Visit York - Historic Walled City

Shop till you drop at one of the many unique independent York shops and high street fashion favourites.  

A foodie destination with something to suit all appetites, from fine dining to street food, and quaint cafes all in picturesque, historic surroundings. Our North Yorkshire information page is also a source of interesting information. You’ll also find links to North East Yorkshire, Herriot Country and the Yorkshire Dales.

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York Inspiration

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Hotels in York

Browse hotels in York – for the full listing, click here.

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Apartments in York

Whether you’re studying, performing or working in York, an apartment can give a little more privacy than an hotel room:

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Attractions in York

Browse more attractions in and around York here.

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Events in York

Take in a show at The Barbican, or catch any number of different comedy, sporting or musical acts in the city:

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York on the Map

As the name does imply, York is a central element of Yorkshire, and it’s bang in the middle of the whole historic region, sitting in the fertile, flat Vale of York.

Getting to York by car, there is the A19 heading straight out of the city, via Thirsk, Middlesbrough, and then Sunderland and Newcastle. You can also easily reach from North or South via the A1 motorway, by coming off at junction 47 and travelling the pleasant drive along the A59 – the road which continues on through Harrogate and off West towards Skipton.

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Travelling to York by Rail

There’s a main line train station right in the city centre of York, which is right next door to some excellent hotels, such as the Principal Hotel and the York Grand which are both within sight when you exit the station.

You can find York right at the heart of the action in the Northern network rail map, below.

York is home to the fantastic – and free – National Railway Museum which is a hit with young and old, which gives a big clue how important railways are to the city.

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York Mini Guides

Any visitor to York will tell you there is such an amazing array of things to do and see, that you need to take a breath and spend your time. For this reason, we’ve broken York down into a series of mini-guides focussing in on specific elements of the walled City to allow you to take the ancient streets in your stride. Also see our page on things to do in York with kids.

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AccessAble York

Discover accessible places to go in York. If you need additional support during your stay in York there are a range of services to help you with your needs.

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York Fact Pack

1. York is a historic city located in North Yorkshire, England.
2. It is a walled city with a rich history dating back to the Roman era.
3. The city’s name is derived from the Latin name “Eboracum,” which was the name of the Roman fortress that once stood in the city.
4. York was once the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior and later the capital of the Kingdom of Northumbria.
5. The city played an important role in the Viking era, with the Viking city of Jorvik established in the 9th century.
6. York was a major center of the wool trade in the Middle Ages, with the city’s wealth built on the wool industry.
7. The city is home to a number of historic landmarks, including York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the medieval city walls.
8. York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe and is the seat of the Archbishop of York.
9. Clifford’s Tower is a 13th-century castle keep that was once part of York Castle.
10. The city walls are the most complete medieval city walls in England, with a total length of 3.4 kilometers.
11. York is also home to a number of museums, including the Jorvik Viking Centre, the York Castle Museum, and the National Railway Museum.
12. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with a thriving arts and music scene.
13. York has a population of around 200,000 people.
14. The city is situated on the River Ouse, which flows through the city center.
15. York is well-known for its narrow streets and snickleways, which are small, narrow alleys that criss-cross the city center.
16. The city has a range of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as larger chain stores.
17. York is a popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year.
18. The city hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year, including the York Festival of Food and Drink, the York Literature Festival, and the York Christmas Market.
19. The University of York is located in the city and is one of the leading universities in the UK.
20. York has a range of transport links, including a mainline railway station and a small airport.
21. The city is located close to a number of other popular tourist destinations, including the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.
22. York is one of the most haunted cities in the UK, with a number of ghost tours and spooky attractions.
23. The city has a range of sporting facilities, including the York Racecourse and the York City Football Club.
24. York has a long history of brewing, with a number of breweries and pubs in the city.
25. The York Mystery Plays, a cycle of medieval plays performed by the city’s guilds, are still performed in the city today.
26. The city is known for its warm, friendly atmosphere and its strong sense of community.

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York image gallery

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York FAQ’s

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Where Next?

York is centrally located in Yorkshire, in the heart of North Yorkshire, making it an excellent place from which to branch out and discover more places in the county which carries the same name, browse more North Yorkshire information here. Also see our list of “quirky” things to do in York.

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