Overview
York is an ancient cathedral city with a history spanning more than 2000 years. Its long past makes heritage the natural focus of a visit.
History · Architecture · Museums · Shopping
Did you know?
- The compact historic centre can be explored inside the city walls.
- The Shambles is a medieval shopping street.
- The National Railway Museum offers free admission.
Why go?
The ancient cathedral city of York has a history dating back over 2000 years. Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Britons have each left their mark. It is home to some of Europe's best-preserved historical buildings, including York Minster, the Shambles, and the city walls. Popular attractions include the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum. York is a perfect base for exploring Yorkshire.
Get in
York is well connected by rail via York railway station, with frequent services from London, Edinburgh, and other major cities. The station is just outside the western walls. The nearest major airports are Manchester Airport and Leeds-Bradford Airport.
Get around
The city is compact and walkable within the walls. Bicycles can be hired from Get Cycling or Cycle Heaven. Buses and Park & Ride services connect the outskirts. The City of York Council provides travel info at i-Travel York.
When to go
York has festivals year-round: Jorvik Viking Festival in February, York Food and Drink Festival in September, and a Christmas market in December. Summer (June–August) is peak season with longer days and outdoor events, but also crowds. Spring and autumn offer mild weather and lower prices. Winter can be cold but the Christmas market is popular.
See & Do
Must-sees include York Minster (£11.50), the Jorvik Viking Centre (£12.50), and the National Railway Museum (free). Other attractions: Clifford's Tower (£8.10), the city walls walk, Snickelways, and York Castle Museum. Walking tours and ghost walks start from £5. Festivals run year-round, including the Jorvik Viking Festival and York Food & Drink Festival.
Learn
York is an excellent place to be a student, with two universities: University of York (Russell Group) and York St John University. It's cheaper than Bath, Cambridge, or Oxford. Language schools include BSC Education, English in York, and Melton College.
Buy
York has unique shops including the Shambles (medieval street), Coney Street for chains, and the Shambles Market with 85 stalls. The York Designer Outlet is 3.5 miles south. Independent shops line Gillygate and Stonegate.
Food & Drink
York has a vibrant pub scene with traditional ale houses like The Maltings and The Blue Bell, craft beer at Brew York, and cocktail bars like Dusk and Evil Eye. For food, try House of the Trembling Madness (mains £9-10), The Nook (mains £7-9), or Bettys Tea Rooms for afternoon tea (£25-50). Cheap eats at Shambles Market.
Sleep
Accommodation ranges from hostels (Astor York, Safestay, YHA) from £10, to mid-range hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge) from £30, to luxury hotels (The Grand, Middlethorpe Hall) from £100. Camping available at York Rowntree Park (adults £8-12 pppn).
Stay safe
York is a safe city with no significant crime problem. Take usual precautions against pickpocketing in crowded areas. Terrorism is locally unheard of but the national threat level is high.
Connect
As of March 2024, York and its approach highways have 5G from all UK carriers. WiFi is widely available in public places.
Go next
York is centrally located in Yorkshire, making it a great base for days out to the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and coast. Nearby day trips include Beningbrough Hall and Yorkshire Air Museum.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Buy
Browns
A good quality family-run department store that has been trading in York for over 100 years, stocks most of the global fashion brands, and features large beauty, furniture, and handbag departments.
Do
City Cruises
Various boat trips along the Ouse. The three listed here are the most popular, but there are many other cruises throughout the year, including lunchtime and dinner cruises, Halloween ghost tours and Santa specials; check website.
Price when recorded: Daytime: adult £10.50, child 5-15 years £6, concession £9 (#Visitor information and York Pass
Do
City Screen
A modern cinema which shows a mix of mainstream and arthouse films. It has a bar/cafe with a fantastic balcony overlooking the River Ouse.
Price when recorded: Adult £10.70 (£12.50 peak), child £7.20 (£8 peak), concession £9.70 (£11.50 peak), Mondays £7.90 all patrons, autism-friendly £3, dementia-friendly £4
Do
City Sightseeing York
Double-decker open-top bus tour of the city, with commentary in nine languages, plus a kids' commentary and bonus Yorkshire dialect narration. Operates a continuous hop-on/hop-off service in a circuit; the full loop takes 60 minutes.
Price when recorded: Adult £16, child £9, concession £13, under 5s free, valid for 24 hr from activation. Offers discounts to some attractions en route. Bus tour free with #Visitor information and York Pass
Buy
Coney Street
Along with Parliament Street, this is the place in the city centre to head for the chain high street shops you can find all over the UK: Boots, H&M, TK Maxx, Zara et al.
Buy
Davygate
One of very few wide and straight roads in the centre is this very attractive tree-lined boulevard mostly home to larger chain stores such as Disney, M&S, and most high street banks and building societies. The row continues northwest onto the much narrower marker
Do
Day of Dance
Email via online contact form. A festival of traditional Morris dance in the streets of the city centre, with local and national groups performing in all their colourful regalia.
Do
Everyman York
Inside a distinctive art deco building, this cinema is held close to the hearts of York residents.
Price when recorded: Prices vary per film and showing time, but around £11-£13 adult, £10-£12 concession
Before you go
Connectivity
5G coverage from all UK carriers; free Wi-Fi in many public spaces.
Culture
Respect queues and pub etiquette; tipping not mandatory but appreciated.
Health
Tap water safe; hospitals and pharmacies available.
Language
English is the spoken language.
Local transport
Walkable city; buses and Park & Ride for outskirts.
Money
Currency is the British pound (£). ATMs widely available. Most places accept credit/debit cards.
Safety
York is very safe; petty theft possible in crowded areas.
Transport
Compact city centre best explored on foot. Bikes and buses available.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink.