Yorkshire is one of my favourite places to visit, and it should be yours too! There’s so much to do for all different families and all different budgets – so let’s begin!
Trains
York is a very well-connected train station, with regular journeys from London King’s Cross, west to Blackpool, Liverpool and Manchester, and further north to Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Sunderland. Often if you book well enough in advance, tickets can be purchased at a surprisingly low cost. The station itself is an architectural landmark, dating back to the 1870s, and awarded Grade II listed status. If you’re arriving by train, spend some time looking around when you disembark. The decorative ironwork, gilded clocks, and historic plaques are all worth a look. The station also has all the necessary amenities after a long journey!
National Rail 2for1 Offers
If you’ve travelled by train, have a look at the National Rail 2 for 1 offers available to you. At the time of writing, this includes the York Dungeon, York Army Museum, York’s Chocolate Story, and City Cruises York. For more information, see their website.
Railway Museum
My family are big train fans, so a visit to the Railway Museum is essential! The museum is open 7 days a week, with free admission – although booking in advance is advised during busy periods to guarantee entry. There’s such a variety of trains to see, from The Flying Scotsman to Japan’s Shinkansen – a 1960s high speed bullet train you that you can even explore the interior of! You can even start your journey to the museum from York Minster in style by taking the Road Train (£2.50 for kids and £3.50 for adults). Make sure to get a good look at the model railway, and we recommend the free signalling demonstration in the Collections Store if you want to learn more about how trains navigate the railways! See their website for more information.
City Walks
York is a beautiful city to explore, whether you decide to join a walking tour or do-it-yourself. The centre is enclosed by the city’s medieval walls, a 2.5 mile journey to complete in itself. Adventure down the historic snickelways, pedestrian streets with some unusual names! Finkle Street, Mad Alice Lane, and Hole-in-the-Wall are all iconic Yorkshire snickels. Additionally, have a walk down the Shambles to see the medieval shopping street, and a trip to York wouldn’t be complete without seeing Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate.
Whilst you’re on your walk through the city, you can pop into the unique shops and enjoy the traditional tea rooms. You may enjoy a visit to York Minster, the almost 2000 year old Cathedral boasting beautiful medieval stained glass windows, intricate carving, and a refurbished grand organ. Free guided tours run throughout the day, with admission costing £18 per adult, and free entry for children (up to 4 per adult).
Countryside
If you are arriving by car, or intending to hire one, getting out into the countryside surrounding the city is a perfect idea. There are so many beautiful walks and views in the Yorkshire area. We went for a lovely walk in Millington Woods where we saw a family of deer and beautiful views of the Yorkshire hills.
Jorvik Centre
The Jorvik Viking Centre is a great family experience! Travel back in time to Jorvik (the Viking name for York!) – the centre has recreated the city as it was. It’s a great place to learn about the history of the people of York, based on the research of archeologists, in a fun environment. You will go on a journey (literally! You sit in cars and ride through the centre!) through Jorvik, followed by a museum of artefacts from the dig. A family ticket costs £43 for 4 (£49.50 for 5), and you can use Tesco Clubcard Rewards to cover all or part of the cost.
What’s your favourite thing to do in York?
All prices are accurate at time of publishing.