York has been hailed as Britain’s most beautiful city, and the place where most people want to live in the UK. It certainly is a special city – its small, but crammed full of beautiful buildings, and more boutique shops, restaurants and cafes than you can shake a stick at. History seeps from every brick, wood beam and cobblestone, and it’s hard not to imagine legions of Romans or hordes of Vikings roaming the streets. York is one of my favourite cities in the UK, and it was a pleasure to come back to visit. Here are some images of York to make you want to visit too!
The York Minster is an incredible building, and if you visit, don’t miss the chance to climb the towers to the roof for a unique view of the city, and to see the Minster up close and personal!
The view from the top isn’t the most exciting, mainly because the Minster is the highest point in York, but I loved seeing the towers from a different angle. Visit in the late afternoon as the sun drops lower for better light.
Be warned though, the climb up 275 uneven, narrow, spiralling steps is not for the faint-hearted. Read the safety information before you decide to go!
The stained glass windows of the York Minster are works of art, with the Rose window, Five Sisters and the Great East Window, a beautiful heart design and the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
York City Walls are definitely worth investigating, punctuated with bars, or medieval gates which were used to check people who entered into the city before letting them pass.
The streets of York hide many secrets, and simply strolling around you can get a feel for the history and the culture of the city throughout the ages. Visit York on a weekend and you will struggle to take pictures without hundreds of people, but get up early enough and you’ll have the streets to yourself.
York has two rivers running through it, the Ouse and the Foss. Snap the river from the various bridges, or take to the water for a cruise on the Yorkboat.
York Museum Gardens is a pretty green space where you can relax in the sunshine, or walk among the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, and discover hidden treasures that most people don’t bother to visit.
York really is a beautiful city, I hope some of these photographs have inspired you to visit soon!
Where to Stay in York
Hostels in York
Hostels are opening up again now, and with the right safety protocols in place can be a great way to enjoy York on a budget, whether you are ready for a dorm room or prefer to book a private room. Check the details of what new procedures have been brought in and make sure you feel confident in the hostel before booking.
Astor York
Astor York is a lovely hostel in a listed building about 10 minutes walk from the centre of York. It gets great reviews for the staff, amenities and social activities.
The Fort Boutique Hostel
The Fort is in a great location right in the centre of York. It gets great reviews for the location, comfy beds and cleanliness. It’s above a bar so could be noisy at the weekends, but a pair of earplugs should sort that out.
Hotels in York
There is no shortage of great hotels in York. I especially love the smaller independently run bed and breakfast style hotels in York, where the owners really go out of their way to take care of guests.
No.21 York
I stayed at the award-winning No.21 York Bed & Breakfast and loved it! Owners Simon and Andrea are so kind and welcoming it felt like home. The Bed and Breakfast is located close to the Museum Gardens, and the rooms are comfortable and spotlessly clean. Simon and Andrea use local ingredients for their delicious breakfast and homemade bread, and source as many of their produce & services as possible from within a 20-mile radius of York.
Tower Guesthouse
Tower Guesthouse is another popular choice when visiting York. It is slightly further out of the city than No. 21, about a mile away from York Minster, but the boutique style and luxurious decor makes up for the walk. Guests also loved the great breakfast and friendly staff.
If neither of those takes your fancy, you can browse all hotels in York here.
Airbnb in York
There are also lots of options for Airbnbs in York. If you are looking for a private room, how about this gorgeous loft in a townhouse or this lovely suite with private bathroom.
For a whole place to yourself, this riverside studio has onsite parking and gets great reviews for cleanliness and for its location 5 minutes from the Shambles. Of if you’re really looking to push the boat out, this stunning flat could be the one for you!
Alternatively, you can check out all the options for Airbnb in York.
If you’re looking for travel insurance for your trip to the UK, get a quote now from World Nomads.
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Lovely photos! We live in the UK, but have never been to York. Hoping to go for a long weekend this Winter though!
Thank you for giving this useful information. I am coming to United Kingdom on this Christmas from United Airlines Flight.
These photos are stunning!!
Beautiful photos! York has definitely been an oversight of mine (not even deliberately, I just somehow haven’t made it there!).
Mine too! Thanks Vicki 🙂
Thanks Shannon, Exactly! I’m a Northern girl too so I’m trying to make sure more people get out of London & see what else the UK has to offer 🙂
I’m lucky that York is my closest city, and you’ve captured it beautifully. So many tourists to the UK flock to London and the south, but they should definitely give the north a chance and pay York a visit!
York is one of my favorite places in the UK! It’s just so beautiful and sooo full of history! Gorgeous pics!
Thanks Cherene! 🙂
Great post and I loved the history. Your pics are beautiful! I pinned it:)
Hi Nisha, Autumn is a great time to visit, there are plenty of events like the food & drink festival in September, and Illuminate York at the end of October. I was there in late September, and loved it – the weather was rainy & chilly at times though, but that’s typical for the UK 😀
Thanks Sally! Glad you liked them 🙂
Oh your pictures make me want to go there NOW! I’ve always wanted to visit these places. Thinking of next year in Autumn. Is it a good time to visit?
Some great photos of York! Especially the rainbow shot, what a perfect day out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Haha great news! See you in York soon 😀
Holy cow! You’re not kidding; I’m officially ready to leave! I love the gardens. I’ve never been to the UK but the cozy towns always look so fabulous! Xx
Ah yes, Bath is supposed to be beautiful too, I haven’t been myself but hope you can fit them both in in May!
Yey!! My mission accomplished 😀
🙂 York really is a stunning city, with plenty to keep you occupied!
Ahh it’s a shame – but easily done, I know the pubs of Leeds rather well myself so I know the temptation!!
Thanks Susanna, yes – you should definitely take a detour!
It’s so easy to overlook places in your own backyard, I haven’t explored the South of England half as much as I should!! Shame on us!!
I’ve always wanted to visit York as well as Bath. I’ll be in England next May so hopefully can make a trip!
Love these photos so much. All the castles and ruins and pretty streets! Definitely moving York up on my UK Wanderlist!
You’re right, you have made me want to visit! I’m a huge architecture fan, so York seems like it would have me fascinated for a while!!
Damn these images make me wanna kick myself for skipping York when I was in UK – and soooo close. I was visiting friends in Leeds and got carried away by pub hopping and missed York. sigh. next time 🙂
Lovely photos! I especially like that second one with the sun coming in over the church. I’ll have to keep York in Mind next time I’m in the U.K. I go to London a lot, I’ll have to make a detour.
York really does look like a stunning place to visit. I can’t believe I’ve never done it, living in England. It is so easy to neglect the amazing cities in your own country. I particularly like the look of the narrow cobbled streets and the abbey ruins. A very photogenic city!
Ahhh if you’re only in Liverpool you can definitely squeeze in a visit – it’s just 2 hours on the train 🙂
I have three weeks left in England and it’s been really bugging me that I’ve still never visited York! This post is really making me check my diary to see if I can possibly squeeze in a visit. It looks incredible and love your pictures! I’m only in Liverpool so it really isn’t too far away. Not too sure about the spiral staircase though lol.