York

Navigate to: History, When to visit, York Pass

Orientation

Although only the sixth largest city in Yorkshire and having no official status, York is regarded as the county's capital, and is also positioned just east of its geographic centre. For 1800 years, it was the largest and most important city in northern England, though today has a rather modest population just shy of 200,000 people. Despite its size, York packs in more history and culture than many much larger places, and is a fascinating and beautiful destination any time of year.
York city centre is a compact and dense warren of mostly pedestrianised streets lined with centuries-old buildings in a mix of architectural styles, from timber frame medieval structures, to much grander stone and brick edifices from later periods. The centre straddles both banks of two rivers - the Ouse (pronounced ooze) and the Foss - which merge just south of the castle. At the city's heart stands the imposing York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, and the mother church for northern England's Anglican community. The Archbishop of York (John Sentamu, as of 2019) holds the third highest office in the Church of England, after the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Queen. York's old town is completely encircled by a series of defensive medieval walls. At just over 2 miles (3.2 km) long, 13 feet (4 m) high, and 6 feet (1.8 m) thick, they are the UK's most extensive and best-preserved city walls.
Most visitor attractions are within or just outside these walls, so you will seldom find yourself venturing into York's outer neighbourhoods. However, if you do, you will find them pleasant and residential, mostly containing red brick houses from the 19th and 20th centuries. There is a modern university campus around Heslington in the south-eastern suburbs, a large racecourse called the Knavesmire in the south-west, and extensive parks along the Ouse's journey through the northern and southern suburbs. This urban sprawl is bounded by a modern day city wall of sorts: the ring road separates York from its rural surroundings, the well-endowed farmlands and villages of the Vale of York.

History

York has played a crucial role in many eras of English history, and the city's own story closely mirrors that of the country as a whole.
Evidence of human settlement in York dates back to 8000 BC, but the city wasn't founded until 71 AD by the Romans, who named it Eboracum, as a Latinisation of the Celtic Eburākon, meaning "yew tree place". Initially little more than a military outpost at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss, Eboracum quickly became one of the most important cities in Roman Britain, and from 211 was the capital of the Britannia Inferior province; Emperors Hadrian, Septimius Severus and Constantius I all visited during their military campaigns against the native Britons and Picts. The latter of the three actually died during his stay, and his son, the future Constantine the Great, was first proclaimed Emperor in the city by his generals. Constantine later converted to Christianity, and legalised freedom of religion throughout the Empire. Eboracum was prosperous and particularly attracted merchants and retired veterans of the Emperors' wars. Why said retirees apparently chose the damp and chilly Yorkshire climate over the Empire's many Mediterranean provinces remains one of history's great mysteries.
After Rome, the 5th century brought the arrival of the Angles - the first Englishmen. This period saw the expansion of the city's trading prowess, the founding of York Minster as a small wooden church, and a spell of political prominence under the Kings of Northumbria. By 735, the Minster was already important enough to be the seat of an archbishop. But Eoforwic ("place rich in boar"), as it was now known, proved too much of a success and quickly caught the attention of avaricious Norsemen: Vikings had been harrying and raiding the north of England since the 700s, but why sail for days just to snatch a pig and a bracelet and rush back to sea, when they could harvest this rich farmland for their own? So, in 866, a huge army of Danes captured Eoforwic and, realising that name was a hopeless mouthful, rechristened their new city Jórvík (pronounced "Yor-vik"). From here, they controlled pretty much all of northern and eastern England, in a region known as the Danelaw. Jórvík was pretty perfect as a Viking capital, since its inland location offered defence and shelter, while the Ouse provided their longboats easy access to the sea via the Humber. Even though Viking power waxed and waned over the centuries, large numbers of Scandinavian people settled permanently in the region, meaning Jórvík was a bilingual (Old English and Old Norse) city at the time of the Norman Conquest.
By 1066, the Vikings had once again been ousted by the Saxons, but nursed ambitions to return. Harold Godwinson was crowned King of England, but faced a combined invasion by his exiled brother Tostig and the Norse king Harald Hardrada. The invaders won a battle at Fulford just outside York, but King Harold marched north and defeated them at Stamford Bridge 15 miles east. Yet, while his back was turned, William the Conqueror's Normans invaded from across the English Channel. Harold marched south again, this time to crippling defeat at Hastings. England came under Norman rule, and the Anglo-Saxon/Norse society that the country had developed, and York exemplified, was dismantled swiftly and brutally.
The Harrying of the North was a violent campaign of oppression against rebellious northerners in the years after the Conquest. From his castle in York, King William ordered the mass murder of civilians, demolition of numerous villages and burning of crops across the north of England, and York was also heavily damaged. As in the rest of the country, Normans became the new aristocracy, with the English and remaining Norse people reduced to serfdom. From this point on, the Normans consolidated their rule with the construction of castles, monasteries and great cathedrals. York Minster's Gothic design first took shape in the 12th century, while the present city walls, their gates (known as bars), and Clifford's Tower also cemented the Normans' impact on York's cityscape.
The late Medieval period produced much important architectural and cultural heritage, which are still evident today. The centuries-long construction of the Minster finally wrapped in 1472, while the higgledy-piggledy timber-frame shops of the Shambles mostly date from the 14th and 15th centuries. York's Mystery Plays, performing weird and wonderful Bible stories, were begun in the same era and continue to the present day. Then, in 1455, England was consumed by civil war: rival royals from York and Lancaster fought a brutal series of campaigns for control of the crown. Yorkist armies marched under the banner of a white rose, while their enemy Lancastrians followed the red rose, hence the name of this conflict, the Wars of the Roses. The last Yorkist king, Richard III, was finally defeated in combat at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, 30 years after the wars began. The Lancastrians' leader, Henry VII, became the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty, and both York in general and King Richard in particular were subsequently demonised.
The city's economy and status went into a long decline which wouldn't be recovered until after England's second Civil War, during which York was yet again on the wrong side of history, and besieged by the ultimate victors (Parliament) for 10 weeks in 1644. The siege and subsequent storming of the city destroyed many medieval buildings, but paved the way for fashionable new brick townhouses to be built as York regained its mojo in the late 17th and 18th centuries.
This resurgence in the city's wealth may have been what saved York's ancient streets from the smoke-stack industry which sprang up in many other northern towns from the late 18th century onwards. However, the industrial revolution didn't bypass York completely. In the 1840s, the first long-distance railway raced north from London to Edinburgh, and York's station was constructed as a cathedral of sorts in homage to the great connecting power of trains, while the locomotive yards next door kept the country's engines moving. The city found its other manufacturing niche soon after when the Rowntree family opened their chocolate factory. Many of their creations - among them KitKat, Aero and Smarties - are still staple snacks in the UK and around the world. The Rowntrees, known for their philanthropy, were Quakers, a religious group which has had a strong presence in York for three centuries, and have done much to shape its development - they were also behind the burgeoning rail industry.
While its prominence and relative size in comparison to other cities have dwindled since the 19th century, and its status as capital of the north credibly challenged by the likes of Manchester and Leeds, York remains prosperous and lively. Named the best city to live in the UK by The Sunday Times, in 2019, the city is 1,948 years old, and today's visitor will easily recognise and marvel at just how well York has preserved aspects from every major episode of its history, as much in the way of culture and traditions as in the built environment.

When to visit

Summer clearly brings the best chance of sun and warmth, and is thus the finest time to make the most of the city's squares, parks and rivers. If you really like flat caps and whippets, then be sure to be in town on 1 August for Yorkshire Day, when a procession of proud Yorkshiremen march their white rose flags all through the streets. Summer visitors may also get the chance to see festivals dedicated to chocolate, early music and folk dance, and the really lucky may even catch a mystery play - although these follow an irregular schedule and don't take place every year.
On the other hand, summer is when everyone visits, so is not the best time if you don't like mingling with thousands of your fellow tourists. Besides, nobody comes to North Yorkshire for the weather, and summer washouts are just as likely as heatwaves, so why not take a punt on autumn or winter? Some of the city's key annual events, such as the Viking Festival and Christmas celebrations, take place in the chillier half of the year. What's more, you need short days in order to experience the magical atmosphere of a twilit evensong in the Minster, and you need to get cold to fully appreciate the cosiness of a hearty meal and pint next to a roaring fire in one of York's pubs.
By the way, if you're planning to use York as a base to explore the wider region's countryside and coast, then spring is the season for you. The fields and trees are at their greenest, wildflowers are in bloom, visitor numbers are fewer, and the late spring weather is often better suited to hiking and walking than high summer. And honestly, who doesn't love the sight of spring lambs gamboling about joyfully?

Visitor information and York Pass

• Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +44 1904 555 670
  address: 1 Museum Street, YO1 7DT
  A first port-of-call for maps, hundreds of leaflets, attraction discounts and impartial advice from local experts.

If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, you can save money by purchasing the York Pass, a ticket which gives you access to around 50 attractions in York and across North Yorkshire. The pass also includes a 24-hour ticket for the City Sightseeing bus tour, a free Italian meal, and a guidebook and map.
A one-day pass for 26 attractions in the city costs per adult and per child, while a three-day pass for all participating attractions costs per adult and per child. Two-day and six-day passes are also available. You can buy online or in person at the visitor information centre. When buying online, allow five working days for postage to a UK address (£1.95), and 10 working days for international postage (); alternatively, you can download your pass to your smartphone instantly and for free.
The pass is activated when you enter your first attraction. The one-day pass is valid for one calendar day, not a 24-hour period. Two-day and six-day passes are valid for consecutive calendar days, while the three-day pass is valid for any three calendar days over a period of six consecutive days. The pass covers the entry fee of every participating attraction, but does not allow you to queue jump or to have privileged access.
Two caveats: to get your money's worth, you should visit at least five ticketed attractions on a one-day pass, or three attractions per day on a multiday pass; if this sounds like too much, the pass is not for you. The other caveat is that some attractions which are already free to visit (like the Shambles, city walls and railway museum) are marketed as being 'free' with the pass, which while technically true is also misleading.

Navigate to: By train, By car, By bus, Luggage

By plane

Manchester Airport (MAN), south-west of York, has global direct connections, including from North America, Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, East Asia, the Caribbean and pretty much everywhere in Europe. A direct train, operated by Transpennine Express, runs every 30 min, taking 1 hr 50 min. By road, from the airport, follow the M56 onto the M60 Manchester Ring Road (east/anticlockwise), then at junction 18 take the M62 towards Leeds. This takes you across Saddleworth Moor, the highest section of motorway in Britain; in good weather, it's very scenic, but snow and extremely dense fog can badly affect or even close the route any time of the year. At junction 29, take the M1 north. This soon merges onto the A1 (M), and from here you take the next exit for the A64 towards York.
Leeds-Bradford Airport (LBA) is the closest airport to York, away by road. It has decent connections across western Europe, and is served by budget carriers Jet2 and Ryanair. British Airways and KLM connect to their respective hubs at London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol. The airport is north of Leeds, so you can mostly dodge the city traffic by following the A658 past Harrogate to the A59, where you pick up signs to York. By public transport, take bus 757 from the airport into Central Leeds. From here, you have the choice of taking the train or the bus. Crosscountry, LNER and Transpennine Express all operate trains to York, taking 25 mins and offering a 'turn-up-and-go' frequency. The Cityzap and Coastliner buses both leave every 30 mins during the day (M-Sa; Su every hour) and take 60 mins; Cityzap stops at 7PM, but Coastliner maintains an hourly service until 10:15PM.
Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (Robin Hood) (DSA) has flights from some European hubs and cities in Poland, Lithuania and Romania, and is away by road. You can drive to York via the M18 (north), M62 (west) and A19 (north), or if you're using public transport, get a half-hourly bus to Doncaster station and catch a frequent direct train to York using LNER, which takes 20-25 min.
The London airports obviously have a huge range of flights, especially Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW). However, by public transport you have to travel into central London before heading north to York from King's Cross Station: from Heathrow use the Piccadilly line; from Gatwick take the Thameslink to St Pancras, adjacent to King's Cross. LNER trains leave every 30 min and take roughly 2 hr. Alternatively, with a car you have to endure a long journey (5 hours in good traffic) around the M25 ring road and up the A1.

By train

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain.

Gerryfosterraz

York is on the East Coast mainline, with LNER trains running every 30 min or so from Doncaster (20 min), Durham (50 min), Edinburgh Waverley (2 hr 30 min), Leeds (25 min), London Kings Cross (2 hr) and Newcastle Central (1 hr). Hourly Crosscountry trains link to York from Birmingham New Street (2 hr 45 min - 3 hr 15 min), Bristol Temple Meads (4 hr 10 min), Plymouth (6 hr 15 min) and Sheffield (45 min - 1 hr). Transpennine Express trains run hourly from Manchester Airport (1 hr 45 min), Manchester Piccadilly (1 hr 30 min) and Manchester Victoria (1 hr 15 min), via Huddersfield (47 min) and Leeds. Northern branch lines run from Scarborough (50 min) and Hull (1 hr 10 min) on Yorkshire's east coast, and from Harrogate (40 min) and Knaresborough (30 min) in the west of the county. Although there are multiple train companies, times and prices for all can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling .

• York railway station

  address: Station Road, YO24 1AB
  Just outside the western walls, access the city north along Station Road for the Museum Gardens and Minster, or south via Queen Street to Micklegate and the Jorvik Centre. A cycle hire stand is just outside the main exit. Bus stops for many services are in the station forecourt, and any bus that doesn't pass here is likely to run through Rougier Street just inside the walls. The excellent National Railway Museum is adjacent on the west and is signposted from the platforms. There is no left luggage service at the station; the nearest one is on High Petergate, about 50 m from York Minster.

By car

Wikivoyage has a guide to Driving in the United Kingdom.
From the south, take the M1 north to junction 32, then the M18 east to junction 2, A1 (M) north to junction 44 and finally the A64 east to York. Or you can stay on the M1 all the way to the A64, but it gets very congested around Sheffield and Leeds in rush hour. Lighter traffic may be found by taking the A1 all the way from London. From the north, approach via the A1 (M) onto the A59 east, or take the A19. From the west, if you're coming from the urban north-west, follow the M62 east onto the M1, or from the Yorkshire Dales and Lakes, the A59. Approach from Leeds using the A64, and from Hull (for ferries from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge) by the A1079.
The old city is not designed for driving and is positively hostile to parking. If you are just visiting York for the day, don't try to park in town. Instead, use one of the park and ride sites, located close to the ring road and well signposted from the main roads. Each site is connected to the city centre by a unique colour-coded bus route, every 10 minutes, seven days a week. A day's parking is free, and a return bus fare costs £3.20.

Rugby471

However, you can't use the park and ride overnight, so if you are staying in York, make sure that your accommodation offers parking, or consider leaving your car at home.

By bus

Aqwis

National Express has two direct daytime coaches (426) and one overnight (436) to/from London Victoria, taking around six hours. Both routes also serve Milton Keynes, Sunderland and South Shields, while the night route 436 makes an additional stop at Heathrow Airport. A third route (530) runs daily via York from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Paignton, in Devon, and back. Other calling points en route include Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Birmingham, Cheltenham, Bristol, Exeter and Torquay. All three of these routes call outside the railway station, at for northbound services, and at for southbound services. For other connections, change at Leeds.
Cityzap (sometimes signed as just ZAP) buses run every 30 minutes from Leeds between 7AM and 7PM, taking around 55 minutes. Coastliner run two different bus routes (840 and 843) through York from Leeds (840, 843), Tadcaster (840, 843), Malton (840, 843), Pickering (840), Scarborough (843) and Whitby (840) every 30 minutes during the daytime and every hour in the evenings. Both routes have two calling points in York city centre: outside the railway station at stops RC and RJ, and on . The last buses to York depart Leeds at 10:15PM, Scarborough at 8:25PM, and Whitby at 5:45PM. However, daytrippers from Leeds can get the last bus back from York at 11:05PM. Enjoy the view - Coastliner's 840 service has won the prodigious title of "Britain's most scenic bus route".

Megabus doesn't serve York directly, but offers tickets in partnership with Cityzap via Leeds.

Luggage

• Yorbag

  phone: +44 7561 852 654
  address: 20 High Petergate, YO1 7EH
  Centrally-located Visit York-endorsed left luggage service. No overnight service.

Navigate to: By bike, By bus, By taxi, By car

The City of York Council have a website named i-Travel York, which provides unbiased information for travelling around the city on foot, by bike, by bus and by car.

On foot

The best way to discover York: the city centre is small enough to walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes, and there is only a short distance between most of the sights. The terrain is flat and there is plenty of directional signage, so it couldn't really be any easier.
Some streets within the old city (i.e. inside the city walls) are pedestrianised during the day, closed to all cars except disabled drivers and emergency vehicles between 10:30AM and 5PM daily. You can see a map of these roads, locally known as footstreets, on i-Travel York. Some streets are subject to additional controls, for instance the Shambles is pedestrian-only at all times. Take care walking around the city centre when the roads open to car traffic at 5PM, as they fill up quickly with delivery vehicles servicing local shops and businesses.
If you enjoy walking, you must do the 2-mile (3.2-km) city wall circuit (see below for details), which offers views all around and should give you a feel for York's layout. Additionally, footpaths line the River Ouse for most of its journey through the city north to south, and there is a lot of parkland to discover alongside with the promise of wildlife sightings - see i-Travel's wildlife booklet for ideas.

By bike

York is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the UK - there's an extensive network of cycle routes in and around the city, and most of the traffic controls have been set up to give cyclists priority. There are no significant hills in or around the city centre, which is a big help. The river path along the Ouse contains some wonderful bike routes out of the city. Also beware that police and CCTV operators take a very dim view of cycling without lights after dusk, or cycling in the city centre pedestrianised area before 5PM, and will hand out an on-the-spot £60 fine for doing so. You should be able to pick up a copy of the York Cycle Route Map for free from cycle shops, or alternatively you can find PDFs online.

• Cycle Heaven Bike Hire

  phone: +44 1904 622 701
  address: Station Road, YO24 1AY
  You can rent bikes adapted to short city hops (Gazelle) and longer country trips (Ridgeback), plus folding bikes (Brompton). Hire price includes a helmet, lock and an optional basket and toolkit.

By bus

Bus services connect all the points of interest in the city. Download a PDF of the city's network map here. A variety of operators run the individual routes, but thankfully you can still buy a ticket which works on every company and line in the city within a set period: All York comes in three flavours, one day (£4.90), one week (£19) and one month (£66) passes. The day tickets are not 24 hour passes, rather they are valid until midnight on the day of purchase. If you are staying a week or longer, consider getting a smartcard, onto which you can load your All York ticket. Some operators accept contactless payment by credit and debit card. These tickets are only valid on public bus services, and not on sightseeing tours.
That said, the majority of bus routes are operated by First York, a private company. Their adult single fare is £1.80 for a shorter journey, and £2.50 for a longer journey, both of which you can purchase with cash or contactless. For groups looking for a discount, here's a corker: if you are in a group divisible by five, you can get a group ticket which gives five people unlimited travel in York for a whole day. You can buy this ticket any day of the week, after 9AM Monday to Friday, and anytime weekends and bank holidays. Each five-person ticket costs £10, so as long as you travel everywhere as a group it is great value compared even to the All York pass.

By taxi

Like everywhere else in the UK, all taxi services are provided by private companies, but the fares are metered and strictly regulated by the local government authority. In this case, it is the City of York Council which sets the rates, the details of which you can download here. During the daytime (7AM-10PM), the base fare is £2.90, while the nighttime (10PM-7AM) base fare is £3.70. To these, 10p is added for every 80 metres travelled. Higher rates exist at Christmas, New Year, and for travelling to/from the Knavesmire on race days.
All four of the following companies have apps for iOS and Android:

• Fleetways

  phone: +44 1904 365 365

• Getaway Cars

  phone: +44 1904 707 070

• Streamline Taxis

  phone: +44 1904 656 565

• York Cars

  phone: +44 1904 765 765

By car

The best advice for driving in York is don't. The roads were designed for carts pulled by oxen, and the city council is actively discouraging car use through a combination of high parking charges and traffic-calming measures. If you are bringing a car to York, your best bet is to leave it in a park and ride, at your hotel, or if absolutely necessary, a city centre car park.

Navigate to: York Archaeological Trust, York Museums Trust, Churches, Out-of-town sights There's plenty to see in York, but if you leave without visiting the Minster and either the Jorvik Viking Centre or the National Railway Museum, you're doing it wrong. If you only have a day, prioritise two of these.
Aside from these three standout attractions, the joy of York is in wandering the ancient streets and coming across surprising buildings and beautiful views all by yourself. You might find old churches, timber-framed shops, the ruins of an abbey, or the leftovers of medieval defences.

Landmarks

• York Minster

  phone: +44 1904 557 200
  address: Deangate, YO1 7HH
  The largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster dominates the skyline and dates back to the 8th century at least. The Undercroft Museum, beneath the Minster, displays centuries worth of archaeological findings in an interactive display. Then, climb the 275 steps to the top of the Minster's Central Tower to experience panoramic views from York's highest spot (ages 8+ only). The nightly Evensong worship has haunting acoustics, and is the only way of accessing the cathedral on Sunday late afternoons. On the south side of the Minster outside, don't miss the , who was in 306 AD proclaimed emperor of Rome in York. At the far end of the plaza from this is a which was unearthed beneath the Minster and reerected in 1971 to mark the 1,900th anniversary of the city's founding. Once you've seen all this, relax in the - a simple expanse of grass and trees that affords breathtaking views of the north side of the Minster. In spring or summer, you may catch a glimpse of nesting peregrine falcons.

• Clifford's Tower

  phone: +44 1904 646 940
  address: Tower Street, YO1 9SA
  In the 11th century, the Normans built a castle here to keep the Vikings at bay and subdue the local population following their conquest of England. The Vikings being Vikings, they promptly smashed it, so the Normans built bigger and better - the tower you see today was the castle's keep. The tower was the scene of the infamous massacre of York's Jews in 1190. In 1684, its interior was wrecked by an explosion, but the hollow tower is now the oldest remnant of the castle. The rest fell into disrepair, before being re-built as a gaol, and in modern times housing the Castle Museum. Access is by very steep steps up the hillock; it's a bit like climbing a pyramid. After closure, you can still climb to the front door and look back over the square - this is especially atmospheric after dark.

• Fairfax House

  phone: +44 1904 655 543
  address: Castlegate, YO1 9RN
  A Georgian townhouse built as the winter home for the Viscount Fairfax and his daughter, which has today been lovingly restored as a charming example of aristocratic life in York. It is decorated and furnished similar to how it would have been in the 1760s, almost exclusively using objects from the private collection of chocolatier Noel Terry (1889 - 1979). Giuseppe Cortese's elaborately-wrought stucco ceilings are a particular highlight, adorning half a dozen of the Fairfaxs' stately rooms. 'Gregory the Townhouse Mouse' will keep your kids entertained with his exploration trails around the property. Audio tours in eight languages.

• Guildhall

  phone: +44 1904 553 979
  address: St. Helen’s Square, YO1 9QN
  Built in the 15th century as a meeting hall for the guilds of York, the Guildhall is now also home to the city council chamber. Guilds are associations of artisans and merchants of a particular industry akin to something between a professional association, a trade union and a monopolistic cartel. In the middle ages, these guilds had a dominant role in the economies of every English city. However, the Guildhall you see today is a faithful replica, as the original was mostly destroyed by bombing in 1942. Notice the stained-glass window depicting York's history.

• King's Manor

  phone: +44 1904 320 000
  address: Exhibition Square, YO1 7EP
  Now the very apt home for the University of York's Archaeology Department, this was a royal headquarters during the Tudor and Stuart dynasties (16th and 17th centuries). As this is a working academic building, you may have to content yourself with admiring the Grade I listed architecture from the outside, unless you can pass as a scholar that is! Respect the students and staff, or you'll ruin it for future visitors.

• Merchant Adventurers' Hall

  phone: +44 1904 654 818
  address: Fossgate, YO1 9XD
  Remarkable timbered guild hall, built by city merchants between 1357 and 1361. The great hall was where they gathered for business and socialising, the undercroft was an almshouse for the poor and sick, and in the chapel all mercantile sins were conveniently forgiven. Good café on-site.

• National Railway Museum

  phone: +44 3330 161 010
  address: Leeman Road, YO26 4XJ
  The largest railway museum in the world, with a magnificent collection of locomotives, rolling stock, railway equipment, documents and records. The bulk of it is British, but there are also great snorting monsters from China and the U.S. Highlights include Queen Victoria's opulent Royal Train, famous locos such as Stephenson's Rocket and Mallard, and a first-generation Shinkansen - the only one outside of Japan. When it's not cruising the rails in summer, Flying Scotsman overwinters at the NRM. Out in the yard, a steam-engine hauls rides in the summer, and a miniature railway operates year-round. And the best thing for railbuffs: the museum is in sight of York station and has a viewing deck overlooking the East Coast Main Line!

• SnickelwaysThese are the famous medieval (and later) alleys and narrow streets that thread the centre of the city, typically lined with timber frame and brick houses and shops. They are all pedestrianised in the daytime, and indeed most are too narrow for vehicles to use. See Mark W Jones' book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York () or its hardback companion The Complete Snickelways of York () with their quirky, hand-written descriptions, and follow his suggested route taking in 50 of the snickelways within the city walls. Jones himself coined the term for his books in 1983, as a triple portmanteau of the Yorkshire dialect words snicket and ginnel, and their standard English equivalent alleyway.

• Treasurer's House

  phone: +44 1904 624 247
  address: Minster Yard, YO1 7JL
  Grade I-listed town house and garden dating from the 12th century that acted as the official residence of York Minster's treasurers over the centuries. However, it was purchased in 1897 by Frank Green, heir to an industrialist's fortune, and transformed into a lavish pad to flaunt his enormous wealth and eclectic decorating tastes, collecting art, antiques and furniture. Today it is managed by the National Trust, and the visitor can discover both Green's dizzying collection and the contrastingly calming gardens. Like all good Trust properties, there's an on-site shop and café.

• York Army Museum

  phone: +44 1904 461 010
  address: 3 Tower Street, YO1 9SB
  Contact via Facebook and Twitter. The museum brings together the collections of one of the Army's oldest cavalry regiments - the Royal Dragoon Guards, dating from 1685, with one of its newest infantry regiments - the Yorkshire Regiment, which was only formed in 2006. Charting the relationship between Yorkshire and the Army going back centuries, the collections span medals, standards, uniforms, firearms, swords and soldiers' personal effects, with interactive exhibits and many tales of individual courage and hardships to bring the history to life.

• York Mansion House

  phone: +44 1904 553 663
  address: St Helen's Square, YO1 9QL
  The grand official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, dating from 1732, holds an unparalleled collection of civic gold and silver, plus extensive items of furniture, ceramics, glassware and art.

York Archaeological Trust

The York Archaeological Trust run five attractions, which can be visited on various individual or combined tickets. The most useful of these is the Pastport, valid for 12 months, and allowing you entrance to all five of the Trust's attractions: Jorvik, Barley Hall, DIG, the Henry VII Experience and the Richard III Experience. This is available for £20 per adult, £16 per concession, and £13 per child. Or if Vikings leave you cold, you can save a considerable amount of money by getting the Medieval Pass, which allows access just to the Barley Hall and the two Experiences: £8 per adult, £6 per concession and £4.50 per child.

• Jorvik Viking Centre

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  address: 19 Coppergate, YO1 9WT
  Reconstruction of York as it would have looked 1000+ years ago. The visit takes the form of a sit-down ride as you experience the sights, sounds, smells and diverse languages and faces of everyday 10th century life, with the aid of animatronics, dioramas and touchscreen technology. Although a bit like the Viking version of It's a Small World, everything you see has been meticulously researched and the centre is itself built on the archaeological remains of the real Jorvik. Audio commentary available in 15 languages. After the ride is an extensive collection of artefacts, including replicas - for more visit the Yorkshire Museum.

• Barley Hall

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  address: 2 Coffee Yard, off Stonegate, YO1 8AR
  Reconstruction of a medieval townhouse. Built in the 14th century by the monks of Nostell Priory in Wakefield, but serially chopped, changed and neglected over the centuries. By 1970 it was a plumber's storeroom, on the brink of demolition. It's now been rebuilt to how it was in the 15th century, discarding later additions. Its detractors say this was more like a retro-fit and prettification of history, but it's difficult to see how anything more "authentic" could have been made viable, and it can be accurately described as a large piece of experimental archaeology carried out by experts.

• Micklegate Bar

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  address: Micklegate, YO1 6JX
  Micklegate Bar was first recorded in the 12th century, but reuses stone from an earlier Roman gate. It has long been the official entrance to the city of York for royalty, most recently welcoming Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Henry Tudor won the Wars of the Roses in 1485 and founded a monarchic dynasty that would shape the next 120 years of English history. The Henry VII Experience charts his life and the troubled relationship he had with the people of York, who had backed his enemy Richard during the War, and continued to rebel during his reign. Free written guides available in eight foreign languages.

• Monk Bar

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  address: 6 Goodramgate, YO1 7LQ
  Monk Bar is one of four heavily-fortified medieval gates in the city wall, built in several stages in the early 14th century, to defend from Scottish attacks. Inside, an exhibition tells the story of Richard of York, the last Plantagenet king of England, and the man who lost the Wars of the Roses. Free written guides available in eight foreign languages.

The fifth attraction, DIG, is listed in the Do section below.

York Museums Trust

The York Museums Trust operate several civic museums and galleries. You can buy a YMT card for unlimited visits to any of the Trust's sites in a twelve month period. Children aged 16 years and under get in free to all YMT sites, so the YMT costs £25 per adult (or £20 by renewable direct debit), and £15 for a student in possession of ID (£12 by direct debit). Since the card only offers a very modest saving from the standard costs of the three ticketed YMT attractions, it is probably not worth it unless you plan to revisit one or more of the museums during your stay, and is definitely not worth it if you don't plan to visit all three.

• York Art Gallery

  phone: +44 1904 687 687
  address: Exhibition Square, YO1 7EW
  A public art gallery with a collection of paintings, prints, watercolours, drawings and ceramics from the 14th century to the contemporary era. The Burton Gallery hosts Italian and Flemish Old Masters, and early 20th century modern art, while an 18th century automaton clock featuring Hercules, waterfalls and dancing figures has pride of place. Look out for paintings by York natives William Etty and Albert Moore. There are regular temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

• York Castle Museum

  phone: +44 1904 687 687
  address: Tower Street, YO1 9RY
  Outstanding museum of everyday life with exhibits to appeal to all ages. Highlights are Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street, and Half Moon Court, an Edwardian street, exhibitions of York's confectionery industry, plus costumes and toys through the ages. The site includes a former prison, in which you can experience the cells, and imagine what it was like in 1739 when infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was awaiting his execution by hanging. There are numerous special exhibitions and events throughout the year.

• Yorkshire Museum

  phone: +44 1904 687 687
  address: Museum Gardens, Museum Street, YO1 7FR
  Interesting, and quite good for curious children. Features permanent displays of Roman and medieval riches, including the Vale of York Hoard of Viking treasure. There are also natural history sections dedicated to astronomy, biology and geology. A long-term exhibition exploring Yorkshire's Jurassic World uses VR technology and up-to-date research to engage you in the county's prehistoric past.

• York Museum Gardens

  phone: +44 1904 687 687
  This extensive botanical collection is a great place for a picnic. Perambulate through a variety of borders (butterfly-friendly, oriental, prairie), not missing out the fern garden and rockery. Daffodils and bluebells abound in spring. The gardens are not just for nature lovers, however, as they also contain much significant archaeology: the third century Roman fortification known as the , which only saw action 14 centuries later during the English Civil War; the remains of , where the poor and sick of medieval York were cared for physically and spiritually; the ruins of the Benedictine , which date from 1088 and once rivalled the Minster for grandeur. The small , which was constructed in 1832/33 and is still in working condition, is also located in the gardens. It's open most days 11:30AM-2:30PM, plus some winter evenings for public astronomy events.

St Mary's Church

phone: +44 1904 687 687

address: Castlegate, YO1 9RN

A Saxon church, though most of the current building dates from the 13th century. Its 47 m steeple is the tallest in York and it has some fine stained-glass windows. Deconsecrated in the 1950s, St Mary's was reborn as a contemporary art venue in 2004, and now hosts exhibitions throughout the year. From 5 July 2019 until 5 January 2020, the church is fully dedicated to a major exhibition: the UK première of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which comes to York following successful runs in Amsterdam and several other European cities. The "Experience" is a 360-degree multisensory digital presentation of hundreds of the Dutch post-impressionist's works, allowing you to see through the eyes of the great man himself and gain an insight to his unique mind.

Churches

As well as the Minster, York has a number of parish churches which are of architectural or historical interest:

• All Saints, North Street

  phone: +44 1904 728 122, +44 1904 867 113
  address: North Street, YO1 5JD
  Colourful angels smile cheekily down at you from the ceiling in this 12th century church, which is grade I-listed due to having the finest collection of medieval stained glass windows in the city. The most famous window, dating from around 1410, depicts the Prick of Conscience - a popular Middle English poem.

• All Saints Pavement

  address: 32-37 Coppergate, YO1 9NR
  Best viewed from the outside, from where you can admire its unusual octagonal tower. All Saints is also the civic church of various city guilds and the garrison church of the Royal Dragoon Guards.

• Holy Trinity, Goodramgate

  phone: +44 1904 613 451
  address: 70 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF
  Peaceful and atmospheric grade I-listed 12th century church that you won't find unless you're looking for it. The wooden box pews and stone altar are once-common rarities from an early period in church history.

• Holy Trinity, Micklegate

  phone: +44 1904 593 608
  address: Micklegate, YO1 6LE
  Founded prior to 1066, this is the only pre-Reformation monastic building in York that is in use today. The wooden beams supporting the roof are breathtaking, and there is a small interactive exhibition about those medieval monks and their priory, making use of touchscreens and 3D imagery.

• St Helen Stonegate

  phone: +44 1904 636 512
  address: 5 St Helen's Square, YO1 8QN
  A largely 15th century building, but built on a site important in Roman times and possibly founded as early as the 8th century, this is now a quiet refuge from the city's bustle. It also serves as an atmospheric and intimate concert venue.

• St Martin-le-Grand

  phone: +44 1904 636 512
  address: 13 Coney Street, YO1 9QL
  Named for Martin of Tours, the bulk of the church dates from the 15th century, and what was the Great West Window depicts 13 moments from the saint's life. The building suffered heavy fire damage during an air raid of 1942, but fortunately much was restored, including some perky grinning gargoyles and a very attractive 17th century clock which adorns the façade.

• St Olave

  address: 8 Marygate Lane, YO30 7BJ
  Believed to be the oldest church dedication to Olaf, patron saint of Norway, it once lay in the shadows of St Mary's Abbey and is still within the abbey grounds. In the English Civil War, it formed part of York's defences during the Parliamentarians' siege of the city. Today, the churchyard is a green oasis, and St Olave's maintains its links with Scandinavia.

• The Bar Convent

  phone: +44 1904 643 248
  address: 17 Blossom Street, YO24 1AQ
  Founded in the 17th century, when Catholics were widely persecuted in England, the convent is still home to a community of nuns, members of the Congregation of Jesus. In a small interactive museum, you can discover the brave sisters' remarkable story, from their underground origins hidden in plain sight of the authorities, right through to their survival under the bombs of the Luftwaffe. There is also an on-site café and 'secret' garden, as well as B&B-style accommodation.

Further out

For other nearby attractions, see North York Moors and North Yorkshire.

• Beningbrough Hall

  phone: +44 1904 472 027
  address: Beningbrough, YO30 1DD
  18th century mansion in Italianate Baroque style, now managed by the National Trust. It is the red-brick creation of John Bourchier, who was inspired by the Grand Tour of Europe he took as a 20 year-old. Inside, it's all gilt and ornate white plaster, with an ever-changing rotation of over 100 period portraits on permanent loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London, while outside the gardens are rich, extensive and diverse. Eclectic too are the attractions on offer: Beningbrough is no staid stately home, with dogs welcome in the gardens and children well catered for by heaps of activities throughout the year, bicycle hire and several themed walking routes with such intriguing titles as 'Top ten trees of interest'. A restaurant, shop and adventure playground complete the package.

• Cold War Bunker

  phone: +44 1904 797 935
  address: Monument Close, YO24 4HT
  From the 1960s to the 1990s, behind blast-proof doors, sat volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps, waiting to log nuclear bomb explosions in the region and monitor radioactive fallout. Fortunately they had a quiet few decades at the office. It is now English Heritage's most modern property, and also one of its spookiest. Visit only by guided tour, which takes an hour and includes a film and thorough radiation decontamination.

