Sights and landmarks in York
169 sights worth seeing in York: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 169.
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Sights and landmarks in York
.JPG?width=240 "Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 4.0")
SeeRailway museumNational Railway Museum
The largest railway museum in the world, with a magnificent collection of locomotives, rolling stock, railway equipment, documents and records. The bulk of it is British, but there are also great snorting monsters from China and the U.S. Highlights include Queen Victoria's opulent Royal Train, famous locos such as Stephenson's Rocket and Mallard, and a first-generation Shinkansen - the only one outside of Japan. When it's not cruising the rails in summer, Flying Scotsman overwinters at the NRM. Out in the yard, a steam-engine hauls rides in the summer, and a miniature railway operates year-round. And the best thing for railbuffs: the museum is in sight of York station and has a viewing deck overlooking the East Coast Main Line!.
Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-5PMMuseum and all exhibitions free. Steam rides £4, miniature railway £3, under-2s free. Donations encouraged. · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric siteClifford's Tower
In the 11th century, the Normans built a castle here to keep the Vikings at bay and subdue the local population following their conquest of England. The Vikings being Vikings, they promptly smashed it, so the Normans built bigger and better - the tower you see today was the castle's keep. The tower was the scene of the infamous massacre of York's Jews in 1190. In 1684, its interior was wrecked by an explosion, but the hollow tower is now the oldest remnant of the castle. The rest fell into disrepair, before being re-built as a gaol, and in modern times housing the Castle Museum. Access is by very steep steps up the hillock; it's a bit like climbing a pyramid. After closure, you can still climb to the front door and look back over the square - this is especially atmospheric after dark.
Daily 10AM-6PM (last entry 5:50PM)Adult £9.54, child £4.72, concession £8.75, English Heritage members free
SeePublic artYork Minster
Cathedral of St Peter in York
Seat of the Archbishop of York and the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, York Minster dominates the skyline and dates back to the 8th century at least. The inside of the cathedral has beautiful stained glass and several interesting and peculiar features – look for the modern statues signalling "Christ is here" in semaphore and the dragon hanging from near the ceiling. The Undercroft Museum, beneath the Minster, displays centuries worth of archaeological findings in an interactive display. Then, climb the 275 steps to the top of the Minster's Central Tower to experience panoramic views from York's highest spot (ages 8+ only). The nightly Evensong worship has haunting acoustics, and is the only way of accessing the cathedral on Sunday late afternoons. On the south side of the Minster outside, don't miss the, who was in 306 AD proclaimed emperor of Rome in York. At the far end of the plaza from this is a which was unearthed beneath the Minster and reerected in 1971 to mark the 1,900th anniversary of the city's founding. Once you've seen all this, relax in the – a simple expanse of grass and trees that affords views of the north side of the Minster. In spring or summer, you may catch a glimpse of nesting peregrine falcons.
Minster visits: Mon-Sat 9AM-4:30PM, Sun 12:30PM-3PM; Museum: Mon-Sat 10AM-4:30PM, Sun 1PM-3:15PM; Worship: 4 or more services daily 7:30AM-6PMAdult £11.50, senior £10.50, student with ID £9, child under 17 free. Access to Minster, museum and guided tour included; £5 extra for tower. Worship, park and plaza free. York Pass accepted · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumYorkshire Museum
Interesting, and quite good for curious children. Features permanent displays of Roman and medieval riches, including the Vale of York Hoard of Viking treasure. There are also natural history sections dedicated to astronomy, biology and geology. A long-term exhibition exploring Yorkshire's Jurassic World uses VR technology and up-to-date research to engage you in the county's prehistoric past.
Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £10, student + 65+ £9, child £6 · Wheelchair accessible
SeeArt galleryYork Art Gallery
A public art gallery with a collection of paintings, prints, watercolours, drawings and ceramics from the 14th century to the contemporary era. The Burton Gallery hosts Italian and Flemish Old Masters, and early 20th century modern art, while an 18th century automaton clock featuring Hercules, waterfalls and dancing figures has pride of place. Look out for paintings by York natives William Etty and Albert Moore. There are regular temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Wed-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £9, Child 5-16 £5.40, student & 65+ £8.10, child 0-4 free, · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumJorvik Viking Centre
Reconstruction of York as it might have looked 1000+ years ago. The visit takes the form of a sit-down ride as you experience the sights, sounds, smells and diverse languages and faces of everyday 10th century life, with the aid of animatronics, dioramas and touchscreen technology. Although a bit like the Viking version of It's a Small World, everything you see has been meticulously researched and the centre is itself built on the archaeological remains of the real Jórvík. Audio commentary available in 15 languages. After the ride is a collection of artefacts, including replicas - for more visit the Yorkshire Museum.
Daily Apr-Oct 10AM-6PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM, longer hours during school holidaysAdult £12.50, child 5-16 years £8.50, concession £10.50. Fasttrack entry with Pastport. York Pass accepted · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumYork Castle Museum
Outstanding museum of everyday life with exhibits to appeal to all ages. Highlights are Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street, and Half Moon Court, an Edwardian street, exhibitions of York's confectionery industry, plus costumes and toys through the ages. The site includes a former prison, in which you can experience the cells, and imagine what it was like in 1739 when infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was awaiting his execution by hanging. There are numerous special exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Mon 11Am-5PM, Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMAdult £18, student & 65+ £16.20, child £10.80 · Limited wheelchair access
SeeAttractionYork Museum Gardens
This extensive botanical collection is a great place for a picnic. Perambulate through a variety of borders (butterfly-friendly, oriental, prairie), not missing out the fern garden and rockery. Daffodils and bluebells abound in spring. The gardens are not just for nature lovers, however, as they also contain much significant archaeology: the third century Roman fortification known as the, which only saw action 14 centuries later during the English Civil War; the remains of, where the poor and sick of medieval York were cared for physically and spiritually; the ruins of the Benedictine, which date from 1088 and once rivalled the Minster for grandeur. The small, which was constructed in 1832/33 and is still in working condition, is also located in the gardens. It's open most days 11:30AM-2:30PM, plus some winter evenings for public astronomy events.
Daily 10:30AM-6PM. Free tours every Sun 1PMFree. Wheelchair accessible · Wheelchair accessible
SeeGardenTreasurer's House
Grade I-listed town house and garden dating from the 12th century that acted as the official residence of York Minster's treasurers over the centuries. Frank Green, heir to an industrialist's fortune, purchased it in 1897 and transformed it into a lavish pad to flaunt his enormous wealth and eclectic decorating tastes and collection of art, antiques, and furniture. Today it is managed by the National Trust, and the visitor can discover both Green's dizzying collection and the contrastingly calming gardens. Like all good Trust properties, there's an on-site shop and café.
Sat–Tue noon–4PM -- confirm on websiteAdult £12, child £5. NT members free · Free entry
SeeMuseumFairfax House
A Georgian townhouse built as the winter home for the Viscount Fairfax and his daughter, which has today been lovingly restored as a charming example of aristocratic life in York. It is decorated and furnished similar to how it would have been in the 1760s, almost exclusively using objects from the private collection of chocolatier Noel Terry (1889–1979). Giuseppe Cortese's elaborately-wrought stucco ceilings are a particular highlight, adorning half a dozen of the Fairfaxs' stately rooms. 'Gregory the Townhouse Mouse' will keep your kids entertained with his exploration trails around the property. Audio tours in eight languages.
Mon–Thu 10AM–5PM, Fri entrance by guided tour 11AM, then noon-5PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PMAdult £8.50, guided tour £9.50, children under 17 free, concessions for students & 65+. see website for details
SeeHistoric siteKing's Manor
Now the very apt home for the University of York's Archaeology Department, this was a royal headquarters during the Tudor and Stuart dynasties (16th and 17th centuries). As this is a working academic building, you may have to content yourself with admiring the Grade I listed architecture from the outside, unless you can pass as a scholar that is! Respect the students and staff, or you'll ruin it for future visitors.
Mon-Fri 8AM-6PMFree
SeeMuseumMerchant Adventurers' Hall
Remarkable timbered guild hall, built by city merchants between 1357 and 1361. The great hall was where they gathered for business and socialising, the undercroft was an almshouse for the poor and sick, and in the chapel all mercantile sins were conveniently forgiven. Good café on-site.
