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Best experiences:

Walk York’s Roman city walls

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

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Bucket List Experience
View of Roman city walls on a sunny day surrounded by a grass bank

Walking York’s ancient city walls – the best-preserved in Britain – offers glimpses of the city’s rich history, with fortified towers, Roman gateways and a wonderful view of the medieval rooftops.

Best for ages 8+

Duration: 2 houra

York Minster

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

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Bucket List Experience
Outside view of medieval cathedral on a sunny day

York Minster is northern Europe’s finest Gothic cathedral, taking 250 years to build, and famous for its vividly beautiful stained glass.

Adult price: £12

Best for ages 18+

National Railway Museum

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

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Bucket List Experience
Black steam locomotive with a red trim inside a large warehouse

Europe’s premier railway museum boasts every type of train from steam locomotives to the only bullet train outside Japan – a wet-weather winner for kids of all ages.

Best for ages 4+

Jorvik Viking Centre

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

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Bucket List Experience
Person looking at human skeleton in a museum

Travel back to 10th century York, to encounter the sounds, sights and smells of the town under Viking rule.

Adult price: £15

Best for ages 5+

York Castle Museum

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Outside of large museum with pillars at the entrance

From a re-created Victorian street to a Swinging Sixties exhibition, this former Georgian prison offers a fascinating insight to Victorian life in York.

Adult price: £13

Best for ages 10+

Boat tours of York

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Boats sailing down the River Ouse with people walking along the embankment

Get a different perspective on York while gently gliding down the River Ouse with jovial commentary. Lunch, afternoon tea and evening cruises are also offered.

Adult price: £12

Best for ages 4+

Duration: 1-3 hours

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Yorkshire Museum

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Exterior of medium-sized museum with lawn in front and a bed of flowers

Yes, Yorkshire is the theme, but here you’ll find everything from dinosaurs to Richard III. A surprisingly diverse museum and its spacious gardens are a lovely spot for a picnic afterwards.

Adult price: £8

Best for ages 13+

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York’s Chocolate Story

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Interior of museum showing a variety of displays about chocolate

Five million KitKats are produced in York every day. You can’t tour the Nestlé factory, but here at St Helen’s Square you can find out all about the city’s sweet history and make your own chocolate.

Adult price: £15

Best for ages 4+

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Betty’s

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

The exterior and window display of the popular Betty's Cafe and Tea Rooms at night

This iconic tearoom opened in 1937 and there’s a good reason people queue for two hours for afternoon tea here. Book online in advance to avoid the wait.

Best for ages 10+

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Cold War Bunker

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Stairs leading up to a small, teal green entrance to a semi-subterranean bunker

If ever the Russians had pushed the little red button, a dedicated band of government workers would have survived here deep under the city’s streets. Entrance is by guided tour only.

Adult price: £9

Best for ages 8+

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The Shambles

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

view of a narrow street with people in it

York’s most famous and well-preserved medieval street. Harry Potter fans love it for its resemblance to Diagon Alley, although author JK Rowling says that’s pure coincidence.

Best for ages 18+

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Clifford’s Tower

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Hill-top fortified tower on a sunny day with stairs leading up to it

Built by William the Conqueror, this is one of York’s most iconic landmarks – in its time, it has been a royal mint, a medieval stronghold and a Civil War garrison. Head up to the roof deck for the best city views.

Adult price: £8

Best for ages 4+

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Ghost Walk in York

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Sign advertising the start of a ghost walk visitor tourist attraction

With 2,000 years of history, it’s easy to believe the claims that York is Europe’s most haunted city. Find out for yourself on one of several nightly ghost walks.

Adult price: £8

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 1-2 hours

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York Art Gallery

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Exterior of two-storey art gallery with a fountain and statue in front

A regional art gallery that punches well above its weight, you’ll find Victorian and contemporary artists displayed, including David Hockney and Grayson Perry. General admission is free.

Best for ages 18+

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York Dungeon

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Man posing on execution block with a mannequin holding an axe above him

An alternative way to explore York’s history using actors to tell local tales. It’s a fun activity for rainy days, but not really suitable for under eights or easily-scared adults. 

Adult price: £18

Best for ages 13+

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Bar Convent

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

City street and exterior of two adjoined brick buildings

England’s oldest convent still in use, dating back to 1686. Its 18th-century hidden chapel is fascinating, and its café and garden provide a welcome pause on a busy day of sightseeing.

Adult price: £5

Best for ages 18+

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St Nicholas Fair

York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK)

Small stall at the York Christmas Market

One of the largest Christmas markets in the UK, the St. Nicholas Fair sees market stalls take over the city centre, transforming Parliament Square into a Christmas card worthy scene and offering festive shoppers the chance to stock up on gifts, arts and crafts. Daily, from mid-November-Christmas.

Best for ages 4+

Duration: 5 weeks

When: Mid-Nov to Christmas

Frequency: annually

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