York Overview

Whether it's a desire to revisit your Viking roots, a love of the races or to see the splendour of the city's Minster, York has something to offer every visitor, both young and old.

Furthermore, history buffs will think they have found their seventh heaven in the city. It boasts Roman relics, an Anglo-Saxon heritage, Medieval links, Georgian and Victorian architecture and it played a key role Henry VIII's English Reformation, when due to its religious importance it suffered badly.

Flavours of all these different periods of history are peppered around the city and many have been commercialised as tourist attractions to make them more accessible for visitors.

However, for those who consider history a closed book, York is also worth visiting for its quaint shops, beautiful city-centre gardens and general ambience.

York Location

York is easy to access by car from the north and south of the country, as it is just a short distance off the M1. Rail links are also impressive, with a connection to London taking just two and a half hours.

There is also a real range of accommodation on offer, from the Micklegate-based youth hostel to guest houses by the race course, university dorms during the summer months or super-plush hotels – take your pick.

However, the city is not the cheapest to visit, especially compared to its northern rivals, such as Leeds and Newcastle, although we are not talking London prices. The student presence means that good deals can be found in bars and restaurants, but they will have to be hunted out.

Why Visit York?

York is perfect for a short break. It is geared towards tourists, with a whole range of attractions – York Minster, York Dungeons and the National Railway Museum – which are all within a half an hour walking distance of each other.

Start off your trip by taking a wander around the city and admiring its narrow Medieval streets, one of which, The Shambles, is reckoned to be Europe's best-preserved lane from this era.

It is located in a maze of twisting lanes and alleys, which are populated with chocolate and jewellery shops.

Continuing along ancient lines, it is well-worth paying a visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre, which recreates the tenth century vividly, using some rather unpleasant sounds, sights and, worst of all, smells.

A series of streets, markets and domestic scenes aim to recreate life in Medieval times and make for an interesting day out.

On a similar vein, York Castle Museum, located next to Clifford's Tower, also profiles life in England over the last 400 years and is a brilliant visit for families with children.

For those who are less-interested in recreations of the past and would rather see the real thing, the Minster is the way to go.

Towering above everything else around for miles, the building dates back to the year 627, but was destroyed in 1075 during William the Conqueror's 'Harrying of the North' and rebuilt in the 13th century.

Kids should not miss the National Railway Museum, which regularly hosts Thomas the Tank Engine days and the like, while fans of retail therapy will not be disappointed by the centre's shopping facilities.