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York is a city in North Yorkshire, England and is famous for its historic city wall and town centre. I first went to York years ago while holidaying around the UK. We were only there for a day, but I vividly remember the wonderful city walls and it raining the entire day, which made it difficult to really enjoy ourselves. Years later we’re now living in the UK and not far from York, so were keen to return but on a sunnier day. With spring finally rolling around (yay!) and the forecast set for sunshine, we headed off for a weekend in York.
York was founded by the Romans as Eboracum in 71 AD. If you enjoy visiting England’s historic Roman walled cities, then check out my post on visiting the cities of Chester and Lincoln. More recently, in the 19th century York became famous for its chocolate manufacturing and a hub of the railway network.
Update: In this post I’m going to share the sites and attractions that I have visited over a number of long weekend visits to York over the years. You will see there is a lot to see and do, more than you can possibly do in a weekend, so depending on your time, prioritise those sites that most interest you and save the others for a future visit.
St Mary’s Abbey, Kings Manor, Hospitium, & Museum Gardens
Museum St, York YO1 7FR – The Abbey and Gardens are free to enter, but there is an entry fee for the Museum
When we arrived in York it was a sunny spring afternoon, so we headed out to make the most of it. We were staying beside St Mary’s Abbey ruins, so this was our first site for the day. It was destroyed following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The abbey is set amongst 10 acres of beautiful gardens and is a lovely place to relax in the sun. At the edge of the abbey is Kings Manor, an old house originally built in 1270 for the abbot of St Mary. It was later renovated in the 1539 to become the residence for the Headquarters of the Council of the North, but now it belongs to York University. Here you can also find the Yorkshire Museum, however, we didn’t get time to visit.
Within the museum gardens is also the 14th century Hospitium, a two-storey listed building set within the beautiful gardens. No one knows for sure what it was used for, but was potentially accommodation. Today it can be hired for private events.
Walk the Historic York City Walls
Free
From the gardens, we walked out onto Station Road and crossed the Lendal Bridge over the River Ouse. If you love a river cruise, then York is a great place to enjoy one. See York river cruise options here. Across the bridge is Barker Tower, one of the many entrances to the wall. The defensive wall was originally built by the Romans around 71 AD and continued to be altered and added to by the various groups that took power over the years in including the Danes and the Normans.
The wall takes about 2 hours to walk around and features 4 gatehouses. If you don’t have much time in York, then I recommend prioritising this walk because it takes in most of the best sites in York. it’s also a really interesting experience – as I wondered around I imagined what it must have been like as a soldier keeping watch and defending the city.
The walls provides great views of the city and was the highlight of our weekend. There are plenty of spots along the way that you can get on and off it. We ended up taking a drinks break at Dyls (Skeldergate Bridge, York YO1 9WJ), a quaint cafe/bar that is in the old Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge. See more details below.
Clifford’s Tower
Tower St, York YO1 9SA – Entry fee applies.
Clifford’s Tower is basically a large mound with a tower on top. William the Conqueror originally built two motte-and-bailey castles in York, and one of them sat where Clifford’s Tower now stands. However, this castle was burnt down in 1069 by the Danish invaders, so the stone tower you see today was built between 1245-72. It is run by the English Heritage, so there is a fee to enter it. If you don’t want to pay to enter, then you can still walk up the steps and enjoy the views.
York Castle Museum
Eye of York, Tower St, York YO1 9RY – Entry fee applies.
Across the road from Clifford’s Tower is the York Castle Museum. It’s in a beautiful old building, but It’s no ordinary museum, and what is inside will surprise and amaze you. It’s highlight is a faithful recreated Victorian street where you can see how the rich and poor lived and the typical kind of shops that lined the streets. However, my description of it does not quite do it justice, because the level of detail in this attraction is absolute outstanding. You really need to see it to believe it. As the lighting it kept low to create a night scene, it was difficult to photograph, but there is a viewing point from above which gives you an idea of what it looks like.
