There’s been a settlement where York stands for thousands of years. This city has been a vibrant cultural hub since Roman times. You can still see the history clearly in the wonderful old buildings, narrow city centre streets, and of course the towering walls that once completely enclosed it. Blend all this historic wonderment with York’s lively night life and excellent restaurants and it’s a city you won’t want to miss. Intimate, easily walkable, very beautiful and a classic UK day tour destination, here’s what you can expect from this unique place.
A love song to York
York is celebrated as one of the friendliest cities in the world, an accolade the locals enjoy and appreciate. It might be a city but this is Yorkshire, where strangers are welcomed and well looked after in the same ge-old way that’s famous in this, England’s biggest county. As one long term York resident told us, “we might not make a fuss of you, and we can’t be doing with drama, but we’ll give you sensible answers with a smile, and we’ll go the extra mile”.
It also happens to be very lovely. What a visually pleasing city centre it is, huddled around the mighty pale stone Minster dating back to the 7th century. There’s an enduring sense of history here, layer upon layer of it, so clear it feels like you can almost touch it.
Before the old five storey red brick Rowntrees factory was closed in 2006 the whole city smelled of chocolate when the wind was in the right direction. Children would salivate in the streets, and Rowntrees workers would bring home big brown paper bags of ‘mis-shapes’ for the family. Our local source’s favourite was the odd-shaped, weird coloured Smarties his granddad brought home throughout the 1970s.
A stroll along Lord Mayor’s Walk, when the daffs are in full bloom, is exhilarating. And if you’re into quality retail therapy you’ll love the independent shops in the famous Shambles area.
So what’s the score for day trips to York? Being such a popular destination, there’s more to do than you could possibly fit into just one day, so take your pick, make a plan, and dive right in.
Explore inside York Minster
A feeling of awe connects us with our deeper selves, and our fellow humans, and makes us feel really good. You’ll get that feeling when you step through the Minster’s vast doors into a glowing, echoing space so lovely it feels like a fantasy palace from Game of Thrones.
The Medieval stained glass windows, mellow intricately carved stone and fascinating artefacts make the Minster unique, and the underground chambers are the ultimate in spooky. Climb the 275 steps for more awe-inspiring stuff in the shape of extraordinary far-reaching views. Peregrine falcons nest up there, adding even more magic. Our local source tells us she left her fluffy toy panda at the top of the Minster tower at six years old, never to be seen again, and she still misses it.
Fall for ancient Barley Hall
Stoop down to get through the front door of Barley Hall and you’re instantly immersed in Medieval times. This secret hidden medieval townhouse is on one of the city’s oldest streets, carefully restored to its original state with high ceilings, exposed timber frames, and a horn window so unique it might be the only one in England. It’s interesting to see how life back then wasn’t that different in many ways.
The Shambles isn’t grisly any more
Roll back time a few hundred years and The Shambles was a stinking hell-hole of filth and disease, running with blood and rancid gore from the many butchers shops ranged along it, and knee deep in horse poop. Now it’s one of the most exciting and unusual shopping destinations in the north east, with independent shops selling all sorts of delights inside beautifully preserved timber buildings whose upper storeys hang precariously over the street. This is where you’ll happily shop ‘til you drop.
Still grisly – it’s York Dungeon
If you’re up for a scary immersive journey through York’s bloody and violent past, this one’s for you. Prepare for a horrid yet oddly thrilling experience. York Dungeon explores the nastier elements of city history via the talents of a load of worryingly convincing actors, superb special effects, live shows and more, putting you right in front of York’s most notorious characters. After that there’s only one thing to do – you’ll need a drink, so head for a pub!
York’s pubs
Like all cities, York has its fair share of excellent watering holes. Some are ancient, like Stonegate’s famous Ye Olde Starre Inne, built in 1644 and once a hospital and mortuary during the English Civil War. The Royal Oak in Goodramgate is always a good bet, as is the Red Lion on Merchentgate. The Snickleway Inn in Goodramgate is older, dating to 1500, and the name is interesting. In Yorkshire a snickleway is a little alley between roads or the back of buildings. In other areas of the country they’re called ginnels, alleys, or twittens.
York’s ‘gates’ and walls – explained
By now you’re probably wondering ‘why all the gates’? The medieval city walls at York, built on top of the Danish Viking ones which were in turn built on the original Roman wall, had four main gates called ‘bars’: Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. There were also six secondary gates and 44 intermediate towers completing a massive defensive barrier measuring more than two miles and completely surrounding the city and its castle.
