Its winding streets, beautiful shops and deep history give York a quintessential British appeal that attracts a vast amount of visitors each year.
The city offers something for everyone to enjoy all year round making it perfect for a family break or romantic getaway.
Here are ten reasons why you should visit the beautiful city of York:
To walk down the famous Shambles
Straight from the pages of a fairy-tale book, this medieval street is complete with cobbled stone footpaths and buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th century. It was once home to butchers and you can still see some hooks hanging outside some shop fronts where the meat would have been put on display.
Today the street mainly features independent retailers including a sweet shop, chocolatier, satchel maker and gift shops, as well as a bakery and several eateries.
The street is rumoured to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, the street from the famous Harry Potter series, and you will find three wizarding themed shops here.
To taste the chocolate
Whilst other cities made their fortunes through textiles and the Industrial Revolution, York’s was chocolate. The city sits on the river which meant ingredients and raw materials could be easily transported and the arrival of the railway industry sent chocolate swiftly around the country.
Rowntree’s and Terry’s were both famous chocolate names and had large factories during the 20th century. At one time the Rowntree Factory employed 14,000 staff including gardeners, teachers and factory workers.
There are many ways to learn more about chocolate in York. You can pick up a free York Chocolate Trail leaflet from the visitor centre, see Terry’s Sweet Shop at the York Castle Museum, enjoy a Choccy and Sweetie Tour by YorkWalk or head over to York’s Chocolate Story. There are also many other spots with chocolatey connections worth a visit!
To discover about Vikings
As well as chocolate, York’s history stretches back to Vikings. Between 1976 and 1981 Coppergate was excavated by archaeologists revealing new information about the Viking era and discovering many objects such as pottery, timber and animal bones.
Once the dig was completed the York Archaeological Trust wanted a way to show the public the findings and artifacts so they came up with the Jorvik Centre, an historical attraction which opened in 1984.
You can visit the Jorvik centre today and experience what life was like 1,000 years ago and get up close to rare Viking artifacts.
To walk along the wall
Stretching for around two miles, the York Walls surround the city and provide incredible views at certain spots.
Constructed in the 13th century, the walls are great to walk along on a clear day and will take you around two hours to complete. One part of the wall is located in the Museum Gardens where you will also find the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.
The walls consist of four main gateways, two smaller and one postern with intervening towers.
If you’ve built up an appetite after all that walking, there’s a certain York cuisine you definitely have to try…..
To eat a Yorkshire Pudding Wrap
Fill your stomach up with a hearty Yorkshire Pudding Wrap from The York Roast Co located on Low Petergate and 4 Stonegate.
The York Roast Co is a family run business founded by father and son, Wayne and Stephen Chadwick. Their Yorkshire Pudding Wrap became the hottest food trend in 2017, becoming an internet sensation.
It was featured on BBC Radio York, ITV’s This Morning, The Guardian Newspaper and was picked up by UNILAD and LadBible.
In 2018 food blogger Kate Ovens released a video of herself eating a wrap big enough to feed a family of four which reached over 2.7 million views on Facebook.
To see breath-taking views from York Minster
No trip to York is complete without seeing the York Minster, one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world with a history stretching back 2,000 years.
Admire the handcrafted stone of this ancient building and see the collection of medieval stained glass. The Minster today is still a flourishing church offering daily worship and prayer.
The Minster is open seven days a week with a fee to enter which help supports the cathedral. To make your visit extra special why not climb up the 275 steps of the Central Tower, the highest point in York, for bird's-eye views of the city.
The Minster is also home to the Undercroft Museum which takes you on a journey through York’s history with artifacts from the cathedral’s historic collection and interactive digital displays.
To have fright at the York Dungeon
Let your senses experience York’s deep dark history as you are transported back 2000 years. This spooktacular attraction is not to be missed as York’s stories are brought to life before your eyes through special-effects, immersive sets and thrilling characters.
Enjoy 75 minutes of excitable horror with 11 live shows, including their new for 2019 attraction, Curse of the Witch. It’s 17th century England and witchcraft frightens all. Men and women are locked up and executed for this absurd crime and you are about to meet one of those unfortunate souls, Isabella Billington ……
Other grizzly characters you will encounter along the way include the Vikings, the Plague Doctor, Guy Fawkes and the notorious Dick Turpin. Can your nerves handle this terrifying dungeon?!
To enjoy a festive treat at the Christmas Market
If you’re staying in York between the 14th November and 22nd December then a visit to the Christmas Market, St Nicholas Fair is a must.
Absorb the medieval atmosphere of the fair as you shop for traditional gifts and sample the festive treats. Don’t forget to warm yourself up with a glass of mulled wine!
Head to the Shambles Market and Food Court and let your taste buds be tickled with flavours from around the world.
St Helen’s Square will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland and something fun awaits you at King’s Square.
When you’re ready to relax from all the festivities, cosy up by the roaring fire at Thor’s Tipi or for something different, play a round of Christmas themed mini-golf.
To learn about trains at the National Railway Museum
See iconic locomotives and a collection of over a million railway related objects up close at the world’s largest railway collection.
Discover centuries of railway history and exquisite locomotives including the only bullet train outside of Japan, the ‘Duchess of Hamilton’ and Mallard, the fastest steam engine in the world.
Explore Station Hall a once working railway that was built in the 1870s. Today it is home to historic carriages you can hop on board, a railway themed restaurant and royal carriages.
If you’re visiting during half term or the holidays, have a look to see what exciting events might be taking place.
You can even book a luxury afternoon tea experience in a restored railway carriage on the Countess of York.
Entrance to the museum is free but donations are welcome.
To cruise along the River Ouse
Experience the city in a unique way, with a cruise along the River Ouse!
City Cruises York allow you to sit back, relax and see the city by day or night as you float along the river with live commentary from the Captain.
There are also lunch and afternoon tea cruises available at certain times of the year.
If you don’t want to relax then hire a self-drive motor boat. They seat up to eight people and allow you an hour exploring at your own pace.
The cruises only run weather permitting so remember to check before you visit!
Thinking of visiting York? Browse our York city breaks today, we even have rail travel options available!