It is difficult to envision a place more steeped in history and beauty than the town of York.
This ancient walled city is steeped in history dating back as far as Roman times. It’s also rich in Viking heritage and was once an important center for trade with overseas countries.
Today, York is still a major hub, with plenty of shopping and restaurants, plus attractions like the York Minster, National Railway Museum, and Clifford’s Tower.
So, if you’re looking for a day trip out of London to a town with plenty of old-world charm and incredible architecture, York is one of the best places to go!
You can wander through its cobblestone streets, walk along the ancient city walls, or admire the Roman ruins in the Museum Gardens.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our comprehensive list of recommendations below so you can plan your trip accordingly
The 92 Most Popular Things To Do In York, England
92. City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar
4.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Billy Wilson, License, Flickr
Location: Micklegate Bar York
Tel: 1904-615505
Web Address: https://yorkcitywalls.com/
91. Beningbrough River Walk
5.0 (3 reviews)
Location: York
Web Address: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough-hall/trails/beningbrough-river-walk
90. York Minster Library
4.3 (7 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Dean’s Park York
Tel: 1904-557250
Web Address: https://yorkminster.org/treasures-and-collections/library.html
89. The Royal Dragoon Guards Museum and Regimental Association
4.9 (9 reviews)
Credit: Martin Stothard, Google Maps
Location: 3 Tower Street York
Tel: 1904-461010
Web Address: http://rdgmuseum.org.uk/
88. All Saints’ Pavement
4.8 (18 reviews)
Location: High Ousegate York
Tel: 7388-510894
Web Address: https://allsaintspavement.co.uk/
87. The Guildhall York
4.7 (26 reviews)
Credit: Kaly99, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: St Martins Courtyard Coney St York
Web Address: https://york.ac.uk/business/theguildhall/
86. Derwent Valley Light Railway
4.8 (29 reviews)
Credit: Martin Dawes, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Derwent Valley Light Railway Murton Ln York
Tel: 1904-489966
Web Address: http://dvlr.org.uk/
85. Fishergate Postern Tower
4.4 (36 reviews)
Credit: Harry Mitchell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Piccadilly York
Web Address: http://yorkwalls.org.uk/
84. Friends Of The National Railway Museum
4.7 (37 reviews)
Credit: Thomas’s Pics, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: York
Tel: 1904-636874
Web Address: http://nrmfriends.org.uk/
83. All Saints North Street (The Shrine and Parish Church)
4.9 (40 reviews)
Credit: Terry Kearney, License, Flickr
Location: North Street York
Tel: 1904-728122
Web Address: https://allsaints-northstreet.org.uk/
82. The Deathly Dark Tours
5.0 (41 reviews)
Location: Grape Ln York
Tel: 7851-032041
Web Address: http://deathlydarktours.com/
81. The Ghost Trail Of York
4.4 (42 reviews)
Location: High Petergate York
Tel: 1904-633276
Web Address: http://ghosttrail.co.uk/
80. St Martin le Grand
4.5 (42 reviews)
Credit: Euan Nelson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 13 Coney Street York
Tel: 1904-636512
79. Medieval Walls
4.7 (45 reviews)
Credit: Nilfanion, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Moatside Ct York
Web Address: http://yorkwalls.org.uk/
78. Hallowscream
4.9 (50 reviews)
Location: York maze
Tel: 1904-607341
Web Address: http://yorkmazehallowscream.co.uk/
77. Holy Trinity Church
4.7 (51 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Micklegate York
Web Address: http://holytrinityyork.org/
76. Walmgate Bar
4.7 (60 reviews)
Credit: David Dixon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Foss Islands Road York
75. St Olave’s Church York
4.4 (61 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 29 Marygate York
Web Address: https://stolaveschurch.org.uk/
74. Baile Hill
4.6 (67 reviews)
Credit: Michael Hutchinson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: York
Tel: 1904-551550
Web Address: http://yorkwalls.org.uk/
73. Shadows of York Ghost Walk
5.0 (69 reviews)
Location: High Petergate York
