{"id":8037,"date":"2023-08-08T02:23:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-08T02:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/16-best-things-to-do-in-york\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:56:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:56:44","slug":"16-best-things-to-do-in-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/16-best-things-to-do-in-york\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Very Best Things to Do in York (The Shambles, Ghosts & Hidden Gems)"},"content":{"rendered":"

York is one of those beautiful English cities<\/a> that\u2019s incredible to visit. Filled with mountains of history, that warm Yorkshire charm and oodles of foodie haunts, there are literally hundreds of the best things to do in York dotted all across the city. It’s totally quaint and a city you can’t miss in England.<\/span><\/p>\n

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That being said, with so many spots to explore, it can often be proper hard to prioritise some of the very best things to do in York. After all, a trip to the city should be filled with as many of the coolest and best places as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

After heading to York, I wanted to share some of our very favourite little spots that I hope you\u2019ll love. <\/span>Take a look, below, at some of the very best things to do in York on your trip. Have the best time! <\/span><\/p>\n

1.) Climb York Minster<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Okay, so no visit to York is really complete without seeing its most iconic building, York Minster<\/a>. <\/span>Built well over 500 years ago, it\u2019s one of the largest and most beautiful buildings to visit in all of Yorkshire.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Now, you can obviously admire the beauty of York Minster from the surroundings, but if you want a closer look, head inside and explore the awe-inspiring interiors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Now, heads up, you will need to pay a fee to enter, but you can save a pretty penny if you purchase a York Pass that allows entry to lots of the main sites in the city. It\u2019s easily one of the best things to do in York and totally impressive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, if you\u2019re looking for a little bit of a challenge, ask at the ticketing counter to climb the tower itself. Yup, it\u2019s just under 300 steps, but it\u2019s well worth it for the view all across the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Just be prepared for some very cosy alleys and stairwells.<\/span><\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

Read more: Climbing York Minster<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Wander The Shambles<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Okay, so The Shambles<\/a> is an area of York that you really can\u2019t miss. It\u2019s easily one of the prettiest streets in all of England and is considered one of the best surviving Medieval Streets in all of the UK. <\/span><\/p>\n

Honestly, it\u2019s the kind of street that feels like it\u2019s come straight out of a Harry Potter book – it\u2019s so picturesque.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, historically, the Shambles was an area where lots of meat was sold, with all the meat waste discarded in the tiny cobbled street. The streets are proper tiny, so I can only imagine how smelly that was.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thankfully, nowadays, The Shambles is filled with little craft stalls, jewellers, tea spots and, more recently, some wizardry shops. Make sure to spend a little time wandering, popping into the little stalls and exploring the nearby markets. It really is one of the best things to do in York.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Also, don\u2019t forget to spend some time exploring the tiny little Snickelways that crisscross York; they’re like a web of medieval pedestrian routes that make the city so accessible on foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Visiting The Shambles <\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Learn to ride a boat<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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So, if your legs are getting a little weary, pop over to the riverside and rent your very own boa<\/a>t to explore York. After a little safety demonstration (and instructions), you\u2019ll set off on your exploration of the river – all by yourself!<\/p>\n

Just be sure to book your York boat in advance<\/a>. This way, you won’t have to worry if they’ve all been allocated for the day. <\/p>\n

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Spend an hour, navigating the waterways and firming up those skills as a sea-faring captain. It\u2019s easily one of the best things to do in York and much easier than I thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, if you don’t fancy being your own captain, book this guided river cruise of York<\/a> that’s totally fascinating. Not only will you learn all about the history of York, you’ll also get to see some of the city’s riverside views.  <\/p>\n

Read more: Sailing the river in York <\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Drink up at Guy Fawkes Inn<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Possibly, one of York\u2019s most famous residents has to be Guy Fawkes. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, he\u2019s the guy who tried to blow up Parliament way back in the 1600s and overthrow the government. After filling the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder, he was caught before setting it alight. <\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, the English government didn\u2019t take too kindly to this, and Guy Fawkes was swiftly hanged, drawn and quartered. Each quarter of this body was then taken to the four corners of the country to deter any other would-be attempts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once you\u2019re in York, head across to the Guy Fawkes Inn (where he lived), it\u2019s a matter of seconds from York Minster and really easy to visit. <\/span>Pop in for a pint of ale or a Yorkshire tea. It really is one of the best things to do in York if you want to briefly see a little piece of history. <\/span><\/p>\n

5.) Gorge at Roots<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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So, I\u2019ve no shame in saying that one of the best things to do in York is to gorge! <\/span><\/p>\n

Honestly, it\u2019s one of my favourite places in England for cute little restaurants and snugs that are nestled all across the city. <\/span>Now, one place you have to try is Roots<\/a>, which is totally delicious. Here, the team work on a 3-season menu that focuses on locally sourced produce and seasonal variety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just make sure to book a table<\/a> before you visit, as it can get busy (especially on weekends).<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Our visit to Roots<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) Visit Mr P\u2019s Curious Tavern<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Remember, I mentioned food being amazing in York? Well, Mr P\u2019s Curious Tavern is no exception.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only around a five-minute stroll from The Shambles, it\u2019s a gouges spot to visit for lunch or dinner. Once you\u2019re here, make sure to try their Whitby Crab, it\u2019s so good! <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Our visit to Mr P\u2019s Curious Tavern<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Visit the York Art Gallery<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Perched just off the city walls, the Art Gallery is one of the best things to do in York if you want to see local and international artists in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once here, make sure to explore their temporary exhibitions, explore their massive pottery section and stroll through the main hall. <\/span><\/p>\n

