List of 8 Free and Paid Things to do in York You Will Ever Need
York is a walled city in North Yorkshire, England that was
founded by the ancient Romans. Its huge 13th- century Gothic cathedral, York
Minster, has medieval stained glass and two functioning bell towers. The City
Walls form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse. The Monk Bar gate houses
an exhibition tracing the life of 15th-century Plantagenet King Richard III.
As UK's top traveler destination, York is a very common
place to visit, enticing visitors from all over the world, all year round.
But how long does it take to travel from Edinburgh to York by train?
The average journey time between Edinburgh and York is 2 hours 34 minutes. The fastest journey time is 2 hours 17 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 40 trains per day travelling from Edinburgh to York. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays.
We were fortunate enough to have a lovely weather during our trip. We love walking so we decided to go for a stroll along the City Wall. This is a fast way to get from one place of the city to the other without having to navigate jam-packed streets.
From the entrance, there was an archaeological dig, glassed over so you can walk across it was simply mind-blowing.
We left home at 4:30 AM to catch our train to Edinburgh then
went on another train ride from Edinburgh (Waverley) to York (2 and half hour
train ride). It was pretty easy and hassle-free.
![]() |
Edinburgh Waverley Platform |
But how long does it take to travel from Edinburgh to York by train?
The average journey time between Edinburgh and York is 2 hours 34 minutes. The fastest journey time is 2 hours 17 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 40 trains per day travelling from Edinburgh to York. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays.
Are there direct trains from Edinburgh to York?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Edinburgh to York without
having to change trains. Use our journey planner above to get direct train
times from Edinburgh to York.
What is the distance between Edinburgh and York?
The distance between Edinburgh and York is 161 miles.
Tip: You don’t want to stand on the train for almost 3 hours
so always make sure to book your train in advance, not to mention that train
tickets are a lot cheaper when booked beforehand.
On our first day we went straight ahead on our rented bed
and breakfast and left our luggage. We did not waste any of our time.
![]() |
Location of our Airbnb rented flat |
1. YORK MINSTER (Semi-Free)
![]() |
York Minster |
As a main cathedral in UK that has its personal history,
this minster is such a brilliant and greatly recommended place to visit. It’s a
10-minutes walk from the train station across the river.
The minster is massive
and provides you a sense of admiration by just looking from the outside. There
is a mandatory admission fee to explore more of the church and the catacombs.
You can pay extra and climb the tower if you are fit. There are lots of areas
to explore and the size will inspire you.
“Take a fascinating 2000 year journey through interactive
underground chambers in Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft. Follow in the
footsteps of Roman soldiers and discover the stories of some of the people
whose lives have been influenced by York Minster. The underground chambers have
been totally transformed with dynamic new audio-visual and interactive
galleries revealing the significance behind the cathedral's most treasured artifacts
as never before."
See the best views in York after climbing the 275 steps up
the Central Tower leading you to the highest point in the city.”
Open Christmas
* For services:
Open daily from 7:00am until 6:30pm for service times.
For sightseeing:
Monday - Saturday: open 9:00am; last entry at 4.30pm
Sunday: 12.45pm - 5.00pm
In the winter, Tower Trips may be affected by the weather
and will only be available on the day.
Guide Prices
York Minster is open daily, with regular admission from
9.00am to 4.30pm. Service run throughout the day - see YorkMinster for
details
Admission prices are £10 for adults if bought online in
advance from YorkMinster.org (£11 on the day), £9 for concessions and free for
accompanying children.
The ticket includes a free guided tour, entry into The
Undercroft Museum and unlimited return visits for 12 months.
Tower Tours cost just £5.00 per person (Ages 8+ only)
There is a range of ticket options to suit every visitor.
Plus, there are voluntary guides who are a wealth of knowledge and bring York
Minster to life.
Take a tour to learn more - free as part of admission.
Family Pass (1 adult + up to 4 children) £10
Family Pass (2 adults + up to 4 children) £20
2. YORK CITY WALLS (FREE)
York’s City Walls are FREE.
