8 Reasons to Visit York, England

Is York, England, worth visiting? It’s a bit fat yes from me! Here’s why…

Until the panny d in 2020, I’d never had any real inclination to explore more of Britain, always preferring to jet off overseas.

However, in recent years, I’ve found myself wanting to explore as much of Great Britain as I can, favouring long weekends in the quiet British towns or the leafy countryside over big trips abroad. 

I’ve now visited York a number of times, and each time I fall a little deeper in love with this small city.

There are so many wonderful and quirky things about this northern city and I highly recommend it to those looking for a lovely little weekend away in England.

So let me tell you about some of the highlights York has to offer and the places to visit in York.

8 Reasons To Visit York, England

Food in York

A good friend of mine studied at York University for three years and, being a massive foodie, ate at just about every restaurant and food stall in York during his time there.

He raves about this city, particularly its culinary delights, and for good reason.

York is full of indie restaurants and cafes, and I’ve loved each and every one I’ve been to so far. Whether it’s the cosy restaurant vibes or the wonderful home-cooked meals, I’ve no complaints about York’s food scene.

York is also a great place to go for afternoon tea and is home to Visit England’s best afternoon tea experience.

Usually, you can have tea onboard the dining car in the Countess of York at the National Railway Museum, which is a decadent location for a special afternoon tea. I understand this is temporarily closed so check online to see if this is available for your visit.

And you must pay a visit to Betty’s Tea Room, one of the top places to visit in York, as recommended by anyone who has ever visited York.

They’ve been serving afternoon tea at Betty’s Tea Room since the 1920s so it’s safe to say they know a little something about it.

Here you’ll find a traditional and delicious selection of goodies from scones to macarons. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Of course, you also need to try the best Yorkshire pudding in York, rumoured to be found at Walmgate Ale House.

This is a listed building dating back to the seventeenth century so there’s lots of history to the place too!

For something a bit more modern and quirky, there’s also the famous Yorkshire pudding wrap from The York Roast Co, which is delicious. It’s York’s answer to a burrito.

Museums in York

York is home to numerous world-famous museums, including the world’s largest railway museum.

At the National Railway Museum in York you can explore numerous impressive locomotives and vehicles including a ‘Palace on Wheels’, Queen Victoria’s favourite carriage, ‘Mallard’, the world’s fastest steam locomotive and even a Japanese bullet train.

You can also explore York’s Chocolate Story, a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate in York.

Did you know that Terry’s, Rowntree’s and Craven’s were all born in York? 

You can learn all about the history of these famous brands, and even have a go at making some chocolate to take home!

There’s also York Castle Museum where you can explore the old York prison as numerous modern exhibitions about toys, dress codes and more. 

Architecture in York

You absolutely must add York Minster to your list of things to do in York. It is the tallest and most impressive building in the city, boasting the largest expanse of stained glass in the UK.

It is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals and has been around since the 7th century!

Another impressive building is Castle Howard, one of Britain’s finest stately homes. It’s well worth making a day trip from York to visit this site as it is a popular filming location.

Classic British television series and films including Brideshead Revisited and ITV’s Victoria were filmed at Castle Howard.

History in York

York is a city with a rich history dating back thousands of years. York city walls are the longest medieval town walls in England and it’s worth setting aside an hour or so to do a full lap around these walls.

If you’re a history buff, you can also book onto a walking tour that takes place along the walls, so you can find out more about York’s history as you go.

Another popular tourist attraction is JORVIK, York’s Viking Centre, where you can turn back time and step into the Viking Age. And it really smells like you’ve been taken back to that age too!

Literary York

If you’re a book lover, there are countless things bookish activities for you to do in York.

York may be small, but there are over 10 independent bookshops in York that are all within about a fifteen-minute walk of each other.

There are also lots of Harry Potter-related activities for fans of that magical book series.

Although there are no Harry Potter filming locations in York, nor any proof that JK Rowling was inspired by any places in York, the fact that the Shambles looks quite a lot like Diagon Alley has meant that York is now strongly associated with Harry Potter.

It’s easy to imagine a Hogwarts student wandering through the quaint, crooked stores of different shapes and colours that line The Shambles.

In wider Yorkshire, there’s even more to be discovered!

The Yorkshire Moors, a two-hour train ride from the city centre, have been the setting for numerous famous works of English literature.

From Jane Eyre to The Secret Garden, countless famous works have been inspired by this expanse of beautiful, and haunting, Moors.

If you’re exploring the Moors, then you absolutely can’t miss Whitby Abbey, which was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula!

Find out more about Whitby Abbey here.

RELATED: A Book Lover’s Guide to York

Spooky York

Thrills? In York?

It might not match up with your idea of this quaint English city but did you know York was actually named the most haunted town in Europe in 2002?

As such, you’ll find loads of ghost tours and The York Dungeon, which are just some highlights of the city.

Most recently, a funny little shop selling “Ghosts” has popped up in York, which commands queues down half the Shambles before it’s even opened.

These are small hand-made ghosts from The York Ghost Merchants that have an uncanny likeness to a salt shaker and they’ve taken the internet by storm.

If you’re interested in witches and magic then Barley Hall has a wonderful exhibition about the history of magic in the area too. 

Scenery in York

One of the best ways to appreciate the magnificent scenery in York is to take a cruise down the Ouse with City Cruises York.

The Ouse is the longest river to flow in one county and you can sit back and relax whilst you’re taken through the whole city with some commentary on York’s past and present.

Shopping in York

There’s a diverse range of places to shop in York from The Shambles to high street shops to designer outlets at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York.

For more quirky shops, including shops dedicated to Harry Potter, Christmas, ghosts and more, the Shambles is the place for you.

York Designer Outlet houses over 120 designer and luxury brands offering up to 60% off all year round!

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York is one of the best places to visit in the UK and I hope I’ve inspired you to add it to your bucket list! However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to places to visit in York.

*This post was originally written in collaboration with Visit York but has been refreshed and updated based on further trips I took myself. As always, the views are all mine!

If you liked this post, check out these:
A Weekend in York
Guide to Harry Potter in York
Literary Guide to York
Bookshops in York
Best Things to Do in Whitstable
10 Things to Know About Visiting the Sky Garden
Sheep on Sheep Street Hotel Review

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