York Historic Old Town & The Shambles
After embarking from the wall, we headed into the heart of York’s beautiful historic city to explore. It was like stepping back in time, it felt truly magical. One of the highlights is the Shambles, an old street with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. People refer to this street as the ‘real Diagon Alley’ from Harry Potter. And in fact, you will find Harry Potter themed stores here as well. The Shambles is also the location of the popular Shambles Market where you will find some excellent local food producers.
York Minster Cathedral
Deangate, York YO1 7HH – Entry fee applies.
Another historic highlight of York is York Minster, a magnificent Gothic cathedral with large, beautiful stained glass windows. Entry is rather pricey and is broken up into two tiers. The first includes entry to the cathedral, Undercroft Museum, and a free guided tour, the second more expensive ticket includes access to climb the Central Tower. There is a lot to see here, to if you enjoy this type of historic site, then it is worth a visit. In fact, we spent quite some time exploring here, as there was a lot of area to cover. I especially admired the extensive excavations and emergency repair that they undertook to stop the cathedral from sinking.
The Roman Column and Constantine The Great Statue
4 & 11 Minster Yard, York YO1 7HH – Free
Beside York Minster is the remains of York’s Roman history. It includes a column which came from the north-east colonnade of the Roman headquarters building. It was originally built in c100 AD by the soldiers of Legion IX, but then was re-assembled and re-used by Legion VI in the 4th century. It was discovered in 1969 by archaeologists and was excavated and put on display here a few years later.
The other historic attraction outside York Minister is the statue of the Roman emperor Constantine The Great. He was venerated as a saint by the Orthodox Church for putting an end to the persecution of believers during his reign and converting to the faith himself.
Treasurer’s House – National Trust
Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL – Free entry for members, but entry fee applies for non-members
Behind York Minster is the Treasurer’s House, a lavish historic home featuring a collection of artefacts and antiques from around the work and an award-winning garden. I was very keen to visit as we are National Trust members. The house was bought in 1897 by Frank Green, the grandson of a wealthy industrialist, and he transformed the house into how you see it today. Frank left the house to the National Trust with strict instructions that the house must remain perfectly preserved as he left it. He even place tacks in the floor to indicate where the furniture in the room should be placed exactly. Join a tour to hear about Frank Green’s life and find out how he saved Treasurer’s House and changed it into the grand show home we see today. The house also has a great many ghost stories collected from all of the owners it has had over the decades, and the tour guides do an excellent job of telling these.
Please note: The house is closed over the winter months except for the Christmas events when it is open for the festive period.
York Art Gallery
Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW – Entry fee applies
We were keen to visit the York Art Gallery as they were holding an exhibition of some of my favourite scenic artists, Ruskin and Turner. It revealed their early discovery and documentation of the effects of climate change upon the beautiful landscapes that they visited and painted over the years. The images that resonated with me was Chamonix in the French Alps, as we had visited here last Christmas to go skiing and had visited the shrinking glacier that they had painted. It is rather sad to think that this was in the 1800’s, yet here we are well into the 2000’s and it’s like we are only just acknowledging climate change for the first time (and some people resolutely refusing to accept it).
Goddards House and Garden – National Trust
27 Tadcaster Rd, York YO24 1GG – Free entry for members, but entry fee applies for non-members
After a cake treat at Brownies, we walked down to Goddards House and Garden. It is quite a long walk from the town centre, but we enjoyed it as it allowed us to see more of York outside of the city walls. There are buses that run back and forth from the city past Goddards house, but as it was Sunday, they weren’t running very frequently so we ended up getting an Uber back which didn’t cost very much.
Goddards House and Garden is the family home of the creators of Terry’s Chocolate. It was founded by Joseph Terry in 1767 and carried on by the Terry family until the early ’90’s when it was taken over by Kraft Foods. The home was eventually given over to The National Trust. The home is a beautiful Arts and Crafts building and the National Trust has done a great job of filling it full of family memories. it was really quiet when we were there, so we found ourselves making ourselves at home and sitting and looking through the family photo albums and playing the games left out for visitors to enjoy. The staff were very knowledgeable and shared stories of the family. There is also an interesting display of the history of Terry’s chocolate, the factory (which was only a short walk from the house) and its products.