• Goddards House

  phone: +44 1904 771 930
  address: 27 Tadcaster Road YO24 1GG
  The family home of Noel Goddard Terry, of the Terry's chocolate company. Built in 1927 in Arts & Crafts style, but mostly furnished in Georgian, parts of the house are open to the public to offer glimpses of what the Terrys' family life would have been like, but some of the building is a regional office of the National Trust. On the other hand, the typically English gardens can be visited in their entirety, and you can hunt down birds, bees and butterflies like a true twenties gent.

• Holgate Windmill

  address: Windmill Rise, YO26 4TX
  One of York's more unusual sights is this 18th century windmill, unique in Britain for having five sails, which sits rather conspicuously in the middle - literally - of a very ordinary residential street. After falling into disuse in the 1930s, the mill was painstakingly restored to working condition by volunteers between 2001 and 2012. On open days, you can see the sails moving, then go inside the mill and understand how the power of wind is harnessed to turn the millstone and grind wheat and spelt into flour. The same volunteers are on hand to answer your questions and sell you some of their freshly-ground flour!
• David Rogers

• Yorkshire Air Museum

  phone: +44 1904 608 595
  address: Halifax Way, Elvington, YO41 4AU
  The former site of RAF Elvington (a WWII bomber command station and base for the Free French Air Force) has been converted into a large open-air museum. In addition to over 60 historic aircraft and vehicles, many original elements of the RAF base - such as the air traffic control tower, hangars and an officers' mess - remain as testament to the sacrifices of airmen and women in all conflict. It also hosts the only Allied Air Forces memorial in Europe. Dogs on leads welcome. On-site NAAFI-style canteen. Information brochures in five European languages available.

Navigate to: Tours and trips, Theatres, Cinemas, Events

Attractions

• GR8escape

  phone: +44 7897 122 834
  address: 4a Colliergate, YO1 8BP
  Email via online contact form. Your team is put in one of three themed rooms (Spy School, NYPD, Ministry of Wizards), and you have 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles and codes in order to escape. Teams from 2 to 6 players, ages 8 years and up with accompanying adult.

• Horse racing

  phone: +44 1904 620 911
  address: Knavesmire Road, YO23 1EX
  York has been going to the races since Roman times, and the current site, in use since the early 18th century, is one of England's largest horse racing venues. Racegoers to the County Stand must adhere to a formal dresscode. Outside that, dressing up smart is not required, but does add to the sense of occasion.

• Jorvik DIG

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  address: St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, YO1 8NN
  Hands-on experience for children, who are briefed and then let loose on fake archaeology pits to turn up what they can. The 'synthetic soil' means germaphobe parents can relax and wonder why they ve been charged an entry fee to sit and watch. After the dig, the kids can handle real finds discovered on actual York Archaeological Trust digs.

• Rowntree Park

  phone: +44 1904 553 392
  address: Terry Avenue, YO23 1JQ
  Named for the Rowntree company, which gifted the park to the city, and dedicated to company employees lost during the First World War, this is a 30-acre green flag oasis next to the Ouse. Facilities include tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, children's playground and café. Use the Millennium Bridge to cross over the river and grab something cold from the "ice cream boat" (), which is moored on the opposite bank on fine afternoons.

• York Brewery

  phone: +44 1904 621 162
  address: 12 Toft Green, YO1 6JT
  The brewery was founded in 1996 and is now part of Mitchell's of Lancaster, producing a range of ales. The tour takes about 40 min, showing you the whole brewing process and includes four ⅓ pint tasters. They also have a bar area where you can try their beers without the tour, and their beers are widely available across the city. Taxi home rather than drive yourself? Yes, Joseph Hansom, inventor of the Hansom cab was born in this building.

• York Dungeon

  address: 12 Clifford Street, YO1 9RD
  Knock-about version of horrible history, suitable for ages 8+. 75 minute tour with storytelling and a very liberal interpretation of historical events that will keep you laughing and screaming. Part of The Dungeons international franchise, run by Merlin Entertainments.

• York Maze

  phone: +44 1904 607 341
  address: Elvington Lane, YO19 5LT
  The largest 'maize maze' in Europe. Each year is different; the 2018 maze was shaped like two giant Jurassic Park dinosaurs, but the 2019 design is being kept under wraps. There are numerous other activities, such as mini-mazes for children, quadbiking, games such as crazy golf, and funfair-style fun like pig racing (seriously), stage shows and rides. Grill restaurant and café on-site. Be prepared for an assault of corny puns about how 'a-maize-ing' everything is.

• Hallowscream

  phone: +44 1904 607 341
  In autumn, things get gory at the York Maze: five night mazes stalked by insane scientists and bloodthirsty monsters, plus scary sideshows and seasonal food and drink. Wrap up warm, wear suitable footwear and prepare to get wet - regardless of whether it rains.

York's Chocolate Story

phone: +44 1904 527 765

address: King's Square, YO1 7LD

Email via online contact form. A guided tour telling you all about York's historic role in the confectionery industry. Find out about the origins of chocolate and the city's big name brands, hear testimonies of the people employed by local factories, watch chocolate-making demos and taste some of the good stuff yourself. As a bonus, you can make your own chocolate lolly (full chocolatier workshops can be arranged upon appointment). There is a café and chocolate shop at the end of the visit.

Tours and trips

• City walls walk

  phone: +44 1904 551 550
  Enjoy the great views, and try to imagine yourself in the role of city watch keeping a lookout for approaching enemy armies. The walls are medieval, built on Roman foundations, though the Station Road bridges are modern. The total walk is around : if short on time or energy, the best section is along the western perimeter from to , close to the Minster. There never was a wall to the north-east, as the swamps along the River Foss were sufficient defence, so this is the least interesting section, where you have to walk along busy Foss Islands Road. No dogs, except guide dogs, are allowed on the walls. You can download a map and guide of the walls courtesy of the Friends of York Walls here.

• Lucky Cat Trail

  phone: +44 1904 541 122
  Cats have been considered good-luck omens in York for centuries, and cat statues were once placed on buildings throughout the city to ward off rats, mice, and the plague they were thought to carry. The original statues have now all weathered away or been taken down, but the idea was resurrected by a local architect in 1979. Since then, more and more buildings have added sculptures of cats clinging to walls or perched on balconies. Today, you can follow a trail around the old town in an attempt to find 22 cats, and spot plenty of landmarks while you're doing so.

• Walking tours: history, culture and ghost walksWonderful. There are many walking tours and ghost walks that run throughout the year. The volunteer-led walking tours tend to focus on history and culture, and take place throughout the daytime, while the ghost walks normally start from 6PM onwards and invariably include an element of street theatre. Tours last for one or two hours. Just look for the posters and billboards posted throughout the city centre for details and the meeting point for that evening, or else look through Visit York's directory. While most tours are in English, Descubre York offers tours in Spanish and Portuguese, while Yorktour offers French, German, Italian and Turkish tours.

• The Original Ghost Walk of York

  phone: +44 1904 764 222
  address: Depart the King's Arms pub, Ouse Bridge
  Email via online contact form. No gimmicks, tricks or jumpscares, just experienced storytellers doing what they do best, helped by the atmospheric background of this ancient city and a very real gruesome history to draw from.

Bus tours are an easy way to discover the city, especially if your time or mobility is limited, though they do come at a much higher price than the public bus fares. York is not especially big, so most travellers could easily cover everything on the tour under their own steam.

• City Sightseeing York

  phone: +44 1904 633 990
  Double-decker open-top bus tour of the city, with commentary in nine languages, plus a kids' commentary and bonus Yorkshire dialect narration. Operates a continuous hop-on/hop-off service in a circuit; the full loop takes 60 minutes.

• The Ghost Bus Tours

  phone: +44 844 567 8666 (premium)
  address: Station Road, YO24 1AA
  Approximately 75-minute comedic horror tour of the city in a black routemaster bus, with onboard actors and technical wizardry creating an experience you're unlikely to forget.

Road trainA fun way to travel between the centre of York and the Railway Museum.

• Go cruising on the River Ouse:

• City Cruises

  phone: +44 1904 628 324
  address: Lendal Bridge, YO1 7DP / King's Staith, YO1 9SN (check where your cruise departs from)
  Various boat trips along the Ouse. The three listed here are the most popular, but there are many other cruises throughout the year, including lunchtime and dinner cruises, Halloween ghost tours and Santa specials; check website.

• Motor boats for hire

  phone: +44 1904 628 324
  address: King's Staith, YO1 9SN
  8-seater red motor launches for you to explore the Ouse under your own steam, river conditions permitting. Full training and lifejackets are provided. The person hiring the boat must be an adult and be in possession of valid ID.

• Rowing boats for hire

  phone: +44 7742 669 107
  A skiff is a traditional wooden rowing boat from the Thames in London. You will receive coaching if needed, then get free reign to take either Amelia or Belle Époque for a leisurely trip along the Ouse.

Theatres

• Grand Opera House

  phone: +44 844 871 3024 (premium)
  address: Clifford and Cumberland Street, YO1 9SW
  First built as a corn exchange in 1868, it was converted to full-time theatre use in 1902. The auditorium is indeed very grand, if a little faded. Despite the name, the Grand hosts a wide variety of plays, musicals, gigs and dance, although opera and ballet performances are rather scarce.

• National Centre for Early Music

  phone: +44 1904 658 338
  address: St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, YO1 9TL
  Early music is European music from the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, although the centre has broadened its study to encompass all pre-modern music from cultures around the world. In addition to its two festivals (see below), the NCEM has an extremely lively and diverse annual programme of concerts, seminars and workshops, mostly held at its base in a 12th-century deconsecrated church.

• Theatre Royal

  phone: +44 1904 623 568
  address: St Leonard's Place, YO1 7HD
  York's home of 'serious' theatre, dating from 1744 and built on the site of St Leonard's Hospital, whose remains can still be seen in the present building. The company puts on its own plays and also receives touring productions.

• York Barbican

  phone: +44 203 356 5441
  address: Paragon Street, YO10 4AH
  Email via online contact form. A medium-sized venue for touring music and comedy gigs, orchestral performances, opera, ballet, and tribute acts for past pop legends. One of two venues for the Laugh Out Loud comedy club.

Cinemas

All cinemas are open daily from around 9:30AM until midnight or just after.

• City Screen

  phone: +44 871 902 5747 (premium rate)
  address: 13-17 Coney Street, YO1 9QL
  A modern cinema which shows a mix of mainstream and arthouse films. It has a bar/cafe with a fantastic balcony overlooking the River Ouse.

• Everyman York

  phone: +44 872 436 9060 (premium rate)
  address: Blossom Street, YO24 1AJ
  Email via online contact form. Inside a distinctive art deco building, this cinema is held close to the hearts of York residents.

• Vue Cinema

  phone: +44 345 308 4620
  address: Clifton Moor Centre, Stirling Road, YO30 4XY
  The city's largest multiplex with 12 screens.

Events and festivals

There is a very full series of events in York. The most important are listed below, January to December; events taking place in the latter half of the current year are listed near the bottom.

• Jorvik Viking Festival

  phone: +44 1904 615 505
  A city-wide celebration of all things Norse; the largest Viking festival in Europe. There are 'living' Viking encampments, guided walks and talks. This festival holds lots of appeal for children, with dressing up, have-a-go activities and combat performances on the cards, and it's all backed up with the serious educational purpose of the Jorvik Centre.

• At other times of the year, scandiphile visitors should check out the York Anglo-Scandinavian Society, which put on regular talks, activities and film screenings with a Nordic slant, mostly at the University of York's Norwegian Study Centre.

York Literature FestivalTakes place annually for a week and a half in March. This city-wide festival promotes the arts in York, with an emphasis on literature, spoken word and poetry. It also features music, comedy, cinema and theatre.

York Chocolate Festival

phone: +44 1904 635 149

address: Parliament Street / Shambles Market

A city-wide celebration of the chocolate industry with a chocolate market, artisan chocolatiers and attractions which share a piece of York's chocolate history.

Shakespeare's Rose Theatre

phone: +44 1904 623 568

address: Tower Street, YO1 9WD

Europe's first pop-up Elizabethan theatre showcases four well-known Shakespeare plays over the summer. The 2019 season will stage Hamlet, Henry V, The Tempest and Twelfth Night. Young children will enjoy a special show, Billy Shakes, Wonderboy! Around the theatre is an Elizabethan garden and a recreation of 16th century village, complete with stalls, jesters, minstrels and regional food and drink.

