Highlights of Historic York

Walk the UK’s best preserved medieval walls.

Get sweeping views of what was once the world’s largest railway station and hear how the expansion of the railway network to York shaped this city.

Walk through the ‘official’ entrance to York and hear the stories of those whose heads once graced the spikes on top…

Stand on top of a WWII Bunker and hear how war-time training has taken place here for centuries.

Walk along the beautiful river Ouse and take in the warehouses that turned York into a chocolate manufacturing Mecca in the 19th century.

See all that remains of William the Conqueror’s York Castle and hear the heartbreaking stories of the blood that was once shed here.

(External visit only.)

Previously home to England’s most notorious prisoner, hear his story and see the buildings where criminals were kept before being sent off to the wilds of the ‘colonies.’

(External visit only.)

Stand atop the UK’s best preserved Viking settlement and hear about the most surprising artefact discovered here.

(External visit only.)

Walk along one of the country’s most complete medieval street (and some say the inspiration for Dragon Alley), there is also a chance to visit the home of York’s martyr saint.

Look into the Great Hall of what was once the home of York’s medieval Lord Mayor.

Walk along one of Yorks’ most popular high streets and hear the story of the industry that used to be based here.

See the birthplace of one of Yorks’ most notorious residents and find out how he is commemorated today.

(External visit only.)

See these classical designed medieval buildings and why the one-time residents were not too happy about what used to take place here.

(External visit only - Building not open to the public.)

View a stunning Jacobean manor house and hear one of York’s best-known ghost stories.

(External visit only.)

Walk around one of the most beautiful gothic churches in Northern Europe and hear the surprising history of how it came to be.

(External visit only.)

Walk through the entrance to what was once a Roman settlement and find out which world-famous product originated from a shop right here.

Once used by both King Charles I and King Henry VIII, hear what happened within the walls of this beautiful Tudor building, and how it shaped the country as it is today.

(External visit only.)

Stand just outside the York Art Gallery and learn why an unknown artist is credited with preserving the city of York.

View damage from the English Civil War and hear the story of why York was spared by the Parliamentarian troops in the 17th century.

Stand in the ruins of what was once England’s wealthiest religious institution and hear the true story of why it was finally closed down.

Stroll through the beautiful York Museum Gardens, and see what remains of previous inhabitants.

Get up close to the remains of a fortress that once marked the northern most edges of the Roman Empire.

Stand within a ruined medieval hospital and learn the unexpected story of a man who once controlled it.