They are open to walk on from about 8.00am to dusk daily (excluding in
times when repairs/maintenance, snow or ice may make them dangerous).
![]() |
A stunning walk on a sunny dry day |
York’s medieval City Walls (or “Bar Walls”), a scheduled
ancient monument encircling the historic
City of York, comprise 3.4km (2 miles) of surviving masonry. They are the
longest town walls in England. They were built mainly in the 13th century of magnesian
limestone and, uniquely in England, were
set on earthen ramparts.
![]() |
York city walls are very extraordinary and have stood strong since Roman eras. Hard to imagine how things were before the walls were created |
We were fortunate enough to have a lovely weather during our trip. We love walking so we decided to go for a stroll along the City Wall. This is a fast way to get from one place of the city to the other without having to navigate jam-packed streets.
We loved the courtyard views. You
capture the real sense of this walled city from the heights. However the stairs
could be a challenge for some tourists but we really enjoyed our walk along the
wall and loved seeing York from higher up. It wasn't too busy when we were
there and it felt quite nice and serene.
![]() |
PHOTO WITH THE HISTORICAL STONES |
“No visit to York would be complete without a walk around
the City Walls. At 3.4 kilometers long, the beautifully preserved walls are the
longest medieval town walls in England. About 2.5 million people walk along all
or part of the City walls each year, enjoying some amazing views. "
"The
completion of the entire circuit will take approximately 2 hours. There are
five main bars or gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern (a small
gateway) and 45 towers. The walls weigh approximately 100,000 metric tons.”
3. SHAMBLES (FREE)
No trip to York could perhaps be complete without a trip to
the Shambles. The shops were delightfully old and the tea rooms are really
cute. The history of this picturesque and lovely street is an important part to
any trip to York.
![]() |
Shambles full of specialist and craft shops. Also antique and junk places. You can find a bargain! There's also a traditional market place with stalls. |
Walking up and down the shambles is an experience. No matter
what you search for here, whether it’s story, modern folktale, food, artistries
or beverage to name but a few, the shambles has it.
Great afternoon was spent
wandering around. So many different shops to visit.
![]() |
Beautiful Street and some quirky little shops, worth a visit whilst in York. |
Shambles Market, a historic and vibrant market situated in
the heart of the City of York, is a source of exceptional fresh produce, unique
crafts and essential merchandise.
![]() |
"Open seven days a week from 7am, the Market is the perfect shopping destination with more than 85 stalls offering a diverse selection of goods." |
"Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a bite to eat in our street
food area with free Wi-Fi and seating available."
Defo a must visit whilst in York!
4. CLIFFORD’s TOWER (Semi-Free)
Loads of history in Clifford’s Tower and some are very
disturbing stories. There isn't a lot to see inside to be honest but at least
you can see and stand where historic events occurred. The views are obviously
good from the inside but you can also get great views within the city.
Clifford's Tower stands as a proud symbol of the power of
England's medieval kings. Originally built by William the Conqueror to subdue
the rebels of the north, it was twice burned to the ground, before being
rebuilt by Henry III in the 13th century.
The tower takes its name from one grisly incident in its long history, when Roger de Clifford was executed for treason against Edward II and hanged in chains from the tower walls. With sweeping panoramic views of York and the surrounding countryside, it isn't hard to see why Clifford's Tower played such a crucial role in the control of northern England.
The tower takes its name from one grisly incident in its long history, when Roger de Clifford was executed for treason against Edward II and hanged in chains from the tower walls. With sweeping panoramic views of York and the surrounding countryside, it isn't hard to see why Clifford's Tower played such a crucial role in the control of northern England.
Facilities: parking, guidebooks, no dogs allowed, shop,
events, family learning
Opening Times
Open daily 10:00-16:00
Boxing Day: 10:00 - 16:00
New Year’s Eve: 10:00 - 16:00
Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day Bank
Holiday, New Year's Day
From 25 March:
Open daily 10:00-18:00
Guide Prices
Member Free, Adult £4.20, Child (5-15 years) £2.50,
Concession £3.80, Family (2 adults, 3 children) £10.90.
