10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in York That You Shouldn't Miss

February 21, 2022 Rebbecca Marino

Just two hours north of London by rail, the city of York holds 1900 years' worth of history in its ancient walls. The Romans built the city in 71 AD, and the Vikings captured it in 866 AD. Stop by the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens for a look at what the Roman and Vikings left behind (they must have packed light when they left). From there, move on to the York Castle Museum for a not-so-quick overview of the most recent 400 years.
Restaurants in York

1. Brew York

Excellent
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5.0 based on 306 reviews

Brew York

Located in York’s bustling city centre, just off Walmgate, Brew York is a showpiece ten barrel craft brewery alongside its tap room and beer hall, celebrating the best local ales and redefining the city’s position in the UK brewing scene. Featuring 40 taps the Beer Hall can boast the largest and widest selection of beers, lagers and ciders in York and its surrounding area. With its own purpose built kitchen we can deliver some of the best food in the area alongside your beer. In addition to the awesome Beer Hall we have a smaller Tap Room located just next door within the brewery building itself. You can sit within touching distance of the fermenting tanks, even the brewers themselves! Come down and enjoy our beer whilst overlooking our latest brews fermenting away. We operate a no stag/hen do policy on our brewery tours without question.

2. National Railway Museum

Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ England 03330 161 010 [email protected] http://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
73%
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4.5 based on 18,169 reviews

National Railway Museum

FREE ENTRY Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.

Reviewed By andrewmR3427OB

Excellent museum free entry or you can put a voluntary donation toward the upkeep of the locos and museum lots to do and very informative.There are different talks on various subjects of railwayana.The museum has 3 large halls film of locos and railwayana there are also viewing platforms where you can see staff working on different locos.You can easily spend all day here there is a resteraunt and shops well worth a visit

3. Treasurer's House

Treasurers House Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL England +44 1904 624247 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/treasurers-house-york/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,626 reviews

Treasurer's House

Step through 2,000 years of history with one visit to this house of dreams, where rooms are set up and furnished to mirror the grand styles from medieval times to the early 1900s. All created as part of one man's vision for his idea of a historic house. Find out about Frank Green and his particular ways and see his unique collection from his travels. At Christmas find every room filled with scents and decorations. The cafe serves it's award winning Christmas pudding scone for a limited time - served warm with brandy butter. Completing the visit, on selected days, head onto the roof tops on an attic tour or below stairs to see the site of one of York's most famous ghost stories. The place where a legion of ghostly Roman soldiers were spotted marching along a long buried Roman road.

Reviewed By colinthfc - York, United Kingdom

Worth a visit if you are NT members, a bit expensive if not, although you can walk round the gardens and have a coffee if without being members. We did the 45 minute guided tour and enjoyed the information given, learnt a lot more than just walking round on your own.

4. Fairfax House

Fairfax House Castlegate, York YO1 9RN England +44 1904 655543 [email protected] http://www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk
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4.5 based on 943 reviews

Fairfax House

Unlock the splendour of an eighteenth century townhouse and discover one of the finest examples of rococo decoration in England, including the famous Terry collection of Georgian furniture and clocks. With an exciting programme of special events and changing exhibitions, there is always a reason to visit Fairfax House. We are open 7 days a week between Saturday 5th - Sunday 20th December. Visit our website for more information about our dazzling Christmas exhibition, and a link to pre-book!

Reviewed By RosieT224 - Reading, United Kingdom

A stunning example of a Georgian townhouse filled with a delightful collection of Georgian furniture ( originally belonging to Noel Terry (of the Chocolate family)and passed on in his will to the York Civic Trust) and showcased so beautifully in this renovated house. This is an intimate place with passionate friendly local guides who give you historical information on each floor - you can also just explore alone if you prefer this. The Georgian Edit is a current exhibition of fabulous Georgian clothes which look so at home in the room settings of Fairfax. The only annoying thing is photographing is not allowed however sadly no brochure available on the current clothes exhibition would love to have been able to read more at home about the interesting items on show. A huge collection of shoes from the period were fascinating particularly the men’s shoes with heels and easily if not more ornate then their female counterparts! Catch it if you can has a few children’s trails involving mice but better for older children given you can walk around the rooms without barriers to restrict you.

5. York Castle Museum

Eye of York Tower St, York YO1 9RY England +44 1904 687687 [email protected] http://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 9,316 reviews

York Castle Museum

Famous for its collections of costume, textiles, military and social history, York Castle Museum brings history back to life. Wander through the Victorian streets, venture into the prison cell of notorious highwayman Dick Turpin and discover what life was like on the front line in the First World War. There's something for everyone at York Castle Museum.