Sun-Fri 10AM-4:30PM, Sat 10AM-1:30PMAdult £6.50, concession £5.50, under 17s free. York Pass accepted. Admission includes audio tour in English / written guide in other languages · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumBarley Hall
Reconstruction of a medieval townhouse. Built in the 14th century by the monks of Nostell Priory in Wakefield, but serially chopped, changed and neglected over the centuries. By 1970 it was a plumber's storeroom, on the brink of demolition. It's now been rebuilt to how it was in the 15th century, discarding later additions. Its detractors say this was more like a retro-fit and prettification of history, but it's difficult to see how anything more "authentic" could have been made viable, and it can be accurately described as a large piece of experimental archaeology carried out by experts.
Daily 10AM-3PM/4PMAdult £6.50, child 5-16 years £3.50, concession £5. Combo ticket with Jorvik: adult £15, child £10, concession £12. York Pass accepted
SeeHistoric siteCold War Bunker
From the 1960s to the 1990s, behind blast-proof doors, sat volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps, waiting to log nuclear bomb explosions in the region and monitor radioactive fallout. Fortunately they had a quiet few decades at the office. It is now English Heritage's most modern property, and also one of its spookiest. Visit only by guided tour, which takes an hour and includes a film and thorough radiation decontamination.
Apr-Oct: Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM, Nov-Mar Sat Sun 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM)from; Adult £11.11, concession £10.33, child £5.51. EH member free · Limited wheelchair access
SeeMuseumYork Army Museum
Contact via Facebook and X. The museum brings together the collections of one of the Army's oldest cavalry regiments - the Royal Dragoon Guards, dating from 1685, with one of its newest infantry regiments - the Yorkshire Regiment, which was only formed in 2006. Charting the relationship between Yorkshire and the Army going back centuries, the collections span medals, standards, uniforms, firearms, swords and soldiers' personal effects, with interactive exhibits and many tales of individual courage and hardships to bring the history to life.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PMAdult £5, child aged 5-16 years £2.50, under 5 years free, concession £4, service personnel 50% off applicable ticket. York Pass accepted · Wheelchair accessible
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SeeAttractionGoddards House
The family home of Noel Goddard Terry, of the Terry's chocolate company. Built in 1927 in Arts & Crafts style, but mostly furnished in Georgian, parts of the house are open to the public to offer glimpses of what the Terrys' family life would have been like, but some of the building is a regional office of the National Trust. On the other hand, the typically English gardens can be visited in their entirety, and you can hunt down birds, bees and butterflies like a true twenties gent.
see websiteAdult £9, child £4.50, NT member free
SeeHistoric siteYork Mansion House
The grand official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, dating from 1732, holds an unparalleled collection of civic gold and silver, plus extensive items of furniture, ceramics, glassware and art. Gastronomes will be interested in the daily cooking demonstrations in the authentically-restored 18th-century kitchen.
Wed-Sun, bank holidays 10:30AM-5PM, (last admission 4PM)Adult £7, concession £5.5, child £3.50.
SeeMuseumMicklegate Bar
Micklegate Bar was first recorded in the 12th century, but reuses stone from an earlier Roman gate. It has long been the official entrance to the city of York for royalty, and welcomed Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. The indoor exhibition closed in 2025, but you can still view the very impressive exterior.
Closed · opens 10 am tomorrowFree
SeeSt Olave
Believed to be the oldest church dedication to Olaf, patron saint of Norway, it once lay in the shadows of St Mary's Abbey and is still within the abbey grounds. In the English Civil War, it formed part of York's defences during the Parliamentarians' siege of the city. Today, the churchyard is a green oasis, and St Olave's maintains its links with Scandinavia.
Daily dawn-duskFree
SeeAttractionHolgate Windmill
One of York's more unusual sights is this 18th century windmill, unique in Britain for having five sails, which sits rather conspicuously in the middle - literally - of a very ordinary residential street. After falling into disuse in the 1930s, the mill was painstakingly restored to working condition by volunteers between 2001 and 2012. On open days, you can see the sails moving, then go inside the mill and understand how the power of wind is harnessed to turn the millstone and grind wheat and spelt into flour. The same volunteers are on hand to answer your questions and sell you some of their freshly-ground flour!.
