The lovely walled city of York is probably one of my favourite cities in the UK. Having won a VIP weekend in the northern city last year, Dom and I had the opportunity to really explore and we certainly managed to see a lot of what is on offer.

York is bursting with history, with charming little streets, tea shops galore and more than enough photo opportunities! In this post I will be sharing with you my pick of the things to do in York, hopefully it will provide you with all the information you need for a weekend away.

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York Pass
As I have mentioned numerous times before, I am not usually an advocate of city passes but I think there are some places where it is well worth investing in. York is one of those. If you are planning to visit a few of the city’s attractions, the investment is definitely worth the pennies. I was surprised at how many places accepted the card and we ended up doing and seeing way more than we would have done otherwise. The York Pass provides entrance to more than thirty different attractions. You can order the pass online in advance, or alternatively pick one up from the York Visitor Information Centre.

What To Do

Walk the city walls – you just cannot visit York without walking a stretch (or all) of the historic town walls. The complete circuit around the city centre is estimated to take 2 hours in total and offers great views and a different perspective of the city. If you don’t fancy walking the entire route, I would definitely recommend visiting the four gatehouses (known as ‘bars’) which stand mostly intact at each corner of the city.

Visit the Minster – another absolute must-see is northern Europe’s largest gothic cathedral. Whilst you can also climb the central tower – which apparently has the best view in York – we opted to just explore the interior and were really taken aback with how impressive it really is. If you are interested in climbing the tower, it is worth bearing in mind that the trips occur only at set times during the day.

Climb Clifford’s Tower – although York’s city walls are mostly intact, unfortunately the same cannot be said about its castle. Clifford’s Tower is the largest remaining part of York castle and is perched atop a hill offering yet more great views of the city. This is definitely a good attraction for those interested in history!

Stroll the Shambles – if you haven’t heard of York’s Shambles, where have you been? The charming street of lopsided buildings, home to a handful of quaint and traditional tea rooms, along with pubs and boutiques, is the city’s most famous street. You cannot avoid the selfie sticks and tour group trains down this street but it is totally worth seeing for yourself!

York’s Chocolate Story – I must admit that usually I tend not to visit museums when I visit a place first time round but with York being the home of chocolate, it would have been a crime not to have found out more! Right in the heart of the city is the York Chocolate Story which takes you on a tour of York’s sweet history. You are introduced to the city’s chocolate pioneers, including the revered Joseph Rowntree and Joseph Terry. Later in the tour you enjoy a masterclass in the process of making chocolate and saving the best for last, you get to make your very-own chocolate lollipop, sprinkles and all!

Afternoon Tea at Betty’s – Betty’s is York’s most famous tea house and was at the top of my ‘must-visit’ list. The tea house is so popular that there is almost always a queue of people outside its doors – but trust me, even a wait is worth it!

Relax in the Museum Gardens – the ten-acre botanical gardens which surround the Yorkshire Musuem are surprisingly easy to miss, which would be a great shame. The gardens provide a wonderful place to walk around, relax and think in peace. They also serve as a romantic backdrop to the ruins of St Mart’s Abbey, first built in 1088 and although it is hard to believe today looking as it does, was among the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England.

Time Travel at the Jorvik Viking Centre – Vikings are a central part of York’s history. The city’s very name derives from the old norse Jorvik. These Scandinavian settlers are largely misunderstood and the award-winning Jorvik Viking Centre is there to dispel all those myths. Definitely worth a visit – I was thoroughly impressed and came away much more knowledgeable!

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So, if you’re looking for a city break in the UK, York is a definitely somewhere worth considering and a great choice. There is plenty to keep you occupied with lots to see and do there!
Is York on your bucket list yet? Have you been there before? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!