York Day Trip: How to spend a day in York

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Lauren Allen

If you’re visiting York for a day, you may be wondering what to do with your time. Which attractions should you visit? Where should you go to eat? Are there any cool bars? This guide to visiting the city will share how to have the perfect York day trip whilst visiting this English gem!

Read more: Day trips from York worth adding to your bucket list!

How to enjoy the perfect York day trip:

Getting to York

Getting to York from most parts of the UK is pretty easy. Depending on where you are travelling from, there are a number of options. These include:

Car: Travelling by car is almost always the most convenient method of transportation. Despite not always being the fastest route, they allow you to travel at your own pace. Furthermore, they make it possible to stop off at other locations that may not otherwise be accessible by public transport.

Train: Most of the UK is widely accessible by train. York is no different. With a large station located near the city’s main attractions, visiting by train is made super easy!

Coach: Alternatively, if you’d prefer to travel by coach, National Express and Megabus are worth checking out. However, it’s worth noting that coach services don’t often run as frequently as trains.

Please note: Whilst getting to the city can be quite straightforward, you will need to consider the journey length. If you’re only going on a York day trip, you won’t want to spend the whole time travelling. Set yourself a limit so you can enjoy a decent amount of time exploring!

How to spend a day in York:

8 AM | Walk the city walls

On a nice day, walking the city walls is a great activity to partake in. Spanning approximately 3.4km long, you are able to admire views across much of the city from here. Some of the best spots offer amazing views of the minster which are definitely worth checking out!

9.30 AM | Take a stroll through The Shambles

Yorks iconic Shambles are visited by millions each year. With its unique buildings and a super medieval vibe, it’s no wonder! Taking a stroll through The Shambles is one of the best things to do in York. Plus, it’s 100% free. Winner!

Furthermore, The Shambles are home to some great stores. If you want to buy some gifts or fancy treating yourself to a souvenir, spend some time browsing before heading to your next stop!

Top tip: If you would prefer to see The Shambles without crowds, I recommend going before walking the city walls. This area gets super busy.

Read more: The Shambles, York | Everything you need to know

10.30 AM | Admire York Minster

Next, make your way from The Shambles towards York Minster via Low Petergate. From here, you will catch your first glimpse of the incredibly impressive York Minster. Upon arrival, spend some time checking out the beauty of this amazing building from all angles.

Afterwards, head inside to admire the interior. The minster boasts stunning stained glass windows and a charming ceiling that is well worth checking out. Lastly, book a trip up the tower to see York from above. From here you will see some of the best views of the city!

Top tip: Make sure you book a ticket for York Minster in advance, otherwise you may be left disappointed.

12 PM | Stop for lunch

After exploring all morning, you would have worked up an appetite. Stop for a relaxed lunch to discuss your day and enjoy one of Yorks best cafes or restaurants. There are a lot of options, but some of the most popular include:

• Betty’s Tea Rooms: For lovers of tea and cake! On the menu at Betty’s, you will find hot dishes, afternoon tea, sandwiches and cakes. They also have an extensive list of tea and coffee to choose from!
• FortyFive Vinyl Cafe: For music enthusiasts! FortyFive Vinyl Cafe is a combined eatery, vinyl store and live music venue. This makes it the ideal spot for lunch if you also fancy a nosy at their small collection of records! They sell tea, coffee and sandwiches that can be enjoyed whilst listening to music. How unique!
• The Grand: For those who just love afternoon tea! The Grand offers one of the best afternoon tea experiences in England. Serving up sandwiches, scones and sweet treats in a beautiful setting, diners will not be left disappointed!

1 PM | Climb Cliffords Tower

Built by William The Conqueror in 1068, Clifford’s Tower has become one of Yorks best attractions. You will discover the history behind this English Heritage site. Furthermore, there are also some great views overlooking the city from the top of the tower!

Please note: To get into Clifford’s Tower, there are a lot of steps to climb. Unfortunately, this means there is limited access for disabled people.

