Is York Worth Visiting – 2026 Expert Guide
If you are visiting the UK and want to visit cities beyond just London, York is a fantastic choice. It’s not a massive city but it’s packed with lots of things to do.
I’ve visited York several times, and will likely go back in the future. I even almost went to university there, but after being accepted decided at the last minute to go to Nottingham instead.
York is a lovely place to spend some time – full of beautiful buildings, cute shops, and historical sites.
So, is York worth visiting?
Absolutely!
Do you need more detail on what’s so special about York? Keep reading to find out!
Want more ideas for your York trip? Head over to my York Travel Hub.
5 Reasons To Visit York
Historical Significance
York has been a significant location on the British Isles for centuries. There is archaeological evidence of people living in the region for thousands of years, but the origins of the city we know now date back to Roman Britain.
In AD 71, Roman soldiers created a fort, which later became the Roman city Eboracum.
York was important enough that a few Roman emperors visited the city during their rule, and two even died in York.
After the Roman forces left Britain, the city continued to be a significant location, with a church on the site now occupied by York Minster since the 7th century.
York is also known for its Viking history, with one museum dedicated to this period of York’s history, built on top of the remains of a Viking home – the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Beautiful Architecture
York is full of beautiful buildings, the most obvious of which is York Minster. The city’s most famous street, Shambles, has several medieval buildings on it, as well as a few that have been reconstructed to fit the style of the originals.
The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is the largest remaining timber-framed building in the UK, and much of it dates back as far as 1357!
The boundary of the city centre is marked by the city walls. Although there is little remaining of the original Roman construction, the city walls you can see today are around 900 years old.
If you have an interest in historical architecture, this is the city for you!
Shopping
Although York has most of the typical chain shops you’ll see in all UK cities, there are also a lot of cool, independent shops. I wandered into Criminally Good Books and came out with a selection of books.
I was very tempted to buy a glass cat at The Cat Gallery. I browsed some of the independent jewellers and looked at locally made gin.
It’s a great city to wander around, browse the shops and see what takes your fancy. You’ll also find a few shops dedicated to Harry Potter items, especially on Shambles which is said to be one of the inspirations behind Diagon Alley in the books and films.
Museums
York has several interesting museums, including York Castle Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum.
From Viking baskets, a recreation of a Georgian reception room, to a Japanese bullet train, the city’s museums cover a wide range of topics.
For a shopping/museum hybrid, take a look at York’s Chocolate Story. You can head into the shop area to buy a variety of locally-made chocolate. You can also enter the museum part to learn about the history of chocolate and see some demonstrations.
Natural Beauty
Yorkshire is one of England’s most beautiful counties, and York is a great base to explore it from. The Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Allerthorpe Common Nature Reserve and Breezy Knees Gardens are all lovely places to visit and explore.
If you don’t have access to a car to explore on your own, consider a tour that will take you through some of the nearby scenic areas.
🚂 Book a train tour to the moors and Whitby here!
10 Best Things To Do In York
York Minster
If you visit York, you can’t miss the York Minster. It’s a stunning cathedral that holds great historical significance. The architecture alone is impressive and worth seeing. Whether you have just one day in York, or several, don’t miss the York Minster.
The minster has been a place of worship since the 7th century and has gone through many renovations and additions over the years, making it an interesting blend of architectural styles. Much of the current building dates back to the 14th and 15th century.
You can explore the minster on your own, or join a guided tour.
In addition to the main building you can also visit a museum underneath the main level that looks at the cathedral’s history and role as a place of worship. Access to the Undercroft museum is included in your cathedral ticket.
In addition to your general admission ticket, you can also add on a tour that includes a climb of the tower, but this won’t be suitable for anyone with mobility concerns.
The cost of keeping York Minster open is substantial, so you do have to buy an entrance ticket to visit.
Shambles
This historic street is lined with timber-framed buildings that date back centuries. It’s often referred to as The Shambles, but the ‘The’ isn’t officially part of the name. Some of the old buildings slightly overhang the street, giving it an unusual, old-fashioned look.
It’s a narrow, pedestrian-only street, lined with a variety of shops. You’ll find two Harry Potter-themed shops, a couple of sweet shops and bakery, a jeweller and several gift shops.
It’s one of the most popular places to visit in York.
If you are looking for the perfect Instagram photo, make sure you go early. It gets very busy and because it is narrow, it fills up quickly.
There is also a Shambles market around the back of the street with various market stalls, but it is the street itself that you’ll want to visit.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Jorvik Viking Centre is another popular attraction in York. It was created following a discovery of Viking archaeology.
The staff are in Viking outfits, and you start with an overview of local Viking history, standing on a glass floor above the remains of a Viking home.
You continue on to a ride with a recreation of a Viking village, complete with animatronic figures, before entering a gallery area with Viking artefacts. There are also demonstrations of Viking crafts.
Personally, I prefer York Castle Museum to Jorvik. It is about the same price but I think better value for money, with much more to see. However, I can also see the appeal of Jorvik as an unusual museum to visit, and a good choice for children.
Make sure you book a ticket in advance, especially during summer. It’s a very popular choice for families, so during school holidays tickets sell out quickly.
When I was last there, during school holidays, there was quite a wait to get onto the ride section once I was inside, so try to get an early slot to avoid crowds.
York Castle Museum
York Castle Museum has a variety of exhibits, but is best known for its recreations. There are several recreated rooms, such as a Georgian sitting room and a moorland cottage.
The largest recreation is a Victorian street, which is probably the best indoor street recreation I’ve seen. In addition to the main street there are also several side sections, including a Victorian school room.
Another recreation is in the war exhibit, with a bunker and dug out, as well as soldier’s uniforms, letters and stories.
