About York
York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, including the minster, castle and city walls, all of which are Grade I listed. It is the traditional county town of Yorkshire, and the administrative centre of the City of York district. It is located 27 miles (43 km) north-east of Leeds, 90 miles (140 km) south of Newcastle upon Tyne and 207 miles (333 km) north of London. York's built-up area had a recorded population of 141,685 at the 2021 census.
Places to visit in York
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York Minster
ReligiousOne of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, famous for its huge medieval stained glass windows. Climb the 275 steps of the central tower for wide views over the city's rooftops.
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The Shambles
NeighborhoodA narrow medieval street of crooked, overhanging timber-framed buildings that once housed butchers' shops and now holds small stores and cafes. Visit early in the morning, before the crowds, for the best photos.
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York City Walls
HistoricThe longest medieval town walls in England, with a walkway running along much of the circuit. Walk the section near the Minster for the best views.
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National Railway Museum
MuseumA huge museum of British trains, including royal carriages, a Japanese bullet train, and record-breaking steam locomotives. Entry is free, though booking a time slot online is recommended at busy times.
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Jorvik Viking Centre
MuseumA museum built on the site of an archaeological dig, where a slow ride takes you through a reconstructed Viking street, complete with sounds and smells. Book tickets in advance during school holidays.
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Clifford's Tower
HistoricThe surviving stone keep of York Castle, sitting on a high grassy mound with views over the city. A new roof deck lets you look across to the Minster, and the York Castle Museum is next door.
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York Castle Museum
MuseumA museum of everyday life set in a former debtors' prison, best known for its recreated Victorian street of shops. Plan two to three hours, and pair it with nearby Clifford's Tower.
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Castle Howard
Historic · 14 mi from centreA grand baroque stately home set in large gardens with lakes, temples, and woodland about 25 km northeast of York. Drive or join a tour, as public transport to the house is limited.
Top experiences in York
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.
The Ghost Bus Tours - York
From $28 per adult
Visit York Official Pass with 30+ Attractions & Hop On Hop Off Bus
From $85 per adult
Travel Curious - Private Walking Tour of York
From $560 per adult
York Private Walking Tour
From $327 per adult
City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $20 per adult
The York Witches and History Walking Tour
From $20 per adult
York Dungeon - Entrance Tickets
From $25 per adult
Where to stay in York
Popular hotels in York, out of 269 properties you can book.
Hotel Clementine
From $282 per night
Mercure York Fairfield Manor
From $237 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton York
From $300 per night
Roomzzz York City
From $285 per night
The Fat Badger
From $330 per night
The Milner York
From $296 per night
The Grand York
From $504 per night
Hampton by Hilton York Piccadilly
From $393 per night
Grand Hotel Scarborough
From $65 per night
Novotel York Centre
From $337 per night
Park Inn by Radisson York
From $328 per night
Hampton by Hilton York
From $223 per night
Best time to visit York
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit York is August, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
York weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 50° 38° 2%
- Thu 12 Nov 45° 35° 0%
- Fri 13 Nov 44° 34° 0%
- Sat 14 Nov 46° 39° 2%
- Sun 15 Nov 46° 37° 37%
- Mon 16 Nov 50° 35° 45%
- Tue 17 Nov 53° 43° 50%
Know before you go
- Currency
- British pound (GBP)1 US dollar ≈ £0.75
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +44
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Europe/LondonUTC+0
- Capital
- London
Upcoming public holidays in United Kingdom
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- Good Friday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to York
These are the airports closest to central York. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HRT RAF Linton-on-Ouse10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
- LBA Leeds Bradford Airport24 mi (39 km) from the city centre
- DSA Doncaster Sheffield Airport33 mi (53 km) from the city centre
Getting around York
The City of York Council have a website named i-Travel York, which provides unbiased information for travelling around the city on foot, by bike, by bus and by car.
On foot
The best way to discover York: the city centre is small enough to walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes, and there is only a short distance on flat terrain between most of the sights. That said, the winding, narrow streets can be confusing and aren't always well-signposted, so a map is handy.
By bike
York is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the UK - there's an extensive network of cycle routes in and around the city, and most of the traffic controls have been set up to give cyclists priority. There are no significant hills in or around the city centre, which is a big help. The river path along the Ouse contains some wonderful bike routes out of the city.
By bus
Bus services connect all the points of interest in the city. Download a PDF of the city's network map. A variety of operators run the individual routes, but thankfully you can still buy a ticket which works on every company and line in the city within a set period: All York costs £6.00 for one day. (May 2026). The day tickets are not 24 hour passes, rather they are valid until midnight on the day of purchase. Some operators accept contactless payment by credit and debit card.
York travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit York?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit York is August, when average daytime highs are around 71°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in York?
August is usually the warmest month in York, with average highs of 71°F (21°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 101 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to York?
RAF Linton-on-Ouse (HRT) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of York. Other nearby airports include Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA, 24 mi) and Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA, 33 mi).
What currency is used in York?
York uses the British pound (GBP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £0.75.
What time zone is York in?
York uses the Europe/London time zone (currently UTC+0). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around York?
The City of York Council have a website named i-Travel York, which provides unbiased information for travelling around the city on foot, by bike, by bus and by car.
What are the best places to visit in York?
Top sights in York include York Minster, The Shambles, York City Walls and National Railway Museum. One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, famous for its huge medieval stained glass windows. Climb the 275 steps of the central tower for wide views over the city's rooftops.
What are the top things to do in York?
Popular experiences you can book in York include The Ghost Bus Tours - York, Visit York Official Pass with 30+ Attractions & Hop On Hop Off Bus and Travel Curious - Private Walking Tour of York. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in York?
Popular areas for hotels in York include York and Scarborough. Well-reviewed options include Hotel Clementine and Mercure York Fairfield Manor.
How many hotels can I book in York?
Destina Holidays currently lists 269 properties in and around York, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
