Things to do in York: the Minster, city walls and the Shambles
York is a small walled city that you can cross on foot in twenty minutes, with a Gothic minster, medieval lanes and a Viking past. Two days is enough for the main sights. The streets are busiest at weekends and in the school holidays, so go early, and book the Minster tower and the Viking museum if you want a set time.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the city walls, visit York Minster, and wander the Shambles early in the morning.
- Where to stay
- Inside the walls for the sights, or just outside them for lower prices and quiet.
- How many days
- Two days covers the main sights. Add a third for a day trip.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September for mild weather, or December for the Christmas markets and the crowds.
- Book ahead
- The Minster tower climb, JORVIK, and any hotel on a weekend or in December.
- From the airport
- Leeds Bradford has no train: take the bus to Leeds, then the train. Manchester Airport has a direct train.
Where to stay in York, in brief
Inside the walls
first visits and walking everywhere
The streets around the Minster, the Shambles and Micklegate put every sight within fifteen minutes on foot. It is busy at weekends, and rooms in old buildings can be small and noisy.
Bootham
quiet streets near the Minster
Guest houses in Victorian terraces just outside Bootham Bar, a few minutes from the Minster and the museums. Calmer than the center at night.
Fishergate and the Walmgate side
lower prices close to the center
South-east of the walls, close to Clifford's Tower and the river. Mostly guest houses and chain hotels, a 10 to 15 minute walk to the center.
Near the station
early trains
Hotels on and around Station Road and Blossom Street, a few minutes from the rail station and the walls. Practical rather than atmospheric.
Things to do in York
York Minster
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, with the great east window and a climb up the central tower for views over the roofs. Allow two hours, three with the tower.
a few days ahead for the tower climb, longer in school holidays
The city walls
About three kilometers of medieval wall that you can walk for free, with views of the Minster and the rooftops. Allow 90 minutes, and start at Bootham Bar or Micklegate Bar.
The Shambles
A narrow medieval lane of overhanging timber-framed buildings, once the butchers' street. It is packed by mid-morning, so go before nine or after the day-trippers have left.
JORVIK Viking Centre
A ride through a recreated Viking street on the site where the remains were dug up, followed by the finds. Good for children, and short at about an hour.
a few days ahead on weekends and in school holidays
National Railway Museum
The national collection of locomotives, from Mallard to royal trains, beside the station. Free to enter, and a good choice for a wet day.
Clifford's Tower
The stone keep of the old castle on its mound, with views over the city. Run by English Heritage, and the site of the 1190 massacre of York's Jews.
Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens
Roman, Viking and medieval finds, in a park with the ruins of St Mary's Abbey beside the river.
York Castle Museum
A reconstructed Victorian street and the former prison cells, in the old castle buildings. Allow two hours.
Treasurer's House
A National Trust townhouse behind the Minster with a garden, good for an hour away from the crowds.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of York can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in York, and which to pick- York Minster tower climba few days ahead, longer in school holidays
Tower places are limited and timed, and weekends sell out first.
- JORVIK Viking Centrea few days ahead on weekends
Entry is by timed slot, and the queue on the day can be long.
- Hotels at weekends and in December2 to 3 months ahead
York is small, and the Christmas markets and race weeks fill the rooms.
What to skip in York
- The Shambles at midday
The lane is shoulder to shoulder from mid-morning. Walk it first thing, and spend the busy hours on the walls or in a museum.
- Ghost walks that follow a crowd
York has dozens, and many follow the same route with large groups. Choose a small group with a guide who knows the history.
- Shopping for souvenirs in the Shambles
Many shops sell the same themed goods. Try the independent shops on Micklegate, Fossgate and Walmgate for something different.
Best time to visit York
April to June and September are the best months, with mild weather and longer days. July and August are warm but busy, and weekends are crowded all year.
December brings the Christmas market and crowds, and a cold, damp wind off the Pennines. January and February are quiet and cold, and good for the museums. York can flood when the Ouse is high, so check the river level in winter.
- From Leeds Bradford AirportThere is no train. The 757 Flyer bus runs to Leeds station in 30 to 40 minutes, then the train to York takes 25 to 45 minutes. Allow about 90 minutes in all.
- From Manchester AirportDirect trains run to York at least hourly and take about 1 hour 50 minutes. It is the simpler route if your flight is there.
- On footThe old center is compact and mostly flat. You can walk from the station to the Minster in about 15 minutes.
- Buses and park and rideYou rarely need a bus in the center. Park and ride buses serve drivers from the edge of the city, and the old center is mostly closed to cars.
York in two days
- Day 1
The Shambles early, then York Minster, lunch near the Minster, and the Treasurer's House. In the afternoon, a walk on the city walls from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar.
- Day 2
JORVIK in the morning, then Clifford's Tower, the Castle Museum and a walk along the river. Finish at the National Railway Museum if you have time.
Day trips from York
- Castle HowardA baroque country house and gardens about 15 miles north-east, best reached by car or a seasonal bus or tour from the city.
- HarrogateA Victorian spa town about 40 minutes by train or bus, with Bettys' original tea rooms and the Valley Gardens.
- WhitbyA fishing port and abbey on the coast, about two hours by bus. It makes a long day, so check the last bus back.
York: questions people ask
How many days do you need in York?
Two days covers the Minster, the walls, the Shambles and one or two museums. Add a third day for Castle Howard or Harrogate.
Is York worth visiting?
Yes. It has a Gothic cathedral, a complete circuit of medieval walls and lanes that survive from the Middle Ages, all within walking distance. It is small and crowded at weekends, so go on a weekday if you can.
What is the best time to visit York?
April to June and September have mild weather and fewer crowds than summer. December has the Christmas market but is busy and cold.
Is York walkable?
Yes. The old center is small and mostly flat, and the station is about 15 minutes from the Minster. You will not need a bus inside the walls.
Do I need to book York Minster?
General entry does not usually need a booking, but the tower climb is timed and limited, so book it ahead in busy periods. Check the Minster's website, because services and events can close parts of the building.
How do I get to York from Manchester or Leeds Bradford airport?
From Manchester Airport there is a direct train, about 1 hour 50 minutes. Leeds Bradford has no rail link, so take the bus to Leeds and then a train to York, about 90 minutes in total.
Is York good for a weekend?
Very. It is a short train ride from London, Leeds and Manchester, and the main sights fit into two days. Book hotels early for Fridays and Saturdays.