York
A Walled Roman, Viking And Medieval City With The Largest Gothic Cathedral In Northern Europe, York Minster, The Crooked Timber Framed Lane Of The Shambles, 3 Km Of Medieval Walls You Can Walk, The National Railway Museum And The Jorvik Viking Centre. Compact, Busy And Easy By Train From London Or Edinburgh · York, England
York is a walled city in northern England with Roman, Viking and medieval layers packed into a small centre, about two hours by train from London. York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, dominates the skyline, and you can climb its tower for views. The medieval city walls, about 3.4 km round, form a raised walk with gates, or bars, along the way. The Shambles, a crooked timber lane, is the most photographed street and is packed all day. The Jorvik Viking Centre rebuilds the Viking town, Clifford's Tower stands on a mound by the old castle, and the National Railway Museum is free and huge. Ghost walks run most evenings. The Ouse floods in winter and spring, closing riverside paths and some lower streets. York is compact, crowded in summer and weekends, and the Shambles is more crowd than substance, so see it early, before the day-trippers from the station arrive. Allow time for the walls too.
York city centre inside the medieval walls, around York Minster, the Shambles and the River Ouse, York, England, United Kingdom
The streets and the city centre are open all day, every day, and walking inside the walls, the riverside and Museum Gardens is FREE. The Minster opens for visitors most days but closes to sightseers during services, and the tower climb runs on limited days and times - confirm before you go. The city walls are open daylight hours and are CLOSED at night and in ice or high wind. The National Railway Museum is FREE and usually open daily, with a short closure on some holidays. Jorvik and Clifford's Tower charge entry and shorter winter hours apply; both close on Christmas Day. Ghost walks start in the evening, many at 7 or 8 pm, and some do not run in bad weather. Confirm all times close to your date.