York Photography: 20+ Photos That Will Convince You to Visit!

Last Updated on February 10, 2026 by Lauren Allen

York is an incredibly photogenic city to explore. Boasting the iconic Shambles, York Minster and many other charming locations, there is a lot to see in this popular UK location. This post will share York photography tips along with some major Instagram-worthy pictures that will convince you to book a trip ASAP!

Read more: Instagram spots in York, Yorkshire that you can’t miss!

20+ Photos that will convince you to visit York:

The Shambles

No York photography mission would be complete without taking some snaps of The Shambles. As the oldest street in York, this row of crooked buildings boasts a lot of character. So much so that this location is one of the most photographed spots in the whole city. After taking a look at the pictures below, you will understand why.

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

York Minster

Just like The Shambles, snapping some shots of York Minster is a must. Whilst there, be sure to take photos of both its exterior and interior. Some spots worth checking out include The Chapter House and the minsters beautiful stained glass windows. Furthermore, don’t forget to head up the tower if you have time. From there, you can photograph some of the best views over York.

Lastly, photograph the minster from afar on Low Petergate or from the city walls. Alternatively, some of the other streets surrounding this impressive building also offer unique viewpoints of the minster from different angles. Why not try them out?

Low Petergate

One of the best spots for photography in York is Low Petergate. The snap below was taken as the sun was setting, which offered a beautiful pink hue that I couldn’t resist capturing! Plus, the mix of architectural styles that can be admired from this location looks great too!

Read more: York day trip | How to spend a day in York

York City Walls

Walking the city walls is one of the best free things to do in York. Not only is it great exercise, but there are also some amazing photo spots on this route. From the walls, you will come across a number of fab minster views that are totally worth photographing! Furthermore, the walls themselves make for a good photo as they showcase part of Yorks unique history!

Clifford’s Tower

To take some ariel shots overlooking York, pay a visit to Clifford’s Tower. From here, you will spot York Minster in the distance. Due to this, it’s a fab place to capture some photos of the city. Additionally, Clifford’s Tower itself is another great photography location. The historical building makes for a unique backdrop in selfies!

York photography tips:

Head out early

As already mentioned several times in this York series, the city gets extremely busy. Each year, 8.4 million tourists visit York to hit up the top attractions, walk the city walls and take a stroll down The Shambles.

Due to this, the streets are often overcrowded with travellers. Unfortunately, they can’t be avoided all day. However, heading out to take your photos early in the morning means there will be fewer people around. Aim to get out just after sunset (or before) for your best chance of people-free photos.

Plan your route carefully

Additionally, planning your route carefully will help you use your time wisely. For example, there are some spots in the city (such as The Shambles and York Minster) that see the most tourists. That means it’s best to photograph these spots as early as possible. Whilst you will still come across people, there will be a lot less. This makes it easier to photograph from different angles to avoid them. Alternatively, it may not be hard to edit out just a few people later on.

Shoot the minster from different angles

As one of Yorks most impressive structures, you can’t visit the city without snapping at least 10 different photos of the minster. Don’t forget to get up close to capture the smaller details. Furthermore, remember that the views of the minster in the background are just as impressive. Experiment a lot and see what you can come up with. It’s all part of the fun!

Read more: Visiting York Minster | The cities most beautiful building

Take a walk during sunset

Sunset is a great time to take photos. That’s true for most places across the globe. York is no different. Make sure your camera is charged up and ready to go during sunset. That way you can capture some fab shots of the city as night falls!

Other great spots for photography in Yorkshire:

Yorkshire is bursting with great photography locations. Consider hitting up some of the spots below whilst exploring this well-loved country in England:

Whitby

Home to the famous abbey, Whitby is one of the best spots for photography in Yorkshire. Despite being a very walkable town, there are a lot of things to do in Whitby. Most of these things (such as the 199 steps) are also super cool photo spots.

To fully appreciate everything Whitby has to offer (and take photos of it all), you will need at least two days. Although, you could easily spend a lot longer here. Whitby has a certain charm about it that just makes it one of the best places to visit in the UK!

Haworth

Another much-loved place to visit in Yorkshire is Haworth. This charming village dates back to 1209 and was once home to the Bronte sisters. If you’re looking to discover more information about these world-famous authors, this is the place to visit.

However, it’s also a dream to photograph. The views from the top of Haworth’s cobbled main street are just lovely as they offer incredible views of the Yorkshire Moors in the distance.

Robin Hood’s Bay

Located just 25 minutes away from Whitby by bus, Robin Hood’s Bay is a photographers dream. With picture-perfect spots around each corner, you won’t be able to put down your camera! Due to this, the unique village is a must-see on any trip to Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Dales

Alternatively, those who would prefer to photograph nature will want to pay a visit to the Yorkshire Dales. This part of England is just stunning and offers views for days. Photographers will be in their element with animals, florals and scenic locations to capture!

Knaresborough

Situated around 4 miles from Harrogate city centre, Knaresborough is one of Yorkshires hidden gems. The iconic view from the castle is one of the best reasons to visit this beautiful town. In my opinion, it’s 100% worth adding this spot to your photography bucket list!

I hope these York photography tips and locations have given you lots of cool ideas for your next photo mission. Feel free to share any tips that I may have missed in the comments below!

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