How to spend 2 dreamy days in York, England PLUS 2 great day trip ideas to Whitby and Harewood House!
York is a walled city in northeast England, famous for its Roman roots, Tudor architecture and Viking history.
It is famous for its incredible gothic cathedral, the York Cathedral.
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How to Get There
The best mode of transport to get to York is the train.
Train
York is a 2 hour train journey from London. I recommend booking tickets well in advance to get the best deal. Ticket prices range from £20-40 each way.
Bus
National Express buses from London take about 6 to 7 hours. Ticket prices range from £16-25 each way.
Car
Driving from London to York takes about 4 to 5 hours via M1.
How to get cheap train tickets in the UK
- Make use of railcards (30% discount)
- Pre-book during early-bird sales (usually 3 month in advance)
- Book directly via the company’s website, not through a third party.
Things to Know
- Yorkshire people have a very strong accent, and if you haven’t heard it before then it can be quite a surprise. You might think that because you speak English, and they speak English that you’ll be able to understand them just fine. You won’t. I sat next to a Yorkshire man on the train to York and we spoke for the whole 3 hour journey and I didn’t understand a single word.
- Yorkshire people love their drink. Exactly how many pubs York has is a much debated topic, though many confirm that 365 is just a myth. Despite that, there are definitely enough pubs to keep you busy. Make sure you take the time to try a few that York has to offer.
Where to Stay
$ Hostel $
Safestay York Micklegate
88-90 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX, United Kingdom
Safestay York Micklegate is my hostel of choice in York. There are only two others: Astor York and York YHA. This hostel is the closest to the centre of town and only 300 metres from the train station. It is a Georgian-style building with historical features and a variety of room options. Check availability or see other options.
$$ Hotel $$
Diamonds Inn
39 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB, United Kingdom
If you are looking for a no-frills basic guesthouse, this is the place to stay. Located just outside the city walls, this guesthouse provides quiet, simple accommodation close to the main sights of York. Check availability or see other options.
$$$ Hotel $$$
Minster Walk Guesthouse
22 Marygate, Bootham, York, YO30 7BH, United Kingdom
If you are looking for the absolute top-notch accommodation in York, look no further than Minster Walk Guesthouse. This guesthouse is located just next door to St Mary’s Abbey and the Yorkshire Museum Gardens. The gorgeous interiors reflect the building’s historical heritage. Check availability or see other options.
How to get Cheap Accommodation
- Peak time to travel to York is in summer (June-August) and around Christmas. Accommodation is the most expensive during this time. To get the best deal, travel during the off season, when beds can be as low as £20 (as of May 2024).
- Book in advance, especially during the peak seasons.
- Booking via the official hostel website can sometimes (not always) get you a better deal than booking via third-party websites. However, third party websites do sometimes provide more flexibility for cancellation or changes.
How to Get Around
York is quite a compact little city, with the old town enclosed in the city walls. The main city area within the walls (where you will be spending most of your time) is less than 1 mile in diameter. I didn’t use any public transport because the city is so walkable, but there is a bus service and taxis available if needed.
York City Pass
The York City pass is a ticket that you pre-purchase and allows you entry to 25 attractions across the city. If you are planning on visiting many sights in one day, then check out this pass and see if it would save you any money!
Prices (2024):
1 Day Pass: £59
2 Day Pass: £75
3 Day Pass: £90
DAY 0: Travel and Settling In
Starting an itinerary at day 0 may seem odd, but I think it’s always important to factor in travel time.
I recommend taking the train as it is the quickest and most comfortable transport option. You will probably arrive in London around lunchtime, so grab something to eat!
3 of York’s most popular pubs
- Kings Arms
3 King’s Staith, York YO1 9SN, United Kingdom
This is perhaps York’s most POPULAR pub. Located right on the river, it gets a lot of tv time whenever the river bursts its banks.
- Black Swan
23 Peasholme Grn, York YO1 7DE, United Kingdom
This pub was built in 1417 making it one of the oldest in York. The building was originally a private home, built for William Bowes who became the Lord Mayor of York. The pub has a lavish traditional 17th century interior and is supposedly haunted!
- The Blue Bell
53 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF, United Kingdom
This pub is iconic because it is one of the smallest pubs in York. They claim to have not redecorated since 1903, so you can enjoy a pint in a cosy, traditional Edwardian style pub.
After lunch, it’s time to work off that meal with a stroll along the York Wall.
York City Walls
Opening Hours: 8am – dusk every day
Cost: FREE
York’s medieval walls that encompass the city are the longest city walls in the country at 3.4 kilometres long.
