Tourist Attractions
York boasts several major tourist attractions, which are definitely worth a visit during your time in the city. Most of these attractions lie within the city walls and so are easily accessible.
We’ve highlighted some of the most famous attractions York has to offer, but there are many, many more. You can find further information about these attractions and details of those we haven’t mentioned through the tourist links under useful links . Happy sightseeing!
The Medieval City Walls of York are almost three miles long and beautifully preserved – in fact they are the most complete of any town in England.There are five main ‘bars’ (big gateways), two of which now house museums. You can walk the entire length of the walls, which are open to the public daily, in approximately two hours.
Clifford's Tower was originally built by William the Conqueror and was then rebuilt in the 13th century by Henry III as the central keep for his medieval castle. There are excellent views of York and the surrounding area from the top of the tower.
York is believed to be the most haunted city in England and as a result of this there are many organised ghost tours operating from different starting points each evening. Visit Tourist Information for further information about the different ghost walks on offer.
The Jorvik Viking Centre brings you face to face with real characters from York’s past. You can journey back 1000 years and discover how the Vikings lived, worked and traded. This museum is extremely popular with children.
York’s National Railway Museum is the world’s largest railway museum. Here you can discover the story of the train and see the Stephenson Rocket, the Flying Scotsman and other giant steam engines. Entry is free for everybody.
The Yorkshire Wheel opened on 12 April 2006. The wheel reaches 54 metres into the sky and offers spectacular panoramic views of York’s historic centre and the surrounding countryside.
The wheel has 42 enclosed, air conditioned pods accommodating up to 8 people. There is also a luxury VIP pod with a leather interior for those special occasions!
