Day 3 - Ryedale Folk Museum and Nunnington Hall

We decided to visit the Ryedale Folk Museum today. We were the first visitors there and it was brilliant to have the place to ourselves. We could spend as long as we wanted exploring all the exhibits. It was an absolutely fascinating place consisting of a collection of buildings and their contents, giving an insight into the lives of our ancestors. My favourite place was the village shop, with the shelves packed full with everything you would have needed including cleaning products, sweets and sewing things. I even recognised some of the packaging from my youth.

I love this card full of buttons. I have a couple of similar cards on a much smaller scale that I inherited in my grandmother's button box. 

It was fascinating to see so many of the old crafts and skills all in one place. Our lives are so full of technology, it made me nostalgic for the simplicity of the past.

The museum also has an incredible collection of antiques and curiosities forming the Harrison Collection, put together by two local brothers over fifty years. So many unusual and interesting objects here, I spotted a couple of carved wooden knitting supports. These were practical tools, used to support a third knitting needle, tucked into a belt or under the arm. The two in this photo date from 1686 and 1746. I had never heard of these before so did some more research if you're interested.

We spent the afternoon at the National Trust property of Nunnington Hall. There was plenty to look at throughout the house before walking through the gardens. Mr JK and I played Pooh Sticks on the bridge leading to the Hall - it was Mr JK's first time! Tomorrow we might head in to explore York. xxx