York Attractions

Below is a list of the top attractions in and around York.

York Minster Cathedral is situated to the north of York centre and York Castle to the south, they are about 0.6 of a mile apart.

Click on Post-Codes for Maps, Directions and Reviews.

York Minster Cathedral 234 feet high, 524 feet long, built 1220-1480
York Minster is a huge Gothic cathedral in the centre of York, the city's top attraction and one of the top visitor attractions in the UK. This is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the UK, 4th largest Gothic cathedral in the world by volume after Seville, Cologne & Amiens. Charges to enter are about £9 adult, free children. Postcode: YO1 7HH.
www.yorkminster.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster.

St Mary's Abbey & Museum Gardens, York Centre
A ruined Benedictine abbey that lies in what are now the Yorkshire Museum Gardens, a short walk west York Minster Cathedral. The original abbey on the site was founded in 1055, dedicated to Saint Olave. Postcode: YO1 7FR.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary%27s_Abbey,_York.
www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/page/gardens

York City Walls situated around York centre
The Old City Walls are the most intact city walls in England, about 2.5 miles in length, with 4 main Bars/Gates. The gates serve as gateways into the oldest parts of the city. Most of the walls are from the Norman era, although there are some remains of Roman and Viking walls. You can walk around yourself for free or take a guided tour. Reviews.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_city_walls

York Castle / Cliffords Tower situated in York centre
York Castle was built in stone from 1270 to replace an earlier wooden castle on the site. The main tower, sometimes referred to as Cliffords Tower, is all that remains of York Castle. The fortress walls and buildings were dismantled in the 1700s to be replaced by three large buildings. The new buildings were to serve as a court and prisons. Two of these buildings now serve as York Castle Museum. The famous highwayman Dick Turpin was tried and imprisoned here before his execution in 1739. Postcode: YO1 9RY.
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Castle

National Railway Museum by York Train Station close to the city centre
The NRM in York displays a collection of over 100 locomotives, most of which ran on the railways of Great Britain or were built there. The top attraction is the record breaking Flying Scotsman that has been restored to run on the main east coast line. Free Entry. Postcode: YO26 4XJ.
www.nrm.org.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Railway_Museum

The Shambles situated in York centre close to the cathedral
The Shambles is a famous old street in York, close to the cathedral, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. The street contains many small unique shops. There are many more narrow streets around the cathedral full of period small shops, restaurants and bar diners, making the city centre a great place to shop and dine. Also in the area is the Newgate Market said to be the best daily open market in the North. Postcode: YO23.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shambles

Treasurers House situated in York centre close to York Minster Cathedral
This was the first house ever given to the National Trust complete with a collection. It has a history spanning 2,000 years, from the Roman road in the cellar to the Edwardian servants' quarters in the attics, and thirteen period rooms in between. Infamous ghost stories are another of the many quirky attributes of this property. Outside is an attractive formal sunken garden. Entry about £6 per adult, £3 per child. Postcode: YO1 7JL.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-treasurershouseyork

Yorkshire Museum & Art Gallery situated close to York Minster on Exhibition Square
The Yorkshire Museum is the home of the Cawood sword, regarded as one of the finest Viking swords ever discovered. It also has four permanent collections, covering biology, geology, archaeology and astronomy. Entry about £7 per adult children free. The Art Gallery is Free to all. Postcode: YO1 7FR.
www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
www.yorkartgallery.org.uk

King's Manor situated next to the Art Gallery on Exhibition Square
This group of largely Grade I medieval buildings is a vivid evocation of the past. Originally the Abbot's House of St Mary's Abbey, the King's Manor served the Tudors and Stuarts as a seat of government, becoming residences in the 18th century and a school in the 19th. The history of the King's Manor weaves a continuous thread in the history of York since medieval times. Entry free. Postcode: YO1 7EW.
www.york.ac.uk/admin/presspr/kmanor/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Manor

Roman Bath Museum situated in York centre a short walk south of the Cathedral
In 1930 renovations to a tavern on St Sampson's Square in York, revealed the remains of a caldarium, or steam bath, from the Roman city of Eboracum. The Caldarium, and a neighbouring plunge bath, have been excavated so visitors can now see the place where Roman soldiers and citizens came to find relaxation. The small museum is below ground, accessed through the Roman Bath pub, and shows remains of the baths with Roman artefacts and replica articles of everyday life. Entry about £2.50 per adult. Postcode: YO1 8RN.
www.romanbathmuseum.co.uk

JORVIK Viking Centre situated in York centre close to York Castle
Welcoming 16 million visitors since 1984, the JORVIK Viking Centre invites visitors to journey through the reconstruction of Viking-Age streets as they would have looked 1000 years ago. JORVIK Viking Centre also offers four exciting exhibitions and the chance to actually come face to face with a Viking. Price guide about 9 per adult, £6 per child or family tickets available. Postcode: YO1 9WT.
www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

Fairfax House situated in York centre close to York Castle
Come and unlock the splendour within the finest Georgian town house in England. A classical architectural masterpiece of its age, Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax. The superb Noel Terry collection of furniture, clocks, paintings and decorative arts, described by Christie's as one of the finest private collections of the twentieth century, perfectly complements the house, bringing it to life and creating a special lived-in feeling. Admission about £6 per adult. Postcode: YO1 9RN.
www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk

Merchant Adventurers' Hall situated in York centre close to York Castle
The Merchant Adventurers' Hall is a medieval guildhall, one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. The Great Hall is a timber-framed structure completed by 1368. It is the largest timber-framed building in the UK still used for its original purpose. The Hall now serves as a museum and can also be hired for parties, dinners, special occasions and wedding receptions. Entry about £6 per adult children free. Postcode: YO1 9XD.
www.theyorkcompany.co.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Adventurers%27_Hall

Royal Dragoon Guards Museum situated in York centre overlooking York Castle
The Museum is well laid out in spacious surroundings and tells the story of the present day and former regiments from the late 17th century. Displays include uniforms, prints, paintings, weapons and Standards, all housed in well lit, clearly labelled show cases. Entry about £4 concession £2. Postcode: YO1 9SB.
www.rdgmuseum.org.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dragoon_Guards

York Mansion House situated in York centre on St Helen's Square
The Mansion House is an architectural masterpiece which plays host to an extensive collection of civic regalia and artefacts. The impressive collection of silver, paintings and furniture is unequalled by any other provincial city. The house is still a home, as it serves as the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York. Tours are about £5 per adult. Postcode: YO1.
www.mansionhouseyork.co.uk/ExploreMansionHouse

Guildhall York situated in York centre behind the York Mansion House on St Helen's Square
The historic York Guildhall was built in the 15th century to serve as a meeting place for the guilds of York who controlled trade within York. York Guildhall has held functions for royals throughout the centuries and was where £200,000 was counted before being given to the Scots in payment for their part in helping Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. Entry free. Postcode: YO1 9QN.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Guildhall

Castle Howard built from 1699, situated 16 miles northeast of York
Castle Howard is one of Britain's finest historic houses that can be visited, still home to the Howard family who conceived, designed, and built it over three centuries ago. The building has appeared in a number of TV shows and Films with Its most famous being Brideshead Revisited. Postcode: YO60 7DA.
www.castlehoward.co.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Howard