The attractive walled metropolis of York, England is the proper location for a weekend break. It’s simply accessible from many of the UK, there’s a lot to see and do, and it’s compact sufficient for strolling round.
We’ve visited York many instances, and on this information we’re going to share with you the right way to spend the proper weekend in York. From what to see and do, to the place to remain to the right way to get round.
This information can be utilized for any two day journey to York after all, it doesn’t should be over a weekend. You can too lengthen it simply for an extended keep, as there’s loads to see each within the metropolis and within the surrounding space!
Let’s get began with this York weekend itinerary.
Weekend in York Itinerary
Our weekend York itinerary has you visiting lots of the predominant sights within the metropolis. After all, as with all our itineraries, it’s a place to begin so that you can plan from. So be at liberty to regulate it based mostly in your pursuits and sightseeing tempo. We wish to see loads after we journey, however in case you choose a slower tempo, simply regulate the itinerary to see fewer issues per day.
If you’re visiting over a weekend, you’ll be able to both arrive in York on the Saturday morning and depart on the Sunday night, or lengthen your keep to reach on the Friday night and depart both on the Sunday or Monday. It’s as much as you.
Day 1 in York
To your first day in York you’re going to be taught in regards to the historical past of town, discover among the medieval partitions, and go to the UK’s largest railway museum.
Be aware that in case you are arriving by prepare in your first day within the metropolis, you may take into account re-ordering this itinerary so that you begin within the railway museum because it’s subsequent to the railway station. There are left baggage amenities simply subsequent to the railway station to save lots of you carrying your luggage.
For getting round, we’ve got a bit on getting round after the itinerary. York may be very walkable, however you may also select to take a Hop on Hop off bus. For those who do the hop on hop off bus (included on the York Metropolis Go), you’ll doubtless need to arrange your sightseeing so it follows the route of the bus.
York Minster
The gorgeously Gothic York Minster is a spotlight of a go to to town, and the imposing building is seen from round York.
Two giant towers dominate the western facet, with a big central tower within the center. It’s truly the biggest Gothic model cathedral within the UK (sure, it’s greater than Westminster Abbey!), and the second largest in Europe.
A church has been on this location since at the very least 627 AD, nonetheless; the current constructing was largely constructed between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries.
There may be a lot to see in case you go to contained in the Minster, which we advocate you do. For instance, there’s a beautiful chapter home, the attractive Nice East Window (the biggest medieval stained glass window on this planet), a tower you’ll be able to climb, and there’s even a crypt you’ll be able to go to.
A spotlight needs to be a visit up the tower. At 235ft, the Central Tower is the best level within the metropolis, which means you get great panoramic views of town round you. It prices a bit extra to climb the tower however we predict it’s properly value it for the view. There are 275 steps to the highest, and there’s no raise possibility.
York Minster is generally open day by day besides Tuesdays and there’s a payment to go to. Finally examine, you wanted to e book on-line or by cellphone prematurely to go to on account of COVID restrictions. You’ll be able to see costs and opening hours on the web site right here. Entry is included on the York Metropolis Go.
Count on to spend round 90 minutes right here, though this may rely in case you select to climb the tower and the way match you’re in that case! From York Minster to the Yorkshire Museum it’s a 5 minute stroll.
Yorkshire Museum and Gardens
York was based in 71AD, when a Roman fortress was constructed right here. For a time frame, it was truly the capital of Roman Britannia, and over time it’s been every little thing from a Roman garrison city, a Viking stronghold, a buying and selling centre, a Victorian engineering hub and even a confectionary powerhouse!
That’s loads of historical past to study. For these of you who love studying in regards to the historical past of an space, then a go to to the Yorkshire Museum is so as.
That is discovered within the York Museum Gardens, located subsequent to the River Ouse. The nineteenth century gardens have a lot of fascinating sights, together with Roman ruins, an eleventh century ruined abbey, a 14th century Hospitum, and a nineteenth century observatory. You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the sights within the backyard and opening hours right here, and it’s properly value taking a little bit of time to wander round earlier than or after your museum go to. The gardens are free to go to.
