Food Scene
This is one of York’s oldest buildings. They have recently opened a coffee shop in there so you can see some of the interior for the price of a cup of coffee. The Hall is on Piccadilly but you can get to it through the entrance on Fossgate.
17 locals recommend
Merchant Adventurers' Hall
FossgateThis is one of York’s oldest buildings. They have recently opened a coffee shop in there so you can see some of the interior for the price of a cup of coffee. The Hall is on Piccadilly but you can get to it through the entrance on Fossgate.
Parts date back to 1080 and it is possibly the oldest continuously occupied house in the United Kingdom. It has been the home of the Treasurer of York Minster but is now operated as a boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe. During the day, you can even enter from the walls through their gate. It is a wonderful experience.
15 locals recommend
Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant
Chapter House StreetParts date back to 1080 and it is possibly the oldest continuously occupied house in the United Kingdom. It has been the home of the Treasurer of York Minster but is now operated as a boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe. During the day, you can even enter from the walls through their gate. It is a wonderful experience.
The Gatehouse Coffee Shop is in Walmgate Bar, one of the entrances to the city, five minutes from Rowntree Wharf. It is a fascinating building, great coffee, great atmosphere, and you can sit on the roof or gateway. Lovely stop on a walk around the walls. They have lots of games to while away the hours.
7 locals recommend
Gatehouse Coffee
WalmgateThe Gatehouse Coffee Shop is in Walmgate Bar, one of the entrances to the city, five minutes from Rowntree Wharf. It is a fascinating building, great coffee, great atmosphere, and you can sit on the roof or gateway. Lovely stop on a walk around the walls. They have lots of games to while away the hours.
Olivia's bakery and Cafe
30 GoodramgateAnd coffee shop. Delightful spot, good coffee, great bread and super cakes.
expensive, but absolutely worth it. Amazing venue and great for a coffee too.
79 locals recommend
The Star Inn the City
Museum Streetexpensive, but absolutely worth it. Amazing venue and great for a coffee too.
Highly recommended (by locals and our guests) Polish restaurant who do a great breakfast.
28 locals recommend
Barbakan Restaurant & Cafe
34 FossgateHighly recommended (by locals and our guests) Polish restaurant who do a great breakfast.
Bennett's Cafe and Bistro
30-32 High PetergateCafe during the day and bistro at night - lovely service and great food.
And very lively bar. Food is great especially the hanging kebabs. Lots of areas to sit and eat their delightful food. Wise to book.
16 locals recommend
The Botanist
15 StonegateAnd very lively bar. Food is great especially the hanging kebabs. Lots of areas to sit and eat their delightful food. Wise to book.
It's a brilliant new space, made of colourful containers with food, drink, coffees, quirky shops and an amazing garden space. all ages chatting and enjoying being together.
46 locals recommend
Spark York CIC
17-21 PiccadillyIt's a brilliant new space, made of colourful containers with food, drink, coffees, quirky shops and an amazing garden space. all ages chatting and enjoying being together.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Black Swan on The Stonebow is our local pub. It dates from the 15th Century, has some great beer, food and regular live folk music.
9 locals recommend
The Black Swan
23 Peasholme GrnThe Black Swan on The Stonebow is our local pub. It dates from the 15th Century, has some great beer, food and regular live folk music.
Entertainment & Activities
Ace venue for cinema, meals, drinks with fabulous balcony by the river Ouse. Also has great basement venue for musicians, comedy, jazz and spoken word.
67 locals recommend
City Screen Picturehouse York
13-17 Coney StAce venue for cinema, meals, drinks with fabulous balcony by the river Ouse. Also has great basement venue for musicians, comedy, jazz and spoken word.
Sightseeing
The Minster is the focal building of York and you can explore right from the foundations to the top of the tower if you wish. The East window has just been restored (a ten year project) and is a must-see.
132 locals recommend
The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York
Minster YardThe Minster is the focal building of York and you can explore right from the foundations to the top of the tower if you wish. The East window has just been restored (a ten year project) and is a must-see.
Jewbury
JewburyYork City Walls can be accessed here, giving a great walk behind the Minster.
Extraordinary views of city but its history is so interesting. BUT it has a steep set of stairs to it........ worth the climb.
Eye of York
14 Tower StExtraordinary views of city but its history is so interesting. BUT it has a steep set of stairs to it........ worth the climb.