It takes about 2 hours to explore the walls and the four bars, or entrances to the city (Micklegate Bar, Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, and Walmate Bar). You can begin the walk at any of the Bars.
The Walls offer great views across the city, especially of York Minster and the surrounding gardens.
Friends of York Walls offer a free downloadable audio guide, as well as a map of the walk.
York Travel Essentials
SIM cards: Airalo offers eSIMS for over 200 countries which you can install BEFORE travelling, saving you the stress of running around to find a store or from being ripped off by local vendors. This is perfect for backpackers who are travelling to multiple destinations in a short period of time.
Insurance: You should NOT go overseas without getting travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you in case you get injured or your plans change or are cancelled. I always use Covermore, because the cover is comprehensive and they were easy to work with when I needed to make a claim.
Banking: When travelling and saving for travel I use Up Bank, an online Australian bank, that allows fee-free overseas transactions, unlimited savings ‘pools’ and easy transfers. If you join Up with my invite code we both get $13!
DAY 1: Exploring York
Yorkshire Museum and Museum Gardens
Address: Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR, United Kingdom.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Cost: £9.50 or £8.55 for people under 24.
Website: https://www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/
The Yorkshire Museum offers exhibitions on York’s medieval, Roman, and Jurassic history. I personally did not visit this museum when I visited York, but I have heard that it is quite well curated.
The museum gardens are an enjoyable place to take a morning stroll. Check out the Dame Judi Dench Walk named after the icon Judi Dench herself because she was born and grew up in the city!
In the corner is the cute little St Olave’s Church.
St Mary’s Abbey
Near the museum are the remains of a monastery that was originally built in 1088. There’s not much left of it beyond other than a one remaining wall and foundations where the other walls were. But the York Museum website describes them as the most complete set of abbey walls in the country, so what do I know.
York Art Gallery
Address: Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-5pm
Cost: £7 adult or £6.30 for under 25’s.
Website: https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/
The York Art Gallery has one of the most … interesting exhibitions I have ever seen. These animals pictured above seem to be able to perfectly symbolise my social anxiety, and I’m not even sure that is what they were intended to do.
Entry is paid, however, I didn’t realise at the time and just walked straight in.
Join a Free Walking Tour
Now that you are conveniently standing out the front of the Art Gallery, you could join a free walking tour.
Walking tours leave at 10:30am and 1:15pm each day, and take about 2 hours. It takes you past the York Minster, the Shambles, the King’s Manor, and across some of the York Wall.
I especially love the the tour guides on this walking tour are volunteers; the tour is genuinely free and they do NOT expect tips.
Pre-book your spot in your tour the night before, especially in summer.
Whitby Day Trip: The Ultimate 2024 Guide to this Coastal Gem
DAY 2: Shambles and Castle
York Minster and Dean’s Gardens
Address: Deangate, York YO1 7HH, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 9.30am – 4pm, Sun 12.45pm – 2.30pm
Cost: Minster Only – £18, Minster and Central Tower £24
Website: https://yorkminster.org/
The ticket price to the York Minster includes a guided tour and access to the Undercroft Museum.
The nave is spectacular, with soaring vaulted ceilings and one of the largest collections of stained glass. The nave holds the title of the Widest Gothic Nave in England at 30 metres wide.
In the middle of the Minster is the Central Tower. You have to pay extra to climb the 275 steps, but it does offer great panoramic views across the city.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can also attend services for free, they hold Holy Communion and Evening Prayer every day. This is a great way to experience the spirituality of the church, but you won’t be able to wander the nave, visit the tower, or see the museum.
Next door to the Minster is the lovely Deans Park, which is worth a quick stroll around. Nearby there is also a great little souvenir shop.
Barley Hall
Address: 2 Coffee Yard, York YO1 8AR, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: Usually 10am-3pm but this can change depending on the season.
Cost: £9.00 adult, £5.25 child.
Website: https://www.barleyhall.co.uk/
Barley Hall is a restored medieval townhouse that dates back to 1360. The building contains artefacts and costumes preserved or recreated from its past.
The experience is interactive; visitors are allowed to touch objects and try on the costumes.
This is a great activity if you have children or are looking for something to do on a rainy day.
The Shambles
TIP: This street is insanely popular and almost always packed with tourists! If you want to get some good photos without the crowd, come back in the early morning or late evening.
This is what York is truly famous for. The Shambles is York’s most historic street, a narrow road with mismatched store fronts that overhang the footpath below.
There are rumours that the Shambles was JK Rowling’s inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. It certainly gives off a magical atmosphere!
The street is only 500 feet long yet you can spend hours here browsing through the quirky stores.
