York: A city rich in history

York has a rich Roman, Saxon and Viking history. It's a great place to go for a day out or week-end away.

York City Walls
Copyright Lisa Jarvis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons licence 

A good way to start exploring York might be to take a stroll around the city walls, some of which have been there since Roman times. Within the walls, you'll find a network of historic streets full of interesting shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. The daily open air market has over 100 stalls selling fresh produce, clothes, plus crafts and gifts.




If seeing the key points of interest while listening to a commentary is what you're after, sightseeing tours by bus run throughout the day and last 45 minutes to an hour. River cruises (on the Ouse) are also available and take about 45 minutes.

River Ouse, York
Copyright David Stowell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons licence

Must-see attractions

York Minster: northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral. Built between the 1220s and the 1470s, it has an intriguing history. You'll get great views of the city and surrounding countryside from the top of the Central Tower.

National Railway Museum: 100 locomotives and nearly 200 other items of rolling stock help tell the story of trains and railways from the early 19th century to the present day. Free to enter.

York Dungeon: 2000 years of York's dark history re-enacted through live performance, interactive shows and special effects.

Jorvik Viking Centre: a reconstruction of Viking-age streets on the very site where 30 years ago archaeologists excavated the 1000-year-old city of Jorvik.


York Castle Museum (with its authentic street reconstructions) and Yorkshire Museum (with its new interactive galleries and AV shows) are other attractions designed to bring the history of the city back to life.

National Railway Museum, York
Copyright Dave Hitchborne and licensed for  reuse  under this Creative Commons licence

Staying over?

There is plenty of accommodation available in York. Visit www.visityork.org/accommodation for lists of hotels, B&Bs, as well as self-catering accommodation and campsites in and around York.

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