Reviewed By RodD185

This is not a straightforward museum all geared around one theme, instead it has a smorgasbord of themes to explore, peppered with historical curios along the way ( such as the face mask for Oliver Cromwell, next to the opening displays of Georgian and Victorian living quarters ). When we went, these including rooms on toys, fashion, victorian living ( the victorian street is very impressive ), the 60s, and the history of an old debtors prison, amidst nods to York's own history. Obviously, what it has in breadth it loses in depth, but if you want to enjoy a little bit of lots of themes, this is a fine place to feel like you've got your money's worth over 90 minutes - 2 hours.

6. Merchant Adventurers' Hall

Fossgate, York YO1 9XD England +44 1904 654818 [email protected] http://www.merchantshallyork.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 721 reviews

Merchant Adventurers' Hall

Discover one of the finest medieval guildhalls in the world - home to York’s entrepreneurs for 660 years – and counting. Redoubtable tales, fascinating architecture and intriguing, rare artefacts, all under a stunning 14th Century oak roof… delve into York’s entrepreneurial past, present and future following stories of the “mystery of mercers” - business pioneers who made it happen: from the medieval wool trade, via the railways, chocolate and two universities to the 21st century Science City.

Reviewed By Burcottguy - Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom

Has to be the best preserved medieval hall with all its original features, plus a very well designed learning path to enable folk to understand better all its history.

7. The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre

17 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AQ England +44 1904 643238 [email protected] http://www.bar-convent.org.uk/exhibition.htm
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4.5 based on 146 reviews

The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre

* Fully open from Sept 1 Discover the history of England's oldest living convent- York's best kept secret since 1686. Discover York's fascinating religious history and how the convent survived times of turmoil, persecution and two world wars in our fascinating exhibiton and stunning 18th century Hidden Chapel. Hear the incredible stories of the Yorkshire martyr Margaret Clitherow, the radical pioneer of women's religious orders and education, Mary Ward, and about the followers of Mary Ward, the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus, who still live in the convent today. Our wonderful cafe serves award-winning breakfasts, light lunches and some of the best cakes and scones in York- on warmer days, don't miss the opportunity to dine in our tranquil private gardens. Did you know you can stay here? For an unforgettable and unique experience, enjoy a break in our guest house, ideally located close to York railway station and at the foot of Micklegate Bar Walls.

Reviewed By GoingGuide - Nottingham, United Kingdom

Great place to find out about the history of the Catholic church through the eyes of a convent. It shows the changes the convent - the oldest surviving - went through due to the change of monarchy through and ever since Tudor times. Ideal for families with plenty for children to do. Very reasonable prices. Shop and cafe available for visiting. Well worth a visit.

8. York Mansion House

St. Helens Square, York YO1 9QL England +44 1904 553663 [email protected] http://www.mansionhouseyork.com
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4.5 based on 113 reviews

York Mansion House

York Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, positioned at the heart of city society and civic life for almost 300 years. A masterpiece of 18th century architecture and a celebration of the city it inhabits, York Mansion House and its infamous residents have a colourful history, filled with scandal, decadence and outlandish feasting. Following extensive restoration, in 2018 the house opened to the public for the first time, allowing all to experience this extravagant mayoral life, and take an interactive walk through York’s Georgian past. From July 22nd 2020, we’re delighted to be reopening with a series of brand new, bookable guided tours. With visitor safety our priority, we have put a number of steps in place to ensure you feel welcome, safe and comfortable during your visit with us. Head to our website to find out how we’ve been getting ready for this new chapter.

9. The Hospitium

Museum Gardens Museum Street, York YO1 7FR England +44 1904 629745 [email protected] http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/medieval/the-hospitium
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4.5 based on 94 reviews

The Hospitium

This timber-framed building was built in the early 1300s, and is believed to have been used as lodging for weary travelers visiting St. Mary's Abbey.

10. Visit York Information Centre

1 Museum Street Exhibition Sq., York YO1 7DT England +44 1904 555670 [email protected] http://www.visityork.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 130 reviews

Visit York Information Centre

Visit York's Information Centre is good at people! Everything we do has the customer in mind and each day we meet students, couples, families, overseas visitors, non English speaking visitors all wanting to York in a day! Between them our staff speak nine languages and are supported by 30 dedicated volunteers. Visit York's Information Centre provides everything you need to get the most out of your visit to the city - maps, guidebooks, York Pass- the official sightseeing card and best way to see the city and beyond, attraction tickets and a huge rage of regional gifts. Visit England, the national tourism agency, has named Visit York's Visitor Information Centre the best in the country. The Team in York represented one of just three finalists in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category and were thrilled to bring home the gold.

Reviewed By sarcastictraveller - Luton, United Kingdom

was greeted by a friendly gentlemen who answered all our questions and gave us leaflets for things to do.

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