When you think of the most quintessentially British city, you probably think of London.
But as a proud Brit I promise you that there are other, equally fascinating, cities to explore.
York is a city that was also established by the Romans and boasts fascinating historical attractions but without the stress of navigating London.
A study from All Accor found that York is the most chilled and stress-free city in the UK.
The city ranked highly thanks to its abundance of green spaces, number of quaint coffee spots and libraries, and overall cleanliness.
Here’s why York is one of the best cities in the UK to visit right now:
Rich History That’s Easy To Explore
Unlike sprawling London, York is a wonderfully compact city which makes it incredibly easy to explore.
You can visit almost all of its historical attractions on foot.
One of the best historical attractions in the city is The Shambles. This is a narrow and winding medieval street where you can wander along cobbled stone footpaths.
Many of the buildings here date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
Nowadays this is a great place to shop in local, independent stores.
Rumor has it that JK Rowling used the street as inspiration for Diagon Alley in her Harry Potter stories, and you’ll find 3 different Harry Potter stores on the street as a result.
You’ll also find Potter fans wearing robes and wands on the street, which is a lot of fun to see even if you’re not a fan.
You can’t visit York without going inside the York Minster. It’s considered one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world.
This stunning 13th-century Gothic cathedral is huge, and dominates the skyline of the city. It features incredible medieval stained glass as well as 2 functioning bell towers.
Admission to the Minster is £18 ($23.50) or you can visit the Minster and the Central Tower for £24 ($31.50).
One of my favorite historical attractions in York is Jorvik.
This is a reconstruction of a Viking Village, reflecting York’s rich Viking history. You can fully immerse yourself in the experience here.
If you have even a passing interest in Viking culture or history, then this is the place to be. Entrance costs £16.50 ($21.50) per adult.
Epic City Scenery
York is one of the UK’s most scenic cities, and there are plenty of places where you can soak up incredible views not only of the city but of the surrounding countryside, too.
One of these is the York city walls.
These stretch for around 2 miles around the city and were constructed during the 13th century, passing through both the Museum Gardens and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.
It will take around 2 hours to complete the walk, but the views are truly stunning at certain points.
To see the city from a more unique perspective, why not take a river cruise along the River Ouse?
Float down the river on a comfortable boat while the captain shares stories and anecdotes of the city. With City Cruises York a sightseeing cruise will take around 45 minutes and cost £14 ($18) per person.
For something a little more special you can enjoy a York fish and chip cruise, where you’ll eat award winning fish and chips from your lap as you float through the Yorkshire countryside.
This cruise will cost £25 ($32) per person.
It’s also worth mentioning that York sits in the middle of Yorkshire: a region often referred to as God’s Own Country thanks to its outstanding natural beauty.
You can very easily travel from York to walk in the Yorkshire Dales or take a day trip to one of the county’s vibrant coastal towns such as Whitby, Scarborough, or Filey.
Incredible Christmas Markets
I know it’s probably a little early to mention Christmas, but I’m going to because Christmas is my favorite time of year to visit York.
The atmosphere, decorations, and the Christmas market in the heart of the city all lend York a winter wonderland feel.
This year the York Christmas Market will take place from 14th November – 22nd December. The city has a medieval atmosphere, and you can enjoy locally made Christmas produce as well as shop for traditional handmade gifts.
If you’re interested in some retail therapy, head to Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, where you’ll find 75 alpine-themed chalets. 80% of the traders hail from Yorkshire, so this is a great way to support local businesses and find something you won’t find anywhere else.
Warm up with a glass of mulled wine and embrace the fun. You can even play Christmas-themed mini golf in the heart of the city!
Getting There
York doesn’t have its own airport, so most international travelers to the city will fly into either Manchester or London.
While Manchester may well be slightly more convenient, it’s usually significantly cheaper to fly directly into London.
The best way to get to York from London is to take the train. The journey takes around 2 hours and runs directly from Kings Cross Station.
Train prices in the UK are notoriously erratic, and the earlier you book the cheaper your tickets will be.
But expect to pay around £22 ($29) for a one-way ticket between the two stations.
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