If you want to learn more about York’s chocolate history, then take the York’s Chocolate Story tour.
St Martin Le Grand Church
Free
In the afternoon, we spent some more time walking around the old town. We walked past St Martin’s which was once referred to as one of the most beautiful churches in the city. However, it was bombed during WWII. It was restored in the early ’60’s. It’s famous clock was destroyed, but it was replaced and beside it is a courtyard garden that was re-consecrated as a ‘shrine of remembrance for all men who died in the two world wars’.
In the evening we enjoyed drinks at the Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House then dinner at the Barbakan Restaurant & Cafe and which I’ve added in my Food and Drink section below.
Beningbrough Hall – National Trust
Beningbrough, York YO30 1DD – Free entry for members, but entry fee applies for non-members
Before heading home, we visited the beautiful countryside property of Beningbrough Hall which is a short 15 minute drive from the city. Built in the 18th century, this Italian-style baroque house was also occupied by the RAF in the Second World War. It’s highlights are the 18th-century portraits featuring people who have influenced British history and its culture. The garden is also beautiful featuring Italian and Victorian influences.
The house is set on a large farm, so we spent some time enjoying a walk around the countryside. There is also an onsite home farm shop selling delicious locally produced food with a small cafe. Compared to the hustle and bustle of York city, this was a lovely peaceful way to end our short break in York.
Other York Attractions
National Railway Museum
Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ – Free entry
I have to admit, I’m not a huge train fan, so we didn’t prioritise the National Railway Museum, but maybe on our next visit… This is a popular attraction though and gets positive reviews.
Food and Drink
Dyls
(Skeldergate Bridge, York YO1 9WJ)
Dyls is a quaint cafe/bar that is in the old Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge. We visited it during our walk around the city wall. It’s a really lovely spot that overlooks the river Ouse and you can also see nearby Clifford’s Tower. They have a nice range of drinks, so I enjoyed a gin and my husband had a local beer. They also had a yummy selection of baked goods that were delicious.
Mr P’s Curious Tavern
71 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HY
We ended up at Mr P’s on our first night when we were looking for somewhere relaxed to enjoy a drink. I loved the quirky eccentric decor of this place and it also has a good drinks list. Eventually we got hungry for dinner and ordered. However, after an extensive wait, we managed to get the attention of the wait staff (which were a bit absent) and discovered that there had been a mix-up and our order hadn’t been given to the kitchen. However, they did profusely apologise and got us some nibbles whilst we waited and also gave us a discount on our meal, which when if finally arrived, was delicious. We enjoyed a loin of Denham Estate venison with wild mushrooms, duck liver, crouton and truffle, and some delicious Szechuan chicken wings. Although I would have liked more hot sauce on them.
Brew & Brownie
5 Museum Street, York YO1 7DT
We had eaten a very large English breakfast at the B&B we were staying in, so didn’t feel much like lunch. But we were definitely up for cake! Brew & Brownie’s is so popular that they had a line forming outside. However, since we weren’t after a meal, staff referred us to their smaller cafe just a short walk down the road which serves all of their great sweet treats and small meals. It was much quieter, so we got a seat. This place has so much deliciousness to choose from it took us a while to decide which sweet treat to divulge in. Their hot chocolate and coffee were good too.
Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House
25 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX
We ended up at the Chopping Block for a drink in the evening. It looks small from the front, but it’s quite a long building so there is actually quite a lot of seating. They also have a restaurant upstairs which is apparently haunted. There is a good selection of beers here, but also good non-beer options. The menu did look nice, but we ended up at a nearby Polish restaurant (see below).
Barbakan Restaurant & Cafe
58 Walmgate, York YO1 9TL
We had been enjoying a drink at nearby Chopping Block and saw that there was a Polish restaurant nearby. We love Polish food from our travels in Poland and eating my Polish friends home cooking. Barbakan is a popular restaurant, so I would recommend booking prior to visiting. I enjoyed their traditional meat filled cabbage rolls called Golabki, and my husband had the wiener schnitzel. They also have a nice selection of cakes if you can fit it in.
