Location: York
Top Things to do in York
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10 Things to do Good for Couples in York That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Breezy Knees Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 530 reviews
With over 20 acres of extensive gardens featuring more than 7,000 different varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees and described by Monty Don as "a beautiful modern garden created on the grandest possible scale, Breezy Knees is one of the largest gardens in Northern England.
Reviewed By SandraS953
What a wonderful find.Thank you Gardeners world for featuring this glorious garden. Please explore all the different gardens as there is something lovely to see. Even though it was in September we missed it at its best, it must be breathtaking in the spring and Summer. Must go back to see then! It is very well laid out and easy to see everything if you follow the map/ticket given on entry.
2. Museum Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,065 reviews
The Yorkshire Museum, home to some of the richest archaeological finds in Europe, is set amidst its own Gardens, which offer picnic areas and scenic walkways.
Reviewed By SharonJT67 - Durham, United Kingdom
Lovely well maintained gardens adjacent to the river, plenty of places to sit & watch the world go by away from the crowds, alternatively grab a delicious ice cream from the rescue van, a coffee or cold drink from the bike cart or take a look at the visiting birds of prey, the ruins look as majestic as ever, the weather was scorching it was such a great day to visit!
3. National Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,169 reviews
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
4. Treasurer's House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,626 reviews
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.
5. Fairfax House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
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.
6. York Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,316 reviews
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.
7. Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 721 reviews
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.
8. Shambles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,601 reviews
Shambles (or The Shambles as it is often referred to) is a street in the city centre of York with a long and interesting past. Dating back to Medieval times it was once the street of the butcher shops. Today the Shambles is Europe's most visited street, attracting tourists, shoppers and business clients.
Reviewed By Gailpe
Beautiful and busy It’s a Harry Potter fans heaven There’s also lots of odd little quirky shops with unusual gifts to be had A small market square is tucked away with lots of hand crafted gifts The old buildings add to the nostalgia of this pretty shopping area
9. Castle Howard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,482 reviews
Castle Howard is one of England's finest historic houses, set in a thousand acres of sweeping parkland dotted with statues, temples, lakes and fountains. Inside discover world-renowned collections gathered by succeeding generations of the Howard family. Built over 300 years ago, today it still remains a family home.
Reviewed By 684bruced - Sydney, Australia
We spent a couple of hours at castle Howard and enjoyed the garden, fountain and the grandeur of this stately home....the TV history was also fascinating...
10. Rowntree Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
This park is perfect for the whole family since it offers everything from children play equipment and basketball to tennis courts and picnic areas.
Reviewed By 616iank - Alnwick, United Kingdom
This is a wonderful park, full of lovely walks, quiet places to sit and rest, excellent play areas for children, easy access for chairs and buggies, good bus connections and within walking distance from the city. My grandson and I loved it!
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