Tel: 7967-460567
Web Address: http://shadowsofyork.co.uk/
72. The Bloody Tour of York
5.0 (74 reviews)
Location: College Street York
Tel: 7584-855443
Web Address: https://thebloodytourofyork.co.uk/
71. Walmgate Stray
4.5 (103 reviews)
Credit: DS Pugh, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: York
70. St Michael Le Belfrey
4.8 (109 reviews)
Credit: Bill Boaden, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: High Petergate York
Tel: 1904-624190
Web Address: http://belfrey.org/
69. York Mansion House
4.6 (122 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: St Helen’s Square York
Tel: 1904-553663
Web Address: http://mansionhouseyork.com/
68. Roman Column
4.5 (130 reviews)
Credit: Carole Raddato, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 11 Minster Yard York
67. Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens
4.6 (136 reviews)
Credit: Cath Simpkins’s Legit Honest Reviews, Google Maps
Location: Stewart Ln Stillingfleet York
Tel: 1904-728506
Web Address: http://stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk/
66. Northwood Trail
4.4 (139 reviews)
Credit: Molly Reeve, Google Maps
Location: Northwood Trail Jollydays Glamping York
Web Address: https://northwoodtrail.co.uk/
65. Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate
4.7 (141 reviews)
Credit: Thedavegray, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Goodramgate York
Tel: 1904-613451
Web Address: https://visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/holy-trinity-york.html
64. Red Tower
4.5 (148 reviews)
Location: Foss Islands Road York
Tel: 7396-038970
Web Address: http://redtoweryork.org.uk/
63. Breezy Knees Gardens
4.7 (149 reviews)
Location: Common Lane Warthill York
Tel: 1904-488800
Web Address: http://breezyknees.co.uk/
62. Fulford Ings
4.5 (149 reviews)
Credit: Martin Dawes, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fulford York
61. York Oratory
4.7 (174 reviews)
Credit: bryan…, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Duncombe Pl York
Tel: 1904-624767
Web Address: http://yorkoratory.com/
60. Bootham Bar
4.5 (175 reviews)
Credit: Cavie78, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2 4 High Petergate York
Web Address: https://york.gov.uk/CityWalls
59. Micklegate Bar
4.5 (182 reviews)
Location: Micklegate York
Tel: 1904-615505
58. Holgate Windmill
4.7 (195 reviews)
Credit: Vernon Dunhill, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Windmill Rise Holgate York
Web Address: http://holgatewindmill.org/
57. The Hole In Wand
4.2 (221 reviews)
Location: 14 16 Coppergate Walk York
Tel: 1904-890135
Web Address: http://theholeinwand.com/
56. Puttstars York
4.5 (227 reviews)
Credit: Shaun Griggs, Google Maps
Location: Kathryn Ave Huntington York
Tel: 844-248-3224
Web Address: https://puttstars.co.uk/york
55. Askham Bog
4.6 (231 reviews)
Credit: Malcolm Temple, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Askham Bryan York
Tel: 1904-659670
Web Address: https://ywt.org.uk/nature-reserves/askham-bog-nature-reserve
54. Hollywood Bowl
4.4 (231 reviews)
Location: Kathryn Ave Huntington York
Tel: 844-248-3221
Web Address: https://hollywoodbowl.co.uk/york
53. Moorlands Woodland Nature Reserve
4.7 (254 reviews)
Location: 2RE Moor Ln York
Tel: 1904-768892
52. Allerton Castle
4.7 (255 reviews)
Location: Allerton Ln Allerton Mauleverer Knaresborough
Tel: 1423-330927
Web Address: http://allertoncastle.co.uk/
51. Mindlock Escape Games
4.8 (263 reviews)
Credit: Mindlock Escape Games, Google Maps
Location: 9 & 10 Tower Street York
Tel: 7379-961910
Web Address: https://mindlockyork.com/
50. GR8escape York
4.7 (266 reviews)
Credit: GR8escape York, Google Maps
Location: 4a Colliergate York
Tel: 7897-122834
Web Address: http://gr8escapeyork.co.uk/
49. York FootGolf
4.8 (266 reviews)
Credit: York FootGolf, Google Maps
Location: Skelton Park Golf Course Shipton Road York
Tel: 1904-470549
Web Address: http://yorkfootgolf.com/
48. York MotorSports Village
4.7 (278 reviews)
Credit: York MotorSports Village, Google Maps
Location: Kathryn Avenue Monks Cross Leisure Park York
Tel: 1904-673555
Web Address: http://ymsv.co.uk/
47. St Mary’s Church
4.7 (284 reviews)
