York is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the UK and it’s not difficult to see why – it has something for pretty much everyone. It has shopping, restaurants and, most of all, amazing sites of historic interest.
If you’re looking for a great British day out, here’s why York should be high up on your list…
York Minster
Standing proud above York’s skyline is York Minster, the city’s spectacular cathedral is one of the first things you should think about checking out. You can see the amazing stained glass windows, unbelievable architecture (above and below ground) and even some of the world’s most important artwork. Then take a trip up the 275 steps to the top of the Central Tower and enjoy the views across the whole city and beyond. There are also often various special events occurring at the cathedral that might be of interest. See more at their website, here.
National Railway Museum
For train enthusiasts (and even those that aren’t) there are few better places in York to visit than the National Railway Museum. You can look back over the history of trains, stepping back in time and looking into the future. There are also a number of interactive features on offer, perfect for kids to get involved with. And best of all, it’s completely free!
Jorvik
Continuing on the museum theme, the city’s Viking museum, Jorvik, is a fascinating trip back in time to when York was actually a Viking city. Thanks to plenty of extensive archaeological excavation work, you can see how the Viking city would have looked over 1000 years ago. This is something that shouldn’t be missed. You’ll need to buy tickets, though so have a look at their website for more info.
The Shambles
The Shambles is allegedly Europe’s most visited street. It’s has an incredibly interesting past dating back to Medieval times, and now is home to all kinds of shops and businesses. One of the most noticeable things about the Shambles is the architecture of the buildings – looking up you’ll see that some of the buildings almost touch across the street, making it look like they’re leaning over.
Clifford’s Tower
Another Medieval site, Clifford’s Tower was originally built by William the Conqueror to keep northern rebels at bay and has been rebuilt a couple of times since after being burnt to the ground. It’s a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon and a great place to look out over the city, and you can also visit the nearby York Cold War bunker to complete a historical visit.
These are only a few of the many attractions that York has to offer. You can see many, many more at the Visit York website, whilst if you are in the market for a trip to York, UKBreakaways has some great deals.
