The Best Things To Do For One Day In York, England

The best things to do, explore, experience and see when spending one day visiting the beautiful and historic city of York, England!

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If you have one day, you can see the best of York!

In my opinion, no trip to the UK is complete without a stop in York.

If you aren’t familiar with this beautiful city and unsure whether or not to include it in your itinerary – do it!

I promise you will not be disappointed, even if you can only manage to make a stop for one day.

York will surprise you with it’s charm, while also being full of fascinating history.

Walking the streets is truly like stepping back in time. It is unlike any other city you will visit!

Of course, there are so many wonderful things to do in this city, but when you have limited time you want to know the very best way to spend your time.

Below are my best recommendations for what to do to get the most out of your day trip to York.

How To Get To York, England

If you’re visiting the UK and staying in London, getting to York is extremely easy.

There are numerous trains that take about 2.5 hours to get from the center of London to York’s train station.

The city of York is extremely walkable and the train station itself is not far from the city center, just about 3 blocks or a 10 minute walk.

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Where To Stay In York, England

Depending on when you arrive you might be planning to spend the night in York.

Luckily, I found a wonderful hotel with exceptional pricing that is close to all the sights of York and extremely close to the train station.

While visiting I stayed at the Dean Court Hotel.

Located just across from spectacular York Minster, the views cannot be beat!

They also have optional valet parking if you decide to drive yourself there for a day.

It is clean, the service is friendly, and most importantly, the location makes getting around a breeze.

You’re never more than 10 minutes from anything you might want to do!

Want to compare? Check out other great hotel options in York:

Things To Do In York, England:

York Free Walking Tour

The York Free Walking Tour is the one thing you cannot miss during your stop in York.

This is the fastest and most fun way to get an overview of all the sights and history of the city.

It is important to note that this tour is truly FREE and the guides will not accept tips!

The tours meet in the gallery square. There is a fountain there and a sandwich board indicating you have found the correct place.

The tour says it is around 2 hours, but it is more likely to be around 2.5-3 hours to fit everything in. Make sure to plan your schedule accordingly.

The guides take you to some very special places that are off the beaten path and give you special insight into the city.

At the end of the tour you will see York through completely new eyes!

You can check the times for the York Free Walking Tour Here.

York Minster

A visit to York would not be complete without a stop at the spectacular York Minster.

Yes, it costs money to get it, but it is completely worth it.

When you have limited time, it is important to purchase your tickets in advance to save yourself time and avoid waiting in queues.

The tickets are also valid for 12 months, so if you want to come back again during your time in York you can.

There are tours available inside included in the cost of your ticket. When we were there, the first one started at 10am.

That’s also when the lower level opens up which holds historical information about the church and ruins found beneath it.

If you’re hoping to miss the crowds, I recommend getting there right away at 9am. You’ll be able to enjoy to perusing the church with much less people.

You can always come back and use the prepaid ticket line to take a tour and see the lower level.

Jorvik Viking Centre

No matter your age, you won’t want to miss the Jorvik Viking Centre.

There is a ride that takes you through the experience of what it would have been like to live in York when it was settled by the vikings.

Everything from the sights, sounds, and smells!

It is a completely unique experience that the whole family will love.

You’ll leave feeling as if you were really immersed in the viking experience.

There is also a museum at the end with really interesting artifacts from the viking people who used to live in York.

As with any attraction, you will want to buy tickets in advance as the line can get very long. You don’t want to waste valuable time waiting in a queue!

Walk The City Walls

York has one of the most amazing remnants of it’s past available for you to see and experience – the city walls!

These beautifully preserved walls were originally built by the Romans and added onto over the years.

It is truly magical to imagine all that those walls have seen!

You’re actually able to walk these walls to experience the city for yourself. It is one of the coolest experiences you can have in York.

Conclusion

I hope you make time in your itinerary for a stop in York. Even if it is only one day, you can still easily experience the best of this city’s history! These activities will allow you to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for York and wonderful lifelong memories.

Now I want to hear from you – Are you planning a visit to York? What is at the top of your list of things to do!

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