York Travel Guide

From the remains of a Viking settlement discovered deep beneath Coppergate Street, to the medieval wall surrounding the old city and the splendour of Castle Howard (the setting for TV's ), York is a city richly steeped in history. It is one of the most interesting and popular cities in the UK, attracting a steady flood of local and international tourists.

Founded in the year 71 AD, York is located at the convergence of the Ouse and Foss Rivers, and was thus a strategic northern hub, passing through the hands of the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans respectively.

The varied history of the city is evident in its magnificent architecture, from Viking ruins to the spectacular York Minster cathedral. Northern Europe's largest Gothic Cathedral, the Minster took more than 250 years to complete, and is an impressive and photogenic structure surrounded by beautiful gardens.

This is not just a city of history, however, and the presence of York University makes for a lively mix of the old and the new. There are plenty of shops, bars, clubs, and restaurants, and weary travellers in York can spend their afternoon in one of the city's excellent tea rooms or coffee shops, while the evenings offer West End-style shows at reasonable prices, and plenty of places to find some solid English pub grub.

Things to do in York

It is one of England's favourite tourist destinations, so a holiday in York is not to be missed when touring the UK. York is a compact medieval cathedral city that can trace its history back to the Vikings, and features some of the best-preserved historic buildings in Europe. Apart from the impressive historic sights, many travel to York for its numerous festivals, which range from celebrating ancient Romans to horse racing and jazz. The city's greatest attractions are the epic York Minster Cathedral (one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world) and Castle Howard, which give visitors a taste of York's grandiose architecture.

Other popular attractions in the city include the fascinating Jorvik Viking Centre, the York Maze, and the Shambles, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cobbled streets. The Shambles area is well worth an afternoon stroll, with its winding narrow lanes, picturesque buildings and quaint shops. Alternatively, a more 'otherworldly' way to experience this historic area is on the York Ghost Hunt, a fun and fascinating tour that operates rain or shine through the city streets, in search of York's more elusive residents. Those who enjoy a touch of the spooky and macabre will also relish a visit to the York Dungeons.

Castle Howard photo

Castle Howard

Award-winning Castle Howard is one of York's most striking attractions. Home to the Howard family for over 300 years, the castle took 100 years to build, outliving several architects, craftsmen, and three earls, before eventually becoming the setting for the popular TV series, Brideshead Revisited. The spectacular estate comprises acres of farmland and exquisite gardens, while the interior is a treasure trove of paintings, furniture, sculptures, and more. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour, but historical costumed guides are available to answer questions and share information about the history of the house, the Howard family and the collections. Regular guided tours are also available, and the castle frequently plays host to a range of exhibitions, lectures, events, and dinners. The castle also has a gift shop, cafes, and a plant centre.

York Minster photo

York Minster

For over a thousand years, York Minster has been the principal place of worship in York and its surrounding areas. The largest Gothic cathedral in Europe, this impressive building is open to the public and visitors can enjoy the peace and beauty of the interior of the church and its many stained glass windows, including the well-known Rose Window. Visitors are also able to marvel at the fascinating ancient remains held beneath the church, in the Undercroft, and to enjoy the spectacular views from the top of its 275-step tower. Audio tours are available and York Minster also has its own gift shop, as well as a restaurant and cafe.

Jorvik Viking Centre photo

Jorvik Viking Centre

Set on a 'Viking Dig' archaeological site, the Jorvik Viking Centre is a fascinating exploration of the Viking presence in York over 1,000 years ago. Between 1976 and 1981, the York Archaeological Trust excavated thousands of Viking-era objects, including wooden houses, alleyways and fence lines, all part of the ancient centre of Viking power in England, Jorvik. Shortly after, the centre opened its doors and swiftly became a popular tourist attraction in the city. With over 800 items on display, this 'living history site' presents informative exhibits, reconstructions of the excavated Viking village (including authentic smells and sounds!) and costumed 'Viking' guides, offering visitors the chance to experience what life was like in 975 AD. A highly popular event is the annual Jorvik Viking Festival in February, when Vikings roam the streets of York once more. Visitors can enjoy weaponry displays, hands-on activities (including shield-building and excavating), re-enactments of Viking boat burials, guided walks, an evening of ancient tales and songs, and much more.

York Dungeons photo

York Dungeons

Not for the faint-hearted, the York Dungeons present a fascinating journey back in time, and visitors are guaranteed a ghoulish, grisly experience that will be hard to forget. With attractions that run the gamut from the plague-riddled streets of 14th-century York, to the Labyrinth of the Lost and its ghostly Lost Roman Legion, to adventures with the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, to the Pit of Despair, Witch Trials, and a recreated Viking attack, visitors should brace themselves for a hair-raising tour of the more macabre aspects of York's history. Visitors can be tried and convicted in a Judgement of Sinners trial, witness hangings, and marvel at the life-like waxworks on display. The tour is not recommended for those with a nervous disposition or a weak stomach, and children must be accompanied by an adult; nevertheless, the tour is actually as funny as it is scary and is a favourite with all ages.

Getting Around

As York is highly pedestrianised, the best way to take in all the sights and sounds of the city is on foot. Many travellers also choose to hire a car, and there are plenty of major car rental agencies around, but taxis, buses and trains are all reliable and readily available. Parking tends to be expensive, and the streets can be confusing for new arrivals. There are about 20 bus routes, and the city is separated into zones, with the cost of the journey varying accordingly. Off-peak day passes are available. Hiring a bicycle is also a good option for exploring the city, as it is accommodating towards cyclists.

York Climate and Weather

Typical of the United Kingdom, York's climate is highly changeable. The summer months (June to September) are usually sunny and mild, though mornings can also be cloudy and damp. Summer temperatures usually range from 64F (18C) to 70F (21C), with temperatures dropping to around 52F (11C) at night. November to January are the coldest, wettest months and although snowfall is minimal, days can be frosty. A popular time to travel to York is in the spring (March to May), when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom.

United Kingdom travel info

Electricity

The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.

Language

English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.

Money

The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.

Tipping

Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn't expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.

Health

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, and a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Safety

It's generally safe to travel throughout the UK.

Local customs

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.

Doing business

The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to 'read between the lines' and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person's ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn't be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.

Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it's worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.

Duty free

Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume.

Communications

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops. Travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks.

Passport & Visa

If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, and proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK. It's highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of six months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

Entry requirements

US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.

Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.

New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to six months.

Useful contacts

United Kingdom Tourism Website: www.visitbritain.com

999 (General)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

British Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 588 6500.

British High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 1530.

British High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6270 6666.

British High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 421 7500.

British Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 205 3700.

British High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 924 2888.

Embassies / consulates in United Kingdom

United States Embassy, London: +44 20 7499 9000.

Canadian High Commission, London: +44 20 7004 6000.

Australian High Commission, London: +44 20 7379 4334.

South African High Commission, London: +44 20 7451 7299.

Irish Embassy, London: +44 20 7235 2171.

New Zealand High Commission, London: +44 20 7930 8422.