York is a fascinating city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. It’s a place where old meets new in rare harmony, with many ancient constructions still standing strong.
It’s also the home of many contemporary sights and attractions. From shops to theatres, it’s a bustling and exciting city that is well worth exploring!
Betty’s Team Room
Founded in 1919, Betty’s Tea Rooms are famous for their traditional afternoon tea – a quintessential Yorkshire experience. With branches across the county, it’s no wonder Bettys is a must-visit for any food lover.
The original opened in Harrogate, but the York branch enchants with its Art Deco flair. Craftsmen who worked on luxury 1920s cruise liners designed the decor, including huge curved windows and elegant wood panelling.
You can enjoy a festive afternoon tea here at any time, but you’ll need to book ahead. This is especially the case for the reservation-only Festive Afternoon Tea, which is served in the first floor Belmont Room, which features beautiful interiors inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner.
York Dungeons
Take a journey into York’s darkest history with this walk-through attraction. It features authentic sets and actors who portray the city’s gruesome past in a way that is both scary and funny!
The 75-minute tour is packed with spooky and macabre characters, immersive sets, and spectacular special effects. The experience involves your senses, so you can hear screams, see steel crashing, and smell the foul scent of the city’s dark past!
The final show, the Torturer, is a must-see for all visitors. This takes you on a moon-lit stage coach ride during a chase with the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin! The action in this show is fast paced and well timed, making it a really memorable and fitting finale to the whole tour.
The Grand Hotel
Built in 1906 as a ‘Palace of Business’ during the Golden Age of travel, The Grand has spared no expense in providing some of York’s finest meeting and conference spaces. The opulent Grand Boardroom offers stunning views of the city, while the panelled Chairman’s Suite is ideal for more intimate events.
The hotel’s British restaurant, cocktail bar and subterranean spa, big bedrooms and sprawling suites combine to offer a truly luxurious stay in one of York’s most iconic buildings. Book a Classic, Executive or Heritage room and enjoy the personalised service and attention to detail that makes The Grand so special.
The Grand’s state-of-the-art Cookery School is a great way to explore a new cooking style, while the Subterranean Spa offers a range of luxury treatments to help you unwind. There’s also a series of tailor-made stayscation packages to help you make the most of your time in York.
York Minster
York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals and has been at the heart of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century. Explore this majestic building and discover its story – from the exquisite handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass, all telling the story of Jesus Christ.
You’ll find it hard not to be enchanted by this spectacular Gothic masterpiece. It’s one of the best examples of this architectural style and boasts a wide Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house, a Perpendicular Gothic quire and Early English north and south transepts.
The River Ouse
The River Ouse is one of York’s most famous attractions and offers incredible views of the city. Whether you’re on a day trip or visiting the city for a romantic break, a River Ouse cruise is a must!
The river runs through the center of York and is a great place to see many sights, including the York Minster. You can also take a walk along the river which is a fantastic way to spend some time.
The river is navigable throughout its length and was one of York’s most important ports, bringing in trade from the north and providing a conduit for transporting raw materials into the city. Today, the port of Goole handles most of the commercial traffic on the river.
