York is an inviting city, appealing to visitors with its beauty and charm, as well as its wide range of exciting activities and attractions. Its chequered history is well expressed in its many museums and cultural pursuits, and the estimated seven million people who visit each year come to soak up the city’s fascinating past at attractions such as York Minster and The Shambles.
York is almost theme-parkish in its prettiness, and could have been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook. It’s a city to stroll around, soaking up the atmosphere and magical architecture as you make your way through the narrow, winding streets of the historic centre. York also has a burgeoning food scene, with innovative and highly-rated new eateries popping up on a regular basis.
York is very much a destination in its own right and one that deserves at least a long weekend to fully explore. But it’s also a great jumping-off point for other outstanding natural attractions, such as the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, and, of course, the extraordinary Yorkshire coastline, that is why the team at Stayful have put together 10 things to do when visiting the great city of York
Explore the National Railway Museum
A sure-fire hit with railway fans young and old is the National Railway Museum. Located in the heart of York, this free-to-enter museum has over 6000 train-related items on display, and over 100 locomotives, ranging from a historic Rocket engine to an ultra-modern Japanese bullet train.
You can explore the museum at your leisure, perhaps enjoying the audio trail, which will take you on an aural journey through the history of the railway, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the old days of train travel.
We at Stayful recommend a simulator ride recreating the experience of being aboard a Mallard, the world’s fastest steam train, it is great to make the experience interactive and one to remember.
Discover the world of whiskies at IL Gusto
Got a penchant for whisky? Make your way to IL Gusto Spirits, where you can sup the afternoon away as you learn the process behind whisky production. You’ll enjoy five premium whisky samples (direct from the cask, of course) across a 60-90 minute tasting session, all whilst enjoying fascinating insights from an expert team, a great experience for a group of friends to enjoy when visiting the city of York.
Step back in time at the JORVIK Viking Centre
York is well-known for its Viking past, and at the JORVIK Viking Centre, you can dig a little deeper into the grisly history of this ancient city. Built on the site of a 10th century Viking settlement, you can hop onboard the JORVIK ride and take a trip around a clever recreation of the city, seeing (and smelling!) for yourself how people lived and worked here nearly 1000 years ago. You can also find out more about the archaeological digs that uncovered this invaluable piece of history back in the 1970s.
Do a circuit around York’s city walls
York City Walls, also known as the Bar Walls, are England’s most extensive, at 2 miles long. They date back to the 13th century and are made of magnesian limestone. As you walk around the walls, you’ll notice interesting features, including gun holes, towers, defense gates, and sculptures. These original features bring to life how it must have felt to use the walls to defend the city from invasion. The city walls are open daily from 8 am until dusk and are completely free to visit.
Take a stroll around the Shambles
Everyone who visits York should visit the Shambles, one of Europe’s best-kept medieval shopping areas. A maze of narrow, cobbled streets and quirky buildings, this is an unforgettable place to wander around on your visit to York. Once predominantly home to butchers’ shops, these days the area is altogether more palatable, with chocolate and fudge shops pumping out their sweet aromas to tempt visitors inside.
Enjoy the Museum Gardens
Once you’ve enjoyed all the Yorkshire museum has to offer, why not also take some time out to explore the spectacular – and award-winning – York Museum Gardens? Developed as a botanical garden by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society in the 1830s, the Museum Gardens are home to beautiful examples of trees and flowers, with carefully crafted themed borders running around the perimeter. There’s also plenty of wildlife here, including British favourites the robin and blue tit, and – a little more unusual – the White Spotted Black micro-moth.
Interested in booking your next getaway ?
If you are interested in exploring your next getaway ? Stayful can help with our wide range of Airbnb properties from 4 bedroom city centre flats to cottages on the outskirts and everything in between, why not explore our short stay Airbnb accommodation here.