After all, the spotlight goes to be the precise Yorkshire Museum. Right here you’ll be capable of be taught in regards to the historical past of town, from prehistoric instances by way of the the arrival of the Romans and Medieval instances. There’s an entry payment to go to, and you may learn extra about opening instances and costs right here.
Be aware that the Yorkshire Museum is closed till Spring 2022 however the gardens are open.
Medieval Wall Stroll
Certainly one of my favorite free issues to do in York is wander alongside the partitions. These partitions have surrounded town since Roman instances, though they’ve been restored and improved upon over time. At this time, nearly all of the partitions you’ll be able to see and discover date from the twelfth to the 14th century, with main restorations going down in Victorian instances.
The partitions are probably the most full set of metropolis partitions within the UK, encircling giant elements of town centre. You’ll be able to stroll alongside the highest of them on the wall stroll, which elevates you above town streets and offers some beautiful views throughout town. For those who have been to observe the entire route, you’d be round a 2 hour stroll of round 2.6 miles.
After all, you don’t should do the entire route and there are a lot of sections you’ll be able to stroll. If you’re following this itinerary, from the Yorkshire Museum merely cross over the River Ouse and be a part of town wall path to the south of the river. You’ll be able to observe it round to Micklegate Bar, one of many medieval gateways out and in of town. It was historically the gate that monarchs would use for coming into York.
It’s a few 15 minute stroll from the Yorkshire Museum to Micklegate Bar through town partitions.
For a few years, you possibly can go contained in the gate to go to an exhibition and sights. Nonetheless, the Richard III and Henry VII Experiences at Micklegate Bar needed to shut throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s unclear when or if they’ll reopen.
There are a variety of pubs, eating places, and outlets round Micklegate , so this is usually a good place to have lunch or cease for espresso earlier than heading to the following cease on the itinerary.
For these inquisitive about non secular historical past, The Bar Convent is situated subsequent to Micklegate and is the oldest residing convent in England. It’s a museum and residing heritage middle and you may go to the exhibition for a small payment (included as a part of the York Go). However there may be additionally a restaurant right here that serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea Monday to Saturday. We visited right here and located it actually fascinating.
From Micklegate Bar to the Nationwide Railway Museum is a 12 minute stroll.
Nationwide Railway Museum
If you’re into trains (and even in case you’re not!) we will extremely advocate a go to to the Nationwide Railway Museum in York. This free museum is discovered proper subsequent to York railway station.
The museum is the biggest museum devoted to all issues rail within the UK. It’s residence to among the most important locomotives in railway historical past, together with the Mallard, which nonetheless holds the document for the quickest steam locomotive ever constructed. There are normally round 100 locomotives or rolling inventory on show, which after we visited included a Japanese bullet prepare and a Eurostar prepare.
Having the museum in York makes loads of sense from a historic standpoint. First, York was well-known within the nineteenth century for the manufacturing of railway carriages. As well as, direct trains have been working from York to London as early as 1840, and the railway primarily saved York from years of decline. York was firmly on the railway map, and mass tourism took off. Sure, folks have been visiting York for the weekend for fairly a while!
Be aware that if there’s a specific prepare or object you have an interest in seeing, you must positively examine their web site to make certain it’s on show. Generally trains or different gadgets are despatched on cell exhibitions, or put in storage.
The Nationwide Railway Museum is free to go to though donations are significantly appreciated. There’s additionally a store and cafe on web site, in addition to a lot of paid trip sights together with a enjoyable Mallard simulator and miniature prepare rides. A number of enjoyable right here for the entire household!
We’d advocate spending a few hours right here. You’ll be able to see extra, together with opening instances and days, on the official web site right here. You must also examine to see if you must e book tickets prematurely.
From the Nationwide Railway Museum to metropolis cruises departure is round a 15 – 20 minute stroll, relying on which cruise you’re taking.
River Cruise
By now you might have most likely spent sufficient time in your ft and would love a little bit of a break. Properly, a well-liked possibility for guests to York is to take some type of boat cruise. These normally run from April by way of to the top of October.
These will take you up and down the River Ouse which runs proper by way of the centre of town, affording you a novel view of town from the water. Most cruises characteristic dwell commentary, they usually additionally usually have drinks out there for buy.
