Unmissable Things to do in York
York is a delightful city with traces of medieval times found at every corner, making it look stunning and picturesque. The city also has a pretty good student life, with good universities, epic nightlife, and great accommodation choices like the Abode York student accommodation. York is also one UK’s most beautiful and historic cities and has a ton of things to do. And, believe it or not, you can have an amazing time, spending little to no money, AKA as free or cheap! Read on to find out some of the unmissable things to do when in York.
Don’t judge a book by its name, The Shambles isn’t actually in shambles! The place is quite pretty with winding cobbled streets, narrow alleys, a quaint historic vibe and tons of stalls and shops. Major Harry Potter vibes! It might have been a chill-inducing slaughterhouse at some point in history, but these days it’s a buzzing hub with buskers, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A daily market is set up behind the Shambles and has over 80 stalls selling a variety of things- produce, veggies, baked goods, clothes, trinkets, books, flowers, street food, the whole shebang! It’s great for mucking around and window shopping as well, if you don’t wanna shell out money. Also, don’t forget to visit ‘the shop that shall not be named’- and yes, that’s a thing!
York is encircled by a glorious 3.4km circuit of a medieval stone wall. Treading along the walls takes about 2-3 hours if you’re covering the entire circuit. Alternatively, you can take it one section at a time as well. The views are great, and you get to have a taste of the entire city on the stroll. You can even catch a glimpse of the York Minster and River Ouse. SO, if the weather is good, we highly recommend giving this a shot!
Gawk at the Majestic York Minster
Speaking of the Minster, it’s like the landmark of the city and is super well-known. If you are in the city, then you simply have to give it a looksie. It’s like a beacon beaming and soaring over the city. The Cathedral is a splendid Gothic architectural feat that dates back to the 7th century with stunning exteriors and interiors, stained-glass windows, carvings, sculptures, underground chambers and artefacts. We particularly like the – you’ll leave with a whole lot of new knowledge on the area’s history. Climb up the central tower and get rewarded with the highest viewpoint in the city. It’s a tough ask considering its 275 steps, but trust us, it is totally worth it!
The Clifford’s Tower is a ruined Norman keep at York Castle and is the last remaining structure of the castle. It sits on a hill overlooking the city and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the cityscape. The tower itself is not all that interesting, but the views from there are absolutely gorgeous. You can see the renowned York Minster, the city centre, and even the North York Moors National Park from the top.
Spook it out
The city has a dark and grizzly past, splattered with terrible, gruesome and chilling stories throughout the course of its history. The spooky, sinister alleyways and building mixed with real-life horror stories makes for a very spooky day out. You can simply download an itinerary and go about on a grim, spook tour on your own or take a guided ghost tour!
There you go, fellas! You can start exploring these places; of course, there’s way more, this list barely scratches the surface, but this will do for now. Enjoy!