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Best Walks in York

Friday 17 January 2025

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Walking is one of the simplest ways to get moving, to spend time with loved ones, and to see the most beautiful sights around the UK’s best cities. With so much to see in York, why not get out there and get your steps in all at once? Hop on board a CrossCountry train to York station and start your exploration.

The City Wall Trail

York is famous for its magnificent walls that have protected the city since ancient times. While very little is left of the original stonework, walking in the footsteps of Roman auxiliary soldiers protecting Eboracum, the classical name for York, is pretty exhilarating. The walls that remain were constructed around 900 years ago during the Middle Ages and fortified during the English Civil War.

The wall is divided by four main gateways, or ‘bars’: Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar, which you can use to access the footpath. They’ve been used as defensive gatehouses in the past and as medieval toll booths. There are also two minor bars, Fishergate Bar and Victoria Bar. Besides this, there are multiple posterns and towers dotted along the fortification.

The City Walls are open from 8 am to dusk, however, this may change if weather conditions compromise safety or there is maintenance. You can choose to traverse the wall however you’d like, whether that’s clockwise or anticlockwise, but we recommend starting at Bootham Bar, as it’s the closest and most convenient bar for a visit to York Minster.

A view of York Minster on a sunny day from the city walls.

Walking Tour of York Museums

Some of the best attractions in York are its museums and you can go on a self-guided tour of ten of the city’s best in around two hours. However, if you want to explore the treasures inside these marvellous buildings, then you should set aside a day to really enjoy the experience.

The walking tour of the museums begins at the York Castle Museum, on the site of York Castle which was originally constructed by William the Conqueror back in 1068. Walk on to Fairfax House, designed by the distinguished US architect John Carr, its impressive interior begs to be explored. York Dungeon is next on the list and awaits those who dare to discover the city’s darker side. You can learn about its horrid history by watching live shows, touring the displays or taking one of the many organised tours around the exhibitions.

Selfie Tour of York

The selfie tour is definitely a fun walk in York city. The brainchild of VisitYork, the trail ticks off all the city’s best photo opportunities from York station to the National Railway Museum. With a brilliant backdrop at every stop, you’re sure to grab the perfect shot, as well as make great memories. As you arrive in York, first head to Platform 4 to grab a stunning snap of the building’s curved roof. The railway station was once the largest in the world and still serves as a key halfway point between London and Edinburgh, uniting two of the UK’s capital cities.

Once you’ve left the station, head to Ouse Bridge on Bridge Street, it’s just over fifteen minutes walking distance and you’ll get your first glimpse of the serene River Ouse. Whatever time of year you go, there will be people enjoying the river on boats. When you arrive at Ouse Bridge, you can take in the views of lovely riverside pubs and restaurants, the Woodsmill Quay building, and the Grade I listed Cumberland House.
 
Your next stop is Clifford’s Tower, a seven-minute walk from the bridge. A tower has stood atop this hill in some form since William the Conqueror's time and the current structure has been there since the 13th century.

Woodsmill Quay building on the River Ouse in York.

Once you’ve soaked in the tower’s history, head to JORVIK Viking Centre. The attraction is one of the best ways to really understand the depth of York’s history. Snap a selfie with a Viking and learn something incredible before making your way to the charming Shambles, York’s oldest street.
 
There are plenty of cafes and independent shops to explore here and the street itself looks to be straight from medieval times with remnants of the past still very much alive. The Shambles market sign is a perfect selfie opportunity. Your next stop is York Minster, an ancient Gothic cathedral that inspires awe in anyone with the good fortune to see it. This may be our favourite photo opportunity of the whole tour.
 
Next, you’ll want to walk five minutes to York Art Gallery, another stunning feat of architecture. Bask in a blend of neoclassical and modern and then head inside to experience six hundred years of artistic genius. Once you’ve had your fill, head to the Yorkshire Museum for a gorgeous photo opportunity in front of St Mary’s Abbey, the remains of a Benedictine monastery.
 
Finally, head to the City Walls, where you can incorporate The City Wall Trail into your day and then walk to the National Railway Museum and get your final selfies in front of magnificent, shiny steam engines, including the famous Flying Scotsman.

The Bridge Tour

There are seven beautifully constructed bridges to explore in York. The route follows an almost straight line from south to north and encompasses bridges straddling the banks of the Ouse and Foss rivers.

You will begin your walk at the Millennium Bridge, which was constructed in 2001 and links the two sides of the Ouse with a pretty cycle path, plus a footpath. Then head north to the second bridge on the tour: The Blue Bridge, which has existed in some form since 1738. Continue your walk north to Skeldergate Bridge, which connects Baile Hill with the rather grand York Castle Museum.

 The wooden Foss Bridge is next on the route, followed by the aptly named Ouse Bridge, which was originally built by the Romans. The Gothic-style iron bridge known as Lendal Bridge is the sixth bridge on the tour and finally, you’ll end up at the Scarborough Railway Bridge, dating back to 1845.

Ouse Bridge in York on an autumn day.

At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.

If you’re planning a walk around York city, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Why not bring your bike and embark on a cycling tour of York? You can book a bike space in advance with CrossCountry. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.

Written by Julia

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