Photo: MatzeTrier · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
York
Medieval walls, a giant cathedral and Viking York, all on foot.
A walled medieval city in northern England with a vast Gothic cathedral, crooked timber-framed lanes and Roman and Viking layers underneath. Walk the walls for free, and don't miss the free railway museum by the station.
Places to see
National Railway MuseumMuseum · Huge halls of locomotives and carriages, from early steam engines to a Japanese bullet…Free
York city wallsWalk · A narrow walkway along the top of the medieval walls, about 3.4 km in all, through stone…Free
The ShamblesWalk · A narrow cobbled lane where the upper floors of timber-framed houses lean so far out they…Free
When to go
- Jan7° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb8° / 1°Some rainBusy
- Mar10° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Apr13° / 4°Some rainBusy
- May16° / 7°Some rainBusy
- Jun19° / 10°Some rainBusy
- Jul21° / 12°Some rainVery busy
- Aug21° / 12°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Inside the walls. The Minster, the Shambles and the market lanes; the most atmospheric base, with a few hostels.
The station and Micklegate. West of the river: the station, the Railway Museum, the Museum Gardens across the bridge and lively Micklegate; handy and often cheaper.
Flying in
Manchester (MAN): Direct train from the airport to York, about 2 h, ≈ A$61. Advance fares and a Railcard cut it a lot (check).
Leeds Bradford (LBA): Bus to Leeds, then the train to York, about 1 h 30 min, ≈ A$31. Two tickets; check times, as the airport bus is less frequent late in the evening.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into York; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$6. The walled centre is small and mostly pedestrian; the station and the Railway Museum are just outside the walls. Buses serve the suburbs (check fares).
Tourist tax
York has no tourist tax (check).