Credit: bryan…, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Castlegate York
Tel: 1904-687687
Web Address: http://yorkstmarys.org.uk/
46. York Army Museum
4.6 (291 reviews)
Location: 3 Tower Street York
Tel: 1904-461010
Web Address: http://yorkarmymuseum.co.uk/
45. Fairfax House
4.5 (295 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: FairFax House Castlegate York
Tel: 1904-655543
Web Address: http://fairfaxhouse.co.uk/
44. Stam & Maria Greek street food York
4.8 (309 reviews)
Credit: Stam & Maria Greek street food York, Google Maps
Location: Shambles market York
Tel: 7478-258971
43. Hull Road Park
4.1 (360 reviews)
Location: 17 Millfield Ave York
Web Address: http://york.gov.uk/
42. Dick Turpins grave
3.9 (378 reviews)
Location: 6 Lead Mill Ln York
Web Address: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1257777
41. Memorial Gardens
4.4 (383 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: York
40. Millennium Bridge
4.5 (388 reviews)
Credit: peter robinson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 38 Hospital Fields Road York
Tel: 1904-551550
39. Wetherby Racecourse
4.2 (395 reviews)
Credit: Michael Blakeston, Google Maps
Location: Wetherby
Tel: 1937-582035
Web Address: https://wetherbyracing.co.uk/
38. Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park
4.6 (413 reviews)
Credit: Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park, Google Maps
Location: Askham Bryan York
Tel: 1904-772270
Web Address: http://abcwildlifepark.co.uk/
37. National Trust – Goddards
4.6 (496 reviews)
Credit: Bob Cantwell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 27 Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/goddards-house-and-garden
36. DIG: An Archaeological Adventure
4.5 (500 reviews)
Credit: Owen Beveridge, Google Maps
Location: DIG Street Saviour Church Street Saviourgate York
Tel: 1904-615505
Web Address: http://digyork.com/
35. The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
4.6 (502 reviews)
Credit: The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, Google Maps
Location: 17 Blossom Street York
Tel: 1904-643238
Web Address: https://bar-convent.org.uk/
34. St Mary’s Abbey
4.6 (515 reviews)
Credit: bryan…, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: York
33. Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience
4.4 (528 reviews)
Credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Castlegate York
Tel: 1904-501544
Web Address: https://vangoghexpo.co.uk/york/
32. The Red Goat Climbing Wall
4.8 (529 reviews)
Credit: Alaric Wood, Google Maps
Location: 6 Redeness Street York
Tel: 1904-731548
Web Address: http://redgoatclimbing.co.uk/
31. Murton Park
4.6 (561 reviews)
Location: Murton Ln York
Tel: 1904-489966
Web Address: http://murtonpark.co.uk/
30. Homestead Park
4.7 (561 reviews)
Credit: Gordon Hatton, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: The Homestead 40 Water End York
Tel: 1904-735000
Web Address: https://jrht.org.uk/about-us/homestead-park
29. York Cold War Bunker
4.6 (577 reviews)
Credit: James Stringer, License, Flickr
Location: Monument Cl Holgate York
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/york-cold-war-bunker/
28. Dean’s Park
4.6 (601 reviews)
Credit: Beep boop beep, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2 Minster Yard York
Tel: 1904-557200
Web Address: https://yorkminster.org/
27. Barley Hall
4.5 (611 reviews)
Credit: Fingalo, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2 Coffee Yard York
Tel: 1904-615505
Web Address: http://barleyhall.co.uk/
26. West Bank Park
4.5 (640 reviews)
Credit: Storye book, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5 Hill Street Acomb York
Web Address: https://westbankpark.org/
25. National Trust – Treasurer’s House, York
4.6 (876 reviews)
Credit: Derek Voller, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Minster Yard York
Tel: 1904-624247
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/treasurers-house-york/
24. Point Zero Trampoline Park York
4.5 (917 reviews)
Credit: Point Zero Trampoline Park York, Google Maps
Location: 3 7 Rose Ave York
Tel: 1904-360500
Web Address: https://thepointzero.com/
23. Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
4.6 (932 reviews)