• York Early Music Festival

  phone: +44 1904 658 338
  World class series of concerts, lectures and workshops focusing on pre-18th century music which takes place at venues across the city. Each year has a theme; 2020's is called Method & Madness.

• York Festival of Traditional DanceEmail via online contact form. A rich variety of traditional (or Morris) dance sides from all over the country join in a celebration of the diversity of ritual dancing. The Saturday begins with a colourful dance procession from the St Helens Square, to Parliament Street, before the teams separate to dance on site, in Exhibition Square, King’s Square, Minster Piazza, St Helens Square, and St Sampson's Square throughout the day, before a final grand show in front of dignitaries. The Sunday dancing is less formal, taking place in the squares over lunchtime.

• York Mystery PlaysA medieval tradition to showcase stories from the Bible through the medium of colourful, humorous and entertaining plays, revived in the 20th century. The performances can be accompanied by traditional bands of musicians called "waits". They don't run every year and are acted on floats carried around the city; the most recent was 2018.

• York Food and Drink Festival

  address: Parliament Street / Shambles Market / St Sampson's Square
  The food element majors on Yorkshire food, while the drinks programme has a worldwide and wine-orientated theme. The range of events is very wide, with demonstrations, tastings, recipe hunts, markets and dinners everyday. Big 'slow food', Fairtrade and other worthy projects allied with lots of hands-on cooking for kids at the Food Factory. Or, if you want to get exploring the city's culinary prowess, pick up a Taste Trail booklet for £5 which pays for all the samples you'll be gorging on.

• York Beer & Cider Festival

  address: The Knavesmire
  Yorkshire's biggest beer festival, run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) serving up over 500 beers (including 300 which are produced in Yorkshire), 100 ciders and perries, plus a large foreign beer bar, wine and soft drinks. There is live music and an extensive range of world foods from numerous caterers and other stalls. Seating is in a huge beer garden or under massive marquees if it’s wet. Children welcome (accompanied) until 8PM.

York Mediale

phone: +44 7495 999 549

A biennial festival providing a showcase for leading international digital artists and the best emerging media art talent. The event presents a citywide celebration of exhibitions, installations, live performances, dance, music and workshops.

York Christmas FestivalThe streets of York come alive in the run up to Christmas. Carol singers and buskers flock to perform to thousands of festive shoppers. The St Nicholas Fair has market stalls and wooden chalets on Parliament Street, St Sampson's Square and Coppergate, specialising in gifts, crafts, and local yuletide foods. Elsewhere, the Barley Hall presents a special insight into how people celebrated Christmas in the Middle Ages, while St William's College houses an arts and crafts market for fine handmade items.

• York Early Music Christmas Festival

  phone: +44 1904 658 338
  address: St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, YO1 9TL and other venues
  The Christmas sister festival of the summer event presents a series of concerts with internationally-renowned artists performing seasonal music from the 18th century and earlier.

• Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland

  address: York Designer Outlet, St. Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, YO19 4TA
  Email via online contact form. The main attraction is The Ice Factor, which is the North's largest seasonal ice rink with a giant Christmas tree as centrepiece. Surrounding the rink is an excellent little vintage funfair, log cabin stalls, and of course Santa's Grotto.

York is an excellent place to be a student; it's friendly, compact, walkable and beautiful, with a lively cultural scene to rival cities many times its size. You'll find York a cheaper place to live and study than other historic cities down south, such as Bath, Cambridge or Oxford, though certainly pricier than other, less desirable, parts of the North. Being on the East Coast Main Line, it's within easy reach of most parts of England and Scotland.

Higher education

• University of York

  phone: +44 1904 320 000
  address: YO10 5DD
  Consistently ranked one of the UK's better universities, and part of the prestigious Russell Group. The departments of English literature, chemistry, computer science and psychology are particularly well-regarded internationally as leading research centres. York is a collegiate university with around 18,000 students across nine colleges, though is not particularly old for such an historic city, being founded in only 1963.

• York St John University

  phone: +44 1904 624 624
  address: Lord Mayor's Walk, YO31 7EX
  A small and modern university with just 6000 students, St John's is ranked fairly low nationally, but has strengths in drama, education, English language and literature, health, psychology, sports and theology.

Language schools

All three of the language schools listed here are accredited by the British Council, and each are set in large former townhouses.

• British Study Centres York

  phone: +44 1904 672 243
  address: 5 New Street, YO1 8RA
  Email via online contact form. With 20 years' experience, this school is open to students aged 16 and over, though the average age of its students is 30 years old and there is a course specifically catering to the over-50s. Course lengths vary 1-48 weeks.

• English in York Language School

  phone: +44 1904 636 771
  address: Peasholme House, St Saviours Place, YO1 7PJ
  Established in 1985, this school caters only to over-16s and has a variety of courses such as general English, business English and intense programmes. For most courses, you have to commit to a minimum of one week, but some are shorter or longer.

• Melton College, York

  phone: +44 1904 622 250
  address: 137 Holgate Road, YO24 4DH
  Email via online contact form. Almost 50 years old, Melton College caters to students of all abilities and from ages 11 up. Older learners may be pleased to enrol in an age 40+ class, thus avoiding the teenagers and twentysomethings who are the typical clientele of these colleges. Course lengths vary 1-36 weeks.

York comes highly recommended for its unique shops and boutiques. There's the usual range of high street stores, but York is also a great place for independent shops, especially if you're looking for gifts, high-end English and Italian fashion, books, or - it has to be said - tourist tat! Shops in York change from year to year, but the beautiful old-fashioned shop fronts, both medieval wood and Victorian red brick, haven't changed much since they were first built. The extensive pedestrianisation and interesting architecture make shopping and spending a pleasure for even the most miserly Yorkshireman.

• Coney StreetAlong with Parliament Street, this is the place in the city centre to head for the chain high street shops you can find all over the UK: Boots, H&M, River Island, Zara et al.

• FossgateAssorted specialist fashion shops selling bowler hats, smart gentlemen's outfits, and clothing and accessories specifically for tall women. , which it leads onto, has a number of homeware stores, a cycling shop and a modelling shop.

• GillygateSeveral interesting shops to fill your home with mementos of your time in York, plus an independent bookshop, cheesemonger and retro gaming store.

• High Petergate and Low PetergateA hub of small fashion and jewellery stores with a mix of high-end brand names and independents. Those with a sweet tooth should check out the Fudge Kitchen. At the point where the two Petergates meet is , where you'll find several fashionable independent retailers and the original House of Trembling Madness, which stocks 900 bottled beers.

• Parliament StreetOne of very few wide and straight roads in the centre is this very attractive tree-lined boulevard mostly home to larger chain stores such as Disney, M&S and New Look. Most high street banks and building societies are also represented here. The row continues north-west onto the much narrower , which has high street fashion giants such as GAP, Pandora and Superdry.

• Browns

  phone: +44 1904 611 166
  address: 21 Davygate, YO1 8QT
  A good quality family-run department store that has been trading in York for over 100 years, stocks most of the global fashion brands, and features large beauty, furniture, and handbag departments.

• York Farmers' Market

  phone: +44 1904 550 099
  address: Parliament Street, YO1 8SG
  An excellent place to buy and discuss food, drink and crafts with local producers. Meat, eggs, organic veg, cheese, pies, fudge, honey, pottery, wool - it's all here.

ShamblesA medieval shopping street with overhanging timber-framed buildings, which was once a street of butchers. This is easily the most touristy street in York and is mostly devoted to places to eat and gift shops. The most notable of the latter are a loose-leaf tea emporium, a popular artisan bakery, a sweet little chinaware shop and a crowded store dedicated to selling Harry Potter memorabilia.

• Shambles Market

  address: 5 Silver Street, YO1 8RY
  A permanent outdoor market with more than 85 stalls of which some sell fresh local produce, some the ubiquitous world street food, others clothes and accessories, and others still arts, crafts, fabrics and ceramics.

York Designer Outlet

phone: +44 1904 682 700

address: St Nicholas Ave, Fulford

Of particular interest to followers of fashion, this indoor shopping centre contains 120 clothes stores from many top-name brands such as Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Ted Baker.

Navigate to: Budget, Mid-range and Splurge options, and places for afternoon tea

Local specialities

As capital of Yorkshire, the county's cuisine is front and centre on many of York's menus. This is honest and rustic fare, in which generous portions are the norm, and large tasting platters are common. Yorkshire puddings, pies, local game, lamb and beef are all prized by restaurateurs, as are the local cheeses: wensleydale from the Dales, shepherd's purse blues from north of Thirsk and St Helen's Farm hard goat's cheese, produced in the Vale of York. The fish and crab in restaurants is often landed at East Coast ports such as Grimsby and Whitby, while the county's Norse connections are maintained by the serving of Yorkshire-made gravadlax.
The city itself has two famous products: ham and chocolate.
York ham has been produced within the city walls for hundreds of years, and far-fetched local legend states that the first hams were smoked with sawdust generated by the building of the Minster. Made with the meat of the large white pig, in taste the ham is mild, salty, smoky and often breaded, and in appearance a delicate pink. When served hot, it is traditionally accompanied by Madeira sauce. Disaster struck in the mid-2000s, when the last curer in town went out of business, and for 10 years there was no ham produced in York. However, in 2016, Appleton's Butchers opened on Lendal, and York-cured hams are available once more.
While other northern towns busied themselves with boring but useful things like steel and cotton, 19th century York took a sweeter path. Rowntree's created Aero bars, Fruit Pastilles, Kit-Kat, Smarties and Yorkie bars, among other internationally-known sweets. Although bought out by Nestlé in the 1980s with most products rebranded, the original factory has been maintained and expanded, and the Rowntree's brand lives on with Fruit Pastilles and newer products brought out since the acquisition such as Rowntree's Randoms. The other large York company, Terry's (of Chocolate Orange fame) has had a less rosy time: upon acquisition by Modelez, production was moved overseas. But alongside Nestlé's investment, a number of small independent chocolatiers have appeared in York: Choc Affair, Guppy's, Monk Bar and the York Cocoa House.

Eating out

As diverse as York's restaurant scene is, there are some generalities that apply to many of the city's addresses. No matter the cuisine on offer, they have a sense of place and like working with local ingredients; even if you never eat a Yorkshire pudding, you'll be hard pressed to find a good café or restaurant not cooking food produced in the county. In addition to the aforementioned platters, many restaurants seem to been gripped by an obsession with "tasting menus": multi-course extravaganzas of small dishes, often with suggested drink pairings at a hefty premium. While this can be good for sampling variety, it's not so fun for cash- or time-poor travellers to be roped into spending hours eating and drinking expensively. On the other hand, at many places, you can get high quality food experiences on the cheap if you plum for a weekday lunch or early evening meal, rather than waiting for dinner.

Budget

• House of the Trembling Madness (Lendal)

  phone: +44 1904 848 998
  address: 14 Lendal, YO1 8AA
  Email via online contact form. An ale house which promotes the pairing of good beer with quality food. The menu is bursting with regional produce, from bread baked in the city, to platters of locally-smoked meats and rich, savoury pies. Schnitzel, salchichón, and other continental comfort foods complete the picture. The same company has a much smaller venue on Stonegate.

• Hungry Horace

  phone: +44 1904 622 629
  address: 39 Layerthorpe, YO31 7UZ
  Classic working men's cafe for breakfast or brunch. Greasy and tatty but the food is of a very high standard. The staff are very friendly and may refer to you as love or flower.

• Ippuku Tea House

  phone: +44 1904 671 311
  address: 15 Blake Street, YO1 8QJ
  Email via online contact form. Authentic Japanese restaurant with vegan and gluten-free options, and an enormous tea menu to accompany your meal.

• Millers Fish & Chips

  phone: +44 1904 769 169
  address: 55 The Village, Haxby, YO32 2JE
  Email via online contact form. Award-winning family-run chippy with takeaway and restaurant. As good a plate's worth as you'll get in York, so it's worth the trip. Gluten free and halal options available.