In addition to the main museum, your ticket also includes access to the prison area. York Castle was used as a prison for centuries, and there is an exhibit in some of the original prison cells.
Clifford’s Tower
On a hill next to the Castle Museum is Clifford’s Tower – the ruined keep of York’s medieval Norman castle. It has had several functions over the centuries – a castle keep, prison, and royal mint.
The tower underwent significant restoration in recent years, which repaired medieval staircases and added modern walkways, so more of the tower is accessible to visitors.
You can walk around the outside, or pay to enter and explore. If you are limited on time I would stick to an outside view, as I think there are other better choices such as York Minster.
City Walls
Dating back to Roman times, these walls offer a unique way to experience York’s rich history and architecture.
York was once a walled town, and the city centre is still surrounded by walls. The walls are no longer a continuous route around the city, they are broken into sections. You reach them by entering one of the gatehouses (called bars), and climbing the stairs to the wall.
There are guided tours you can take of the walls, or just do what I did and wander around them enjoying the views of the city. Just try to avoid getting soaked in a sudden downpour like me – there is no shelter on the walls.
The most popular section is between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar, where you can enjoy views of both sides of the city including landmarks such as York Minster and Clifford’s Tower.
Unfortunately, they are not accessible to wheelchairs, as the walls are very narrow in places and the bars only provide stair access to the walls.
National Railway Museum
The free National Railway Museum in York is a fascinating place to visit for anyone interested in the history of trains. It houses an extensive collection of locomotives, carriages, and other railway memorabilia.
The museum is dedicated to the development of the railway system and its impact on transportation. Visitors can explore various exhibits showcasing different eras of rail travel, making it a great spot to learn about this important aspect of British history.
For any kids, big or small, with a fascination with machines – this is a great place to visit in York.
Yorkshire Museum
The Yorkshire Museum has exhibits exploring Yorkshire’s rich history through archaeological finds to medieval artifacts.
Interactive displays and informative exhibits provide information on everything from Jurassic era creatures, the ice age, Roman York and medieval York. I would recommend the Railway Museum or Castle Museum before this one, but it’s another one to consider it you have time.
Your ticket allows for admission for 12 months from the date of purchase, so that is worth bearing in mind if you might make another visit to York.
Note – the museum is currently closed on Mondays, so bear that in mind when planning your itinerary.
River Ouse
For a different perspective on the city, walk along the river or take a boat ride. Like many of the UK’s older cities, York has a river running through the middle. In this case, it’s the River Ouse.
Given that these cities are hundreds of years old, it’s no surprise that they were reliant on rivers to transport goods and people.
If you feel like going for a walk away from the busy city streets, head down to the river walk.
✅ Book your York boat ride here!
Themed Tours
✅ If you enjoy a ghost story, consider taking this tour of the city – Mad Alice’s Bloody Tour Of York!
✅ If you’ve been browsing the Harry Potter shops on Shambles, you might enjoy this Harry Potter walking tour of York.
Day Trips
If you are in York for more than a few days and want to explore beyond the city, there are plenty of options. For some classic English rolling hills, head out to the Yorkshire Dales. For heather-covered moors, you’ll want the North York Moors National Park.
Whitby is another popular option (and you’ll have to drive through the moors to get there, so it’s a double win!). Whitby is famous for its ruined abbey, accessible up a hill with 199 steps, and mentioned in several pieces of literature including Dracula.
It’s also famous for Whitby jet – a semi-precious stone used to make jewellery and other decorative items.
If you are a fan of Bridgerton, or just large stately homes in general, make a trip to Castle Howard, used as the Duke of Hasting’s country house Clyvedon in the tv series. The house is still owned and run by the Howard family, but it is open to the public for part of the year.
How To Get To York
York is well connected by train and coach. If you don’t have access to a car then the train will be your best option – it is on one of the main north-south train lines. You can even visit as a day trip from London.
For more details about travel options, take a look at my guide to getting to York.
Where To Stay In York
📍Moxy – this hotel is in the centre of the city, close to Shambles and York Minster. The decor is modern and cool, with a very reasonable price tag.
📍The Dean Court – this hotel has more of a traditional vibe. It’s right next to York Minster and some rooms have views of it.
📍Premier Inn – York isn’t a very car-friendly city – so if you are driving in, you’ll need to stay slightly further out for parking. Premier Inn has a few hotels on the outskirts of the city with free parking.
Where To Eat In York
There are lots of great food options in York. Make sure you head to Brew and Brownie for excellent coffee and breakfast. Betty’s Tea Room is a classic choice for lunch or afternoon tea.
For Michelin-star dining, consider Roots York. They serve a tasting menu, using ingredients that are locally farmed or foraged. This restaurant does have a higher price point but could be a good option for foodies.
For something a little unusual, head to Valhalla – a Viking-themed bar and restaurant with tapas, sharing boards and a selection of mead in addition to the typical drinks selection you’d find in most bars and restaurants.
Just be aware – the theme includes rock and metal music, so if that’s not something you’ll enjoy, pick another option.
And of course, you can always head to one of York’s many pubs for dinner or a drink!
FAQs
Where is York?
York is in the north of England, about 200 miles north of London.
Is York walkable?
Yes – most of the city’s attractions are in a fairly small area. The city centre is fairly flat and it’s easy to walk around.
How many days in York?
I recommend at least one full day in York, but 2-3 if you want to see some of the surrounding area.
Final Thoughts: Is York Worth Visiting?
York has a lot to offer visitors, and it is a wonderful city to explore. So, yes, York is worth visiting.
Whether you love history, shopping, museums or food, York can give you what you want. If you want to explore the UK beyond London, add York to your list.
🫖 Looking for more British adventures? Check out everything I’ve written about UK travel.
