The historic city of York has many picturesque streets, including the narrow Shambles with its medieval timber-framed buildings.
The ancient City Walls form walkways with views of the city.
York is a convenient base for exploring Yorkshire by public transport.
www.visityork.org |
www.yorkwalls.org.uk |
www.yorkshire.com
Buses York does not have a Bus Station but many routes stop near the Rail Station. For bus routes and stops in York see: www.itravelyork.info
TI 21 Parliament Street, tel. 01904 909487.
Explore the past, present and future of railways. See iconic locomotives including Mallard,
the world's fastest steam locomotive. Wonderlab. Exhibitions programme.
Indoor play area. Café. Admission free.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.railwaymuseum.org.uk
Discover thousands of years of York's history, including a real Roman mosaic you can walk on.
Exhibitions programme.
Open TWThFSSu 1000-1700.
www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk
Paintings spanning over 600 years from the Renaissance to the present day.
Exhibitions programme. Café.
Open WThFSSu 1000-1700.
www.yorkartgallery.org.uk
Built for entertaining royalty, Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York since 1732.
Large collection of silverware. Recreated 18th century kitchen.
Open closed for restoration works until late 2025.
www.mansionhouseyork.com
Gothic York Minster dates from the 13th century and is one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals.
The Minster retains most of its medieval stained glass. Guided tours available. Undercroft Museum.
Open M-S 0930-1600. Sun 1245-1430. Occasionally closed for events.
www.yorkminster.org
Treasurer's House was bought by Frank Green in 1897 and transformed
into a grand show home for the visit of Edward VII. Small Garden. Café.
Open Apr-Oct, MTWSSu by guided tours, see website.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/treasurers-house-york
A medieval timber-framed guild hall where merchants met to conduct business and socialise.
Undercroft and Chapel. Café.
Open M-F & Sun 1000-1630, Sat 1000-1330. Occasionally closed for functions.
www.merchantshallyork.org
Find out how cocoa is transformed from bean to bar and learn about York's famous chocolate brands.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.yorkschocolatestory.com
The oldest surviving Catholic convent in the British Isles, established in 1686 and initially operating in secret.
Georgian Parlour, Chapel, garden and exhibition of the convent's story. Café.
Open Daily 1000-1700 but occasionally closed.
www.barconvent.co.uk
A reconstructed medieval townhouse with replica furniture and fittings.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Nov-Mar)
www.barleyhall.co.uk
York's Viking heritage brought to life. Events programme.
Open Daily for booked visits only, see website.
www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
Hands-on archaeology with excavation pits containing replica finds.
Archaeologist talks and archaeological artefacts. Play area for under 5s.
Open booking recommended, see website.
www.digyork.co.uk
Discover 400 years of York's history, including a Victorian street, period rooms and original
prison cells. Exhibitions programme. Café.
Open TWThFSSu 1000-1700 also Mon 1100-1700.
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
On a Norman motte, Clifford's Tower is the largest remaining building of York Castle.
Internal stairs and walkways enable exploration of the first floor level. Panoramic views of York.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Nov-Mar).
www.english-heritage.org.uk
The stories of British Army soldiers from 1685 to the present day.
Open M-S 1000-1700.
www.yorkarmymuseum.co.uk
One of England's finest Georgian townhouses showing the domestic interiors, tastes and fashions
of the wealthy Georgian elite.
Open M-S 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1600. Occasionally closed for events.
www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk
An Arts and Crafts garden with herbaceous borders, rock garden, pond and historic glasshouse.
Refreshment kiosk.
Open Mar-Oct, SSu (also ThF Jun-Aug) 1100-1600.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/goddards
Bus 4 from opposite Rail Station to Marriott Hotel (immediately after York Racecourse),
6 minutes journey. Goddards entrance is on the left just beyond the bus stop. Daily every 15-20 minutes.
Operated by First.
Built in 1961 to monitor nuclear explosions and fallout in the event of nuclear war.
Guided tours reveal the once secret history of Britain's Cold War.
Open Apr-Oct, FSSu & BH for guided tours, see website.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus 1/1A from opposite Rail Station to Holgate, West Bank, 9 minutes journey, then walk
forward and second right, Monument Close. M-S every 15-20 minutes, Sun every 30 minutes.
Operated by First.
The architecture and contents on the ground floor of the Hall tell the story of a country house.
The Reddihough Galleries on the first floor host changing exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art.
Garden with herbaceous borders and kitchen garden. Wilderness play area. Estate walk. Restaurant.
Open Mar-Oct, WThFSSu 1000-1700, Hall 1100-1600. Nov-Feb, see website.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough
Bus 80 from near Rail Station to Newton-on-Ouse then 1¼ miles walk.
28 minutes journey, M-S about every 2 hours.
Operated by East Yorkshire.
Castle Howard with its beautiful interiors has been home to the Howard family for over 300 years.
The extensive Gardens and Grounds include lakes, woodland, follies, temples and statues. Adventure Playground. Cafés. Events programme.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700, House until 1500. See website for event closures and winter opening.
www.castlehoward.co.uk
Bus 81 from near Station to Castle Howard car park, about 60 minutes journey.
M-S infrequent. Operated by East Yorkshire.
Buses also operate from Malton.
The peaceful 120 acre Arboretum contains over 7000 trees from around the world.
Free guided tours available. Red squirrel enclosure. Café.
Open Feb-Nov, Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Feb & Nov).
www.yorkshirearboretum.org
Bus to Castle Howard then ½ mile walk.
Walk back to the Obelisk where the bus turned into Castle Howard, the Arboretum entrance is opposite.
The extensive ruins of medieval Kirkham Priory stand in a picturesque setting beside the River Derwent.
During the Second World War the site was used for training in preparation for the D-Day landings. Picnic area.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus Coastliner 840/843 from Rail Station entrance to opposite turning (watch for sign),
about 45 minutes journey, then ¾ mile walk. M-S ½-hourly, Sun & BH hourly.
Operated by Transdev.
Buses also operate from Malton.
The Gardens include two lakes with a National Collection of water lillies (in bloom June to August).
Other features include a walled garden, stumpery and rock garden. Museum with items collected by Major Percy Stewart,
an early 20th century adventurer who owned Burnby Hall. Events programme. Café.
Open Daily 1000-1730 (1600 Nov-Mar).
www.burnbyhallgardens.com
Bus X45/X46/X47 from outside Rail Station to Pocklington EYMS Depot,
about 45 minutes journey, then ¼ mile walk. M-S every 20 minutes, Sun hourly.
Operated by East Yorkshire.
An aviation museum on the site of RAF Elvington, a World War II bomber base. Extensive
collection of aircraft from early aviation to fighter jets of the Cold War. Children's playground. Café.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Feb MTThFSSu 1000-1600.
www.yorkshireairmuseum.org
Bus 36/X36 from outside Rail Station to Air Museum entrance,
about 30 minutes journey. Return bus from the same stop. M-S every 2-3 hours.
Operated by York Pullman.
