YORK Castle Museum is showing visitors that home really is where the "hearth" is, in a new exhibition of fireplaces and ranges.

The exhibition takes the visitor through 300 years of family life in the kitchen, including displays of cooking styles and techniques.

They will learn how cooking in the kitchen was the second most common cause of death next to childbirth for 17th century women, thanks to their long-sleeved dresses and the danger of them catching fire.

Sarah Maultby, assistant curator of social history, said: "We're delighted with this newly refurbished gallery. Food is an important focus of the home and, until recently, meals took much longer to prepare and cook than they do now."

The new display is part of the museum's highly-renowned social history collections, including a 17th century open hearth, a 1790 farm range and 19th century kitchen utensils.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, January 04, 2003