Things to Do in York: Guide to England’s Most Historic City

When it comes to things to do in York, you will be surprised by how many options there are, even though it's not such a big city. Indeed though, there is so much history, culture and gastronomy in this city, that you can spend a fair amount of time here without ever feeling bored. Once a Roman settlement founded in 71 AD as Eboracum, York has been there for every major event in English history. It saw the Roman legions, the Viking settlers, Norman conquerors, the medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras all left their mark!

In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the things in York you can do. We will go through the monuments, museums, trips and cuisine and culture you can delve in. We will also offer some tips on how to best prepare and enjoy your trip to York.

So, no more delays, let's jump right into it!

Do not miss York Minster, the magnificent Gothic cathedral that ranks as the second largest in Northern Europe. The initial work on it started in the 7th century, and the incredible building officially opened in 1472. Inside, the Great East Window, the biggest piece of medieval stained glass in the UK, is a remarkable work of art, particularly when light from the afternoon sun shines through the nave.

The 275 steps to the top of the Central Tower will reward you with the city's highest vantage point at about 230 feet (70 meters), from where you can see the whole city and the countryside. At the Undercroft level, visitors can see the remnants of Roman Eboracum and artifacts from the Vikings period that lie under the cathedral floor.

Visiting during Evensong, a short 30-minute choral service, will raise your spirits as the voices reverberate in the vast nave through the centuries-old stones. Be sure to come ahead of time as there are only a few seats available. Your ticket will allow you to visit the Minster for a whole year.

York's city walls are the longest and most complete medieval walls in England at about 2 miles (3.4 km) of mostly 13th-century raised walkways, making them an unmissable stop for cultural and historical travel in York. It will take you about two hours at a slow pace to do the entire loop!

Along the way you'll go through fortified gates called "bars", you'll see arrow slits and carved stone figures, and you'll be treated to beautiful vistas of York Minster, the River Ouse, and the mix of rooftops and gardens of the city below. The part from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar offers the best views of the cathedral, and the area near Foss Bank is where the Roman walls can still be seen.

The walls are open from 8.00 AM until dusk. A walk early in the morning before the streets below are crowded with visitors is really worth the effort.

The Shambles is probably one of the best-kept medieval streets in Europe. It is a narrow, cobbled street with overhanging timber framed buildings that nearly touch each other. It was a street of butchers that got its name from "Fleshammels," meaning flesh shelves. You can still find some meat hooks on the frames of some of the old timber houses. Many people describe it as the inspiration for Diagon Alley and it houses a number of independent boutiques, artisan fudge shops, Harry Potter themed stores, and more.

However, York's historic streets are not limited to the Shambles. Stonegate, Swinegate, Petergate, and Goodramgate are streets with their own vibe that also have coffee shops and independent galleries housed in very old buildings. Check out Lady Row on Goodramgate, which is made up of the city's oldest surviving houses, dating back to 1316, and take a look at the "snickelways," the secret passageways forming a network in York and connecting different parts of the city.

At one point, York was known as Jorvik, a prosperous Viking town, and the JORVIK Viking Centre is a vivid reminder of that period. Established on the location of a large archaeological dig in the 1970s, the centre offers a time travel experience back to 975 AD through a ride in a fully-reconstructed Viking-age village with lifelike animatronic figures, sound effects, and even the less pleasant 10th-century smells.

After the ride, you can see the remains of the original excavation through glass floors. This is one of the many places where you can both have fun and learn a great deal without ever getting bored, making it a standout highlight for family travel in York.

York has long been associated with chocolate production. Terry's was established here in 1767, Rowntree's came in 1862, and the city continues to manufacture millions of chocolate bars like KitKat, Aero, and Yorkie!

A visit to York's Chocolate Story will give you a guide-led experience of this sweet history, from the cacao rainforests of Central America right up to the Victorian-era chocolate houses in York, with various tastings and a chocolate-making session included. If you prefer a more private experience, handcrafted chocolate stores and walking tours meander through the city center, linking the sweet spots that have contributed to York's fame as the chocolate capital of England.

Since 1919, Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms has been a part of the Yorkshire scene. That was the year when Swiss-born confectioner Frederick Belmont mixed the best skills of the continent with the warm hospitality of the north. The branch at St Helen's Square is probably one of the most charming experiences for honeymoons in York, with lovely interiors that are reminiscent of the Queen Mary ocean liner.

Legendary afternoon tea is a mix of British favorites and continental classics such as a Yorkshire Fat Rascal scone is a must-have. If you want the whole experience, book a table in the Belmont Room upstairs. The downstairs floor is walk-in only, and the queue that often goes around the block is really part of the charm. Bettys is just as pleasing for breakfast or a smaller lunch, but afternoon tea is still the signature occasion.

Clifford's Tower, the biggest surviving piece of York Castle, was first built by William the Conqueror. Its unique quatrefoil design, that of a four-leafed clover, stands unique in England. A recently installed rooftop terrace now presents some of the most beautiful comprehensive views of York.

