Visit York for its Minster, the city walls, the Shambles, historic buildings, shops and museums. All these are among the best things to do during a trip to the city of York. The City is an ideal place for a day trip or likewise for a weekend break. With plenty to do it will leave you wanting to return
Is York, UK worth Visiting?
- Firstly it’s fun to explore! With its Viking legacy and Roman roots the beautiful medieval cathedral, ancient walls, numerous museums, and cobbled streets, there is more than enough to fill a day without spending a fortune.
- Secondly it’s beautiful! Full of glorious half-timber houses along and around The Shambles as well as delightful strolls along the riverbanks. you won’t regret a day trip to this picturesque city.
- Thirdly it’s walkable! With the centre being compact and only around a 15-minute walk from the station, you can easily navigate your day on foot.
Below are suggestions for visits on a day trip to York. Follow them in order, for a good way to get an overview of the city. We focused on sightseeing rather than paying to go in any attractions. Other than food, these ideas won’t cost you a penny!
Breakfast – Betty’s Café
Founded in 1919 it is famous for its delicious cakes and afternoon teas, Betty’s is a place not to be missed and undoubtedly the best place to start your trip to York! You can order afternoon tea all day, but we opted for the Swiss breakfast rosti and were not disappointed. Everything is beautifully presented the service is quick, however, you are not hurried by the staff, who go above and beyond to make sure you have a perfect visit. It is very popular and a queue forms before opening and remains there all day!
The Shambles
No trip to York is complete without a visit to The Shambles, York’s most famous street, lined with both shops and restaurants. The buildings with preserved medieval architecture date back to the 14th and 15th century. The name “Shambles” derives from the Anglo-Saxon word “shammel”, meaning a slaughterhouse, as formerly, in medieval times the street was home to many butchers’ shops.
Many interesting shops can be found here such as The Shop that must not be named (a must for Harry Potter fans) , the Potions Cauldron and the shop you just can’t walk by; Roly’s fudge!
Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower is basically the remaining part of York Castle. It was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Explore the remains of the castle, as well as enjoying panoramic views of the city. It contains an exhibition that tells the story of the castle and its role in the history of York. We did not go inside this time, but it is worth seeing from the outside.
From here we continued our way to Fishgate tower to join the city walls.
Fishergate Tower
Fishergate Tower is a stand-alone tower, located near the entrance to the city. Built in the 14th century, it was once used as a gatehouse and later as a prison. It is only open to the public on certain weekends during the year and by chance, we were there on the right weekend. Here are the opening dates. Entry is free and it has 3 floors, each containing a small exhibition; don’t miss the Tudor toilet!
York City Walls
York City Walls are a series of Roman defensive walls that encircle the historic city centre. During your trip to York, don’t miss walking along this popular tourist attraction, to take in stunning views of the city and its landmarks. These include the Minster, the River Ouse, and the castle. There are missing sections, but still follow a walking route around the outskirts of the city; a good route can be found here. Make sure you check the opening times of the walls!
Walmgate bar
Walmgate Bar is one of the four main gatehouses of the medieval city walls, dating back to the 13th century and the main point of entry to the city from the east. In the past it would have been manned by guards and controlled by a portcullis. Visit to explore the remains of the gatehouse and learn about the history of the walls. Gatehouse Coffee is a great spot for a drink and we opted for the rooftop patio to enjoy the winter sun.
You can complete a circuit of the walls, which will take you to the other 3 main gates. Micklegate Bar is the southernmost and is known for its royal connections as it was where medieval monarchs would enter the city.
Monk Bar is the most elaborately decorated of the four bars, and it is also the only one to have retained its medieval portcullis.
Bootham Bar is the northernmost and has a distinctive triangular shape.
Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top of the gatehouses.
We continued around the walls to the Red Tower. From here we headed to York Minster, walking along the main road and crossing the river before joining the walls again. You should visit this section of the wall, as it gives stunning views of York Minster Cathedral across the city’s red rooftops.
As you come off the wall, you will find a couple of quaint tearooms on college street. We opted for Crumbs Cupcakery. Again, we chose to sit outside and enjoy the winter sun. The cake was delicious, the coffee was good and the staff were friendly and helpful.
York Minster
During your trip o York do not miss one of the main attractions of this great city; the beautiful York Minster. However, on this visit, we admired it from the outside. Look out for the new statue of Queen Elizabeth II on the front of the minster. Details on prices and times for visiting inside or climbing the tower can be found here.
Lunch
From here we headed back into town and had a stroll around the shops. There is a great choice of restaurants, but they fill up quickly, so booking is advisable at busy times, including weekends. We opted for a late lunch at our own personal favourite; The Roast York Co. We enjoyed one of their famous yorkypud wraps. The queue was long and service takes a while, but it is a good option in terms of price and the food is worth the wait. Take away or enjoy your lunch in their inside seating area. There are 2 branches in the city centre, one on Stonegate and the other on Low Petergate.
Museum Gardens
Go for a stroll through Museum Gardens; a public park. surrounded by several museums and cultural institutions, including the Yorkshire Museum and the Art Gallery. It is free to visit the permanent exhibitions at the art gallery. We enjoyed the gardens, which feature a variety of plants, trees, and flowers, as well as as the remains of the Roman city wall and an ancient abbey.
Other places of interest in York
If you have extra time during your trip to York, below are some more great things to do in York. Having visited these previously, we did not include them in our recent day trip. The Jorvik centre and York Chocolate Story charge an admission fee.
York Chocolate Story
York Chocolate Story is an interesting museum, dedicated to the history of chocolate. Follow a journey from its origins in the Amazon rainforest to its present-day popularity, tasting a number of samples along the way.
Jorvik centre
The Jorvik Viking Centre is well worth a visit. It also gives you an insight into the history and culture of the Viking Age, featuring a reconstructed village. This is complete with life-like characters and smells, some of which are not too pleasant! You learn about the Viking way of life, their beliefs, and their trades. It is one of the most popular attractions. Book in advance of your trip as it will sell out fast.
National Railway Museum
The Museum is dedicated to the history of rail transport in the UK. Visit the museum to see its extensive collection of locomotives and railway artifacts, including some of the most famous and historic trains in the world. Without a doubt, it is one of the largest and most popular museums of its kind in the world, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Admission is free and access is easy as it is next to York’s mainline train station.
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