• Spring Espresso

  phone: +44 1904 627 730
  address: 45 Fossgate, YO1 9TF
  Email via online contact form. Snazzy artisan sandwiches and paninis (think York ham, goat's cheese, pastrami, hummus...) for lunch, and a selection of toasts, pancakes, and pastries for all day breakfast or brunch. Excellent fresh coffee, made Seattle-style. Another identical café is at 31 Lendal.

• St Crux Church

  phone: +44 1904 621 756
  address: Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, YO1 8BL
  Part jumble sale for second-hand books, part cafeteria selling good cheap homemade sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks in a tiny deconsecrated church - eat on the grass outside.

• The Nook

  phone: +44 1904 627 122
  address: 3a Castlegate, YO1 9RN
  Specialists of international street food, brought indoors for a cosy, convivial atmosphere. Each of their specialities is from a different culinary tradition: Cambodian beef lok lak, Indian tandoori chicken, Lebanese fattoush, Cajun king prawns.

• The Taylor Made Kitchen

  phone: +44 7702 120 504
  address: Shambles Market, Silver Street, YO1 7LA
  Email via online contact form. Excellent fast food wagon serving burgers, burritos, and dirty fries in epic portions using fresh local ingredients.

• Ye Olde Pie and Sausage Shoppe

  phone: +44 7752 606 050
  address: 45 Shambles, YO1 7LX
  Pick up some truly divine pork pies in a plethora of flavours, both traditional and exotic, to munch on outside. The husband-and-wife duo also dry-cure their own bacon on-site, and make a selection of sausages, some of which, in a pleasant surprise, are more French than British.

Mid-range

• Ambiente

  phone: +44 1904 638 252
  address: 31 Fossgate, YO1 9TA
  Tapas restaurant with a semi-industrial interior design channelling the modern Madrileño look. On the menu is a cool mix of classic favourites such as albóndigas and patatas bravas, alongside innovative creations like the Yorkshire morcilla. They have a second, much smaller, restaurant at 14 Goodramgate.

• ASK Italian

  phone: +44 1904 637 254
  address: The Grand Assembly Rooms, Blake Street, YO1 8QG
  Come for the setting rather than the food (which is fine for a chain, just nothing special): 18th century marble-columned Palladian assembly rooms with 40-foot ceilings and plaster cherubs. Extremely busy at weekends and tourist periods.

• Barbakan

  phone: +44 1904 672 474
  address: 58 Walmgate, YO1 9TL
  Hearty Eastern European food given Western panache. The resulting roast meats, soups and pies are not a million miles away from English cuisine, but with an intriguing Polish or Hungarian twist.

• The Chopping Block at Walmgate Ale House

  phone: +44 1904 629 222
  address: 25 Walmgate, YO1 9TX
  Seasonal and locally-sourced food graces this modern British menu in a pleasant olde worlde environment.

• Café No.8 Bistro

  phone: +44 1904 653 074
  address: 8 Gillygate, YO31 7EQ
  Refined food which has Yorkshire in its soul: lamb from the Wolds, fish from the North Sea, cheese from Thirsk, and rhubarb and custard for pudding!

• Pizza Express

  phone: +44 1904 672 904
  address: 17 Museum Street, YO1 7DJ
  A chain which needs no introduction, but this one is worth a look for the setting - a spectacular 19th century gentlemen's club perched on the bank of the River Ouse. Summer evenings on the terraces are pleasant, and their toilets are marble temples of Victorian excess - it's worth eating there just for the chance to use a solid brass-and-marble urinal.

• Skosh

  phone: +44 1904 634 849
  address: 98 Micklegate, YO1 6JX
  You choose a series of small dishes, and the staff are on hand to advise you on what order to eat them. Think of it as a tapas or meze place, but without the constraints of a single cuisine. The dishes themselves are ambitious, imaginative and memorable, with distinctly Japanese flavours and making excellent use of British produce. Reservation recommended. Awarded Michelin's bib gourmand in 2018.

• The Masons Arms

  phone: +44 1904 541 479
  address: 6 Fishergate, YO10 4AB
  Email via online contact form. Quality pub grub favourites with daily specials for soup, homemade pie, local bangers and mash, and curry, plus separate steak and risotto menus. Mix things up a bit with a spicy lamb stew or a slow-roasted belly porchetta. Very limited choice for vegetarians.

• The Viceroy

  phone: +44 1904 622 370
  address: 26 Monkgate, YO31 7PF
  Email via online contact form. Always busy even in early evening, this long-established Indian restaurant is a favourite of York residents who keep returning time after time for its excellent food and friendly atmosphere. As they say - when in Rome...

Splurge

• Arras

  phone: +44 1904 633 737
  address: The Old Coach House, Peasholme Green, YO1 7PW
  Despite the name, the French influence on Arras's set menu is not overly pronounced. Instead, focus is on unloved ingredients that most chefs stay away from: offal, Brussels sprouts, eel; this could be a recipe for disaster, but somehow it works. The dishes are refined and flavoursome, and the service knowledgeable and personable. They save the best to last, in the form of a bumper British cheese board introduced by chef himself.

• Hudsons

  phone: +44 1904 894 580
  address: Station Rise, YO1 6GD
  Contemporary fine dining making the most of local and seasonal produce. A choice between and five- and nine-course tasting menus of smaller plates, nouvelle cuisine-style, with vegetarian options available for both menus. The food is certainly special, though as you might guess from the hotel's website, service can be lacking in attention to detail.

• Le Cochon Aveugle

  phone: +44 1904 640 222
  address: 37 Walmgate, YO1 9TX
  Closed for half the week, limited sittings when it is open, no children allowed and a ruthless cancellation policy: "The Blind Pig" is like a parody of a stuffy and inflexible French restaurant. In this regard, the food completely subverts expectations: while based in the Gallic tradition and with an impressive cave à vin to match, it is not afraid to do its own thing and draw from diverse influences. Expect creative, bold and expressive dishes across a 4- or 8-course blind tasting menu (with the expectation that you, the diner, fill the role of pig). With room for only 20 covers, reservation is essential.

• Melton's

  phone: +44 1904 634 341
  address: 7 Scarcroft Road, YO23 1ND
  Promoting fine dining without the formalities, and run by the York Food Festival's director, this is yet another place in town proving the worth of modern British gastronomy. Try the East Coast cod, or else the guinea fowl confit. Scrummy.

• The Ivy

  phone: +44 1904 403 888
  address: 2 St Helen’s Square, YO1 8QP
  Email via online contact form. A national chain serving modern British and European cuisine. While there are no knock-out unique dishes on the large menu, the cooking is of extremely high quality and there are extensive vegetarian and vegan options. One speciality is their version of an English classic - shepherd's pie with slow-braised shoulder of lamb and cave-matured cheddar.

• The Judge's Lodging

  phone: +44 1904 638 733
  address: 9 Lendal, YO1 8AQ
  Fine cuisine in rococo splendour. Actually, most of the main dishes - a range of posh burgers, plus a nice collection of salads, platters, meat and fish dishes - belong firmly in the mid-range bracket, but it's the steak and the shellfish - and the drinks - that will lighten your pockets.

• The Park

  phone: +44 1904 640 101
  address: 4-5 St Peters Grove, YO30 6AQ
  Seasonal and modern, with almost universal online acclaim, this is simplicity refined: each dish is composed of just three or four ingredients, yet the flavours are outstanding. The one slight annoyance is the £10 supplement for cheese, which feels a bit stingy.

• The Rattle Owl

  phone: +44 1904 658 658
  address: 104 Micklegate, YO1 6JX
  Thoughtfully-crafted seasonal menu drawing from what's available locally. Each course has only five options, so you'd really hope the chef's knowledge of his cooking and attention to detail would be there, and on these counts the Rattle Owl aims high. Full marks, too, for the sympathetic restoration of their 17th century building and bonus points for the Roman archaeological remains in the wine cellar!

• The Star Inn the City

  phone: +44 1904 619 208
  address: Lendal Engine House, Museum Street, YO1 7DR
  Dine on seasonal Yorkshire produce beside the Ouse within a warm velvet and tartan décor. Cook has a knack for making trad dishes look like intrepid new creations - or for overworking and needlessly 'cheffing up' old favourites, depending on your perspective. That said, the Star's rural sister restaurant has a Michelin star, so this is definitely one to watch.

Afternoon tea

York is known for its decadent afternoon teas: a pot of tea to a blend of your choice, served with dainty sandwiches with the crusts cut off, finger cakes and patisseries, and of course fruit scones with clotted cream and jam. Your food will arrive on a stacked metal stand, with three-tiered platters containing each course of the meal. To this can be added a glass of champagne or some other alcoholic beverage, for those who really want to indulge in luxury. If this sounds like a lot of food and drink, that's because it is; afternoon tea will typically replace lunch, and you may not feel like your dinner until much later on, if at all! The price of a full afternoon tea is fairly high; count on spending at least £20 per person, and add up to £10 more if you're having champagne too. Take into account that the venue itself is often as much a part of the experience as the tea, with Bettys, the Garden Room and the Countess of York arguably offering the most luxurious surroundings.
A less indulgent and cheaper option can be just to have a cream tea, that is jam-and-cream scones plus a pot of tea, which should cost no more than £10. Most cafés in York, though not listed here, will serve this, plus a selection of other traditional cakes.

• Bettys Tea Rooms

  phone: +44 1904 659 142
  address: 6-8 St Helen's Square, YO1 8QP
  World-famous for its nostalgic atmosphere and spectacular Swiss-Yorkshire patisserie-style catering. It is a 1930s-style tea room complete with palm trees, aproned waitresses and live pianist, and is best known for its afternoon teas but also serves breakfast and lunch/dinner. As Bettys is the tea room all the tourists want to visit, be prepared to queue outside at peak times or book well in advance. Alternatively, you can try the Little Bettys at 46 Stonegate, which doesn't get as busy.

• Countess of York

  phone: +44 1904 686 295
  address: Leeman Road, YO26 4XJ
  Railfans rejoice! You can get your afternoon tea fix in the NRM's opulently-restored train carriage, the Countess of York. There are a dozen blends of Harrogate tea to choose from, and a seasonal selection of sandwiches and cakes, with the highlight being traditional Yorkshire scones, vanilla cream and homemade jam. As capacity is constrained by the size of the carriage, it is recommended to book well in advance

• The Cake Shop and Tea House

  phone: +44 1904 671 199
  address: 24 Fossgate, YO1 9TA
  Email via online contact form. A slightly more economical afternoon tea that is certainly less refined than other options in the city, but is nonetheless still tasty, filling and satisfying. The advantages of going to a much smaller tea house like here is that you can be sure all the food is freshly made on-site, you don't need to make a reservation and you won't have to queue upon arrival. Disadvantages include some quirky house rules (no children under 10, no devices out at tables) and somewhat temperamental owners.

• The Garden Room

  phone: +44 1904 688 677
  address: The Principal York, Station Road, YO24 1AA
  A grand and comfortable lounge with armchairs and sofas, and views across the lawns to the Minster. Gluten free and vegan versions of afternoon tea are available when booked in advance, and cost the same as the traditional. The twilight tea includes the addition of a cocktail or mocktail.

• The Grand Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 899 521
  address: Station Rise, YO1 6GD
  Take tea in the hotel's swish Rise restaurant, which offers views over the city walls. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus available. Afternoon tea 'by Hudsons' (i.e. in the Hudsons restaurant) is a more gastronomic, and far pricier, alternative.

Navigate to: Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs, Live music and comedy venues
The city of York is the site of two breweries and one distillery.
Beer, that is ale, has been brewed within the city walls for centuries, and the latest iteration of this tradition is York Brewery, which brews a range of three pale ales, the award-winning dark ruby ale Centurion's Ghost, and their signature golden ale Yorkshire Terrier. There is also a constantly changing selection of limited-edition creations, which adds a touch of FOMO-fuelled uniqueness to any beer-lover's visit to York. You can also visit the brewery; see the 'Do' section for details.
The new kid on the block is Brew York, which eschews tradition by selling its brews by can. They specialise in U.S.-style craft beers, with hipsterish names such as Cereal Killa (a gluten-free citrusy pale ale), Goose Willis (gooseberry fool in beer form), and Imperial Tonkoko (the "9th best stout in the world!"). Periodically, they mix things up by discontinuing their entire range and releasing a new selection; there's even an IPA which changes its hops with each batch. You can drink at their achingly trendy "tap room" (see below), or else look out for the odd brew of theirs in pubs.
And then there's gin. Running with the established zeitgeist of stunningly unimaginative names, the York Gin Company launched its range in March 2018. It has already made its mark on the local drinks culture, being stocked by dozens of shops, bars and hotels in and around the city, and is attracting attention at international industry awards. The three main varieties available are the classic London-style dry gin which was at its peak popularity in York in the 18th century, a chocolatey gin called Gin Cocoa, and the imperial-red juniper, apple and berry-infused Roman Fruit; all three nod to the city's heritage.
Cider is not made in York, and indeed has never been hugely popular up north, but if you like your apple tipple, then look out for Ampleforth Abbey Cider from nearby Thirsk.

