York streetsWith its stunning medieval architecture and wealth of historical attractions, York has one of the richest heritages of any city in the UK. At its heart is the incredible gothic cathedral, York Minster. The city’s vibrant centre and charming, narrow streets can easily be explored by foot, thanks to its modest size.
York is the capital of Yorkshire and one of the UK’s most historically important cities. Its bustling centre is packed with historical attractions and surrounded by magnificent 13th century walls. Visitors from across the globe are attracted to York’s incredible history, and most of its landmarks are with easy walking distance of each other. York Minster is one of the world’s most impressive gothic cathedrals, but far from the city’s only attraction. Galleries, theatres, museums and a brilliant selection of cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants can all be found in York’s labyrinth of narrow streets.
In the middle of York, you’ll find one of the UK’s most remarkable examples of gothic architecture, York Minster. Its stained glass windows and towering stone structure are simply breathtaking, and you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore the art, history and music which has sculpted the history of the cathedral.
Ancient architecture If you’ve only got time for one of York’s numerous galleries or museums, the National Railway Museum is a good bet. It’s a great family day out, and completely free. The museum’s huge halls are packed with some of the world’s most incredible trains, including the Japanese Bullet, and the first ever steam train.
The JORVIK Viking Centre offers visitors the chance to journey back over one thousand years to a time when Norsemen ruled the city. With an exciting ride experience exploring the sights, sounds, and of course smells of the Viking age, as well as galleries displaying precious artefacts recovered from the original dig that inspired the Centre, JORVIK is your chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York.
For more historical fun, a trip to the gruesomely great York Dungeons is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Discover the darker side of history, with interactive shows in the fully-immersive themed experience. It's scarily good!
Food and drink are taken seriously in York and there’s a brilliant selection of cafes, bars and restaurants. The city even has its own food and drink festival which showcases some of the best independent businesses in the area. York has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the UK’s best chocolate, so don’t forget to pop into one of the city’s chocolate shops or visit York’s Chocolate Story, where you can make your own chocolate bar. For a pint of local ale and a hearty meal, head for the Lamb and Lion, an award-winning pub in the centre of the city.
“With its stunning medieval architecture and wealth of historical attractions, York has one of the richest heritages of any city in the UK."
It’s well worth looking into what events coincide with your visit to York. The city has a packed calendar of cultural events from live music gigs to services in the York Minster.