Stuff To Do In York

So you're coming to York for our wedding, and you've decided to make a weekend or longer out of it? That's great to hear, and you won't be short of things to do during your visit. Here are some of our favourite sights and tourist attractions in the city:

The Minster [info]

Let's face it, you couldn't miss the Minster if you tried. At 160m long, 76m wide and 71m high, it is the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps, dominates the York skyline and is visited by over two million people every year. An entry charge of £5.00 per adult has recently been introduced to help with the upkeep of this magnificent building, which remains well worth a visit.

Castle Museum [info]

Visited by ourselves last weekend, this award winning museum tells the tale of ordinary Yorkshire folk in the not-so-distant past. Admission £6.00 adults, £3.00 children.

Yorkshire Museum & Gardens [info]

Another fine museum, set in a unique location. Admission £4.00 adults, £2.50 children.

Jorvik Viking Centre [info]

Famous interactive museum which has been visited by practically every child in the UK - I think a trip here must be on the National Curriculum. Admission £7.20 adults, £5.10 children.

Clifford's Tower [info]

After the Minster, Clifford's Tower is probably the most famous landmark in York. It has rather a bloody and troubled history, but now provides peaceful and serene views for miles from its walltop walk. Admission £2.50 adults, £1.30 children.

The Roman Bath [info]

Yes, it's another pub. But this one has a tourist-trapping-trick up its sleeve in the form of a genuine Roman bath in the basement! Lots of fascinating historical information and a low entry fee (less than the cost of a pint of their beer) make this a worthwhile visit. Admission £2.00 adults, £1.00 children.

The Bar Walls [info]

They're free, they're brilliant fun, and they offer some of the best views of the city. The walls are almost 5 kilometres long in total, but you can get on and off at various points so needn't commit yourself to walking the full circuit in one go. A walk around the walls also takes in the four magnificent gateways (bars) to the city - Walmgate, Micklegate, Monkgate and Bootham.

The Railway Museum [info]

Now free to all visitors, the National Railway Museum is the largest railway museum in the world, and makes a great day out for the whole family.

The Shambles [info]

Shambles claims to be the most visited street in Europe, and anyone who has ever tried to walk down it on an August Bank Holiday weekend might be inclined to agree with this. Jocelyn's first words on seeing Shambles were "it looks just like Disneyland!" which I have never quite understood. The street itself was mentioned in the Domesday book and the buildings (which lean out into the street most disconcertingly) are fifteenth century, and brilliantly preserved. It really is one of York's gems.

Ghost Tours

York is officially the most haunted city in Europe, and once the sun goes down (oh OK, at about 1930/ 2000), a handful of entertaining ghost walks set off from several points liberally advertised around the city. Look out for gothic gentlemen in top hats carrying small stepladders and you're on the right lines.

Merchant Adventurer's Hall [info]

Built between 1357 and 1361, this Guild hall on Piccadilly is one of the finest buildings of its kind in Europe. Admission £2.50 adults, £1.00 children.

Treasurer's House [info]

National Trust-owned medieval town house close to the Minster. Admission: £4.80 adults, £2.40 children. Ghostly tours of the cellar are a couple of quid more.