There are a selection of boat cruise choices in York, from self-drive boat rent by way of to brief excursions, lunch cruises, afternoon tea cruises, sundown cruises and night meal cruises.
They differ in period from 45 minutes as much as 2.5 hours. You’ll be able to see all of the choices and e book prematurely right here. Be aware {that a} metropolis cruise possibility is included with the York Metropolis Go.
For those who’re visiting from November by way of to March, many of the boat cruises are usually not operational. There are nonetheless a quantity bus tour choices to think about.
Night Ghost Tour / Shambles Stroll
Because the day begins to fade to nighttime, it’s the proper time to be taught a bit extra in regards to the darker previous of town. York is well-known for its ghost excursions, and the genuine medieval streets across the Shambles are a tremendous backdrop to those tales and tales.
After all, you’ll be able to discover the realm across the Shambles by yourself. Nonetheless, the ghost excursions are loads of enjoyable, led by entertaining costumed guides who’re going to shock, thrill, and humour you.
The 2 excursions we propose you take a look at are this 90 minute tour or this 90 minute tour, each are led by costumed guides. Each excursions have glorious evaluations and have gained awards.
We additionally advocate you spend a little bit of time strolling the streets across the Shambles at evening, as it’s remarkably fairly and photogenic. The precise road with the title “Shambles” is our favorite, with the leaning homes that seem like they’re straight out of a Harry Potter movie set. Out of all of the streets within the UK which were mentioned to seem like they’re Diagon Alley out of Harry Potter (we’ve been to all of them), that is the one that appears most prefer it.
For those who’d choose a bus tour fairly than a strolling tour, there may be additionally a night ghost bus tour you may take into account.
That wraps up your first day in York! Time for some meals and relaxation, earlier than heading on to your second day!
Day 2 in York
To your second day in York you’re going to do some extra sightseeing, study York’s Viking and Victorian historical past, and even strive some chocolate. Then there’ll be time for a little bit of retail remedy earlier than you wrap up your weekend in York.
Once more, every little thing on our checklist in the present day is well walkable, or on the York Hop on Hop off bus route. Let’s get going!
York Fortress Museum
Regardless of the title, the York Fortress Museum isn’t in a fort, neither is the museum a few fort. It’s constructed on the previous web site of York Fortress, which was largely rebuilt as a jail within the 18th century. The one actually apparent remanent of the fort is Clifford’s Tower, which is discovered on the hill reverse the York Fortress Museum.
So, now that your expectations across the lack of a fort have been managed, you may be questioning what this can be a museum of.
Properly, within the early twentieth century, a Yorkshire doctor by the title of John Kirk determined to start out amassing objects that he felt mirrored the time, in an effort to seize a glimpse of life in late nineteenth century Yorkshire. His assortment grew prodigiously, and in 1931 he requested if anybody would need to show it.
In 1934, his assortment was bought by town, and in 1938 the York Fortress Museum opened to show the objects. A spotlight of the museum on opening, and nonetheless a spotlight in the present day, is the recreated late Victorian road often known as Kirkgate. This was a primary of its sort within the UK, and remains to be standard with guests in the present day.
There’s tons extra to see within the museum, which is maze like and sprawling, and never specified by any significantly logical order that we might discern. Displays embody info on the jail, the Nice Battle of 1914-1918, the Swinging Sixties, and vogue over the past 400 years. There may be additionally a Victorian mill that’s generally open to guests.
It’s loads of enjoyable with loads to see and do, and you possibly can simply spend 2 to three hours exploring. There’s a payment to go to, and you may see opening instances and costs right here.
Clifford’s Tower
Instantly reverse from the York Fortress Museum sitting atop a big mound is Clifford’s Tower. This was the preserve of York’s unique fort.
A preserve has been on this location for the reason that time of William the Conqueror within the eleventh century, however the current stone model dates from the mid thirteenth century. It’s the one actually visibly apparent surviving a part of York Fortress you can go to.
The tower itself is basically a shell, with the spectacular partitions surrounding a courtyard. A spotlight of a go to is to go as much as the highest of the partitions, from the place you get good views throughout the rooftops of York and the York Minster.
