York is one of Britain's most historic cities, but it also celebrates a bustling modern culture. This combination of heritage and vibrancy makes it the perfect place to visit, whether you’re travelling locally for a family day out or coming from further afield for a romantic staycation. With winding cobbled streets, delightful boutiques, and independent shops to explore, as well as a hub of theatres, museums, galleries, and more – discover the best attractions in York with CrossCountry.
To start your adventure in York, you can hop on board direct CrossCountry services to York station from cities and towns like Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and more.
York Minster
Originally founded in the 7th century, York Minster dominates York’s skyline with its stunning Gothic architecture and medieval stained glass. The Minster overlooks the city, towering above the low-rise buildings and offering an awe-inspiring ancient beauty. Many visitors enjoy the beauty from the outside, but it is well worth heading inside to discover the story of York Minster.
The Minster offers free guided tours, with expert volunteers taking you to the most beautiful spots within the cathedral and offering insight into the centuries of history. The Central Tower is also usually open for visitors to climb, with an unmatched panoramic view of the city waiting for you at the top. Once you’ve seen York from the top of the tower, you can truly appreciate the beauty of this city.
How to get to York Minster: From York station, the best way to reach York Minster is a twenty-minute walk through York city centre.
National Railway Museum
Of course, a visit to York wouldn’t be complete without exploring the history of the British railway at the National Railway Museum. Whether you love trains as much as we do or simply enjoy learning something new when you travel, the National Railway Museum is home to iconic locomotives, including the only bullet train outside Japan and the world’s fastest steam engine. A visit here offers a great environment to learn about the social history of the rail as well as its engineering evolution.
The museum is great for trainspotters of all ages. Little ones can enjoy the interactive play area as well as the impressive machinery, while young learners and adult enthusiasts alike can make the most of discovering the history of British rail. To get started before you travel, discover fascinating facts about train stations.
How to get to the National Railway Museum: Firstly, travel to the gorgeous York station with CrossCountry. From there, the museum is less than a five-minute walk.
Discover the Shambles
Undoubtedly one of the most famous places in the UK, the Shambles in York is an instantly recognisable cobbled street in the city centre. Lined with historic buildings, this quaint and quirky lane offers unique boutiques, cafes, and more. The Shambles has more than enough to keep you busy for a full afternoon, with an array of independent shops to explore. Discover everything from sweets and trinkets to the York Ghost Merchants outlet, where you buy your very own ghost from one of the UK’s most haunted places!
How to get to the Shambles: Travel to York station on your preferred CrossCountry service, then simply walk for twelve minutes through the city centre.
York's Chocolate Story
There’s no better way to spend a weekend than sampling some of the best chocolate the UK has to offer. In the centre of York, you can find York’s Chocolate Story, a unique attraction where you can discover how chocolate is made, learn about York’s chocolatey history, and even taste some of their delightful creations. The tour offers a chance to watch as the chocolatiers craft delicious treats, while chocolate masterclasses give you the opportunity to make your own.
Whether you’re looking for something unique to do with the kids over half-term or planning a romantic date night for that special someone, York’s Chocolate Story is a chocolate experience that is worth a visit.
How to get to York’s Chocolate Story: Located less than a mile away from York station, you can walk there in twenty minutes. Buses take around fifteen minutes.
River Ouse City Cruise
One of the most special features of York is the glorious River Ouse running right through the centre of the city. With so many of York’s best sights visible from the water, we think that the best way to discover this historic city is from the water with a river cruise.
There are plenty of cruise options available, from sightseeing in the afternoon to special evening party boats, with plenty in between. With seasonal cruises also available, a river cruise is the best way to enjoy a festive family break in York or Valentine’s Day with your other half.
How to get to the River Ouse: The River Ouse runs through the city centre and is accessible on foot in less than five minutes from York station.
York Castle Museum & Clifford's Tower
Get more out of your visit to York by heading to two attractions that are a stone’s throw away from each other. Situated right next to each other in the south of the city, York Castle Museum offers a glimpse into the history of York as a city while Clifford’s Tower is an actual historical monument evoking York’s heritage.
Clifford’s Tower is a thirteenth century castle sitting on top of a grass mound and is in fact the keep of the Norman-age York castle. Known as a motte and bailey castle, Clifford’s Tower still stands as a representative of the medieval history of York. It was built just after the Norman conquest in 1068 and has been preserved so that visitors to York can still take in its history.
York Castle Museum showcases the wider history of York as a city, with exhibitions ranging from medieval religious history right up to 21st century fashion. Offering immersive exhibitions and learning experiences that enable visitors to not just learn, but truly feel, the history of York, it brings the city to life in a magical way for all ages.
How to get to York Castle Museum: Take a bus from York station for a fifteen-minute journey to York Castle Museum, or enjoy a scenic twenty-five minute walk.
JORVIK Viking Centre
Bringing York’s Viking history to life in a truly unique way, the JORVIK Viking Centre is an attraction for all ages to learn and engage with extraordinary archaeological findings. Discover how Viking communities lived in the North of England back in the tenth century with inspiring reconstructions that make the thrilling history feel real. As well as immersing visitors in Viking life, the JORVIK Viking Centre has an incredible gallery of historical artefacts to explore, featuring a wide range of objects excavated locally in York.
How to get to the JORVIK Viking Centre: Not far from the Shambles, JORVIK Viking Centre takes less than twenty minutes to walk from York station.
If you’re planning to visit York, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. 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