York : 10 wonderful activities for history and adventure

Introduction

York is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations outside of London, and for good reason. I first came here as a child on a primary school trip. I remember that trip vividly to this day, and was yearning to go back again to explore the Roman and Viking history of the city.

Originally called Eboracum by the Romans, the city is more widely known for having been later named Jorvik by the Vikings. As our language evolved through time, it became known as York. The city boasts so many attractions and things to do, that it needs a long weekend to fully explore. Due to the relatively small size of the historic centre, it is a highly walk-able city.

Here, we round up our favourite activities and attractions from our recent visit. Read our recommendations and itinerary below :

York Minster Cathedral

Surely one of the world’s most impressive cathedrals. York Minster Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of York, and is notable for its incredible stained glass windows. It took over 250 years to build, being constructed between 1220 and 1472. A tour of the cathedral is an absolute must.

The Shambles

Take a wander down The Shambles to see the ramshackle looking timbered buildings growing ever closer together as they get taller. It is said that items can be passed across the alley between some of the top floor windows.

Said (perhaps incorrectly) to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. It has become a bit of a tourist trap as a result, with shops selling overpriced Harry Potter merch, but remains well worth seeing.

Walk on the City Walls

There are a number of surviving sections of the historic defensive walls. There are many areas where you can walk along the top of the walls. We highly recommend doing this for the views and the experience. There are also four main gatehouses dotted around the walls, which are called Bars. These are Monk Bar, Bootham Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. I remembered buying a model aeroplane kit from the Monk Bar model shop as a child, and was amazed to find the shop is still there!

Clifford’s Tower

Located atop a large grassy mound, this is the last remaining part of York Castle. English Heritage site Clifford’s Tower is well worth a visit, and provides fantastic views over different parts of the city. Peering through one of the arrow slits at the view of the cathedral is a particular highlight.

Jorvik Viking Centre

This is another one I first visited as a boy, and remembered fondly ever since. The Jorvik Viking Centre has faithful recreations of the sights and sounds (and the smells!) of Viking era villages. There are also archaeological exhibits to enjoy. An absolute must for fans of the TV series Vikings!

Check out York’s many bars and pubs

Inns, taverns, taprooms, pubs, and alehouses. York is packed with them, and is a pub lovers paradise! We recommend a craft beer from local brewery Brew York, or visit the House of Trembling Madness with its huge stock of craft beers in the shop downstairs. After browsing the shop’s selection, head upstairs where (if you can find a seat) you can enjoy a beer or three in the timbered interior while the heads of stuffed animals glare down menacingly at you.

Take a ghost walk

With history dating back to Roman and Viking times, York has more than its fair share of folklore. Claiming to be Europe’s most haunted city, ghost stories and rumours of haunted premises abound. I took a guided ghost walk here on our school trip when I was a kid, and remember it like it was yesterday! During our recent visit we took another, and it was just as much fun as I recalled! Book a tour in advance or alternatively, note the starting location and time from one of the many boards you’ll see around (particularly at The Shambles) and just turn up with the cash.

Enjoy a river cruise

During our recent visit we took a river cruise along the Ouse. A spontaneous choice as we were down by the riverside looking for a nice Café. The price was reasonable, and upon stepping aboard, the welcoming sight of a well stocked bar greeted us on the lower deck! Up on the open top deck, the host talked us through all the key sights and history as we passed by enjoying a pleasant drink as the Spring sunshine peeped in and out of the clouds. Book your York river cruise here.

National Railway Museum

Another one of York’s big draws, your kids will love you forever for taking them here! The National Railway Museum is another one of my fondest childhood memories. Highlights include the record breaking 126mph Mallard steam engine pictured above, a working replica of the famous Stephenson’s Rocket of 1829, and a Japanese Bullet Train. Don’t forget your camera!

Yorkshire Air Museum

Just outside York lies another museum that kids both large and small will love. Yorkshire Air Museum has a strong collection of vintage aircraft and recently retired modern jets, some of which are unique to the museum. My favourites were the Handley Page Halifax WW2 bomber and the massive Victor air-to-air refuelling tanker.

Accommodation

We stayed at The Parsonage Hotel & Spa just outside York in the picturesque village of Escrick. The hotel has rooms in the old main building and some more affordable rooms in a newer extension. Onsite is a pub called The Fat Abbot at which we enjoyed a nice meal and drinks. The village itself has nice walks and a beautiful church next to the hotel. Free parking is available. There is a gym and spa too. We really enjoyed relaxing in the pool area before our delicious breakfast at the hotel.

Parking spaces in York itself are expensive and few and far between, hence this charming hotel just out of town was a perfect base for exploring. We left our car at the hotel car park and took the regular local buses in and out of thecentre (10 mins bus ride) to see all the main attractions. Search and book hotels in and around York here.

Conclusion

So there we are, a (fairly) concise list of our highlights. The popularity of this charming English city is well justified. There is really so much to see and do here that you are truly spoiled for choice. It has a unique atmosphere with the cobbled streets, city walls, and medieval buildings vividly evoking England’s past.

York is well known and is probably on your wish list already. Its reputation is fully justified, and we highly recommend that you pay a visit, allowing a couple of days or more to really take it all in.

Disclosure : this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase via links in the article, I may receive a small commission which can help the blog to grow. I will only recommend hotels that we have personally stayed in and enjoyed.

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