York is a charming city in North Yorkshire, located in the north of England. This is one of our days off. Since we only live 30 miles away (and have lived closer), we’ve visited more times than we can count. In fact, one of our first dates was a shopping trip to York 16 years ago. We have therefore experienced most, if not all, of the main attractions that York has to offer. If you love cobblestone streets, history and amazing architecture, this is the city for you. Here are the top 10 attractions you must visit in York.
City walls
York has been protected by walls dating back to Roman times. Collectively known as the city walls, they are made up of York’s city walls, barrows and Roman walls. You can walk the walls at your leisure, but if you want to learn more about them from a knowledgeable tour guide, private wall walks are available. Because the tour is private, your guide can customize your tour and its information based on your interests. It is important to note that the walls are not wheelchair accessible and pushchairs, prams and dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed.
Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower (the largest remaining part of York Castle) is an English Heritage site located on a mound in Tower Street. It offers panoramic views over York and is a site of historical significance. Originally built in the 11th century by order of William I, expanded over the past 9 centuries, the site now consists of castles, prisons, law courts and other buildings. Clifford’s Tower reopened in April 2022 after renovations. After the work is completed, visitors will be welcome again. As this is one of York’s most popular must-see attractions, advance booking is always recommended. You can book tickets through the English Heritage website.
Jorvik Centre
The Jorvik Center is a world-famous archaeological site in York, England. The site also contains the remains of a Viking settlement discovered in the 1970s. Jorvik Center is now a major tourist attraction with over half a million visitors each year. The Jorvik Center is open year-round and offers a variety of tours, activities and educational programs for visitors. The center also has an interactive museum that tells about the Vikings and their way of life. So if you’re planning a visit to York, make sure you add the Jorvik Center to your itinerary.
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National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum in York is the UK’s largest railway museum, which tells the story of rail transport in Britain from the early 19th century to the present day. The museum’s collection includes more than 300 locomotives and rolling stock, as well as railway equipment, documents, photographs and paintings.
The National Railway Museum is a great place to learn about the history of rail transport in Britain. Therefore making it a must visit for any railway enthusiast. The museum is also free to visit and offers a wide range of exhibits and activities, and is a popular venue for events and conferences. The museum is open seven days a week and is easily accessible by public transport.
The Shambles
The Shambles, York is a unique and atmospheric street in the heart of York, England. It is full of medieval timber-framed buildings, many of which were used as shops, dating back to the fourteenth century. The street takes its name from the Old English word “shamel”, meaning “street”. The Shambles is a popular tourist destination and one of the most visited streets in England. It is also a conservation area. Therefore, most of the buildings are listed. The Shambles is a popular tourist attraction in the city. Many consider it one of the most beautiful streets in Europe. The street has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows. These include Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Treasurer’s House
The Treasurer’s House in York is a historic building that was once the home of the city’s medieval lords. Today it is open to the public as a museum. It is one of the best preserved medieval buildings in England. The treasurer’s house was built in the 14th century and was originally two separate houses. In the 16th century, the two houses were merged into one and the house was expanded. In the 18th century, the house was bought by York Corporation and used as the city’s treasury. In the 19th century, the house was used as a police station and later as a museum. The house is open to the public and offers tours of the house and its gardens.
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This is a great place to learn about the history of the city and the people who once lived here. So if you’re interested in architecture or English history, the Treasurer’s House is definitely worth a visit.
York Castle Museum
If you want to learn about the history of York from the Romans to the present day, then one of the must-see places in York for you is the York Castle Museum. The museum is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible by public transport. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits. The museum’s exhibits include Roman artefacts, medieval weapons and paintings from the Tudor and Stuart periods. The museum also has a contemporary art gallery and a children’s area. and it’s clear that a lot of effort has gone into making the museum accessible and enjoyable for all visitors.
York Castle Museum is definitely worth a visit if you want to learn about York’s history. It’s a great place to take the family and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The museum is located within the ancient city walls of York and is considered by many to be one of the best museums in the UK.
York’s Chocolate Story
One of York’s newest must-see attractions is York’s Chocolate Story, a unique multimedia attraction. It tells the story of how chocolate has been made for over 2,000 years. The attraction is located in the heart of York, England and is housed in a Grade I listed building. The attraction includes a variety of interactive exhibits and immersive experiences. They bring the history of chocolate to life from how chocolate was first made by the ancient Mayans and how it became such a popular treat in Europe. Visitors can learn about the various processes involved in making chocolate, from bean to bar. They can also discover the different flavors and ingredients that make up this delicious treat.
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York’s Chocolate Story is a must-see for chocolate lovers of all ages. It is a great attraction for families, groups and individuals. So if you are looking for a fun and educational day, this is for you.
York Dungeon:
York Dungeon is a popular tourist attraction in York, England. It’s a series of live-action shows and exhibits that tell the story of York through a series of spooky and terrifying tales. York Dungeon is not for the faint of heart, it is full of scares, shocks and scary spectacles. Visitors can experience what it was like to live in York in its dark and dangerous past. If you’re looking for a fun and spine-tingling way to learn about York’s history, York Dungeon is the perfect place for you. Just make sure to keep your wits about you. you never know what might be lurking around the next corner. York Dungeon is open all year round and is ideal for visitors aged 10 and over. There is also a gift shop and cafe on site.
Minister of York
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral located in York, England. It is the largest cathedral in Northern England and has been a place of Christian worship for over 800 years. The minster is known for its grand architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. It is a popular tourist destination and is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. Visitors to the cathedral can also explore the extensive underground mausoleum, which holds the remains of several medieval kings. The current temple was started in the 1220s and took more than 300 years to complete.
So, if you’re interested in learning more about the history and architecture of York Minster, we recommend taking a guided tour of the cathedral. Tours are available daily and last approximately one hour. York Minster is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and welcomes over a million visitors each year.
We hope this list helps you when you’re thinking of places to visit in York.