Traditional pubs

York has perhaps the most pubs per square mile of any city in the country; supposedly there's one for every day of the year.

• The Ackhorne

  phone: +44 1904 671 421
  address: St Martin's Lane, YO1 6LR
  Cosy locals' haunt that is too well hidden to be a major tourist trap. Think pub quiz, pork pies and Yorkshire ales and ciders.

• The Blue Bell

  phone: +44 1904 654 904
  address: 53 Fossgate, YO1 9TF
  The smallest pub in York really is tiny, but the Edwardian interior (grade II

* listed), conversational atmosphere and real ales mostly from around Yorkshire make this a firm locals' favourite. As there is nowhere to go but the bar area, children are not allowed.

• The Keystones

  phone: +44 1904 656 202
  address: 4 Monkgate, YO31 7PE
  Popular with a younger crowd for its live sports on telly at the weekends, pool table, variety of board games and free Playstation 4. Beer garden at rear.

• The Kings Arms

  phone: +44 1904 659 435
  address: 3 King's Staith, YO1 9SN
  The king in question is Richard III, and his house is right on the river bank, meaning one of its annual traditions is becoming part of the river, a fact which is cheerfully recorded on its flood level gauge on the wall inside. Some of the bar rules ('no swearing', 'no drunkenness') are a bit suspect for a pub, and it exclusively serves beers from local brewery Samuel Smith's.

• Lendal Cellars

  phone: +44 1904 623 121
  address: 26 Lendal, YO1 8AA
  A standard Greene King chain pub in all ways but one: the building. To access, the visitor must leave the street via a passageway, then descend into this arch-ceilinged underground bar, which was the Lord Mayor's personal wine cellar in the 18th century. An atmospheric venue for drinks, but avoid the food.

• The Maltings

  phone: +44 1904 655 387
  address: Tanner's Moat, YO1 1HU
  Absolutely cracking real-ale free house. The resident beer is Yorkshire's famous Black Sheep bitter, and there is a constant rotation of six other guest beers and four traditional ciders.

• The Micklegate

  phone: +44 1904 541 656
  address: 127 Micklegate, YO1 6LB
  Good for a noisy couple of hours. If there's no live football with eager fans staring at the multitude of screens, then the music will be playing loud.

• The Minster Inn

  phone: +44 1904 849 240
  address: 24 Marygate, YO30 7BH
  Not actually by the Minster and off the beaten track, most of the inn's clientele are regulars. Full of local charm, serving a wide range of traditional ales and, as a bonus from 4PM, pizzas stone-baked to order.

• The Priory

  phone: +44 1904 653 231
  address: 103 Micklegate, YO1 6LB
  Part of the Wear Inns chain, this pub has a pool table, jukebox and live sport on the telly. There is better beer to be had in York, and frankly better places to drink it, but the late-night opening makes The Priory stand out from the crowd.

• The Roman Bath

  phone: +44 1904 620 455
  address: 9 St. Sampson's Square, YO1 8RN
  Shabby John Smiths pub with a wide selection of lagers and frequent open-mic nights. As the name hints at, the building is on top of the remains of a real Roman bath that you can visit for a fee.

• The Three Legged Mare

  phone: +44 1904 638 246
  address: 15 High Petergate, YO1 7EN
  York Brewery pub which serves their ales and bar snacks, the Donkey has quite an active social week, with a Monday quiz, Thursday open mic night, Friday live folk music and various live music acts on Saturday nights..

Bars

In this section, you'll find a selection of the most recommended bars in town, with a bit of everything from brewery tap rooms to cocktail bars, and places to nab a Viking brewski.

• Brew York

  phone: +44 1904 848 448
  address: Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, YO1 9TT
  This craft brewery's 200-seater beer hall and tap room are right alongside the brewing machinery; the beer couldn't be fresher! They also have a nice small open-air seating area in the back facing the River Foss. Burgers and Korean sides will help soak up the alcohol.

• Dusk

  phone: +44 1904 634 851
  address: 8 New Street, YO1 8RA
  A great place for cocktails, that describes itself as a "laid-back café bar by day, den of iniquity by night." While it does indeed get busy of an evening, especially when there's a live music act, you can usually find some space upstairs.

• Evil Eye

  phone: +44 1904 640 002
  address: 42 Stonegate, YO1 8AS
  Colourful cocktail bar tucked behind a gin shop owned by the same people. You may have to queue to enter, as the place is very small. No longer serves street food.

• House of the Trembling Madness (Stonegate)

  phone: +44 1904 640 009
  address: 48 Stonegate, YO1 8AS
  Email via online contact form. If the name doesn't put you off, then presumably neither will the taxidermied lion's head hanging over the bar, or the wax-encrusted candlesticks on the tables. Work your way through their encyclopedic collection of Belgian beers, and then soak up the booze with some maddeningly superior barsnacks. The same company has a much larger venue on Lendal.

• Jalou

  phone: +44 1904 466 502
  address: 2 Micklegate, YO1 6JG
  Email via online contact form. Geordie glam meets medieval York: lavish and pricey cocktails served to an RnB soundtrack in a grade II-listed Gothic church with an impressive 'neon chandelier' centrepiece.

• The Biltmore

  phone: +44 1904 610 075
  address: 29 Swinegate, YO1 8AZ
  Housed in a converted historic church, this New York-inspired swish champagne and cocktail bar is relaxed in the week and buzzing at the weekend with the house DJ's music.

• The York Tap

  phone: +44 1904 659 009
  address: York Station, Station Road, YO24 1AB
  Housed in a smartly converted Edwardian tea room, this is the place for a decent (if not cheap) pint while waiting for a train. True to its former life, you can still get hot drinks and homemade cakes here too.

• Vahe Bar

  phone: +44 1904 628 344
  address: 31-33 Goodramgate, YO1 7LS
  Lovely relaxed bar overlooking York Minster serving British ales and Belgian draughts, plus over 200 bottled continental beers and 300 spirits.

• Valhalla

  phone: +44 1904 653 999
  address: 4 Patrick Pool, YO1 8BB
  Anyone versed in Norse mythology will love this bar, which offers proof if it were needed that the Viking spirit is alive and well in York. A place for loudly drinking mead, cider and ale, and feasting from platters stuffed to bursting with quality Yorkshire and Scandi produce.

Nightclubs

The weak link in York's nightlife offering. If you're legally or mentally 18, you'll probably love the singularly awful half-dozen offerings which are aimed squarely at the city's population of students (and underage teens), but if you want any kind of sophistication or musical variety, then you should heed the call of Leeds.

• Club Salvation

  phone: +44 1904 635 144
  address: 3 George Hudson Street, YO1 6JL
  Essentially for boozed-up undergrad students, Salvo has cheap drinks, chart music and absolutely no class. The bouncers have a bad attitude, but a strict policy against drugs.

• Kuda Bar and Club

  phone: +44 1904 647 947
  address: 12 Clifford Street, YO1 9RD
  Split over two floors and three rooms, including a tiki bar complete with hula girls, and a cocktail lounge. VIP booths available. Drinks are pricey.

• Mansion

  phone: +44 1904 500 880
  address: 55 Micklegate, YO1 6LJ
  The kind of place where projectile vomiting adds to the fun, this is a hard-drinking, slightly filthy club.

• Popworld

  phone: +44 1904 645 161
  address: George Hudson Street, YO1 6JL
  Describing itself as "cheese with style", Popworld is deeply proud of how uncool it is. This chain club is smaller than most of its sister venues, but has a revolving dancefloor on which you can bust out your worst moves to music as sugary as the floor's sticky coating.

• Society Bar & Lounge

  phone: +44 1904 625 438
  address: 1 Rougier Street, YO1 6HZ
  Cheap drinks and mainstream party music, popular with students. It gets cramped at the weekend.

• The Stone Roses

  phone: +44 1904 670 696
  address: 4 King Street, YO1 9SP
  A 90s-themed rock/britpop bar which steadily morphs into a club as the night goes on. Decent atmosphere and bargain bevvies.

Live music and comedy venues

• Fibbers

  phone: +44 1904 848 558 (general), +44 8444 771 000 (tickets - premium rate)
  address: 3-5 Toft Green, YO1 6JT
  Long running music venue which has hosted many of the UK's biggest acts since the 1990s. Gigs several nights a week. 14-16 year olds must be accompanied by an adult (18+). No under 14s. As of summer 2019, facing an uncertain future - enjoy it while you can.

• The Basement

  phone: +44 871 902 5747 (premium rate)
  address: 13-17 Coney Street, YO1 9QL
  100-seater underground venue for live music (especially jazz), comedy, film, poetry, workshops and discussions. One of two venues for the Laugh Out Loud comedy club. 16+ only.

• The Crescent

  phone: +44 1904 622 510
  address: 8 The Crescent, YO24 1AW
  Working men's club turned community events venue. Tuesdays are for retro gaming, Wednesday is open decks night, and there are music gigs several times a week.

• The Fulford Arms

  phone: +44 1904 620 410
  address: ​121 Fulford Road, YO10 4EX
  Real ale pub with a relaxed 'suburban local' atmosphere by day, but with live music and other events such as charity fundraisers nearly every night.

Navigate to: Budget, Mid-range, and Splurge options, places for camping
York has everything from humble hostels and cosy guesthouses, to some of England's grandest historic hotels. The usual chains are present in abundance, but there are also plenty of unique independents worth seeking out. Most accommodation listings here are in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance from attractions and services, but some are situated in quieter residential neighbourhoods or just on the fringes, though nowhere is very far apart in compact York. And while most people don't associate city breaks with camping opportunities, there are a surprising number of places to pitch a tent or park a campervan both in town and a little way outside.

Budget

• Astor York Hostel

  phone: +44 1904 653 786
  address: 124 Holgate Road, YO24 4BB
  Small, basic rooms. Wi-Fi signal not great. Nice communal areas, including a bar. Unbeatable £1 breakfast.

• Diamonds Guest House

  phone: +44 7717 941 122
  address: 114 Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 1JX
  Cosy but basic B&B in a Victorian house, offering a continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. No alcohol on premises, but there are good pubs and restaurants close by. Diamonds also has three other guesthouses in period properties around York.

• Old Grey Mare

  phone: +44 1904 654 485
  address: Clifton Green, YO30 6LH
  An old-fashioned pub with homely en-suite rooms. English and Indian food served on site. No breakfast, but there's a good café across the road.

• Park View Guest House

  phone: +44 1904 611 396
  address: 22 Haxby Road, YO31 8JX
  Victorian-era villa with a range of en-suite rooms, including an accessible ground floor double room. Full English and continental breakfast. Private parking. Wi-Fi.

• Queen Anne's Guest House

  phone: +44 1904 629 389
  address: 24 Queen Anne's Road, YO30 7AA
  Traditional B&B run by a friendly husband-and-wife team. Has a mix of en-suite rooms and a few with shared bathrooms.

• Safestay York Hostel

  phone: +44 1904 627 720
  address: 88-90 Micklegate, YO1 6JX
  Handsome Georgian townhouse right in the centre of York's nightlife: free earplugs available if you find it noisy. A mix of shared dormitories (4-12 people, some female only) with bunk beds and private rooms (2-4 people). Free Wi-Fi, bar, breakfast £3.50.

• The Fort Boutique Hostel

  phone: +44 1904 620 222
  address: 1 Little Stonegate, YO1 8AX
  Five individually-decorated rooms created by five up-and-coming UK artists and designers. Also several dorms for 6-8 people. Common room with microwave, fridge and toaster. Two bar-restaurants on-site. Breakfast £4-£9.

• YHA York Hostel

  phone: +44 345 371 9051 (non-geographic number)
  address: Water End, YO30 6LP
  This youth hostel is clean and has good showers. Good family rooms for four. Adequate breakfast is included in the price, and they'll pack you a breakfast if you're leaving especially early. Free Wi-Fi. Free parking.

