10 Must Do's
Here's our top ten guide to some of the most popular things to do and places to see in York:
#1 - York Minster
York Minster
is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and is situated in
the city of York in Northern England. It is the seat of the Archbishop
of York (the second highest office of the Church of England), and
cathedral for the Diocese of York, and is run by a Dean and Chapter
under the Dean of York. Its formal title is The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York.
It has a very wide Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house, a Perpendicular Gothic choir and east end, and Early English north and south transepts. The nave contains the West Window, constructed in 1338, and over the Lady Chapel in the east end is the Great East Window, (finished in 1408), the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. In the north transept is the Five Sisters Window, each lancet being over 16 metres high. The south transept contains the famous Rose window.
#2 - York Castle Museum
York Castle Museum has a fantastic range of artifacts from all periods, specialising in common social history. Telling the story of Britain's people and everyday life through history. It shows how people used to live by displaying thousands of household objects and by recreating rooms, shops, streets - and even prison cells. It is best known for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, which combines real shop fittings and stock with modern sound and light effects, to evoke an atmosphere of Victorian Britain.
#3 - Past Images (Period Costume Photography)
Past Images specialise in period costume and contemporary photography, we also offer photo restoration services.
Come One, Come All! Step back in time with Past Images professional photography. Let us take you back to the medieval, viking or victorian era and create an image of unique quality.
The Past Images service is entirely bespoke and suited to the individual customer's needs. We can help you with what to wear, how to stand or where to look but we will also listen.
#4 - York City Walls
Three miles of encircling medieval walls around the city of York, which have been maintained and restored over the centuries and still contain many remnants of the original Roman wall structure.
#5 - The Ghost Detective
He is the Ghost Detective. Follow him (If you dare) along dark passageways and narrow streets to hear sinister stories of the absurd and unnatural, chilling tales of scandal and death.
Let the Ghost Detective take you on a tour of fear and fun through the most beautiful and eerie streets of York, with a mixture of traditional tales and modern investigations, delivered in his own unique comedy style.
The Ghost Detective starts from outside of the Jorvik Viking Centre each night at 7.30 pm and finished close to York Minster by the Roman column.
#6 - Merchant Adventurer's Hall
Tel: 01904 654818
Built over 650 years ago, explore the Hall and its many uses; the Great Hall for business and feasting; the Undercroft for charity; and the Chapel for religious worship. See collections of furniture, silver and art, listen to an audio tour or try interactive computer exhibits. The Hall is surrounded by a beautiful walled Garden bordered by the River Foss, which all are welcome to enjoy. The Hall is accessible to all from Fossgate.
#7 - National Railway Museum
Address: Leeman Road, York
Tel: 01904 621261
Daily demonstrations of turntable and the winding engine. Miniature rail way on site close to outdoor play area. Interactive Learning Centre on site where you can have fun doing such activities as bridge building! Gift shop on site. Have a panoramic view of York from 54 feet high in the Yorkshire Wheel.
#8 - Jorvik Viking Centre
Address: Coppergate, York
Tel:01904 643211 / 543402
The Jorvik Centre is an excellent place to take kids for a fun day out. Travelling back 1,000 years to a traditional viking village and learning about how Vikings lived in this time period - they even create the traditional sounds and smells of the time! Outside cafe on site as well as gift shop.
#9 - York Dungeon
12 Clifford Street
York
Tel: 01904 632599
Transport yourself back to the dark and grizzly history of the Roman city of York. Live actors, shows and interactive special effects ensure that you face your fears head on in this unique experience. Everything that you see is based on real historical events from the Labyrinth of the Lost Roman Legion, to the chilling tale of highwayman Dick Turpin, torture and the plague.
Step back in time into the depths of the York Dungeon for a thrilling and fun experience that will leave you screaming for more! A day out for the family based on pain, fear, torture and death...are you brave enough?
#10 - Shambles (Medieval Street)
Shambles (also known as 'The Shambles') is a bustling centre piece of historic York. The street today is one of the UK's most visited and has become a wealth of shopping, tourist attractions, restaurants and many other things to see and do, including tours, ghost walks and historic talks. If you want to know York, you need to know Shambles.
The way that fifteenth century buildings lean into the middle of the cobbled street means that the roofs almost touch in the middle. Mentioned in the Domesday book (making it date over 900 years), we know Shambles to be York 's oldest street, and Europe's best preserved Medieval street. It really is a very special place.
