Attractions

York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals.

Since the 7th century, the Minster has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England and today remains a thriving church rooted in the daily offering of worship and prayer. The Minster was built for the glory of God. Every aspect of this ancient building - from the exquisite, handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass - tells the story of Jesus Christ. We invite you to discover this sacred place and the love of God at its heart, which has attracted people from across the globe for more than 1000 years.

With its world-famous ride taking visitors around the sights, sounds and smells of Viking-age York, and state-of-the art galleries showcasing our unique collection of 1,000 year old artefacts, visit JORVIK Viking Centre to discover York’s fascinating Viking legacy.

At JORVIK Viking Centre you are standing on the site which revealed some of the most astounding discoveries in modern archaeology. Your first experience at JORVIK is an exploration of the Coppergate Dig, with a fully immersive display taking you back to the 1970s.

Travel around 10th century York, experiencing what it was like living in the city. The sights, sounds and even the smells of the Viking Age are brought vividly back to life as you journey back 1,000 years.

Enjoy York's No. 1 sightseeing tour; an entertaining and informative cruise on the River Ouse!

• Min. 45-Minute Sightseeing Cruise
• Live Captain's Commentary
• On-Board Bar With Local Snacks & Beverages

York's city centre is surrounded by historic walls, which are free to access on foot throughout the year. No visit to York would be complete without a walk around the City Walls. At 3.4 kilometres long, the beautifully preserved walls are the longest medieval town walls in England. The Friends of York Walls provide an online guide to York's City Walls Trail which covers the location of the walls, access points and many maps and pictures.

York’s old City Walls are the most complete in England. They were built mainly in the 13th century on top of older earth banks. There are a few bits of dry moat left around the banks. The slopes are well known for their daffodils in March and April. At other times they are grassy or covered with wild flowers.

A walk all round the walls [going up on the wall-walk, or just using the pavement outside them] takes about 2 hours. It will take longer if you pause much to look at things like the four main ‘bars’ (these are fortified gateways), the 2 lesser ‘bars’, the postern (this is a small gateway defended by a tower), the many other towers and details like arrow slits, musket loops, sculptures and masons' marks. There are also good views of many interesting buildings from up on the walls.

Tucked behind York Minster, Treasurer’s House is not as it first appears. In 1897 it was bought by Frank Green, the grandson of a wealthy industrialist, and by 1900 he had transformed it at great speed into an elaborately decorated town house, ready for the visit of Edward VII. Book your place on an exclusive tour to hear about Frank Green’s life and find out how he saved Treasurer’s House and changed it into the grand show home we see today. 

The award-winning garden is an oasis of calm, offering unrivalled views of York Minster, making it an ideal place to relax or head downstairs to the cafe. Just around the corner is the large high street shop for a wide range of National Trust inspired products. Above here in the Minster precinct are two holiday cottages, Drapers and Minstergate, for a city centre place to stay with a view. 

The York Museum Gardens are botanic gardens in the centre of York, England, beside the River Ouse. They cover an area of 10 acres of the former grounds of St Mary's Abbey, and were created in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society along with the Yorkshire Museum which they contain.

Escape the day-to-day and join National Railway Museum for a journey through time. Get up close to icons of the rails including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive. Discover how high-speed rail travel began and journey back in time to experience the working life of a station. Explore over 200 years of history and find out how railways shaped our world.