We particularly enjoy Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, a rather splendid corruption of the 1500s name ‘Whitnourwhatnourgate’ and the later ‘Whitney Whatneygate’, which might or might not mean ‘neither-one-thing-nor-the-other street.’
Talking about York’s beautiful walls – you can walk around them with spectacular views all the way, revealing the city’s hidden history. The first walls, the Roman ones, were still standing until the 9th century when York was invaded by the Danish Vikings. They covered the Roman wall with a vast earth bank with a fearsome palisade fence on top. In the 1200s and 1300s the palisade was gradually replaced by the stone walls you see now. There are private guided tours and public group tours of the walls if you want to learn while you walk.
Climb Clifford’s Tower
The ruined Norman keep at the middle of York Castle has more gruesome origins to enjoy, being the place where the unfortunate Roger de Clifford was hanged for treason in 1322. It offers yet more gorgeous views over the Minster, the city centre, and if you’re lucky with the weather, as far as the mistily gorgeous North York Moors National Park.
Geek out at the York Railway Museum
Choo-choo! York’s National Railway Museum is a feast of iconic trains; past, present and future, jam-packed with fascinating engineering marvels. There’s a really cool road train that runs between the museum and the Minster, just like a miniature steam train, and once you’re inside the museum there’s an interactive gallery, flying Scotsman VR experience, soundtracks, demonstrations, displays and all sorts of exciting activities. This place is a day trip all of its own.
Cruise the River Ouse
The River Ouse provides the backdrop for everything, winding its leisurely way through the city and onwards to eventually flow out of the bleak, chilly Humber Estuary. The walks along the river and the bridges crossing it make a great urban hike, the intimate way to discover the ins and outs of a city that’s small enough for comfortable walking.
The riverbank is picturesque and comes with awesome views of its own – the ever-present Minster popping in and out of view as you sail along, Clifford’s Tower, the Millennium Bridge and more. Water babies adore river cruises, a magical way to while away a sunny afternoon. They even do early evening cruises complete with stunning river sunsets. Expect a fully stocked bar and on-board commentary.
Go back in time at Jorvik Viking Centre
Yorvic, as you might have guessed, is the Danish word for York, while the Romans called it Eboracum. When the Danes ruled York, life was very different. They were brutal times, and it’s fascinating to discover them so vividly at the Yorvik Centre.
York’s Scandi past is well and truly noir. It all kicked off in the year 866 when the Viking hordes turned up to take the city by force. It must’ve been terrifying. The museum weaves the violent tale thanks to moving exhibits, real-scale dioramas and thrilling artefacts. Just be wary if you have a keen sense of smell. They’ve replicated the stinks that were around at the time, and they are well and truly dreadful.
Culture beckons at the Barbican
Leaving the Yorvic Centre with your nostrils safely blocked and a real sense of relief, there’s culture aplenty at the Barbican, a 1980s building whose bold boxy design has gone from trendy to eyesore and back to trendy again, just like its London counterpart. This is the city’s biggest music and arts venue showing everything from household name bands to live comedy, sport, children’s entertainment and community events. 200 events a year mean there’s something for everyone.
Sweet treats on a chocolate tour
York’s chocolate history is quite something, with the city home to Terry’s as well as Rowntrees. A guided tour whisks you through a full three thousand years of chocolate’s history, kicking off with South America and including York’s vital role. You’ll delve into the sweet history of Terry’s, Rowntrees and more, and buy tasty samples at the shop.
Venture outside York to discover Ryedale
York itself is on the flat, nestled on the Vale of York. Ryedale is the opposite of flat and it’s only half an hour from the city, set between York and the Heritage Coast. This is the setting for stunning natural scenery, a destination that’s rich in outdoor activities. You’ll enjoy more of the famously warm Yorkshire hospitality we’ve mentioned, and there’s a view to die for around every corner.
The villages in Ryedale each have their own scenic charms, so go explore Thornton-le-Dale and Hutton-le-Hole, Heslerton and Gilling, Nunnington and Old Malton, Sherburn and Slingsby, just a few of the pretty places on offer for visitors. Expect thatched cottages, curious sundials, ancient village stocks, traditional duck ponds and lush village greens. This is Yorkshire at its finest and most lovely, and it’s no wonder the locals call it God’s County.
Convinced? Is you’d like to explore one of England’s most unspoiled and ancient cities, see which York day tours are available and prepare to be astonished by this extraordinary place.
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