YORK
The city centre of historical York offers a variety of educational, fun,
and relaxing things to do, and is only 8.4 miles away from
Sutton on the Forest (around a 25 minute drive).
There are multiple car parks available -
visit www.york.gov.uk/directory/14/car_parks_directory for opening
times, number of spaces, addresses, and prices to help plan your
day out. There are also some park and ride options -
www.itravelyork.info/park-and-ride, or you can use
www.justpark.com to book a personal car parking space.
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Visit the food & drink page for more information on places to eat and
bars to visit in York.
Museums and other attractions focusing on the cities rich past would
be brilliant place to start with a day out. Below is a list of great
museums and experiences to explore, but first have a look at the
'York Pass' to see if you can save time and money buying a pass
rather than individual tickets www.yorkpass.com (it covers many
attractions across North Yorkshire not just the city).
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JORVIK VIKING CENTRE
Coppergate Shopping Centre, 19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT
Located on Coppergate, the museum was set up after the creation of a new shopping centre unearthed preserved Viking homes and items in the 1970’s. Here, you can take a trip back in time and experience York during the Viking Age. This is a popular attraction, so book tickets online to skip the queues. Due to flooding, the centre is closed until Spring 2017, but some attractions remain open. Adults £10.25, children (5-16) £7.25, concessions £8.25, family of 4 (maximum 2 adults) £30.95.
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM
Eye of York, York YO1 9RY (satnavs please use this alternative postcode – YO1 9WD)
Housed within the prison buildings of York Castle, here you can experience a variety of galleries and periods in time. Kirkgate is a recreation of a cobbled victorian street with authentic businesses, a schoolroom, and a police cell. Every shop on the street is based on a real York business from the past, and costumed guides can provide more information for you. There are also recreated Victorian rooms to visit, such as a parlour and a dining room. Toy Stories tells the tale of children toys through history, and the Cells display what life was like in the old Debtors Prison, with a cell possibly occupied by Dick Turpin. 1914: When the World Changed Forever commemorates the centenary of the First World War. Free entry with a YMT card - visit www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/ymtcard/ for more details. Adults £9.09 (without giftaid donation), under 16’s free with a paying adult.
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THE NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
NRM York, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ
This museum tells the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It’s the home of the national collection of historically significant railway vehicles, and also houses a collection of artefacts, written records, and pictorial records. Free entry, donations optional.
THE YORK DUNGEON
12 Clifford Street, York YO1 9RD
During this experience, ten live shows take you through the darkest side of York’s history, including meetings with Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin. You can even go for a check-up with the plague doctor! £10 per person when booking online.
THE ROMAN BATH MUSEUM
9 St Sampsons Square, York YO1 8RN
In the basement of the Roman Bath Public House lies the remains of Roman York, or Eboracum as it was known at the time. Here you can discover what life was like for Roman soldiers and why the Baths were such an important part of life. Adults £3.50, children £2, concessions £2.50.
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YORK’S CHOCOLATE STORY
King's Square, York, YO1 7LD
Learn the history of some of the biggest names in chocolate, and even the art of being a chocolatier. There are also plenty of tasting opportunities too! Adults £10.95, children £8.95, under 4's free, concessions £9.95, family of 4 (2 adults maximum) £34.95.
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YORK MINSTER
Deangate, York YO1 7HH
The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, York Minster is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. With stunning architecture and Dean’s Park next door, this is a lovely place to visit to relax on a summers day or during a shopping trip. Adults £10, concessions £9, children free with a paying adult.
YORK ART GALLERY
Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW
A collection of paintings from 14th century to contemporary.
Free entry with a YMT card - visit www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/ymtcard for more details. Adults £7.50, under 16’s free with a paying adult. Free entry to Art Fund members.
THE YORKSHIRE MUSEUM
Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York YO1 7FR
Here you can see the Cawood Sword, the Coppergate Helmet, and visit four collections which cover biology (extinct animals, skeletons, insects, and more), archeology (almost a million objects dated from around 500,000BC to the 20th century), astronomy (a collection kept in the Observatory), and geology (speciments of rocks, minerals, and fossils from the Carboniferous, Mesozoic, and Tertiary periods).