Clifford’s Tower is operated by English Heritage and there’s a payment to go to, though it’s free for English heritage members. You’ll be able to see opening instances and costs right here. It’s additionally usually included on the York Metropolis Go.
Be aware, Clifford’s Tower is closed till mid-2022 for renovations.
From Clifford’s Tower to Jorvik Viking Centre it’s a 4 minute stroll.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Within the ninth and tenth centuries, York and a big swathe of northern England was captured and dominated by the Vikings. They referred to as town Jórvík, and turned town into an vital centre of economic system.
A enjoyable method to study life in York throughout Viking instances is the go to the favored Jorvik Viking Centre. This attraction consists of two elements.
First, there’s an trip which takes you thru a reconstructed Viking village, the place you’ll see many scenes of life in Viking instances. This was created by the York Archaeological Belief, and based mostly on excavations within the space. As well as, among the mannequins are based mostly on facial reconstruction applied sciences utilizing skulls discovered from the time.
Following the informative and enjoyable trip, there’s a museum space, which has many objects of curiosity and additional explanations of life in Viking instances. As well as, there are costumed employees who reveal crafts from the time, akin to coin making.
A visit to Jorvik Viking Centre is unquestionably value together with in your go to to York, and it’s a very talked-about household attraction as properly. Count on to spend round an hour to 90 minutes visiting. There’s an entry payment, and it’s additionally included on the York Metropolis Go.
From the Jorvik Viking Centre to York Cocoa Home is a 1 minute stroll, and to York Chocolate Story it’s a 4 minute stroll.
York Chocolate Story or York Cocoa Works
Within the nineteenth century confectionary and cocoa making grew to become main industries in York. The railway improved the flexibility to move items, and main producers like Rowntree’s produced their merchandise in York. In truth, after the railways, cocoa producers have been the second largest employer in York presently.
Chocolate remains to be very a lot an vital a part of life within the metropolis. Nestlé’s UK confectionary enterprise is predicated right here, as is their international R&D centre for confectionary. Rowntree’s nonetheless make their iconic KitKat bar in York, over 4 million of them a day!
When you’ve got a candy tooth, or just need to be taught a bit extra in regards to the historical past of chocolate making within the metropolis, then you might have a few choices. These are York’s Chocolate Story, or the York Cocoa Works. Each these places characteristic outlets the place you should buy chocolate. Nonetheless, extra importantly, in addition they each an academic expertise and you are able to do a tour at every for a payment.
York’s Chocolate Story takes you on a journey by way of the historical past of chocolate in York. You’ll be taught in regards to the folks and firms that put York on the chocolate making map, in addition to the method for a way chocolate is made. You’ll additionally get to make your personal chocolate and naturally, eat some chocolate as you go!
York Cocoa Works focuses extra on the chocolate product course of. While the tour does share the historical past of chocolate making in York, the expertise is extra about visiting a working chocolate manufacturing facility and studying how chocolate is constructed from bean to bar. Quite a lot of excursions can be found, with the usual tour included on the York Metropolis Go.
So, which to decide on? Properly, in case you’d wish to get extra into the historical past of chocolate in York, we’d most likely advocate York’s Chocolate Story. If you wish to be taught extra about chocolate making, flavours and so forth, then we propose the York Cocoa Works. After all, you possibly can additionally do each, though there may be going to be some overlap!
When you’ve got a York Metropolis Go then the York Cocoa Works would most likely make extra sense because the tour is included.
From both of those sights to the Shambles Market is lower than 5 minutes stroll.
Shambles Purchasing
We’re going to complete up your final day in York with a little bit of purchasing within the Shambles. In addition to a lot of impartial retailers on this space, you’ll additionally discover the Shambles Market itself. This historic market has over 70 stalls to select from, with every little thing from arts and crafts to garments and meals available for purchase.
We’re fairly positive you’ll discover one thing to purchase within the Shambles Market and purchasing space, be it a memento of your time in York or a present for another person. For those who’re not into purchasing, you’ll additionally discover cafes and bars all through, and the stunning medieval streets are properly value wandering round anyway.
