City Guide: York

As a city, York packs in an extraordinary amount. Sitting in the heart of North Yorkshire, this historic cathedral city is ideal for a long weekend or as part of a wider Yorkshire or UK itinerary. Despite the cobbled medieval streets, Roman walls and Viking history, York doesn’t feel like an open-air museum — it’s lively, atmospheric and charming. It’s one of the prettiest cities in England, and one that genuinely delivers for a 48-hour break.

Why Visit York?

Beautiful medieval streets and architecture
One of Europe’s finest cathedrals
Roman, Viking and medieval history layered together
Walkable city centre
Excellent pubs, tea rooms and Yorkshire comfort food
Easy rail access from across the UK

It’s compact, characterful and endlessly interesting — perfect for a 48-hour city break.

Getting There

York doesn’t have its own airport, but it is exceptionally well connected by rail and road.

York is a major railway junction with frequent services across northern England, as well as north to Edinburgh and Newcastle and south to London via the East Coast Main Line. The train from London King’s Cross takes around two hours, making it an easy weekend away for Brits or part of a wider UK trip for overseas visitors.

If travelling by train, book early for the cheapest fares — tickets are usually released around 12 weeks in advance and prices sharply rise closer to departure.

York is also easily accessible by car, though parking within the historic centre is limited. Park and Ride services around the outskirts are often the easiest option.

York is famous for its horse racing. If you enjoy racing and can align your visit with a race day at York Racecourse, it adds a great atmosphere. If it’s not your thing, try to avoid race days as the city can become extremely busy and accommodation prices increase.

Where to Stay

As a popular choice for a weekend break and also a common destination for hen-dos, York has a wide range of accommodation options.

The main options include:

National hotel chains – Reliable and well located near the station or city centre.
Boutique and independent hotels – Particularly strong at the higher end with historic buildings converted into stylish stays.
Budget hotels – Good value options slightly outside the centre.
Guesthouses and B&Bs – A traditional and popular choice in York.

If you’re driving, consider staying slightly outside the city walls where parking is easier.

What to See & Do

York Minster

The city’s centrepiece and one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Europe.

Climb the central tower for panoramic views across the city, explore the undercroft museum to see Roman remains, and take time to appreciate the stained glass. It’s an absolute must-visit and dominates the skyline from almost everywhere in the city.

The City Walls

York’s medieval walls are some of the best preserved in England.

You can walk them for free, offering elevated views over rooftops and streets below. Wear sensible footwear, especially in autumn and winter, as the stone steps can be steep and slippery and some of the walls don’t have railings.

The Shambles

York’s most famous street.

This narrow medieval lane with overhanging timber-framed buildings is said to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. It’s undeniably picturesque — and very busy. Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for fewer crowds.

National Railway Museum

Free to visit and far more interesting than it sounds — even if you’re not particularly into trains. It is widely considered one of the best railway museums in the world.

It houses royal carriages, world record-breaking locomotives and fascinating industrial history. It’s also entirely indoors, which makes it a good option given Yorkshire’s unpredictable weather.

JORVIK Viking Centre

York was once the Viking city of Jorvik, and this immersive attraction brings that era to life.

It’s interactive and surprisingly engaging, even for adults without children. Booking in advance is recommended at busy times.

Clifford’s Tower

The remains of York Castle sit on a grassy mound overlooking the city.

Climb to the top for views across York and learn about its dramatic and sometimes dark history. If you’re visiting the UK and will be going to multiple English Heritage sites during your trip, a pass may be worthwhile.

Ghost Walks

York is often described as one of the most haunted cities in Europe.

Even if you’re sceptical, the evening ghost walks are entertaining, theatrical and a fun way to experience the city after dark.

Bettys Tea Room

No visit to York feels complete without at least walking past Bettys.

This iconic Yorkshire institution has been serving tea, cakes and light lunches since 1919 and remains one of the most famous tearooms in the UK. The interior feels wonderfully traditional — uniformed staff, polished wood, silver teapots and an atmosphere that hasn’t changed much in decades.

A few things to know:

You generally cannot book for the ground-floor café in York, and queues are common — especially at weekends and during Christmas market season. At busy times you may wait 30–60 minutes. Staff manage the queue efficiently, and it tends to move steadily.

If you’re set on afternoon tea and want certainty, check whether the Belmont Room upstairs is taking reservations during your visit, but for most people it’s a case of joining the line.

What to order:

Traditional afternoon tea
Fat rascals (a Bettys speciality fruit scone)
Yorkshire rarebit
Classic cakes and pastries

Even if you don’t eat in, the adjacent shop is worth visiting for gifts and treats.

