The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in York, England

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Erected in the 14th century, this is the loftiest and strongest of the four gateways into the city of York.

This historic church reflects a variety of architectural styles and detail dating from the tenth century.

William II laid the foundation to this abbey during the 11th century, which became known as the most powerful and wealthiest monastery in the North of England at that time.

St Michael le Belfrey Church offers a peaceful, free-of-charge visitor experience in the heart of York's Minster quarter. With a notable collection of sixteenth-century stained glass, evidence of Guy Fawkes' baptism and a vibrant church life today, the Belfrey extends a warm welcome to visitors of all faiths and none.

Dating back to the 14th century, this grand church has been rebuilt several times in its long and dramatic history.