If you’re in search of one thing to do within the night after dinner, there are after all a lot of bars, golf equipment, and cinemas. However you possibly can additionally take a look at what’s enjoying at York’s performing arts venues, such because the York Theatre Royal, Joseph Rowentree Theatre, and Grand Opera Home, as there may be usually theater exhibits, operas, live shows, pantomimes, and so forth.
York Weekend Itinerary Abstract
Right here’s a fast overview of this 2 day York itinerary.
- Day 1 – York Minster, Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, Medieval Wall Stroll, Nationwide Railway Museum, River Cruise, Night Ghost Tour / Shambles Stroll
- Day 2 – York Fortress Museum, Clifford’s Tower, Jorvik Viking Centre, York Cocoa Works, Shambles Purchasing
After all, there’s a lot extra to see and do in York, so you possibly can lengthen this itinerary to extra days or swap a few of these sights with others to fit your pursuits and time.
Map of two Day York Itinerary
That will help you along with your planning we’ve put collectively this map of the sights in our itinerary. You can too see this on Google Maps right here.
Sights Close to York
For those who’re planning on spending a bit extra time in York, there may be after all many extra issues to do in central York. However there may be additionally loads to do round York. Many of those sights will certainly be simpler to go to with a automotive.
After all, there’s a lot extra to do within the space round York, however this could provide you with some concepts for what to see and do!
The place to Keep in York
York has a variety of lodging choices starting from hostels and residences by way of to excessive finish resorts, and every little thing in between.
Our advice for York is unquestionably to remain close to to the centre so you’re inside simple strolling distance of all of the sights, eating places and sights. We’ve put collectively some suggestions for York throughout all budgets. These are roughly ordered by value, nonetheless do examine on your dates as costs differ.
- Astor York Hostel – in case you’re in search of a hostel, this is likely one of the finest choices in York. Set in a grade II listed constructing, the property options each shared and personal lodging. There’s additionally an on-site bar in addition to kitchen, eating and lounge areas. It’s quarter-hour stroll from the prepare station and 20 minutes to most metropolis sights.
- Gillygate Guesthouse – This very properly reviewed and standard 4* guesthouse is discovered simply 3 minutes stroll from York Minster. Rooms are en-suite and a great worth full English breakfast is obtainable.
- The Bar Convent – how about staying in a working convent throughout your time in York? This quiet location options non-public and shared lodging in an precise convent, which can be some to an interesting residing heritage centre which is properly value visiting. Breakfast is included, and it’s quarter-hour stroll to the principle sights, and solely 5 minutes from the prepare station.
- Roomzzz York Metropolis – simply to the south of town centre, round a 15 minute stroll from most sights, this can be a properly reviewed aparthotel possibility. En-suite rooms have kitchenettes.
- 23 St Mary’s – we stayed at this luxurious guesthouse on a latest go to to York and beloved it. It was simply quarter-hour stroll from most sights, and the rooms have been splendidly spacious with luxurious facilities.
- The Grand – this 5 star lodge is present in York’s former railway headquarters, in order you may think it’s very near the railway station. Rooms are spacious and en-suite, there’s on-site eating and a bar, in addition to a spa and pool. For those who’re in search of luxurious in York, this is a superb possibility, and you may get some nice offers relying on while you keep as properly.
For those who’re in search of an residence, we advocate the Plum Information. They provide a collection of curated properties which have to satisfy a excessive commonplace to be listed, and we’ve all the time had a optimistic expertise after we’ve stayed with them. See their listings for York right here.
How one can Get to York
York is a properly related metropolis which is simple get to from across the UK.
First, you’ll be able to after all attain York by automotive. For those who go for this selection, make sure that to examine the parking choices on the lodge you select, as parking might be difficult to return by. If the lodge doesn’t have parking, you may must make the most of the park and trip choices into town. When you’re in York, you’re unlikely to wish a automotive.
York is round a 4 hour drive from London, 90 minutes from Manchester, 45 minutes from Leeds and 4 hours from Edinburgh.
