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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.

Things to do in York

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Journey through Viking past and discover what life was like in 10th century York at Jorvik Viking Centre.

Visit the Jorvik Viking Centre

photohodgeuk

Man carrying child on his shoulders wearing Viking garb and facepaint, Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Jorvik Viking Centre

Marvel at one of Britain’s most majestic cathedrals, York Minster, a medieval masterpiece.

To find out more about booking a tour of York Minster

VisitBritain/Felipe Pires

York Minster

Man twirling a woman outside a historic building
York Minster

Walk around York’s famous Shambles, the medieval shopping street that looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter.

Find out more about visiting the Shambles

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Man standing outside Ye Old Shambles Tavern
The Shambles

From steam locomotives to the dawn of diesel, interactive family-fun and more, discover how the railways shaped modern Britain.

Get tickets for National Railway Museum York

natalieandtheloves

Child in front of a display at the National Railway Museum in York
National Railway Museum York

Follow a trail along York’s famous Roman City Walls – the longest town walls in England and take in views of this historic city.

Find out more about the York City Walls trail

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

York City Walls

Historical stone wall, on a hill, surrounding town
York City Walls

Tuck into a tasting menu from a twenty-acre farm.

Find out more about Roots

Roots, York

Roots, York
Roots, York

See expert chocolatiers at work, and have a go at creating your own cocoa masterpieces too!

Discover York's Chocolate Story

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Person decorating dark chocolate with white chocolate piping
York's Chocolate Story

Covering 400 years of history, this living museum offers craft workshops, theatre shows and more.

What’s on at York Castle Museum

VisitBritain

A man standing in an old street, under shop signs
York Castle Museum

This fantastic social initiative has transformed countless lives, and is a great way to get to know York.

More about Unique York Walking Tours - Invisible Cities

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing pink hat walking through narrow street
Unique York Walking Tours - Invisible Cities

With ten live-action shows, professional storytellers and atmospheric sets, this is like travelling through time!

Book a visit to The York Dungeon

markjunday

York Dungeon
The York Dungeon

Sharpen your photography skills while exploring York’s history, nature and neighbourhoods on these expert-led workshops.

Discover Yorkshire Photo Walks

northyorkmoors

img_997
Yorkshire Photo Walks

Love designer fashions at discount prices? Browse Levi’s, Coach, Paul Smith, Ted Baker and more.

Shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

McArthur Glen York Designer Outlet

People shopping at York Designer Outlet
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

This incredible emporium features more than 120 antiques dealers and traders – all under one roof.

Explore Antiques Centre York

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing trench coat and pink hat walking
Antiques Centre York

Journey through Viking past and discover what life was like in 10th century York at Jorvik Viking Centre.

Visit the Jorvik Viking Centre

photohodgeuk

Man carrying child on his shoulders wearing Viking garb and facepaint, Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Jorvik Viking Centre

Marvel at one of Britain’s most majestic cathedrals, York Minster, a medieval masterpiece.

To find out more about booking a tour of York Minster

VisitBritain/Felipe Pires

York Minster

Man twirling a woman outside a historic building
York Minster

Walk around York’s famous Shambles, the medieval shopping street that looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter.

Find out more about visiting the Shambles

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Man standing outside Ye Old Shambles Tavern
The Shambles

From steam locomotives to the dawn of diesel, interactive family-fun and more, discover how the railways shaped modern Britain.

Get tickets for National Railway Museum York

natalieandtheloves

Child in front of a display at the National Railway Museum in York
National Railway Museum York

Follow a trail along York’s famous Roman City Walls – the longest town walls in England and take in views of this historic city.

Find out more about the York City Walls trail

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

York City Walls

Historical stone wall, on a hill, surrounding town
York City Walls

Tuck into a tasting menu from a twenty-acre farm.

Find out more about Roots

Roots, York

Roots, York
Roots, York

See expert chocolatiers at work, and have a go at creating your own cocoa masterpieces too!

Discover York's Chocolate Story

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Person decorating dark chocolate with white chocolate piping
York's Chocolate Story

Covering 400 years of history, this living museum offers craft workshops, theatre shows and more.

What’s on at York Castle Museum

VisitBritain

A man standing in an old street, under shop signs
York Castle Museum

This fantastic social initiative has transformed countless lives, and is a great way to get to know York.

More about Unique York Walking Tours - Invisible Cities

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing pink hat walking through narrow street
Unique York Walking Tours - Invisible Cities

With ten live-action shows, professional storytellers and atmospheric sets, this is like travelling through time!

Book a visit to The York Dungeon

markjunday

York Dungeon
The York Dungeon

Sharpen your photography skills while exploring York’s history, nature and neighbourhoods on these expert-led workshops.

Discover Yorkshire Photo Walks

northyorkmoors

img_997
Yorkshire Photo Walks

Love designer fashions at discount prices? Browse Levi’s, Coach, Paul Smith, Ted Baker and more.

Shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

McArthur Glen York Designer Outlet

People shopping at York Designer Outlet
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York

This incredible emporium features more than 120 antiques dealers and traders – all under one roof.

Explore Antiques Centre York

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Woman wearing trench coat and pink hat walking
Antiques Centre York

Places 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

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

The Victorian formal gardens with statues and low hedges in front of Harewood House

Proof that perfection can’t be rushed, the Yorkshire Dales was millions of years in-the-making.

VisitBritain/MattCant

Cyclist riding on road through green dales. Panoramic views

Rugged yet beautiful, wild yet welcoming – the North York Moors National Park is full of surprises.

VisitBritain/Sam Barker

Chef wearing apron on pier holding lobster trap with lobster

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.