Crumbs Cupcakery
10 College St, York YO1 7JF
We discovered Crumbs Cupcakery on our first visit to York, so I wanted to mention it because this place is delicious heaven for cupcake fans like myself. I have fond memories of hiding from the rain in here (it’s near one of the a wall exits) and gorging ourselves on cupcakes.
The York Roast Co.
78 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HZ
We visited The York Roast Co. on our first visit to York. We weren’t living in the UK at the time so we thought it was a good chance to try the traditional local fare. I grew up with my English Grandma that was from the north of England, so taught me how to make a good roast and Yorkshire puddings. If you haven’t tried Yorkshires before, then this is a good place to try them. Despite their name, Yorkshires aren’t really a pudding – they don’t get eaten at dessert. They are made of egg, flour and milk and served with a roast meat and vegetables smothered in gravy. The Yorkshires at The York Roast Co. are giant and act like a bowl that the roast is served in.
What to See and Do Around York
Just north of York is the beautiful Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that deserves an entire weekend to be dedicated to exploring it. However, if you are short on time, then pick one or two attractions to visit and save the others for your return.
Accommodation Options in York
Search available accommodation in York
Budget
- Safestay York – Hostel in York centre city offering dormitory style accommodation.
- Admiral Nelson’s York – Comfortable rooms in the heart of York city
- YHA York – This YHA is situated in a beautiful Victorian mansion with extensive gardens a short walk from York centre city.
Moderate
- Bowen House – This restored Victorian guest house is only a short walk from the city centre.
- Poplar House Serviced Apartments – Located in the Georgian ‘Mount’ residential area, 5 minutes’ walk from York’s historic Micklegate Bar and the medieval city walls.
- The Lawrance Luxury Aparthotel – York – These stylish apartments are are within 10 minutes’ walk of York Minster, York Theatre and York Art Gallery.
Luxury
- Grays Court – We walked past this historic property on our walk around the wall. It is located between the wall and York Minster and features a beautiful garden.
- Serenity Inn the City – Luxury apartment in the heart of York centre city.
- The Mount Royale Hotel & Spa – This hotel offers spa facilities and onsite fine dining restaurant.
- The Grand – York’s top 5 star hotel has luxury suites, but also affordable standard rooms, so this should really be listed in both the moderate and luxury categories. They also have an onsite spa.
Practical Tips for Visiting York
- How long should I visit York for? You can squeeze the major attractions into a weekend trip, but to really enjoy the city and its surrounding areas, consider staying at least 3 nights.
- How to Get to York
- By Car: We drove to York and parked at our accommodation for the weekend, as it is easy to get around York on foot. There are a number of city car parks to choose from as well.
- Public Transport: You can get to York via the train or on one of the intercity bus services.
- Tours: There are lots of great tours in York, check them out here. Here are a selection of them:
- York Pass: If you are planning on visiting most of the city attractions that charge an entry fee, then think about getting the York City Pass which includes the majority of the sites. If you are planning on extending your adventures to the surrounding York, then there is also a York & Beyond Explorer pass.
- Currency: British pound.
- Language: English.
- Tipping: Not required, but people usually round up.
- Electricity: The electrical current is 230 volts AC. Wall outlets take a three pronged plug only used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, you are better off purchasing a worldwide adaptor that can be used in the United Kingdom as well other countries. At least then you can potentially get some further use out of it on future vacations. If you’re taking a number of electronics with you, then I would recommend purchasing a couple of these adaptors.
- Driving: In the UK they drive on the left hand side of the road with speed signs in miles per hour (mph).
- Navigating: We used Google’s free Offline Maps. Google Offline Maps allows you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WIFI, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Follow my detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps.
- Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so use a portable battery charger which you can use to charge your phone and any other USB chargeable devices.
- If you prefer a paper map, then purchase a road map before you go. At least it’s reliable and won’t run out of battery or malfunction like the electronic options!
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