A Guide to York — Your 3 Day Travel Itinerary.
Domestic travel is back and we’re excited for the season of staycations! We want to inspire you to embrace the day and explore destinations across the UK from a different perspective. We’ve created a collection of unique guides for our top locations — just for you. Each one comes with insider-knowledge from locals and uncovers the hidden gems no one tells you about!
We’ve planned out the perfect 3-day trip to York, including everything from fun activities, important landmarks, to food and drink recommendations — saves you spending hours hunting for them! Sit back, relax and read on to find out what lies within the ancient walls of York…
Your Itinerary:
Transport: Main train station: York (served by East Coast Mainline, TransPennine Express, Cross Country, London North Eastern Railway).
FRIDAY: A relaxed day of sightseeing
- Your trip starts here at the York Minister, where it all began….
Boasting 2,000 years of history, there is plenty to explore in one of York’s most prized historic monuments. Get lost in the beauty of its breathtaking medieval architecture and discover the stories which have shaped the Minster we see today.
2. Stop off at Gatehouse Coffee for a refreshment — only a short walk from the Minster
Enjoy a brew with a view at Gatehouse Coffee, a prime location built into the city walls with rooftop views towards the Minster. If it’s too chilly to sit outside, you can cozy up in the aesthetically pleasing indoor tea rooms. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to visit one of the highest rated coffee shops in York and in the top 10% worldwide — we’re itching to visit already! What’s even better is that it’s only a stone’s throw away from York’s top attractions — perfect for an exciting day of sightseeing!
3. From Gatehouse Coffee, explore York’s secret passages and discover Stonegate Road
York is famous for its snickleways (small, narrow, hidden streets and passageways), one being a secret passage from Coffee Yard to Stonegate. This quaint street in the city centre will lead you to a hidden gem, Barley Hall — a stunning medieval townhouse once home to the Mayor of York.
4. Lunch at the Shambles Market
A short walk from Stonegate will lead you to York’s Shambles — a medieval street lined with quaint (mainly Harry-Potter themed) shops and filled with the sweet aroma of chocolate and fudge. If you’re feeling peckish, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the Shambles Market where you can visit the Food Court and choose from a wide range of cuisines!
5. After a delicious lunch at the market, head over to York Museum Gardens
Nestled in York’s city centre, this vibrant botanical garden is bursting with life and history. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to discover its incredible historical past, or simply enjoy the beauty of the gardens. It even has a ‘Squirrel’s Trail’, an interactive trail which takes you to the hidden treasures of York Museum Gardens.
6. End the day with a pint in The Roman Bath Pub
After a long day of sightseeing, do as the Romans did and blow off some steam at The Roman Bath Pub. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing drink and visit the remains of a roman bathhouse underneath this unique pub!
SATURDAY: Venture outside of the city walls
- Visit Murton, a picturesque village in York
Get lost in the fields of this pretty village, Murton. The village is home to St James’ church, a tiny church out in the fields east which was restored in 1914 after a long period of neglect. Other sites of interest include the Yorkshire Museum of Farming and Murton Park.
How to get there: East Yorkshire Motor Services provide a bus service to the village of Murton from York.
If you want a day of adventure, you can visit…
Have fun, get fit and relax on one of the largest natural water sport lakes, North Yorkshire Water Park. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, from kayaking to pedalos!
How to get there: Accessible by car, just off the A170 (within an hour’s drive from York).
3. Take an alpaca for a walk at Beacon Alpacas
There’s no need to worry about social distancing at Beacon Alpacas as this is a completely outdoor activity! Ever walked with an alpaca? Well, now you can, Beacon Alpacas offers visitors the opportunity to go for a leisurely stroll with one of their -very- cute alpacas around the farm and along the bridleways. The walk offers spectacular views over the Vale of York and White Horse at Kilburn.
How to get there:
Car: (30 minutes) drive via A19 from York’s city centre.
Bus:(1 hour) take the 31X bus (in the direction of Kirkbysidemoor) from Station Avenue and get off at the Village Hall bus stop (24 stops). Beacon Alpacas is a 10 minute walk from here.
3. After a long day of adventure, reward yourself with locally-brewed drinks at The Blue Bell Pub, the smallest pub in York
This tiny, traditional wood-panelled pub with original Edwardian decor and open fire, is the perfect place to enjoy a couple of jars of their very own Blue Bell House IPA.
SUNDAY: Wind down before you say ‘see you later!’ (not ‘goodbye’) to York
- If you love cats and cakes, stop at The Cat’s Whiskers Café
Located a 5 minute walk from the Minister, visit York’s first cat café. This is the ideal spot for cat lovers — or cake lovers! Take a break from sightseeing and relax while you spend some time with furry friends.
2. Try out Bettys Café Tea Rooms’ famous fat rascals, or indulge in York’s best scones at the Parlormade Scone House Café
If there’s one thing you should experience when you visit York, it’s eating some fat rascals from Bettys Café Tea Rooms. As strange as the name of this famous cake may sound, there’s nothing strange about the taste. Similar to a scone or rock cake, you can’t say no to this sweet treat, hand-decorated with a cheeky glacé cherry and almond face.
For those wanting to be far from the madding crowd, why not check out Parlormade Scone House Café? Its charming 15th century exterior alone is enough to entice you to visit this hidden treasure! Described by some as the best scones by the Shambles, this is an opportunity you just can’t turn down — yum!
3. Enjoy a gentle stroll around Rowntree Park
The best part about York is all the greenspace! Rowntree park is the ideal spot for a picnic and a peaceful walk with views of the River Ouse — the perfect way to end a fun weekend of exploring York!
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