Parks & Nature
It's a big park, with skateboard area, many children's activities, a large lake with geese and ducks, and a great cafe, the Reading Cafe which is part of the city libraries and you can sit and browse or actually borrow. It's alongside the Ouse and has a great riverside walkway as well as limited parking.
85 locals recommend
Rowntree Park
Terry AvenueIt's a big park, with skateboard area, many children's activities, a large lake with geese and ducks, and a great cafe, the Reading Cafe which is part of the city libraries and you can sit and browse or actually borrow. It's alongside the Ouse and has a great riverside walkway as well as limited parking.
This includes the Yorkshire Museum, the ruins of St Mary's Abbey and the amazing Hospitium. Plenty of space to sit or run around. Many events held here - see Visit York website.
127 locals recommend
Museum Gardens
Museum StreetThis includes the Yorkshire Museum, the ruins of St Mary's Abbey and the amazing Hospitium. Plenty of space to sit or run around. Many events held here - see Visit York website.
Arts & Culture
Excellent overview of the history and geology of this area. Currently an exhibition about theYorkshire Jurassic Coast with VR walk with a dinosaur. (summer 2018)
60 locals recommend
Yorkshire Museum
Excellent overview of the history and geology of this area. Currently an exhibition about theYorkshire Jurassic Coast with VR walk with a dinosaur. (summer 2018)
It's not quite a museum........... more like a theme park museum. It was re-opened in March 2017 with an amazing new 'ride' through the Viking world of York. Excellent visit and we recommend you book on line, so no queuing.
181 locals recommend
Jorvik Viking Centre
19 CoppergateIt's not quite a museum........... more like a theme park museum. It was re-opened in March 2017 with an amazing new 'ride' through the Viking world of York. Excellent visit and we recommend you book on line, so no queuing.
The ceramics are a total wow, there are significant exhibitions in the main space as well as the 'collection'. A great cafe and lovely piazza plus a new garden to the rear and a viewing balcony. Don't miss it. Very family oriented.
118 locals recommend
York Art Gallery
Exhibition SquareThe ceramics are a total wow, there are significant exhibitions in the main space as well as the 'collection'. A great cafe and lovely piazza plus a new garden to the rear and a viewing balcony. Don't miss it. Very family oriented.
Shopping
If you need a dose of Harry Potter, this is for you. It is also in the Shambles, supposedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley. See for yourself. There were long queues at times but there are now two more Harry Potter shops almost opposite and next door.
The Shop That Must Not Be Named
30 ShamblesIf you need a dose of Harry Potter, this is for you. It is also in the Shambles, supposedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley. See for yourself. There were long queues at times but there are now two more Harry Potter shops almost opposite and next door.
Directly opposite the Harry Potter shop, this store introduces you to hundreds of different teas. You can also try a few samples. The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. The teas make delightful gifts with lovely packaging.
Hebden Tea Company
21 ShamblesDirectly opposite the Harry Potter shop, this store introduces you to hundreds of different teas. You can also try a few samples. The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. The teas make delightful gifts with lovely packaging.
A gorgeous tree lined avenue with cafe's, high class buskers and regular events.
Notably, the York St Nicholas Fair brings magical stalls and merriment from mid November to end of December. Soak up the atmosphere and aromas of warming mulled wine whilst you enjoy York’s ultimate Christmas experience.
Traditional chalets shine out from their positions along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and The Judge’s Lodging, where Small Business Christmas will be taking place with stalls selling locally-made handcrafted gifts. Explore Davygate and Coppergate for inspired gift and stocking filler ideas or find local flavour at York’s famous Shambles Market.
Parliament Street
Parliament StreetA gorgeous tree lined avenue with cafe's, high class buskers and regular events.
Notably, the York St Nicholas Fair brings magical stalls and merriment from mid November to end of December. Soak up the atmosphere and aromas of warming mulled wine whilst you enjoy York’s ultimate Christmas experience.
Traditional chalets shine out from their positions along Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and The Judge’s Lodging, where Small Business Christmas will be taking place with stalls selling locally-made handcrafted gifts. Explore Davygate and Coppergate for inspired gift and stocking filler ideas or find local flavour at York’s famous Shambles Market.
The market is different every day from food to crafts, and now has a food court with a huge range of world foods. worth a visit.
33 locals recommend
Shambles Market
5 Silver StThe market is different every day from food to crafts, and now has a food court with a huge range of world foods. worth a visit.