York holidays

Good to know before your York holiday

Planning a trip to York? Here are some essential tips and information to help you make the most of your visit to this historic and charming city.

Getting there

• By Train: York is well-connected by train, with frequent services from London, Edinburgh, and other major UK cities. The journey from London takes approximately 2 hours.

• By Car: York is accessible via the A1(M) and A64. Parking in the city can be limited, so consider using park and ride services.

• By Coach: National Express and other coach services offer regular trips to York from various UK locations.

Getting around

York is compact and easily navigable on foot or by bicycle. It has an extensive bus network; single fares range from £1.20 to £2.60 depending on journey length. Taxis are readily available, with fares starting at around £3 for short journeys.

Local transport

• Walking: York is a compact city, making it easy to explore on foot. Many of the city's attractions are within walking distance of each other.

• Cycling: York is bike-friendly with numerous cycle paths and bike rental options available.

• Buses: The local bus network covers the city and surrounding areas, providing a convenient option for those who prefer not to walk or cycle.

Weather and best time to visit York

Pinpointing the ideal time for holidays to York depends on your interests and whether you have an eye on specific festivals or events.

• Spring (March to May): has plenty going for it; from the weather taking a turn for the better, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C in March to 12°C in May, 40–50mm of rain and 5 hours of sunshine daily, to the return of York’s annual Chocolate Festival and the Dante Festival, which kicks off York’s horse racing season.

• Summer (June to August): offers warm weather, average temperatures of 15°C to 22°C, about 55–65mm of rain, 8 hours of sunshine, and a packed festivals and events calendar that includes York Pride, the York Festival of Ideas and horse racing’s Ebor Festival.

• Autumn (September to November): ushers in colder, darker days, with temperatures dropping from 14°C to 7°C, 4 hours of sunshine and 55–60mm of rain, offset by brilliant autumn colours and the return of the York Book Fair and the York Food & Drink Festival. In mid-November, York turns festive with the launch of York Christmas Market.

• Winter (December to February): is chilly, with temperatures between 7°C and 1°C and wet, with 60mm of rain on average irrepressibly Christmassy with York Christmas Market in full swing and skating and funfairs at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. For a weekend in February, York is transformed with ice sculptures before the weeklong JORVIK Viking Festival closes out the season.

Best things to do in York

Every corner tells a story, from its ancient walls to the vibrant streets of its contemporary districts. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

Viewpoints and panoramas

• York Minster Central Tower: The highest point in York, ascend to the top for a breathtaking vista of the city's streets and beyond.

• The City Walls: Stroll atop the walls for some of the best views in York, especially from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar.

The best districts

• The Shambles: York’s iconic medieval street, with its storybook buildings, now houses quirky shops and teahouses.

• Bishopthorpe Road: Known locally as “Bishy Road”, this area offers an array of independent shops and eateries.

Parks and gardens

• Museum Gardens: A serene escape with historic ruins and beautiful botanicals.

• Dean’s Gardens: This petite green space is the perfect spot to catch your breath between sightseeing; north of York Minster, the views aren’t half bad either.

Museums

• York Cold War Bunker: One of 29 command centres that were set up across the country in case of nuclear attack. Spine-chilling for those who remember the Cold War.

Historical monuments

• York Minster: One of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, with stunning stained glass windows and fantastic grotesques. Prepare to be awed, but also amused – the guides will fill you in on lots of interesting and entertaining details.

• Clifford’s Tower: Hangings and hauntings, mass suicides and massacres, this revamped royal tower has a gruesome history.

Day trips in the area

If you're looking to explore beyond York, here are a few more fantastic day trip options. These destinations offer unique experiences and are easily accessible from York.

• Castle Howard: A half-hour drive from York, this stately home is set in magnificent gardens.

• Whitby: Explore the seaside town, famous for its connections to Dracula and Captain Cook. Discover our cheap hotels in Whitby.

• Harrogate: This attractive, historic spa town is famous for its mineral springs, and the beautiful Victorian Turkish baths here are a major draw. Other attractions include its parks, shops, restaurants and traditional tea rooms. Check out the best deals on hotels in Harrogate.

• Selby: Discover the charm of Selby, a historic market town home to the stunning Selby Abbey, one of the few surviving medieval churches in the region. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Selby Canal or explore the local shops and cafes. For accommodation options, check out hotels in Selby.

• Malton: Known as Yorkshire's food capital, Malton is perfect for foodies. Visit its monthly food market, explore the artisanal shops, and dine at some of the finest restaurants. The town also offers beautiful countryside walks and historic attractions. Find cheap hotels in Malton to extend your stay.

