Thirty hand-crafted figures from the world-famous York Ghost Merchants will take up residence inside the National Railway Museum’s newly restored Station Hall this autumn, headlining a new half-term event for families and heritage fans.
The first-time collaboration between the museum and the Shambles-based artisan shop will run from Saturday, 24th October through Sunday, 1st November. Visitors can follow a self-guided trail through Station Hall to spot the hidden ghosts while learning Victorian railway lore and York ghost stories linked to the museum’s collection.
“York is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the world, and part of that reputation is thanks to the ghostly tales about the railways,” said Sarah Price, Head of Public Programming at the National Railway Museum. “The beautiful Victorian style and stories associated with York Ghost Merchants fits so well with the style and stories of Station Hall, with its opulent Victorian carriages and secret dark corners – it seemed like the perfect collaboration.”
The ghost hunt anchors a broader October half-term schedule at the venue. A complementary programme, titled Echoes on the Line, will feature live storytelling sessions and 19th-century keepsake craft workshops. The museum’s interactive Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery will also offer Halloween-themed activities, including ultrasound experiments and a robot-car haunted train.
All activities run daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the half-term week.