A few of the most famous stores on the Shambles include:
- The Shop that Must Not Be Named
This is probably THE most famous shop. If you are a Harry Potter fan, loosen your purse strings because you are going to be SPENDING here. Every Hogwarts related item, they have it: mugs, keyrings, clothing, jewellery, backpacks, stuffed toys, wands … you name it.
- The Potions Cauldron
Another magic-related store, The Potions Cauldron sell a variety of mystical potions, sweets and bath bombs. For £6 you can attend the Cauldron Experience and see the behind-the-scenes magic of potion making.
- The York Ghost Merchants
This is one of the oddest little shops. The only product they sell is little ghost statues. The store itself is tiny, you will probably find yourself queuing out the front. The Ghosts are a strange but unique souvenir that are a nod to York’s status as one of the most haunted cities in England.
Lunch at Shambles Market
At this point you’re probably getting a little hungry, so check out the Shambles Market that has a variety of food and clothing stalls. There are also tons of taverns and sandwich shops around.
Cliffords Tower
Address: Tower St, York YO1 9SA, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm every day.
Price: £9.50 in advance or £11.50 on the day.
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/
After lunch, make your way down to the York Castle Museum. Along the way, you’ll pass Cliffords Tower. This tower is probably York’s second most famous landmark after the Minster, and it is the largest remaining part of York Castle, built by William the Conqueror to solidify his power in the north of England.
I didn’t go inside because sometimes I feel like sights like this can be better appreciated from the exterior.
York Castle Museum
Address: Tower St, York YO1 9RY, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm, from 11am Mondays
Cost: £17 or £15.30 for under 24.
Website: https://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/
The York Castle Museum is probably one of the most immersive museums I have experienced. If you’re expecting cabinets full of old pottery and coins then prepare to be shocked.
The museum has four sections: the Victorian street, the WW1 trenches, the 1960 street and the prison.
Each section is a complete recreation of what it would have been like, complete with artefacts, sound effects and ACTORS.
My favourite part was the Victorian street. It was very spooky because there weren’t many other visitors around, the sound effects were startlingly realistic, and I didn’t realise for a good while that the statues were actually LIVE ACTORS until they started talking.
I also liked the prison because there was a very helpful employee in the section that gave me almost a private tour, explaining the story of each of the famous prisoners.
This is a museum that is definitely worth the ticket price.
Ghost Tour
This evening we’re going to finish up your York itinerary with a Ghost Tour. As one of the most haunted cities in England, a ghost tour is an absolute must.
The Deathly Dark Tour is one of the best and most popular. It costs £10 for adults and £6 for children.
It leaves Grape Lane near York Minster at 6pm or 8pm every night (check times and pre-book on website).
I love that this ghost tour doesn’t rely on cheap thrills by chasing or scaring the guests; it is genuine entertainment through stories and comedy.
And that concludes the 2 day York itinerary!
Staying for longer? More sights in York
Best Day Trips from York
Whitby
Whitby is one of the best day trips from York. Whitby is a seaside town where Captain Cook learned to sail, and also coincidentally was where the HMS Endeavour was built, the ship Cook would later sail to Australia.
The town was also the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Whitby has an incredible coastline, with dramatic cliffs and picturesque bay.
In Whitby you can visit the Whitby Abbey, Whitby Museum, the Captain Cook Museum and Monument, not to mention soak up English coastal life and try the national dish, fish and chips, fresh as can be.
Read my Whitby post to learn how I travelled there for just £4!
Harewood House
The Harewood House is located about 1 and a half hours inland from York, close to Leeds. The manor house was built in the 18th century by Edwin Lacelles from profits made through the transatlantic slave trade.
The Earl of Harewood has formed the Harewood House Trust to acknowledge the buildings horrific history and allow the public to access and enjoy the art collection it houses and the 100 acres of surrounding woodland.
Entry tickets cost £18.00 for the house and garden, or £14.00 for just the garden.
I will say this day trip is slightly more advanced than the Whitby one because there is no direct transport route. I had to change buses at Harrogate and when I arrived in Harewood, I was the only visitor without a car. While they do offer a shuttle from the front gate to the house, for some reason it wasn’t running when I visited so I just walked the 1 mile in.
I was drawn to visit this house because when I was in York in June 2023, they had an exhibition on the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds (check my last name). That is literally the only reason I decided to go there, but it was completely worth it! The gardens are absolutely beautiful (England is so GREEN) and the interior or the house is so incredibly lavish.
Read about my trip to Harewood House and how you can do it too!
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Keep reading about York …
How to Visit Harewood House from York 2024
Harewood House is a beautiful Georgian mansion nestled in the Yorkshire countryside. It makes for a fun and relaxing day trip from York …
Check out my Pinterest for more York and England ideas
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