It really is a great place to visit, especially if the weather starts to drizzle. <\/span><\/p>\n

8.) Walk the City Walls<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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With a hoard of history (from Roman, Norman and Viking occupations), York is a city that\u2019s best explored on foot. <\/span><\/p>\n

Best of all, the majority of York\u2019s ancient city walls still exist, lining the centre of the city. Plus, it\u2019s one of the only cities in the UK that still has a standing wall with the original gateways to enter the ancient centre.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re feeling eager, you can actually walk the wall itself and explore the city limits. For me, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in York and really takes you back to what medieval York must have been like.<\/span><\/p>\n

9.) Visit the Castle Museum<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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So, after taking a ride on the river, or climbing Clifford\u2019s Tower (all close by), make sure to pop over to the Castle Museum<\/a> which used to be a prison, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

At first glance, I wasn\u2019t too bothered about visiting and kind of went in with low expectations\u2026 How wrong I was! It\u2019s amazing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once inside, you get to explore the medieval streets of York in a mock-up of the city itself. It\u2019s filled with everything from houses, streets, alleyways and Temperance Halls. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s well worth spending a little time exploring the history of York and even learning more about the city itself. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Visiting Castle Museum York<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) Climb Clifford\u2019s Tower<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Perched on its own mount, Clifford\u2019s Tower is part of the complex of buildings that make up York Castle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once here, head up the mount and enter the Medieval tower to explore the tower from above. Once inside, pop up to the top of Clifford\u2019s Towers (around 40 steps) and survey York from above. <\/span><\/p>\n

11.) Eat up at Skosh<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Another amazing place to eat in York has to be Skosh<\/a>! It\u2019s a fusion restaurant that has a heap of amazing dishes that mix Yorkshire produce and international tastes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Skosh is almost like a Tapas bar in the fact that you can order around 3-4 dishes each and just share between the table. Plus, the food is delicious!  <\/span>Now, if you do intend on popping by, make sure to give them a call as table space is limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Eating at Skosh<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

12.) Stay at Grey\u2019s Court<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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If you\u2019re planning a weekend trip to York, there\u2019s no doubt you\u2019ll need a place to rest your head. For us, we decided upon Grey\u2019s Court Hotel, which is so quaint and historic. Smack in the city centre, it is perched as close to York Minster as you could possibly get.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Now, Grey\u2019s Court Hotel<\/a> has a few stunning rooms to choose from. They’re all amazing, but it’s good to choose which room you want<\/a> when booking. We decided upon Somerset, which had the best view overlooking York Minster<\/a> itself. Oh, and don\u2019t forget to opt in for breakfast; they smoke their own salmon each night. Yum!<\/span><\/p>\n

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For a little nightcap, pop over to the House of Trembling Madness for one of their local brews. <\/span><\/p>\n

13.) Afternoon tea at the Countess of York<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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So, if you\u2019re looking for a different afternoon tea, pop over to the Countess of York<\/a> (at the  National Railway Museum). Perched around 5 minutes from York Central Station, it\u2019s really easy to visit if you\u2019re short on time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Now, the carriage used to be part of the Orient Express and it\u2019s so sumptuous inside. Fill up on plenty of scones, clotted cream and plenty of Yorkshire tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Afterwards, set aside a little time to explore the  National Railway Museum too. If you\u2019re a train lover, you\u2019ll find this one of the best things to do in York! That being said, if you\u2019re not into trains, maybe just focus on that afternoon tea. <\/span><\/p>\n

After all, that cake won\u2019t eat itself!<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: The Countess of York’s afternoon tea<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

14.) Merchant Adventurers Hall<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Nestled in the heart of the city is one of York\u2019s prettiest halls, the Merchant Adventurers Hall, which is steeped in history.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dating back centuries, you can still head inside and explore the incredible halls and their rooms and learn more about the Merchants. It\u2019s a beautiful building that\u2019ll totally sweep you straight back in time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, if history is your thing, you\u2019ll easily find this one of the best things to do in York.<\/span><\/p>\n

15.) St Mary\u2019s Abbey (Museum Gardens)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Before the time of Henry VIII, St Mary\u2019s Abbey used to be the most significant abbey in the north of England. <\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, after Henry VIII decided to dissolve the monasteries, many of the incredible buildings fell into disrepair and ruin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays, you can still visit the ruins of this incredible building that\u2019s in the Museum Gardens. Take a wander around the site, learn more about the Abbey’s history and stroll through the gardens themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s certainly one of the best things to do in York if you\u2019re interested in the medieval history of the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

16.) Jorvik Viking Centre<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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As I mentioned, York has a deep connection to the Vikings and is a city that was once a stronghold for Vikings in England. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, you might not see too many Viking warriors roaming the streets, but you can certainly pop into the Jorvik Viking Centre, which focuses on the history of Vikings in York. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great little place to visit, and the exhibits look so lifelike! Now, as it\u2019s all indoors, I\u2019d recommend saving the Jorvik Viking Centre for a rainy day. <\/span><\/p>\n

After all, the English weather is temperamental at best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Prettiest Places to visit in England<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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20 Prettiest and Best Places to Visit in England (Ultimate Travel Guide)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n