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn York City Centre

  phone: +44 1904 559 000
  address: 53 Piccadilly, YO1 9PL
  Modern design 6-storey hotel, with stylish contemporary interiors. The standard Holiday Inn experience (gym, air conditioning, good breakfast); there's also another one a bit further out of town on Tadcaster Road.

• Ibis York Centre

  phone: +44 113 396 8032 (Leeds number)
  address: 77 The Mount, YO24 1BN
  The setting in a large brick townhouse means the rooms are a bit smaller than with other Ibis hotels. Onsite restaurant and bar. Pets welcome.

• Marmadukes Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 640 101
  address: 4 St Peter's Grove, YO30 6AQ
  Boutique 4-star hotel in a Victorian property. All 21 rooms have en-suites and free Wi-Fi. Dogs welcome. The on-site restaurant is pricey but you get what you pay for.

• Middletons

  phone: +44 1904 611 570
  address: Skeldergate, YO1 6DS
  56 rooms spread across a complex of listed historic buildings - Charlie Chaplin was once a guest here - and pleasant outdoor space, Middletons features a restaurant, bar and fitness centre including a small pool.

• Mercure York, Fairfield Manor Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 225 012
  address: Shipton Road, YO30 1XW
  18th century manor house with some original features, set in six acres of private grounds, offering countryside views. On-site restaurant.

• Premier Inn York City

  phone: +44 333 321 9198
  address: 20 Blossom Street, YO24 1AJ
  Features an art deco clocktower. Standard rooms have a king-size bed and excellent showers. Two kids can sleep in the same room on pull out beds, and they get breakfast for free with a paying adult. There is another Premier Inn, "Blossom Street South", just down the street.

• Travelodge York Central

  phone: +44 871 984 6187 (premium)
  address: 90 Piccadilly, YO1 9NX
  Rooms are comfortable and private, and are good value for the location. But don't take the breakfast, as the Wetherspoons next door is better value. There are two other central Travelodges in York - at Layerthorpe and Micklegate.

Splurge

• Lendal Tower

  phone: +44 1423 709 713 (Harrogate number)
  address: Lendal Bridge, YO1 7DP
  This proud 14th-century tower guarding the river bridge is now a boutique self-catering property which sleeps six. Highlights of your stay may include enjoying the panorama from the rooftop terrace or relaxing like a lord in a four-poster bed.

• Middlethorpe Hall

  phone: +44 1904 641 241
  address: Bishopthorpe Road, YO23 2GB
  If you've ever wanted to stay in one of the National Trust's stately homes, this is your chance: a country hall and estate dating from 1698, set in an impressive 20 acres of garden. The rooms and suites make full use of antiques and period features, but there are multiple dining options and a cottage pool and spa.

• Park Inn by Radisson

  phone: +44 1904 459 988
  address: North Street, YO1 6JF
  From the outside, this is a hideous mid-20th century cornflakes box that sits awkwardly on the Ouse riverfront. Once you're inside, of course, the building's memory quickly fades as you admire unhindered views of the river and the attractive medieval surroundings. There's also a swimming pool, bar, grill restaurant and large conference space.

• The Dean Court Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 625 082
  address: Duncombe Place, YO1 7EF
  An imposing Victorian pile, this hotel is lauded for its comfortable rooms and suites, and its views of the Minster, which towers over on the opposite side of the street. Free Wi-Fi, on-site bar and restaurant.

• The Grand Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 896 349
  address: Station Rise, YO1 6GD
  Very luxurious Edwardian hotel from the golden age of the railway. There are numerous top catering options, a large conference room, and a spa, gymnasium and swimming pool which hark back to Roman Eboracum. No on-site parking, but the concierge team can provide a meet-and-greet service at the station, chauffeur pick-ups and even a helicopter transfer!

• The Grange Hotel

  phone: +44 1904 644 744
  address: 1 Clifton, YO30 6AA
  In a Regency town house, it's gone for the country-house-chic look - all deep sofas, open fires and unobtrusive service. There are three restaurants ranging from a seafood bar, through contemporary cellar bar to the full-on French silver service. Not cheap, but deeply luxurious, and a real change from the standard pre-packaged international chain hotels.

• The Judge's Lodging

  phone: +44 1904 638 733
  address: 9 Lendal, YO1 8AQ
  Upmarket place in Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse, with a collection of characterful and smartly-decorated rooms. On-site is a traditional cellar bar and restaurant. No parking.

• The Principal York

  phone: +44 1904 653 681
  address: Station Road, YO24 1AA
  Email via online contact form. In a Victorian mansion right next to the railway station. Try for a higher floor to avoid noise from the street and function room. Good restaurant, but you pay a premium for the view of the Minster. Also has a bar, swimming pool and gym.

Camping

Unusually, York has an inner city campsite:

• York Rowntree Park

  phone: +44 1904 658 997
  address: Terry Avenue, YO23 1JQ
  Camp in the city! Next to both Rowntree Park and the River Ouse, this is mostly a site for caravans and motorhomes, though there are pitches for tents too. Washroom, laundry room, electricity and gas hook-ups, Wi-Fi. Disability friendly. Barbecues and dogs allowed. Non-members welcome.

There are several campsites on the outskirts of York or in the near hinterland. The following three have been chosen for their locations just outside the city ring road and for their high ratings:

• Nurseries Caravan Park

  phone: +44 1904 797 427
  address: Askham Bryan Lane, YO23 3QY
  Pitches for tourers and tents in a 7 acre park. Heated washroom with hot showers, launderette, small shop for camping essentials. Dogs welcome on a lead.

• The Little Hide

  phone: +44 7713 194 299 (mobile)
  address: Willow House Caravan Park, Wigginton Road, YO32 2RH
  Two-person wooden 'pod' cabins, three-person yurt. All units are heated and lit and have beds, sofa, table and chairs. Bring your own kitchen appliances, plates and cutlery, and a gas stove if you intend to cook. BBQs provided. On-site washing and laundry, café.

• Wagtail Park

  phone: +44 7970 643 777 (mobile)
  address: 23 North Lane, YO32 9SU
  A quiet campsite on the edge of town; just pitch up with your vehicle, trailer or tent, or you can try one of the site's four 'pods', snug two-person cabins with heating and electricity. There's a fishing pond on site, but no facilities or activities specifically for children. Washroom with wet room showers. Dogs welcome.

York is a safe city with no significant crime problem. It is consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the whole UK, and high safety levels help to influence this. Unlike certain other European cities popular with tourists, visitors to York are not a particular target for scams and crimes. There are, however, some precautions worth taking.

Nightlife

Take care on weekend evenings in York. Plenty of local youngsters overestimate their capacity for alcohol and the city centre can seem to be awash with lager louts, mainly in the Micklegate area. If you are approached just keep on walking and they will find another victim to pester. Aim for Wikivoyage's recommended pubs, though, and you'll find that safe socialising in the company of affable locals is still possible!
Try to avoid secluded cycle paths and ginnels (alleyways) at night as it is not unknown for robberies to take place in these parts, however this tends to be away from the main city centre.

River safety

Be careful near and on the River Ouse, as it is deep and cold, and the current is surprisingly strong. If you have been drinking, avoid going near the river altogether, especially at night. The bankside paths can be slippery and poorly lit, and if you do fall in, there may well be no-one around to help you out. Several people drown in the Ouse every year, and alcohol and darkness play a role in the majority of deaths.

Flooding

In spite of elaborate defences, York floods pretty much every winter. All it takes is a few days of sustained rainfall somewhere upstream, and the houses and businesses nearest to the Ouse are submerged. There's about 30 miles of Pennine moors, from Harrogate to Richmond, where the pouring rain has only one way out. If it keeps raining, then 48 hours later the river at York is brimming; another day of rain and riverside properties start to become inundated.
Aside from providing the press with a dependable annual news story, the only upside to York's frequent inundations is that locals know what to do. If you're caught in a flood, follow their lead. You can also access the city council's flood advice portal. While water damage to property is often serious, flood-related injuries and deaths are extremely rare. Follow the authorities' advice, and you'll be fine.

• York Hospital

  phone: +44 1904 631 313, 999, 112 (emergency)
  address: Wigginton Road, YO31 8HE
  NHS hospital with accident and emergency facilities

Late-night pharmacies

• Monkbar Pharmacy

  phone: +44 1904 626 181
  address: 3 Goodramgate, YO1 7LJ

• The Priory Pharmacy

  phone: +44 1904 404 101
  address: Priory Medical Centre, Cornlands Road, YO24 3WX
  Email via online contact form

York has dozens of Christian churches, including of the Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Quaker, Presbyterian, and Latter Day Saints denominations. Muslims can worship at the city's first and only mosque on Bull Lane (YO10 3EN). The Quaker meeting house on Friargate (YO1 9RL) also hosts York's Liberal Jewish and Buddhist communities. Adherents of other faiths and denominations will generally find their nearest place of worship to be in Leeds.

Phone

York's area code for landline numbers is 01904 when dialled from within the UK or +44 1904 from outside the UK. Calls made from landlines within York do not require the area code to connect.

Internet

Most of York is covered by the CityConnect free Wi-Fi service - see the website for a map of all the hotspots. Complete a brief online registration form, and you're good to go.
Alternatively, if you don't have a device capable of connecting to the internet, or you need to get online on a desktop computer:

• York Explore Library

  phone: +44 1904 552 828
  address: Library Square, Museum Street, YO1 7DS
  Ask at the enquiry desk - you'll see plenty of locals using the computers, but the staff can arrange web access for visitors too. Printing facilities are also available.

York is centrally located in Yorkshire, making it a great base for days out in any direction.

Vale of York

The Vale is a prosperous agricultural country sandwiched between the Pennines and the East Coast. Peppered with medieval monasteries, castles and stately homes, it also has a selection of attractive small towns:

• Harrogate is the obvious next move from York, being an elegant Regency-era spa town west on the A59, or 33 min on the train, and home to the original Bettys Tea Rooms. Worth a stop on the way is Knaresborough (25 min on the train), to see the 12th century castle and visit a witch's lair.
• Ripon is a village-sized city that still packs in an impressive Early English cathedral, the haunting ruins of Fountains Abbey, and a host of justice-themed museums. It's north-west via the A59 and A1 (M), or bus 22 takes an absurd 1 hr 20 min. On the way, why not check out the Roman villa at Aldborough?
• Selby's 11th century abbey is worth the journey south on the A19, or 20-30 min on the train.
• Tadcaster is a brewery town noted for its Sam Smiths beers south-west on the A64, or 25 min on buses 840, 843, or 845.
• Thirsk is a small market town north on the A19, or 15-20 min on the train, with a museum dedicated to the vet James Herriot.

Further afield

• Hull is a major East Coast seaport in the midst of long-awaited urban renaissance, having successfully reinvented itself from a synonym for dull into the UK's 2017 City of Culture. It's south-east via the A1079 and A63, or 1 hr 5 min by train.
• Leeds is the biggest and most cosmopolitan city in Yorkshire, known for its palatial shopping arcades and fantastic for clubbing, drinking and dining. It's south-west on the A64, or 25 min by train.
• Rural Yorkshire's apotheosis, the Dales National Park, sits west of Harrogate. Drive as far as Bolton Abbey on the A59, then up the Wharfedale road into the heart of the park: the majestic Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire's Three Peaks, cheese town Hawes, and bucolic Swaledale await. Access via public transport is easiest in summer, as there are some seasonal bus routes. Journeys at other times of the year will likely take you via Leeds, but you can equally get a bus up Nidderdale from Harrogate; see Yorkshire Dales#Get in for details.
• The heather expanses of the North York Moors National Park stretch north of Pickering (, best accessed by the A64, turning off near Malton). The National Trust property Nunnington Hall, English Heritage ruin Rievaulx Abbey and baroque magnificence of Castle Howard are within the park. Coastliner bus 840 runs from York through the moors.
• Bridlington (via the A166), (via the A64) and Scarborough (via the A64) are all Victorian seaside resorts, and all from York, via different routes. The scenic coast road north of Scarborough leads past little coves and windswept moors to Whitby, where you can contemplate Count Dracula, while eating possibly the best fish and chips in the world. The train from York to Scarborough takes 55 min, and you can then catch onward trains or buses to the other destinations mentioned here

See the main Yorkshire article for many more ideas.