Local Area

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe.

Visit York Cocoa House to see passionate chocolate makers continually inspired by the magical transformation of cocoa to chocolate. Crafting fine chocolate in York, proudly following in the footsteps of York's pioneering chocolate makers. Join an experience to learn more about York Cocoa Works, the origins of cocoa and craft your own creation to enjoy later. Indulge in a rich and smooth hot chocolate made using chocolate flakes from the onsite café.

No visit to York is complete without a ramble down the Shambles. Buildings bursting with character are home to an array of independent shops, including The Shop That Must Not Be Named, a favourite amongst Harry Potter fans, and The York Ghost Merchant, which is ideal for the perfect souvenir. Just off The Shambles is the Shambles Food Court, home to an array of popular street food vendors.

Sit back in a deck chair and watch as over 200 of Van Gogh’s artwork projected onto the walls of St. Mary’s Church, York. The animated show, accompanied by a soundtrack, lasts for 35 minutes. Create your own artwork and have it projected on the wall. Extend your visit with a unique VR experience (extra charge applies).

Discover York’s captivating Viking history at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Built on the site where excavations took place which lead to reveal the Viking age of York, today you can experience the Viking life at one of the UK’s most popular attractions for yourself. Take a ride around the Viking Streets, based on archaeological evidence, and see, hear and smell what life was like in the 10th century before visiting the collection of Viking artefacts in the galleries. It’s a must see when in York.

Set sail with a sightseeing cruise on the River Ouse to learn all about the city’s history and see the sights from a different perspective. The river has had a significant impact on York’s development and the skippers will share their knowledge with you. If you fancy being the skipper of your very own boat and having your own adventure, then why not take a self-drive motorboat out. With seating for up to 8 guests, you can enjoy a leisurely sail for up to an hour.

See live entertainment at the Grade II-listed theatre in the centre of York. The theatre plays host to West End musicals, stand-up comedians and live bands.

If you dare, explore York's dark history in the depths of York Dungeon. A terrifyingly entertaining attraction in which characters tell stories against specially designed sets. With special effects and 10 live shows to walk through, you’re guaranteed many laughs and screams.

The flat racecourse located on the Knavesmire has been home to horse racing in the city since 1731. However, racing in the city can be traced back to Roman times. The season runs from May to October and includes the oldest and richest Ebor Festival in August, a popular meet for centuries. The racecourse is also home to several other events throughout the year, including the Living North Christmas Fair, Comic Con and an Antique Book Fair.

Located a 5-minute walk from us is York Barbican, the largest entertainment venue in York. The venue hosts comedians, musicians, and the annual UK Snooker Championships in its jam-packed calendar.

The magnificent York Minster cannot be missed, with its two towers standing proud on the city skyline. Step inside the ancient building and marvel at the details, from hand carved stone to the largest single piece of stained glass in the UK. Join a guided tour to learn more about the history of the building, your guide might just point out some details you’d otherwise miss.

The Grade I building, which is just a short walk from us at Fossgate, is one of the finest medieval guild halls in the world and is still owned and used by the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York today. Built as a religious fraternity in the 14th century, a trading association was formed alongside it and the hall was used for business, social meetings, to look after the poor and pray. Today, you can visit the timber-framed building and learn more about the building's long history.

See the city and its sites while learning all about the city’s vast history from local, knowledgeable guides. Hop on and off as you please with 21 stops and tickets valid for 24 hours – it’s a great way to see and learn more about York.

The magnificent building on Exhibition Square overlooks the York City Walls and the York Minster. A statue of York-born artist William Etty stands in the square, and the gallery holds the largest collection of his work, alongside works by L.S. Lowry and Hockney. Three exhibitions can be found on the ground floor, with a further four on the first floor, two of which are home to the Centre of Ceramic Arts (CoCA), which houses a collection of over 5,000 British studio ceramics.