York has one of the best free attractions in the country according to a new survey.
Consumer group Which? surveyed thousands of people to find the best free days out.
And the National Railway Museum came second, with a score of 91%.
The museum on Leeman Road displays more than a hundred locomotives including the Mallard, a working replica of George Stephenson’s Rocket and the only Shinkansen bullet train outside of Japan.
It came just behind Cardiff’s St Fagans National Museum of History in the survey, which achieved a customer score of 94%.
More than 4,000 people offered their assessments of their favourite destinations in the Which? survey, ranking each location on its engagement and entertainment factor, the quality of the information provided, queueing times and crowdedness, range and quality of facilities and value for money.
Other highly-rated free museums and galleries are the National Museum of Scotland (90%), the Cardiff National Museum (87%), Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (87%), Royal Air Force Museum, London (87%), Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool (87%), Oxford University Museum of Natural History (86%) and the Scottish National Galleries (86%).
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “As the cost of living crisis continues to be a strain on household budgets, finding cheap or free days out has never been more important.
“Fortunately the UK has a number of fantastic museums, galleries and other attractions which offer free entry and hours of fun.
“From the world’s largest railway museum, to the Houses of Parliament, Which?’s rankings of the UK’s best free days out has plenty to inspire you as the summer holidays approach.”
The National Railway Museum is now working towards a £50 million upgrade complete with a new Central Hall and Wonder Lab.
It hopes to be open by 2025, its 50th birthday.
The plans have caused controversy as it will close Leeman Road and many residents say the walkway agreement allowing them access through the museum to the city centre is inadequate.
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