2 PM | Cruise down the River Ouse

Fancy seeing York from the water? Then make sure you head down to the River Ouse. From here, you can join a cruise that will send you on a tour of the city. Alternatively, you can also rent (and drive) your own boat for a more private experience. Either way, it’s a wonderfully unique way to explore York!

Please note: To my knowledge, 3 PM is the latest you can join a tour down the River Ouse. It is also the latest time available for self-drivers. Make sure you consider this if you decided to rearrange your itinerary.

3.30 PM | Admire St Marys Abbey

Next, head to St Marys Abbey to check out the ruins. Here you can spend some time photographing the Grade 1 listed building and enjoying your impressive surroundings.

4.30 PM | Go shopping!

If you’re a fan of shopping, York is a great place to visit! With a number of high street stores and independent shops, you can definitely spend an hour or two shopping for goodies! Some of the best indie shops include Botanic, Silvarious, and Give The Dog A Bone. They offer a range of great products which makes these stores 100% worth a browse if you have time to kill!

6.30 PM | Treat your tastebuds at Skosh!

As one of the best restaurants in York, Skosh is a must for any food enthusiast! Offering British dishes mixed with global influence, this York gem serves tasty small dishes and snacks that are highly rated amongst diners! Lastly, Skosh also serves up wine, beers and a range of cocktails.

If you’re visiting with your better half, dining at Skosh is one of the most romantic things to do in York!

Top tip: Skosh is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Additionally, the restaurant has varied opening hours each day. Make sure you check the times ahead of making a booking!

8 PM | Stop for some cocktails

Afterwards, it’s time to enjoy some cocktails! Rest your feet whilst enjoying a drink or two at some of Yorks best bars. Some firm favourites include Bobo Lobo and Evil Eye Lounge.

9 PM | Wander down The Shambles at night

Last up, you can’t leave York without experiencing The Shambles after dark! As night falls, this iconic York street looks even more magical than it does during the day! Make sure you leave yourself enough time to check it out. 10 out of 10 would recommend it!

9.30 PM | Head home!

After a jam-packed York day trip, it’s now time to head home. You will likely feel tired but grateful for such a great day of exploring one of England’s best cities! Spend your journey home planning your next adventure to make yet more incredible memories!

Top tip: If you are travelling via public transport, make sure you check your route home ahead of time. You will need to be aware of the last services if you end up wanting to stay in the city for longer!

Things to know before taking a York day trip:

The city is extremely photogenic

York is full of amazing photo opportunities. Make sure you carry a camera (or phone) with enough storage space and battery to last the whole day. If you don’t, you may regret it.

There is a lot to see

There are a lot of things to see and do in York. It’s impossible to do it all in a single day. However, you can check off the attractions that interest you best. To make the most out of your time in the city, decide on your itinerary beforehand. That way, you won’t waste a second!

York is budget friendly

York is a great place for budget travellers to explore. In fact, you could easily spend a whole day in York without spending any money. All you need to do is pack some food and take advantage of the many free things to do in the city!

Read more: Free things to do in York, Yorkshire

You’ll be doing a lot of walking

York is a very walkable city. The most popular attractions are all within walking distance of each other. Due to this, you will likely rack up a lot of steps. For maximum comfort, make sure you wear trainers or flat shoes. That way, your feet won’t get too sore!

York is popular for a reason!

With so many cool things to check out, there’s no surprise that York gets very busy. Millions of tourists flock to the city each year to admire The Shambles, check out York Minster and walk the city walls. Of course, this means the streets are often crowded. However, it’s crowded for a reason. York is one of the best places to explore in England!

If you have more than a day in York, Yorkshire:

With longer than a day in York, you can hit up some of the city’s lesser-known tourist hotspots. Attractions such as The Jorvik Viking Centre, The Chocolate Story and The National Railway Museum are definitely worth considering. Furthermore, you can head out early and hit up the city’s Instagram locations before the crowds arrive.

Lastly, spending longer than a day in York requires overnight accommodation. Elmbank Hotel and Lodge is the perfect spot if you wish to enjoy a little bit of luxury!

Has this post helped you plan your ideal York day trip? If so, please share your experience in the comments below!

Like this post? Then pin it!