Mill open for tours on irregular weekends 11AM-4PM, very frequently in summer, but seldom in winter. Mill shop every Sat 10AM-noon. Full calendar hereAdult £3, child (5-18 years) £1
SeeMuseumThe Bar Convent
Founded in the 17th century, when Catholics were widely persecuted in England, the convent is still home to a community of nuns, members of the Congregation of Jesus. In a small interactive museum, you can discover the brave sisters' remarkable story, from their underground origins hidden in plain sight of the authorities, right through to their survival under the bombs of the Luftwaffe. There is also an on-site café and 'secret' garden, as well as B&B-style accommodation.
Mon-Sat 10AM-5PMAdult £5, child £2, concession £4. York Pass accepted
SeeAttractionGuildhall
Built in the 15th century as a meeting hall for the guilds of York, the Guildhall is now also home to the city council chamber. Guilds are associations of artisans and merchants of a particular industry akin to something between a professional association, a trade union and a monopolistic cartel. In the middle ages, these guilds had a dominant role in the economies of every English city. However, the Guildhall you see today is a faithful replica, as the original was mostly destroyed by bombing in 1942. Notice the stained-glass window depicting York's history.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeHoly Trinity, Micklegate
Founded prior to 1066, this is the only pre-Reformation monastic building in York that is in use today. The wooden beams supporting the roof are breathtaking, and there is a small interactive exhibition about those medieval monks and their priory, making use of touchscreens and 3D imagery.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 9AM-4PMFree
SeeAll Saints, North Street
Colourful angels smile cheekily down at you from the ceiling in this 12th century church, which is grade I-listed due to having the finest collection of medieval stained glass windows in the city. The most famous window, dating from around 1410, depicts the Prick of Conscience - a popular Middle English poem.
Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 10:15AM-6:30PMFree
SeeBeningbrough Hall
18th-century mansion in Italianate Baroque style, now managed by the National Trust. It is the red-brick creation of John Bourchier, who was inspired by the Grand Tour of Europe he took as a 20-year-old. Inside, it's all gilt and ornate white plaster, with an ever-changing rotation of over 100 period portraits on permanent loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London, while outside the gardens are rich, extensive and diverse. Eclectic too are the attractions on offer: Beningbrough is no staid stately home, with dogs welcome in the gardens and children well catered for by heaps of activities throughout the year, bicycle hire and several themed walking routes with such intriguing titles as 'Top ten trees of interest'. A restaurant, shop and adventure playground complete the package.
see websiteAdult £16, Child £8, NT members free
SeeHoly Trinity, Goodramgate
Peaceful and atmospheric grade I-listed 12th century church that you won't find unless you're looking for it. The wooden box pews and stone altar are once-common rarities from an early period in church history.
Wed-Sat 11AM-3PMFree
SeeAll Saints Pavement
Best viewed from the outside, from where you can admire its unusual octagonal tower. All Saints is also the civic church of various city guilds and the garrison church of the Royal Dragoon Guards.
Daily 9AM-7PMFree
SeeYorkshire Air Museum
Allied Air Forces Memorial
The former site of RAF Elvington (a WWII bomber command station and base for the Free French Air Force) has been converted into a large open-air museum. In addition to over 60 historic aircraft and vehicles, many original elements of the RAF base - such as the air traffic control tower, hangars and an officers' mess - remain as testament to the sacrifices of airmen and women in all conflict. It also hosts the only Allied Air Forces memorial in Europe. Dogs on leads welcome. On-site NAAFI-style canteen. Information brochures in five European languages available.
Wed-Sun 10AM-4PM (summer until 5PM)Adult £12, child 5-15 years £5, under 5 free, concession £9. York Pass accepted
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SeeMurton Park
Three attractions in one: The Yorkshire Museum of Farming takes visitors through a typical year on the farm, and charts the industry's development from the 1800s to the 1960s, with farming equipment and lovable animals to meet too. Explore reconstructions of a dairy parlour, blacksmith's forge and veterinary surgery which features equipment from James Herriot's famous clinic in Thirsk. Special focus is on an indoor exhibition about the Women's Land Army, who helped keep Britain fed during two world wars, and paved the way for postwar gender equality. Afterwards, take a walk along the nature trail to discover the rich diversity of wildlife that lives on farmland. The Danelaw Centre for Living History presents a number of recreated rural dwellings from Yorkshire's past, from Iron Age, Saxon/Viking villages and a Roman fort, to a Tudor homestead and wartime farm. As it is used as an outdoor history classroom during term time, access to the centre for the general public is limited to weekends and school holidays, and if you want to make the most of the 'living history' aspects (reenactors, stories from long ago, hands-on activities, weapons training etc), you'll need some children with you. The range of cool stuff for them to do will make you wish you were a kid again. To find exactly which activities are happening on which days see the site's events page. The Derwent Valley Light Railway is the half-mile remnant of a line which once linked York to Selby. Nowadays, you can enjoy unlimited - if admittedly short - diesel-hauled rides from Murton Park's cute little station. And if you're still put out at not being able to join your little Vikings in defending their village from attack, you can console yourself by learning to be a train driver, with a practical lesson from one of the DVLR experts. Once you've learnt the ropes, you can drive your loco the length of the track and back – sorry, kids, you have to be 18 or over.