5. YORK CHOCOLATE STORY (FEE REQUIRES)
York's Chocolate Story, located in the heart of York, is an
entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York's most
famous chocolate-making families and their finest creations. You'll discover
chocolate's origins, how to make it, how to taste it like an expert and even
the sustainable future of chocolate.
Uncover a host of surprising secrets and fascinating facts
behind York's greatest chocolate products, from the Chocolate Orange to the
globally famous Kit Kat.
Once you've explored chocolate-making and its history,
you can even shop for and indulge in chocolate to your heart's content. There's
so much for you to enjoy and discover at York's Chocolate Story in the UK's
home of chocolate!
Opening Times*
Open daily:
Open daily:
10:00-18:00 (last tour 16:00)
Closed 25-26 December and 1 January.
CHOCOLATE BAR café open daily 10am - 6pm (Friday and
Saturday until 9pm)
Guide Prices
• Adult
£11.50
• Concession
£10.50
• Child
(age 4-15) £9.50
• Family of
four £39.95
• Family of
five £49.95
York residents get 1/3 off admission on Sundays
6. JORVIK Viking Centre (FEE REQUIRES)
Hop aboard our improved ride experience and you’ll be
transported back to the year AD960; Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking King in
Jorvik, has been expelled and the city is transforming itself. You will
discover the impact of international trade on Viking-Age York, including the
evolution of a multi-cultural society in the city, as it’s not just trade goods
that flowed into Jorvik but people from across the globe!
"Our gallery experiences have been completely updated, with
new display cases allowing you to get up close to these precious, Viking
artefacts. You will have the chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York
using the latest in cutting-edge technology located throughout the centre."
"Viking-age York was around 6.5 metres below the current
street level, and this is where visitors will find JORVIK Viking Centre’s
recreation of 10th century Coppergate – a key trading street in Viking-age
York."
*French, German, Japanese, Spanish commentary available on
the ride.
During JORVIK Viking Festival, special events and school
holiday periods opening times may vary, check here for up to the minute
information.
![]() |
At the Entrance of Jorvik Viking Centre |
Guide Prices
Adults £11.00
Children (5-15) £8.00
Concession £9.00
Family of 4 £32.00
Family of 5 £36.00
JORVIK Group Pastport: Adult £20.00, Child (5-16) £13.00,
Concessions £16.00, Family 4 £55.00, Family 5 £60.00, Under 5s FREE.
AMAZING! It did not disappoint. The Jorvik Viking centre
takes you on a tour through medieval York. It is based on archaeological discoveries and gives one a sense of day to day life in York. The sounds and
smells are realistic. We loved the pleasant staff dressed as Vikings, who were
very informative and helpful.
From the entrance, there was an archaeological dig, glassed over so you can walk across it was simply mind-blowing.
The time train ride was incredible. We were so overwhelmed
by it. The sounds of Viking York was so realistic that you find yourself
averting your eyes from the gaze of the life size models, or saying hello to
them, and wanting to stroke the dogs! Even the piglets and the rats move and
squeak.
It will be better if the exhibition is a bit larger, but was
probably enough for most people.
7.
York Mansion House (FEE REQUIRES)
"Past
the grandeur of the prominent green doors and beautiful facade lies an
inspiring, interactive environment where you can experience the story of York’s
past and present. See how every Lord Mayor from the middle ages to the present
day has danced, dined and entertained."
"Standing
in the heart of our vibrant city, the Mansion House is the earliest
purpose-built house for a Lord Mayor still in existence. Past the grandeur of
the prominent green doors and beautiful facade lies an inspiring, interactive
environment where you can experience the story of York’s past and present and
see how every Lord Mayor from the middle ages to the present day has danced,
dined and entertained."
STANDARD
ADMISSION
Adults:
£6.50
Concession1:
£5
Children:
£3.50
Family2:
£17
YorkPass
& York Residents3: 50% off ticket price
You
can purchase tickets from our admission desk in York Mansion House.