Free entry with a YMT card - visit www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/ymtcard for more details. Adults £6.82 (without giftaid donation), under 16’s free with a paying adult.
YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM
Halifax Way, Elvington, York YO41 4AU
On the site of former RAF Elvington in North Yorkshire, this World War Two airfield was used extensively by Allied bomber crews during the war. A collection of military vehicles, aircraft, and buildings provide an educational day out. Adults £10, children £5, under 5’s free, family ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £26, concessions £8.
YORKSHIRE MUSEUM OF FARMING
Murton Lane, Murton, York YO19 5UF
This museum focusses on the development of the mechanisation of farming during the 19th and 20th centuries, and includes a look at the farming year, a consideration of the rearing and farming of livestock, and a display of the contents of James Herriot’s veterinary surgery. Adult £6.50, concessions £5.50, children £4.50, family (2 adults and 2 children) £18, under 3’s free (all prices are without giftaid donations).
YORK CITY WALLS
Access from and of these four points: Bootham Bar, Walmgate, Foss Islands Road, Lendal Bridge
At 3.4 kilometres long, these are the longest medieval town walls in England. Spectacular views await you on this picturesque and charming walk which takes around 2 hours and covers 5 main bars or gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern (a small gateway), and 45 towers. Free.
YORK MAZE
York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT
An amazing (and giant) maize maze! Open from Saturday 16 July 2016, closing on Monday 5 September at 6.30pm. Open 7 days a week 10am until 6.30pm with last admission at 4.30. Adults £14.50, senior £14, children (3-15) £13.50, under 3’s free, family (2 adults and 2 children) £54. Save money by booking online for a discount at www.yorkmaze.com.
YORK HOP-ON HOP-OFF TOUR
Sit back and enjoy the sights of the York Minster, the Medieval streets of York, and more on the hop-on hop-off 16 stop tour. 24 hour tickets are available to purchase at www.getyourguide.com/york-l436/york-hop-on-hop-off-tour-24h-ticket-t4553 Adults £13, children £5, concessions £9.
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THE GRAND HOTEL & SPA
Station Rise, York, YO1 6GD
If a pampering spa experience and a glass of champagne sounds like exactly what you need, book in at The Grand. There are a variety of spa day packages available which you can read about at www.thegrandyork.co.uk/spa-at-the-grand/spa-days
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If the paranormal is your scene, York is the place to go for a ghost hunt and enough spooky stories to send a shiver up your spine! If the rich history of York makes you wonder how many apparitions wonder the cobbled streets, why not find out for yourself by joining them on a York ghost walk and dining with them at some of the most haunted places in the UK?
THE GOLDEN FLEECE
16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP
This 16th Century building is mentioned as far back as 1503 in the York Archives, and can be found opposite The Shambles - a historical street now full of shops. According to the website, “many guests have reported seeing the late Lady Peckett wandering the endless corridors and staircases in the wee, small hours and, including ghostly apparitions and moving furniture, hers is just one of the five resident spirits.” Here you can also make friends with the resident skeleton, Saul Goodfellow, and sample the delicious homemade food, which you can read more about in the places to eat section of the things to do menu above.
GHOST WALKS
There are many ghost walks taking place around York each day. A great guide to explore ghostly goings on in York with is the Ghost Creeper, who will give you a spooky history of York with fun and creepy stories to give you chills. This ghost walk starts outside the Jorvik Centre at 7:30, and runs every night from 1st July to 31st October, and then every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November to June (closed throughout Christmas, New Year, and January). £5 adults, £3 children. Visit www.ghostdetective.com for more information.
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Please consider that opening times vary, and prices listed on this website are accurate as of 11th August 2016 but are subject to change without notice. Please consult the websites of the attractions, or contact them directly by other means, to ensure that the information you gather is correct.