Chocolate in York

York has a long and proud chocolate-making history and used to be known as Chocolate city as it was once home to Rowntree’s (now Nestlé) and Terry’s — names that shaped British chocolate for generations. Chocolate Orange, KitKat and Smarties all have York roots.

Today you can explore this heritage at York’s Chocolate Story, an interactive museum in the centre of the city that explains how York became known as the chocolate capital of the UK.

There are some remaining independent chocolate shops around the Shambles and Stonegate selling handmade truffles and locally inspired creations — ideal for gifts or an indulgent snack while wandering the cobbled streets, although unfortunately is not in the leagues of Switzerland and Belgium for its variety.

Seasonal Attractions

York changes character noticeably through the year, and timing your visit can shape the experience.

Christmas Markets

Wooden chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square selling mulled wine, roasted nuts, crafts and festive gifts. The atmosphere is traditional rather than flashy — think timber stalls, carol singers and plenty of spiced drinks.

It is extremely busy at weekends in December, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. If you prefer a calmer experience, visit midweek or earlier in the season. The city’s medieval streets suit the festive setting perfectly, especially after dark when everything is lit up.

York also has two theatres — the Opera House and the Theatre Royal — both of which usually stage a pantomime over the Christmas period. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, and it can make a great festive addition to a winter break.

Many nearby attractions also embrace Christmas in a big way. Stately homes such as Harewood House and Castle Howard are known for elaborate seasonal decorations and themed installations, often transforming their interiors with lights, trees and immersive displays. If you have a car, combining York’s Christmas market with one of these festive house visits makes for a particularly atmospheric December trip.

York Maze

Just outside the city (seasonal and usually open summer through early autumn), York Maze is one of the largest maize mazes in Europe.

Each year the maze is cut into a different themed design, and the site includes additional activities, rides and attractions. It’s particularly popular with families and works well if you’re visiting in summer and have a car.

York Races

York Racecourse hosts regular meetings from spring through autumn.

On race days the city feels livelier, restaurants fill quickly and hotels become more expensive. If you enjoy horse racing, it can add a real buzz to your visit. If not, check the race calendar before booking accommodation.

Autumn & Halloween

York leans into its “haunted city” reputation in October.

Ghost walks become even more atmospheric, and Halloween events pop up across the city. The combination of medieval streets, early darkness and crisp air makes this one of the most atmospheric times to visit.

If You Have a Car

York works brilliantly as a base for exploring further afield.

Nearby highlights include:

Fountains Abbey – A spectacular ruined abbey and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Castle Howard – Grand stately home with impressive grounds
Harewood House – Elegant country estate
Harrogate – Elegant spa town (also home to another Bettys)
Knaresborough – Pretty riverside town with Mother Shipton’s Cave
Malton – Known as Yorkshire’s food capital
North York Moors & Yorkshire Dales – Outstanding national park scenery
Howardian Hills & Yorkshire Wolds – Beautiful rolling countryside

Practical Information

Currency: British Pound (£)
Language: English
Plugs: UK plug sockets
Getting around: Extremely walkable; no car needed within the city walls
Safety: Very safe
Footwear: Cobblestones and uneven streets — comfortable shoes essential

Best Time to Visit York

Spring & Summer: Long daylight hours and pleasant weather make walking the walls and exploring easiest.
Autumn: Atmospheric with fewer crowds and beautiful colours in surrounding countryside.
Winter: Cold but festive. York’s Christmas Market is traditional and popular, drawing large crowds at weekends.

Food & Drink in York

York’s food scene reflects classic Yorkshire comfort with modern additions.

Things to try:

Yorkshire pudding wrap – A local street food favourite often found at the Yorkshire Roast Co. on Stonegate
Traditional Sunday roast – Done properly in many pubs
Afternoon tea at Bettys – Iconic and extremely popular (queues are common and bookings limited)
Independent cafés and bakeries – Especially around the Shambles and Fossgate
Local ales and spirits – Yorkshire has a strong brewing tradition for ales, as well as an award winning local gin.

48 Hours in York The Perfect Itinerary

Day 1: History & Icons

Morning – Arrive in York

Visit York Minster
Climb the tower for city views

Lunch

Eat near the Minster or Shambles area

Afternoon

Explore The Shambles
Walk the city walls
Visit JORVIK Viking Centre or Clifford’s Tower

Evening

Join a ghost walk after dark

Day 2: Museums & Wandering

Morning

Visit the National Railway Museum
Stroll along the River Ouse back to the centre