One other glorious possibility for reaching York is to take a prepare. York is on the east coast mainline, with quick prepare companies linking it with the remainder of the nation. London is just below 2 hours away by prepare, and Edinburgh is round 2.5 hours by prepare from York. You’ll be able to examine prepare instances and e book tickets on-line prematurely right here. With rail tickets, reserving prematurely is almost all the time going to land you the perfect offers.
You can too journey to York by lengthy distance bus, though this may take a bit longer and so won’t be appropriate for a weekend journey. From London to York is between 6 and seven hours by coach for instance. You’ll be able to examine instances and costs on Nationwide Specific right here and Megabus right here.
York doesn’t have an airport. If you wish to fly to York, the closest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport, which is round 30 miles away. This gives home and a few worldwide flight connections.
How one can Get Round York
York has a compact metropolis centre which may be very simple to get round on foot. Most sights are inside 20 minutes stroll of one another within the metropolis centre, so getting round on foot is normally our most popular possibility.
After all, there are different choices for getting across the metropolis centre, together with public buses and taxis. iTravel York is a superb useful resource for route planning, with every little thing from strolling maps to cycle maps to info on parking.
One other good possibility for getting across the sights in York, in addition to studying in regards to the sights, is to take a hop on hop off bus tour. You should purchase tickets for these individually right here, and there are additionally Hop on Hop off bus excursions included as a part of the York Metropolis Go.
York Sightseeing Passes
Once we go to a metropolis, we all the time examine if there’s some sort of sightseeing go that features the sights we need to go to. In that case, we’ll spend money on the go if it’s going to save lots of us cash, which is usually the case.
For York, the one go out there that we have been capable of finding is the York Metropolis Go. This consists of greater than 20 sights and actions within the metropolis, in addition to some reductions and even some meals. The go is obtainable for one to a few days.
To resolve if a go like this may prevent cash you must take a look at the sights you intend to go to, the prices of these, after which examine the full price to the go price.
For our itinerary for instance, the next sights are at present coated by the York Metropolis go (observe that inclusions can change):
- York Minster
- Bar Convent Museum (non-obligatory)
- Railway Museum Street Practice
- River Cruise
- Clifford’s Tower
- Jorvik Viking Centre
- York Cocoa Works
- 24 hour sightseeing bus ticket (non-obligatory)
For those who paid particular person grownup entry to all these sights, it will price simply over £65.
For those who did all of the sights however skipped the Sightseeing bus, you’re round £50.
A two day York Metropolis go prices £65 as of November 2021, though it will probably generally be discovered at a reduction.
As you’ll be able to see, you must positively examine what the go consists of and examine that to your pursuits, and resolve if the York Metropolis Go is nice worth on your journey. For instance, in case you added on a metropolis sightseeing bus tour, or switched among the sights, it may be value it on your journey.
As well as, you’ll be able to generally get the York Metropolis Go with a reduction. We advocate checking the worth on Tiqets right here, GetYourGuide right here and the official web site right here to see if there are any gives.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to spending a two days in York, maybe over a weekend or maybe not. We hope you discovered it helpful. Earlier than you go, we wished to share a couple of of our different guides that can assist you plan your journey to York in addition to the remainder of the UK, in addition to some third social gathering sources we predict you’ll discover helpful.
- For wider UK journey planning, we’ve got steered one week and two week UK itineraries
- For those who’re driving within the UK for the primary time, take a look at my suggestions for driving within the UK for some recommendation. We even have a information to how a lot it prices to journey within the UK.
- We’ve guides to many different cities in England. See our information to issues to do in Stratford upon Avon, issues to do in Bristol, issues to do in Portsmouth, tips about Visiting Oxford on a Day Journey, and issues to do in Cambridge
- For those who’re heading to Scotland, take a look at our 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, our Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary, our information to the finest day journeys from Glasgow, our information to issues to do in Edinburgh, our itinerary for Skye and the Highlands, our information to the finest day journeys from Aberdeen, and our information to the perfect day journeys from Edinburgh to get you began. We even have a information to getting from London to Edinburgh.
- We’ve a information to 10 of the perfect Stately Properties in England
And that’s it! Have you ever ever visited York? Do you might have something you’d add to the above? Simply tell us within the feedback under!