Right around the corner, a visit to York Castle Museum will allow you to experience the history of everyday life over the ages. Kirkgate street is the main highlight, a reconstructed Victorian street including shop frontages and original prison cells from the time when the castle was still used as a jail.

The National Railway Museum houses more than 100 locomotives, among them the famous Flying Scotsman and the Mallard, the latter being the holder of the world speed record for a steam locomotive. Through various interactive exhibits, the museum shows how railways shaped the development of modern Britain in different aspects such as industry, engineering, and even daily travel.

You can find the museum about a few minutes' walk from York's train station. Even if trains are not your usual interest, the size and details of these machines would make a big impression on you. The museum, through its engaging narration, manages to make you forget even for a moment the fact that these are just old engines.

A tour on the River Ouse by boat gives a totally different view of York. The vessels slowly move across the city for 45 minutes to an hour showing scenes of York Minster, Clifford's Tower, the medieval city walls, and the Museum Gardens that seem very different from the water.

There are many departures all day long so you can do it whenever it suits you. A cruise in the early evening is very enjoyable, especially after a day of exploration. A morning at the Minster, an afternoon walking the walls and the Shambles, and then a river cruise while the city's architecture shines under the golden light is a very stylish way to experience York.

Many have considered York to be one of the most haunted cities based on the over 500 ghost sightings documented throughout the city's 2,000 years history. At night, the city has a whole different vibe. Its medieval lanes, narrow and shadowy snickelways become the stage for evening walking tours by actors / guides.

The best operators amongst these walking tours, cleverly combine real historical facts, dark humor and extremely engaging storytelling that covers the time of Romans, Vikings and Tudors. It is fun, atmospheric and quite informative. You see in York through these tours in a way that you can't in the morning..

The cuisine in York has undergone a staggering transformation with the number of restaurants in the Michelin Guide increasing to more than a dozen. Roots, the Michelin-starred restaurant of chef Tommy Banks, presents inventive tasting menus revolving around the Yorkshire produce,  just one example of what makes luxury travel in York so compelling.. At Skosh, you can enjoy a fusion of British small plates with Asian and Middle Eastern flavors. Le Cochon Aveugle provides a blind tasting experience with wines perfectly matched by the sommelier. Melton's has been a red-carpet fine dining establishment for over 30 years with menus featuring seasonal modern British fare.

Those who wish to experience something more classic can have a Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding at the Guy Fawkes Inn, the house where the Gunpowder Plot conspirator was born. The city is famous for Wensleydale cheese, Yorkshire curd tart, and its passion for chocolate. If you prefer an impromptu stop, Shambles Market is the place with Los Moros, a North African-themed restaurant, having earned a permanent spot just around the corner.

The Yorkshire Museum displays several million years of history through a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite and Roman, Viking, and medieval collections all together within the Museum Gardens, one of York's most tranquil green areas.

Besides the museum, the gardens alone make a great reason to visit. You can see the remaining parts of St Mary's Abbey, a 13th century Benedictine monastery next to the medieval Hospitium and the Multangular Tower, part of a Roman fortification that still stands. This is a perfect place to enjoy a walk and see how the history of centuries has been peacefully preserving itself here under the trees.

Located about 15 miles (24 km) north of York, Castle Howard is one of the most splendid stately homes in England. It is surrounded by nearly 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of parkland in the Howardian Hills, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh more than 300 years ago. The estate became internationally famous after the adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and most recently through Bridgerton.

Besides holding wonderful art collections, the interiors also come with the Atlas Fountain, the Temple of the Four Winds, a walled garden, and calm lakeside walks. You will want to spend a whole day there to see everything. You can book private guided tours in York and Bridgerton-themed day trips directly from the city.

York is in a very good location for visiting some of the most beautiful landscapes of England, and for those keen to explore further, the things to do in England beyond the city are just as rewarding. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a wonderful area with limestone valleys and waterfalls, stone-walled farmland, and charming villages like Grassington and Malham. 

The North York Moors are covered with heather and have the historic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey as well as the heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway, an 18-mile (29 km) steam train ride from Pickering to the seaside town of Whitby, a thrilling option for adventure travel in York.

Two days in York means that one day can be spent in the city itself, visiting the Minster, the walls, the Shambles, and having a nice dinner. The second day can be used for an excursion, be it the Dales, the Moors railway, or Castle Howard.

Here’s everything you need to know when planning your trip to York.

With Gothic cathedrals, 2000-year-old city walls, Michelin-starred restaurants and Viking museums, the things to do in York represent an exceptional mix of culture, heritage and food in a single, easily walkable city. York will always linger in your memory, whether you visit for a day or longer.So, are you up for discovering the finest Northern England has to offer? Then contact Tailored by Locals. Describe what you are interested in, your travel style and all your personal preferences. A local specialist will then prepare for you a tailor-made program in which every single minute in York and further will be tailored-made to your vision!