UK11 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
A very enjoyable experience with special thanks to the gentleman who took much time to show us around and explain the workings of the observatory and other interesting facts.
Written 9 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M H
Darlington1,179 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We happened to be walking through York's Museum Gardens on a day when the observatory was open (it's only open from 11.30 to 2.30 on Thursdays and Saturdays). Although the observatory is tiny, it had a fair amount of information about the history of the building and a local telescope maker (Thomas Cooke). The observatory's telescope could just about be seen from the ground floor (it's located up a short steep spiral staircase which was roped off).
We were, however, disappointed that despite being the only two visitors to a very small observatory, the two volunteers did not take a break from their conversation to either say hello or to offer to answer any questions that we may have. We appreciate that they give their time freely, but given that the observatory is generally only open 6 hours per week, we don't think that we are being unreasonable in our expectations of visitor experience. Indeed, some of the most friendly and enthusiastic people that we've ever come into contact with at other 'attractions' have been volunteers.
We were, however, disappointed that despite being the only two visitors to a very small observatory, the two volunteers did not take a break from their conversation to either say hello or to offer to answer any questions that we may have. We appreciate that they give their time freely, but given that the observatory is generally only open 6 hours per week, we don't think that we are being unreasonable in our expectations of visitor experience. Indeed, some of the most friendly and enthusiastic people that we've ever come into contact with at other 'attractions' have been volunteers.
Written 30 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian P
York, UK315 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This observatory, the oldest working one on Yorkshire, was built in 1832 /33. It is situated within the museum gardens in York. We have visited it twice, once to view the moon, cloudy night so not so good. More recently we heard it would open to witness the near total solar eclipse in March 2015. This was a much better event and they used the vintage locally built 4" refractor telescope to project an image onto a screen.
The observatory is usually open only on Thursday and Saturday from 11.30 - 2.30. It is well worth a visit and there are various information boards inside to educate you about the place, its founders and the machinery and equipment housed within.
please note that there are steep stairs up to the telescope itself.
The observatory is usually open only on Thursday and Saturday from 11.30 - 2.30. It is well worth a visit and there are various information boards inside to educate you about the place, its founders and the machinery and equipment housed within.
please note that there are steep stairs up to the telescope itself.
Written 22 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
verho020
Barneveld, The Netherlands18 contributions
Though only limited opening hours on certain days, The volunteers very well explained the history of the observatory. Free entrance and nice to spend half An hour to an hour.
Written 28 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
El G
Athens, Greece38 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
we went there on Friday looking forward to visiting the Observatory. in the window there was a note saying that it is open Thursday and Saturday 11.30-2.30. ok! we went back on Saturday at 1 pm and guess what?! it was closed! apparently it opens whenever! disappointing :(
Written 9 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Collossus
York, UK36 contributions
Went on spur of the moment as walking through Museum Gardens on way in to York. It was free and was so interesting. The talk was informative and we had a chance to look round on our own as well. My son loved it. It is only open on certain days, so pleased that we found it open.
Written 2 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue H
York, UK16 contributions
Aug 2012
I have lived in York all my life (57 years) and walked passed many times and one day it was open so my daughter and myself went in, it is very small but interesting with someone on hand to answer any questions you may have. We were also invited to observe with them when they have a meet on the Knaves mire.
Written 23 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
I am wondering about this statement for a university project: "Built when York was the centre of world Astronomy".
Who considers it/considered it to be the centre of world astronomy?
Thanks!
Written 3 November 2017
what are the opening times, coming to York on Tuesday 8th August ?
Written 7 August 2017
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