A Weekend In York: Where To Visit, Eat, And Stay

York at a glance:

• Travel time: 2hrs direct train, or approx 4hrs drive, from London.
• Vibe: Medieval, atmospheric, magical.
• Top must-see: York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.
• Best for: Shoppers, foodies, history buffs, Harry Potter fans.

The beautiful city of York should be on everyone’s visit list. It is one of the most charming places I have visited in the UK. Filled with medieval history, incredible shopping, and a variety of eateries – there’s so many things to enjoy during a weekend in York. I took my Mum there for a birthday trip, but with so many options it’s somewhere you can enjoy with friends, a partner, or even solo. It was also quicker than I expected to get there, only two hours on the train from London.

Places to visit during a weekend in York

York Minster

If you want some incredible facts, then look no further than York Minster. It’s the second-largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and it has the largest collection of stained glass in the country. You can’t really miss it as it’s visible from so many points in the city. If you wish to go inside, you can see the Great East Window and climb the 275 step tower to see long-reaching views over York.

Micklegate

York was a walled city historically, with four medieval gateways. Micklegate was the gateway used by royalty. It bears a royal coat of arms, the city’s gold lions on a red cross, and the arms of York’s Lord Mayor. Apparently the corpses and heads of traitors and rebels were placed on Micklegate back in the day, remaining in place for years! There is also a tale that the gateway is supposedly haunted by the daughter of the 18th century gatekeeper who worked here. He lost his job after she mislaid his keys and the family became destitute. In revenge she is now said to haunt this area.

York Museum Gardens

You have to visit these gardens during a weekend in York, as they’re an absolute gem. It was pure chance we came across these late afternoon as the sun was starting to set, and I managed to capture this scene of the beautiful ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. There’s plenty more history to see too including the Hospitium, which would have been a guest house for visitors to St Mary’s Abbey but is now a wedding venue. The York Museum Gardens are also home to the Yorkshire Museum, and there is an amazing collection of plants and flowers.

The Shambles

The part of York I was most excited about seeing – the Shambles date back to medieval times and are some of the best preserved streets in Europe. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander along.

Originally the Shambles would have been an open-air slaughterhouse and meat market, and it was intentionally designed to be narrow to avoid too much direct sunlight on the meat. You can still see old meat hooks outside some of the buildings. Thankfully it doesn’t smell as bad as it would have done back then!

If you’re a Harry Potter fan you’ll definitely want to visit, as these streets are said to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley. There are even four wizard themed shops including The Shop That Must Not Be Named.

York’s Chocolate Story

York was the home to some of the UK’s most famous chocolate factories – Terry’s, Craven’s and Rowntree’s. With world renowned products such as the Chocolate Orange and the KitKat originating here, it’s unsurprising that they have the York Chocolate Story. Part museum, part shop, you can see how chocolate is made and make it yourself.

Coney Street Clock

This clock hangs on Coney Street over St Martin le Grand, a Grade II listed church. A clock has stood over Coney Street since 1668, with the current design dating back to 1856. Its most recent renovation in 2012 cost £54,000, a definite labour of love! My favourite part is the Little Admiral figure on the top.

Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate

Many of the streets in York end with the word Gate but this was definitely the best one I came across! The name of this street was first recorded in 1505 and has changed several times over the years. Originally it was said to be Whitnourwhatnourgate, and later it appears in historical records as Whitney Whatneygate. The meaning of it has been debated, with the three most common being “nothing at all”, “neither one thing nor the other” and most recently, “what a street!”

Barley Hall

This place has a rather incredible story. The medieval style building you see now was actually hidden behind a modern office block until the 1980s! When the workers went to demolish the office block, they discovered this townhouse which had been constructed back in around 1360. Unfortunately much of the wood had deteriorated so it couldn’t be saved. But it was used as a guide to rebuild a replica of what it would have looked like, what you now see as Barley Hall. This surprising discovery has meant the historic story of the site lives on.

Jorvik Viking Centre

This is one of York’s most popular tourist attractions. Jorvik Viking Centre takes you on a seated ride where you can see (and smell!) what Viking life was like in the city. It is well thought out, and is something different from what a normal museum offers. We were in the queue for about an hour and a half outside in the cold though, and weren’t inside for that long, so I’d suggest weighing up the length of the queue first!

Ghost Walk of York

One thing we didn’t do during our time in York was a ghost walk. I hadn’t realised until we were there that this is a big part of York’s culture! The Original Ghost Walk of York is the longest running, having been established in 1973. It runs every night and takes visitors on a exploration of some of the city’s most haunted spots. It’s something I’d definitely want to do on a future visit.

Shopping during a weekend in York

One thing I was surprised about was how great the shopping in York was. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect there to be so much choice. With a mixture of well-known brands, independent boutiques, and unique options found nowhere else, you could spend a weekend in York just going shopping! Here’s some of the places worth checking out.

Stonegate Teddy Bears

Stonegate, pictured above, is one of the main shopping areas in York and is where the Stonegate Teddy Bears shop can be found. As someone who still sleeps with the teddy bear they received as a baby(!), I think everyone deserves a loved teddy. This cute shop is the perfect place to find a well made teddy for a child (or even a grown up!) who will give it a happy home.  