• Leeds: Experience the vibrant city life of Leeds, known for its shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Visit the Royal Armouries Museum, explore the bustling Leeds Kirkgate Market, or enjoy a performance at the Leeds Grand Theatre. For your stay, look for hotels in Leeds.

These additional day trip options provide a great way to experience more of Yorkshire's diverse attractions while staying in York. Enjoy the convenience and variety these nearby destinations offer!

Activities for families in York

York caters to children and adults with a variety of engaging, educational attractions and green spaces.

• Parks and gardens: Rowntree Park is a family favourite, featuring playgrounds, woodland walks, a duck-filled lake, skatepark and tennis courts.

• Interactive museums: The JORVIK Viking Centre offers fascinating reconstructions and interactive displays, while Jorvik DIG is an archaeological adventure where kids can unearth the city’s past. Mini trainspotters will love the National Railway Museum’s massive collection of trains and hands-on exhibits.

• Adventure parks: There’s loads to do at Web Adventure Park, which has indoor and outdoor play areas, an animal zone, and rides.

Free things to do in York

Exploring York doesn’t have to cost a penny; there are heaps of free things to do, from city walks and guided tours to cultural events.

• Annual festivals: The citywide York Festival of Ideas runs for two weeks every June; events include talks, workshops, guided tours, exhibitions and performances.

• Free events: Artists within a 16km radius of York open their studios and workshops to the public over two weekends in April for York Open Studios’ annual event.

• Explore York on foot: Hidden medieval snickelways (snickets, ginnels and alleyways) weave through all 10 wards.

• Free guided tours: The York Association of Voluntary Guides offers insightful 2-hour tours around the city, covering its fascinating history, architecture and legends.

Wellness in York

• Spas and thermal baths: Indulge in a luxurious spa day at one of York's wellness centres, such as The Grand Hotel & Spa; treatments range from thermal therapies to traditional massages.

• Yoga and meditation centres: Find your inner peace at one of York's yoga studios. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, there's a class to suit your needs, from restorative yoga to more dynamic vinyasa flows.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

• Walking and hiking: York is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes tailor-made for walks and hikes. Venture out to the North York Moors National Park, where miles of trails await, from gentle countryside walks to more challenging hill climbs. The Yorkshire Dales, easily accessible from York, provide another fantastic backdrop for outdoor exploration with their rolling hills, valleys and scenic villages.

• Cycling: Cycle along the River Ouse or into the countryside for picturesque lanes and off-road trails.

• Water-based activities: The River Ouse and its tributaries offer fishing (you’ll need a rod licence), kayaking, canoeing and boat tripping.

• Bird-watching and wildlife: The wetlands and woodlands around York teem with wildlife, prime bird-watching and nature photography territory. The RSPB Fairburn Ings Reserve is a short drive away and supports a variety of bird species throughout the year.

• Adventure sports: The surrounding area offers paragliding, ziplining and rock climbing. Experience the exhilaration of soaring over the Yorkshire landscape or challenge yourself to climb one of the region’s rugged cliffs.

Local dishes in York

From street food kiosks to Michelin-star restaurants, proper old boozers to sophisticated cocktail bars, exploring the local food and drink scene is one of the highlights of York holidays.

Some typical dishes

• Yorkshire Pudding: The classic side to roast beef, this savoury, puffed-up batter pudding has been associated with Yorkshire since the mid-18th century.

• Parkin: Little known outside the north of England, this sticky oatmeal gingerbread cake is Yorkshire’s traditional Bonfire Night treat.

Meat dishes

• Pork Pie: Known as Growlers in Yorkshire, these pork-filled hot-water crust pastries are ubiquitous in York’s pie shops.

• Corned Beef Hash: A stalwart on café and bar menus, this is a hearty, comforting dish of corned beef, potatoes and onions.

Street food

• Yorkshire Pudding Wrap: To all intents and purposes, a whole roast dinner wrapped burrito-style in flattened Yorkshire pudding. Make sure to try the original at The York Roast Co.

Sweets and desserts

• Fat Rascals: A riff on Yorkshire’s traditional Turf Cakes, these cheeky-faced fruit buns fall somewhere between a scone and a rock cake.

• Yorkshire Curd Tarts: Filled with cheese curd, currants, butter and spiced with nutmeg, this rustic pastry-based tart is a staple on Yorkshire’s tearoom menus.

Local drinks

• Yorkshire Tea: Blended in nearby Harrogate, this is a strong contender for Britain’s favourite traditional black tea.

• Old Brewery Bitter: A proper north country brew fermented the old-fashioned way in stone Yorkshire squares at Samuel Smiths Brewery in nearby Tadcaster, Yorkshire’s oldest independent brewery.