Special
events will vary in price and may be available to book online.
ANNUAL
PASS
Return
as many times as you like within 12 months! Available to York Residents3 only.
Adults:
£9
Concession1
(students 16+ in full time education and over 65’s – I.D. required): £8
Children:
Free with paying adult
Family2
(up to 2 adults and 4 children): £15
1
Students 16+ in full time education and over 65’s – I.D. required
2
Up to 2 adults and 2 children
3
Please bring proof of residence in the form of a council tax bill dates within
the last 3 months or a YorkCard
8.
Rose Theatre and Shakespearean Village, York
(EUROPE’S FIRST EVER POP-UP
SHAKESPEAREAN THEATRE) – Semi-Free
Inspired
by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587 (12 years prior to The
Globe), the theatre combines state-of-the-art scaffolding technology,
corrugated iron and timber with the historic 13-sided design of a 16th century
Shakespearean theatre.
It will house an audience of 900, with 560 seated on
three tiered balconies around an open-roofed courtyard, and standing room for
340 ‘groundlings’.
Outside
the theatre, visitors can experience a vibrant, free-to-enter Shakespearean
village, offering the finest Yorkshire food and drinks from oak-framed,
reed-thatched buildings, an array of ‘wagon’ entertainment, minstrels and a
stunning Elizabethan garden with ornate box-edged beds of cottage flowers,
roses and herbs.
To
sum it up York is rich in English history. There is a lot to see and things
to-do that will remind you of what life was like throughout the past.
“Few cities in the world can rival York for history and character. A
picturesque riverside city encircled by a ribbon of ancient walls, York has a
fascinating provenance that stretches back 2,000 years. Roman emperors were
crowned here, William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace’s head decorated its battlements and
cannonball scars from the English Civil War pockmark the stonework.
Nonetheless, the city has aged well; from the medieval stained glass of its
great Gothic cathedral to the Roman roads beneath your feet, the past is
delightfully inescapable.” (Excerpt from telegraph )
Sources:
shamblesmarket.com
Thank you so much for reading. Xxx
Don’t forget to subscribe as well. ☺
You can also follow me on my social media accounts
Instagram account @jericazvyka
Twitter account: @my_weethoughts
Pinterest account: myweethoughts
Facebook Page: myweethoughts
- - Jerica
Thanks for sharing this. You have so many perfect places in York. It is a very cool city. Sabina
ReplyDeleteHi.
ReplyDeleteWe love England but, we never been to York but, we will go for sure one day and, i loved your tips, spetiatly the free ones :)
I love the architecture and history in towns like this! Great information to help ease planning a trip!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to York before but it looks amazing! This is such a great detailed post.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing and make me really wish I could go there. Of course I really would love to go to the POP-UP SHAKESPEAREAN THEATRE!! I love Shakespeare!!
ReplyDeleteYork looks so historic! I'd love to visit one day. The cathedral looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI've never been there, thanks a lot for sharing this. It will going to help me for sure whenever i planned to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are really amazing photos and sounds like you have a wonderful time in visiting and exploring the beautiful place of York.
ReplyDeleteI have been there. It is indeed a lovely place to explore so I agree with all your points and places
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, I have never been to York so this will be a good list to get me started, really appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI have never been in England nor in York and I can really see in your photos that it is a beautiful place to see and I am sure it makes me happier in exploring this place.
ReplyDeleteI am adding almost all of these to my bucket list of places to go! My husband and I was to make it out to York eventually!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are absolutely gorgeous and make me feel as though I am right there with you. I would love to go see that cathethradal! It is stunnning!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very nice city! Wish I go there one day
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting views at the York Walls. I like exploring different places this time of the year. It enriches your mind before the new one.
ReplyDeleteThis will be so helpful one day. I’ve never been there! I really would love to and this post is an excellent guide.
ReplyDeleteI’m in the UK at least once per year but haven’t been to York yet. It looks like such a lovely place to visit!
ReplyDelete