A RURAL museum is opening its doors for free to stage a weekend of Christmas activities.

Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole, near Helmsley, is to celebrate its last weekend of the season by waving its admission fee on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8.

There will be a range of crafts for families to try, including the opportunity for them to create a min rag rug flower, “mangle print” their own Christmas card in the museum’s wash house, or decorate biscuits.

There will be fires burning in the venue’s heritage buildings and the chance to meet a sweet seller in the 1950’s Post Office, a blacksmith at work in his workshop and housewives cooking in the crofter’s cottages.

Adding to the evocative festive feel will be hot mince pies and sausage rolls in the Victorian White Cottage, along with craft stalls and a raffle.

Museum manger Kevin Simms said: “We always enjoy this opportunity to welcome new faces into our museum and show returning visitors what we have achieved throughout the year. Offering free entry is our way of saying thank you to the community for their support.”

The museum will be open from 10 am until 3.30pm.