Credit: Michael D Beckwith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Fossgate York
Tel: 1904-654818
Web Address: http://merchantshallyork.org/
22. Railway Museum Road Train
4.7 (1,150 reviews)
Credit: peter robinson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: National Railway Museum Leeman Rd. York
Web Address: https://railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/road-train
21. Tenpin York
4.1 (1,161 reviews)
Location: clifton moor centre Streetirling Rd. York
Tel: 871-222-3675
Web Address: https://tenpin.co.uk/our-locations/york/
20. Piglets Adventure Farm
4.6 (1,492 reviews)
Location: Towthorpe Grange Towthorpe Moor Ln Towthorpe York
Tel: 1904-499183
Web Address: http://pigletsadventurefarm.com/
19. York Art Gallery
4.3 (1,543 reviews)
Credit: David Dixon, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Exhibition Square York
Tel: 1904-687687
Web Address: http://yorkartgallery.org.uk/
18. The Web Adventure Park
4.5 (1,568 reviews)
Location: clifton gate business park Wigginton Road York
Tel: 1904-692221
Web Address: http://webadventurepark.co.uk/
17. Knavesmire
4.5 (1,692 reviews)
Credit: Martin Speck, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Knavesmire Road York
Tel: 1904-620911
16. Rowntree Park
4.6 (2,477 reviews)
Credit: Tim Green, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Terry Ave York
Web Address: https://york.gov.uk/directory_record/376/rowntree_park
15. National Trust – Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens
4.6 (2,748 reviews)
Credit: Katie Maloney, Google Maps
Location: gbrough Hall Gallery and Gardens York
Tel: 1904-472027
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough-hall/
14. Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial
4.7 (3,613 reviews)
Location: Halifax Way Elvington York
Tel: 1904-608595
Web Address: http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/
13. The York Dungeon
4.6 (4,913 reviews)
Location: 12 Clifford Street York
Tel: 1904-632599
Web Address: http://thedungeons.com/york
12. Museum Gardens
4.6 (6,787 reviews)
Location: Museum Street York
Tel: 1904-687687
Web Address: https://yorkmuseumgardens.org.uk/
11. York Shambles
4.7 (7,048 reviews)
Location: York
Tel: 871-266-3676
Web Address: http://yorkshambles.co.uk/
10. Shambles Market
4.5 (7,362 reviews)
Credit: bryan…, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5 Silver Street York
Tel: 1904-551355
Our Top picks
9. Shambles
4.7 (272 reviews)
8. York City Walls
4.7 (1,079 reviews)
Credit: Malcolmxl5, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Unnamed Rd. York
Web Address: https://york.gov.uk/CityWalls
7. Yorkshire Museum
4.4 (1,328 reviews)
Credit: bryan…, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Museum Gardens Museum St York
Tel: 1904-687687
Web Address: http://yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/
6. Clifford’s Tower, York
4.2 (3,430 reviews)
Credit: Góngora, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Tower Street York
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/
5. York’s Chocolate Story
4.5 (4,015 reviews)
Location: 3 4 King’s Sq York
Tel: 1904-527765
Web Address: http://yorkschocolatestory.com/
4. York Castle Museum
4.6 (4,700 reviews)
Credit: Martin Speck, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Tower Street York
Tel: 1904-687687
Web Address: https://yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/
3. JORVIK Viking Centre
4.5 (7,018 reviews)
Location: 19 Coppergate York
Tel: 1904-615505
Web Address: http://jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/
2. York Minster
4.7 (15,253 reviews)
Credit: Michael D Beckwith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Deangate York
Tel: 1904-557200
Web Address: https://yorkminster.org/
1. National Railway Museum York
4.7 (21,897 reviews)
Credit: The Carlisle Kid, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Leeman Road York
Tel: 330-058-0058
Web Address: https://railwaymuseum.org.uk/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in York, England! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
Join the TouristWire community
At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!
.
