York
Why we love York
Small and mighty – York is the medieval walled city that really packs a punch. Its backdrop of medieval lanes, Snickelways, and even a shopping street that dates back to the Domesday Book, means this compact city is packed with stuff to see. Check out the impressive 2,000-year-old Gothic halls of its cathedral which could fit in the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or the ridiculously pretty 13th century timbered streets of The Shambles. Take a punt on the horses at its world-famous race course, check out its masses of museums and sample a food scene that spans from Michelin stars to shipping containers. Wash it down with the world’s first carbon-negative gin, or escape to nearby sites as awesome as the city itself.
Carbon-negative gin tour
Explore the world’s first carbon-negative gin distillery and take a tasting tour at York’s Cooper King.
Bring out the train driver in you
See the world’s fastest steam locomotive, the Mallard. Discover how high-speed rail travel began and experience the tough life of a working station at York Railway Museum.
Scare yourself silly at York Dungeon
Discover a grizzly 2000 Years of York’s darkest history as you see, hear and smell the cities murky past. Come face-to-face with Vikings and their Saxon enemies in an adult theatrical tours.
Things to do in York
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Featured things to do
Up to the heights
Discover the newly reopened Clifford’s Tower after its £5 million facelift to transform this 800-year-old landmark and drink in the 360-degree views of the city.
Learn more about Clifford’s Tower Set sail
Whether you take a river boat cruise and enjoy afternoon tea or hop onboard a Red Boat and become the skipper of your own boat, the River Ouse is a pretty relaxing way to take in the city.
Learn more about a river boat cruise
Take a walking tour
Walking tours run by homeless people who literally know the streets inside out, means you can give something back. All money raised from Invisible York Tours helps support the homeless.
Learn more about an Invisible York tour
Discover the history of chocolate
Learn how three clever families of Rowntree’s, Terry’s and Cravens made York a chocolate capital, create a bar of your own at York’s Chocolate Story.
Learn more about York’s Chocolate StoryPlaces to stay in York
City Centre
This is the best part of town and the centre of York’s beauty, but you’ll have to compete with other visitors for a spot in this small and popular city.
Holgate
Perfect for reaching the nearby attractions - and the best museums, landmarks and activities long with a good choice of pubs and places to eat are all here.
Bootham
This is great for those on a budget, it’s largely residential area, and relatively quiet. You can easily walk to the centre from here - and more likely to experience the locals going about their everyday lives.
Explore nearby
Getting to York
Located in the heart of North Yorkshire, York’s nearest airport is Leeds-Bradford. Located 30 miles from the city centre, the airport operates flights to and from 70 destinations worldwide.
Getting around York
York is easily accessible from around Britain. Hop on a direct train from London, Manchester or Edinburgh, and be there in just two hours. It’s absolutely best explored on foot, or bike, but the city does have excellent public transport connections. Check out iTravelYork’s handy guide gives you all the information you need on travel within the city
By bike
It takes just 20 minutes to get from the outskirts to the city centre by bike, making cycling one of the easiest and most fun ways to access places to visit in York. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the choice in bike tours.
By foot
York’s winding cobbled streets are best explored by foot. In fact, it takes just 20 minutes to walk from one side of the city to the other – a small city with an eyeful of sites. There’s also lots tours and guided walks.
By bus
First Bus run regular services throughout York and offer a range of money-saving tickets in addition to accepting contactless payments on all routes, for fast and convenient travel.
Outside of York
Looking to visit attractions outside of York? Coastliner operates regular services to nearby destinations including bustling Leeds and the quirky coastal town of Whitby.
Want to know more?
Check out Visit York for top insider tips and travel inspiration.