York Minster

One of the world’s most breathtaking cathedrals, York Minster is a historical and cultural wonder in the north of England, and the second largest Gothic cathedral of Northern Europe.

History

An iconic medieval cathedral, the history of York Minister can be traced back to 627 when a wooden structure was built to baptise Edwin, King of Northumbria. Soon after this a stone structure was built on the site by Oswald, dedicated to Saint Peter. Following a fire in 741 the church was rebuilt to include 30 alters, in turn destroyed by the Danes in 1075 but rebuilt in the Norman style from 1080. It wasn’t until the 12th century that the gothic style of the cathedral began to come into being. The cathedral was built and expanded on from the 13th to the 15th century, eventual declared complete and consecrated in 1472.

Architecture

Visit York Minster and you’ll spend a lot of time with your mouth open, staring at the flying buttresses and reaching arches that make its architecture so magnificent. York Minster is the second largest Gothic cathedral of Northern Europe and one of the best places in the UK to marvel at the scale of Gothic architecture. From the sweeping ceiling of the octagonal Chapter House to the stunning High Alter, the cathedral spans an enormous space, 158 metres long with towers that are 61 metres high.

Stained glass, towers and organs

The stained glass on show at York Minster is some of the most spectacular in the world, with some dating back to the 12th century. The 23 metre-high Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The West towers of York Minster hold some enormous bells, including the 10.8 tonne Great Peter. The cathedral organ dating from 1832 is also an impressive sight to behold and an even more impressive sound to hear.

York

The city of York has plenty to do outside of York Minster. York Castle gives visitor’s a glimpse in the area’s Norman heritage while The National Railway Museum gives an insight into York’s more recent industrial past. If you’d like to spend some time in the present, York also boasts an impressive array of shops, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. Coppergate Shopping Centre is perfect for some retail therapy while the city also offers a mouth-watering selection of international restaurants.

Places to stay

If you’re looking to stay close to York Minster, there’re plenty of options for you to choose from. Whether you’d prefer to stay in a historical hotel in the heart of the city or a modern guesthouse close to the main road, we’ll help you to find the best accommodation possible for your stay.