Top 5 tips for touring York

Last updated: 29 July 2023

Yorkshire in the North of England is known as the greenest part of England. Evoking images of hiking across green rolling hills and moors, the countryside of Yorkshire has been referred to as “God’s Own County”.

The Boy and I hired a car for a road trip from London to York and back, taking in as much as we could in just a few days.

Interesting Fact:
If you see names that look like old Norse, it’s because the area was dominated by Danish Vikings after they crossed the North Sea in the early Middle Ages.

York

There’s quite a bit to see in the city of York.  It has the reputation of a party town so if you find yourself in town on a Saturday night, be prepared to see endless hen’s parties and cue (or reserve if you’re smart) for a table at the better restaurants in the centre of town.

York Minster

This amazing Gothic cathedral dominates the York skyline.  It took 50 years to build and is well worth a look.  Take your camera and wander around the outside to see it in all it’s glory.

If you want to see inside, locals can get in for free by showing proof of address. The rest pay a hefty £15 which includes the under croft and an impressive city view from the top of the Tower.

Clifford’s Tower 

A circular fortified complex sitting a top of a hill affords most visitors a great view over York. Clifford’s Tower is all that remains of the York Castle which itself has acted as a prison, a mint and a place for executed bodies to be displayed.

Clifford’s Tower is run by English Heritage so if you have an annual membership you get in for free, otherwise it’s about £5/adult entry.

York City walls

The city of York was an enclosed by stone walls.  The walls were built by the Romans and survived the Viking invasion in the early Middle Ages.

The most preserved gate (or “bar”) is Monk Bar.  You can freely walk the city walls at your leisure.  I recommend going very early or just before sunset.  It’s much more enjoyable without hoards of people around you.

I should note, the path isn’t very wide. Not suitable for prams/buggies, stairs will make it inaccessible for those with mobility issues.

The Shambles

A name like The Shambles you expect to see a row of houses crumbling to pieces, but The Shambles in York isn’t quite like that.

The Shambles is an old butchers street where timber-framed buildings overhang the narrow walkway.

Quaint and hardly unique to the area the street is now lined with no butchers but tourist shops selling overpriced trinkets and souvenirs. As a publicly accessible street it’s free to wander about.

Grab a picnic

With some of the best parks in Yorkshire, York is the perfect place to grab a picnic and enjoy the (hopefully) mild weather.