York, United Kingdom: travel guide
England's most complete medieval city sits within intact Roman walls. York Minster, the Shambles, Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum make it one of the UK's most visited destinations outside London.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Nearest airport
- LBA
Top places to visit in York
York Minster
Church · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · entry GBP 13
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. The Great East Window contains the world's largest expanse of medieval stained glass. Climbing the Central Tower gives the best York panorama.
National Railway Museum
Museum · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h
The world's largest railway museum is entirely free. Mallard (the fastest steam locomotive ever built), royal carriages, and the shinkansen bullet train are among its extraordinary exhibits.
The Shambles
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
England's best-preserved medieval street, with overhanging timber-framed buildings dating to the 14th century. Once a butchers' row, today it's a charming mix of independent shops, cafés, and chocolate sellers.
York City Walls
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
Britain's most complete circuit of medieval walls (3.4 km), dating from Roman times and expanded by the Vikings and Normans. The free walk along the bar walls gives superb views of the Minster and city rooftops.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry GBP 14
Built directly over the 1970s archaeological dig that uncovered the most complete Viking settlement ever found. A time-car ride transports you through reconstructed 10th-century Jorvik, complete with authentic smells.
York Christmas Market
Market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
The York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair) — the magical festive market in the spectacular Parliament Street, with the wooden chalets, the famous Yorkshire produce, the Minster backdrop, and the iconic Yorkshire winter.
York Cathedral Quarter
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
A walking tour of the York Minster Quarter — the spectacular cobbled streets surrounding York Minster, with the historic medieval houses, the Treasurer's House, the Roman Bath remains, and the iconic medieval heritage.
York Walking Walls Full
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The complete York City Walls walk — the spectacular 3.4km walk on the most complete medieval city walls in England, with the historic bars (gates), the panoramic views, and the iconic Yorkshire heritage.
York Clifford's Tower
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Clifford's Tower — the spectacular 13th-century motte-and-bailey castle keep, the site of the 1190 Jewish massacre, with the panoramic views over York, and the rich medieval heritage.
York Ghost Walking Tour
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The York Ghost Walk — the spectacular evening guided tour through York's narrow medieval streets (England's most haunted city), with the historic ghost stories, the medieval atmosphere, and the iconic experience.
York Castle Howard Day
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 8 h
A day trip from York to Castle Howard — the spectacular 18th-century Baroque palace (filming location for Brideshead Revisited), with the magnificent gardens, the lake, and the iconic British country house experience.
York Castle Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h
The York Castle Museum — the spectacular social history museum in the historic 18th-century debtors' prison, with the recreated Victorian street, the immersive period rooms, and the rich British social history.
Things to do
- York Dungeon Activity · 1.3 h · from GBP 17 per person
Where to stay in York
- City Centre about GBP 145 per night
Cambridge city centre puts you within cycling or walking distance of all 31 colleges. Limited hotel options — book well ahead.
Hotels
- The Grand Hotel & Spa York 5-star · GBP 200 to GBP 700 per night
- Eastons Bed and Breakfast York 4-star · GBP 95 to GBP 180 per night
- Crook Lodge Bed and Breakfast 3-star · GBP 75 to GBP 150 per night
- The Lawrance York 5-star · GBP 180 to GBP 380 per night
- Middlethorpe Hall and Spa 5-star · GBP 280 to GBP 520 per night
- Grays Court Hotel 5-star · GBP 280 to GBP 500 per night
Where to eat
- Betty's Café Tea Rooms York British, Afternoon Tea, Café · about GBP 35 per person
- The Lamb & Lion Inn British, Pub Food, Yorkshire · about GBP 32 per person
- Star Inn The City York Modern British, Yorkshire · about GBP 70 per person
- The Botanist York British, Brasserie · about GBP 32 per person
- The York Roast Co British · about GBP 10 per person
- Ye Olde Starre Inne British, Pub · about GBP 18 per person
- Nandos York Portuguese, Chicken · about GBP 16 per person
- Akbars York Indian, Pakistani · about GBP 20 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.