House of the Trembling Madness

Certainly a name you won’t come across anywhere else! This is an independent company that specialises in alcoholic drinks, housing one of the largest collections of craft beer in the UK. Part shop and part bar, this place definitely has some character with timber-framed ceilings and taxidermy heads on the walls.

Käthe Wohlfahrt

There are around 10 or so Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shops in Europe, with only one in the UK, which is in York! So if you’re in a festive mood, this is definitely a shop to stop at. It’s in the grand timber framed Mulberry Hall dating back to 1434, possibly the most outstanding of all the buildings on Stonegate. There are Christmas decorations galore, and on the first floor are cuckoo clocks made in the Black Forest region of Germany.

Oliver Bonas

It isn’t an independent shop, but whilst you’re on Stonegate I would also recommend checking out the Oliver Bonas shop. This branch of theirs in particular is very memorable. It’s in a beautiful building with creaky wooden floors and staircases, stained glass windows, and fireplaces! I do also love their stuff too.

York Designer Outlet

As a bonus tip – I would also recommend checking out York Designer Outlet. It is only a 15 minute bus ride out of the city centre and is great if you’re looking for a bargain. It has over 100 designer and premium brands that cover clothing, footwear, accessories, homeware, and food. There’s also several café and restaurant options too if you need to take a break and refuel.

Places to eat during a weekend in York

There’s plenty of options when it comes to eating and drinking during a weekend in York. You can find all the usual chains such as Zizzis, Bills, Pizza Express, and the Slug and Lettuce which we dined at (it’s right on the river and has great views!). If you like to try out places that can’t be found anywhere else, below are four options to consider.

Ye Olde Starre Inne

If you want some classic pub grub, Ye Olde Starre Inne is the oldest inn in York. It can be found down a narrow alleyway on Stonegate, which would be easy to miss if it wasn’t for the big sign over the street! At the entrance is a walled courtyard which is nice to sit out in when the weather is warm. If you love the ghost tales of York, then you’ll want to visit as this pub is supposedly haunted by both human and cat ghosts!

Betty’s Tea Rooms

One of the places that York is most famed for. I’ll admit we didn’t eat here ourselves as it was packed whenever we went past! However if you enjoy a classic afternoon tea in a traditional setting, you should try book a slot in advance at Betty’s online (I didn’t know about this when I was there!). This way you can relax and know you’ll be able to get a table.

Fossgate Tap

We chose to eat at Fossgate Tap as it was down a quieter street, so wasn’t as busy as other places. The menu was made up of simple things like burgers, kebabs, and pizza. Inside it was spacious, so the tables weren’t all crammed together which I appreciated. It had a casual, friendly atmosphere, nice interior, and was a good lunchtime pit stop.

Delrio’s

For somewhere with a romantic atmosphere, Delrio’s restaurant is located in a cellar with some of the seating in underground alcoves. Tables are lit by candlelight and cuisine is authentically Italian (the owner is from Sardinia). Unfortunately as someone who is dairy-free, Italian isn’t really suitable for me. However I had to include this place as it’s hidden down a narrow alleyway and you could easily miss it, but it has fantastic online reviews!

Places to stay during a weekend in York

There are over 250 hotels in and around York city centre, with something that caters to every occasion and budget. Below are a select few hotels that I believe offer good value for what they charge. Prices change regularly depending on the season so I haven’t included these below, but you can find them easily on each hotel’s website.

Luxury hotel in York

If you’re looking for a luxury weekend in York, then The Grand is the only AA five star rated hotel. It used to be the HQ for the North Eastern Railway and its grandeur can be seen to the right of this picture, with its tall windows and detailed stone work that stands out against the red brick. It has a spa, whiskey lounge, and terrace bar on site.

Boutique hotel in York

To me, Clementine’s Town House Hotel is the epitome of a boutique hotel. It has a selection of 28 bedrooms, each with a unique and colourful sense of style. The website describes it as “Parisian chic with Yorkshire Victorian heritage”. Many of the rooms celebrate York’s chocolate heritage too, with quirky room names including The After Eight, The Fruit Pastille, and The Yorkie.

Cheap hotel in York

We stayed at the Ibis York Centre. It was less than a ten minute walk into the centre of town, entering through Micklegate. Our room was spacious and clean, and overlooked some gardens. Nothing fancy but perfectly adequate if you don’t want to fork out too much. Our twin room was £75 per night.

Alternative hotel in York

For a gothic kind of vibe, Guy Fawkes Inn could be your place. The real birthplace of Guy Fawkes, the bedrooms are stylish but with a moody vibe using dark colours like black, red, and teal. Outside in the courtyard a large mural is dedicated to the gunpowder plotter, lit up by fairy lights at night. A quote apparently by Fawkes himself is painted on the front of the building claiming the Inn “has the best pie in the city of York”.

I know there’s several things I didn’t get to see first time round so I hope to visit York again one day. If you’re reading this and are soon to visit, I hope you have a fantastic time! If you’ve been before, where would you recommend as the best places to visit on a weekend in York? Let me know in the comments.

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