Farming museum: Easter-October daily 10:30AM-4:30PM. Living history: school holidays daily, same hours. DVLR: Sun, bank holidays, same hoursAdult £11, child/concession £9, includes all living history activities (when available) and unlimited access for one year. Locomotive driving experience (adult only): £10
SeeSt Helen Stonegate
A largely 15th century building, but built on a site important in Roman times and possibly founded as early as the 8th century, this is now a quiet refuge from the city's bustle. It also serves as an atmospheric and intimate concert venue.
Daily dawn-duskFree
SeeSt Mary's Church
not to be confused with St Mary's Abbey
A Saxon church, though most of the current building dates from the 13th century. Its 47 m steeple is the tallest in York and it has some fine stained-glass windows. Deconsecrated in the 1950s, St Mary's was reborn as a contemporary art venue in 2004, and now hosts exhibitions throughout the year. As of 2026, the church hosts Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which has come to York following successful runs in Amsterdam and several other European cities. The "Experience" is a 360-degree multisensory digital presentation of hundreds of the Dutch post-impressionist's works, allowing you to see through the eyes of the great man himself and gain an insight to his unique mind.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PMAccess to building normally free. Van Gogh: Adult £13, concession £11, child £9.
SeeSt Martin-le-Grand
Named for Martin of Tours, the bulk of the church dates from the 15th century, and what was the Great West Window depicts 13 moments from the saint's life. The building suffered heavy fire damage during an air raid of 1942, but fortunately much was restored, including some perky grinning gargoyles and a very attractive 17th century clock which adorns the façade.
Daily 9AM-5PMFree
SeeSnickelways
These are the famous medieval (and later) alleys and narrow streets that thread the centre of the city, typically lined with timber frame and brick houses and shops. They are all pedestrianised in the daytime, and indeed most are too narrow for vehicles to use. See Mark W Jones' book A Walk Around the Snickelways of York or its hardback companion The Complete Snickelways of York with their quirky, hand-written descriptions, and follow his suggested route taking in 50 of the snickelways within the city walls. Jones himself coined the term for his books in 1983, as a triple portmanteau of the Yorkshire dialect words snicket and ginnel, and their standard English equivalent alleyway.
SeeArchaeological siteBaile Hill
Baile Hill is a man-made earth mound in the Bishophill area of York, England. It is the only remaining feature of the fortification known as the Old Baile. The origins of Baile Hill date back to 1068.
SeeMemorialWar Memorial
The York City War Memorial is a First World War memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and located in York in the north of England. Proposals for commemorating York's war dead originated in 1919 but proved controversial. Initial discussions focused on whether a memorial should be a monument or take on some utilitarian purpose.
SeeHistoric siteRoman Column
Roman column found during 1969 York Minster excavtions. Comes from the Great Hall / Principia.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric siteSaint William's College
Building built 1465-67 as home for chantry priests of the Cathedral
Built 1467
.jpg?width=240 "Photo: Chris06, CC BY-SA 4.0")
SeeMuseumYork Saint Mary's
St Mary's Church is a Grade I listed former parish church in the Church of England on Castlegate in the city of York.
Limited wheelchair access
SeeHistoric siteSt Mary's Abbey
Ruined Benedictine abbey (Source: Wikipedia:en)
SeeHistoric siteYork Cemetery
York Cemetery is a cemetery located in the city of York, England. Founded in 1837, it now encompasses 24 acres (9.7 ha) (97,000 m2) and is owned and administered by The York Cemetery Trust with support of the Friends of York Cemetery. It is situated on Cemetery Road in the Fishergate area of York.
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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to York (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).