Top Oz Tours offers a great range of York tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.
Oglethorpe; Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate; Bitchdaughter Tower; Swinegate — York’s colourful place names are a legacy of its multi-layered past.
Roman, Viking and Norman invaders all left their mark, and today this city by the River Ouse in North Yorkshire is a delightfully compact mix of medieval muddle and eighteenth-century elegance. Packed with heritage attractions, you’ll need at least two full days here to explore the various chapters on display.
If you’re road tripping between London and Edinburgh, this is one of the ideal spots to break the trip. Try and base yourself in or around the old centre, so that you can ditch the wheels and walk to attractions, cafes, and restaurants. Car-free Stonegate is the city’s most important shopping street, and houses upmarket boutiques and galleries in a mix of buildings from different centuries.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in York on a first visit.
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London to Edinburgh & The Highlands Road Trip | 10 Top Things to Do in the United Kingdom
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1. Marvel at the beauty of York Minster
Start your exploration of York by visiting the building that both defines and dominates the city: York Minster. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all Gothic cathedrals — its interior a sublime expression of medieval spirituality. The wide nave and soaring arches create an incomparable sense of space, height, and light. Visit as a tourist (which you’ll have to pay an entry fee to do) or better still, attend a service and be held spellbound by the beauty of English choral music. Even if you’re not religious, this is a truly divine experience.
2. Travel back in time to the Viking era
As the capital chosen by Norse invaders in the 9th century, York offers visitors access to an extraordinary archaeological record of the Viking era. The acclaimed Jorvik Viking Centre is a must-see, and stages exhibitions on themes such as trade, beliefs, and everyday life.
Each February, the city hosts its Jorvik Viking Festival — a reimagining of traditional Norse springtime celebrations. If you like dress-ups and re-enactments, this is the time to visit! You can take part in the ‘Strongest Viking’ or ‘Best Beard’ competitions, or simply enjoy the spectacular combat performances.
3. Stroll along the Shambles
A highlight of any visit to York is the opportunity to walk one of Europe’s best-preserved streets from the medieval period — the Shambles — so named for the butcher shops that once lined this narrow thoroughfare. The 14th-century buildings lean drunkenly towards each other from opposite sides of the cobbled street — a bit like Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Today they house an eclectic mix of retailers.
4. Visit Barley Hall
Just a couple of minutes on foot from the Shambles, Barley Hall (circa 1483) reveals another side of medieval life. Restored to its former glory, this townhouse boasts high ceilings, exposed timber frames, and many other period features. It is known to have housed the great and the good, including a city Mayor.
5. Walk the medieval wall
The best surviving medieval walls in Britain encircle York’s old town. High, and for the most part wide, the stone walls form an elevated walkway that commands sweeping views. Enter from one of the four original ‘bars’ (gateways), which once served as toll points for goods coming into the city. Sunset is a beautiful time of day to walk the wall (but be aware that the gates close at dusk).
6. Go to a museum
York is home to some truly memorable museums. The National Railway Museum behind the city’s beautiful Victorian railway station draws enthusiasts from all over the world to see its one hundred historic locomotives. Not too far from there, Yorkshire Museum has five exhibition spaces displaying archaeological finds from the wider region and specimens from the natural world.
On the opposite side of town, York Castle Museum sits within the shadow of a hilltop 13th century castle keep known as Clifford’s Tower and offers a fascinating commentary on 19th century British social history. And back in the old centre, York’s Chocolate Story is dedicated to showcasing a 300-year tradition of chocolate making. Did you know that York was the birthplace of famous brands such as Kit Kat and Smarties? You do now!
7. Take tea at Betty’s
Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms is one of those dining experiences that will make your holiday. This elegant Art Deco-era restaurant in St Helen’s Square has waitstaff dressed in traditional uniforms (think Downton Abbey!) serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and the signature Lady Betty’s Afternoon Tea with great aplomb. Book for the latter and sup/sip on dainty sandwiches, cakes, scones, fragrant hot tea, and perhaps a cheeky glass of bubbles.
8. Relax in the York Museum Gardens
York has plenty of green spaces in which to relax and rest your weary tourist feet. Set amidst the atmospheric ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, the tranquil York Museum Gardens are home to a stunning array of plants and no less than 40 species of bird. The aforementioned Yorkshire Museum is located within the Gardens, so combine a visit to both.
9. Do a river cruise
Historically York was an important trading port on the River Ouse, with cargo being loaded and unloaded at King’s Staith. Today this quayside precinct is all about outdoor eating and drinking, and serves as the departure point for sightseeing cruises with City Cruises York. There are several departures each day, and commentary is provided on points of interest along the route.
10. Raise a glass to the past
You could be forgiven for thinking that York has cornered the market on classic English pubs. There are many! As your time is probably limited, choose to patronise a true historic gem like The Fat Badger next to Bootham Bar, or The Golden Fleece (which is reputedly haunted!) near the Shambles. City records mention The Fleece as far back as the 1500s.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.visitbritain.com.
Browse our range of United Kingdom tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of top things to do in York on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Depositphotos and Bigstock
About the writer
Roslyn Jolly is a freelance travel writer whose work has appeared in Escape (News Limited), Mindful Puzzles, Vacations and Travel, and Mindfood. In her former career as an English Literature academic, she studied and taught the work of great travel writers, such as Henry James, Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson, and became fascinated by the history of travel and tourism. Two years at school in Wales and three years at university in England allowed Roslyn to travel extensively in Europe and North America, which she continues to do.
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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