4 Day in York Itinerary
Day 1: Travel London to York
Take a morning train from London King's Cross to York. The journey takes about 2 hours, and it is recommended that you arrive 30-45 minutes early for your train departure.
Check in to your accommodation and drop off your bags. The station offers luggage storage if you need to store your bags there instead.
Start your day with a wander around the Yorkshire City Walls. Easy starting points include Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. The walls are free to visit, and walking around the city takes about 2 hours.
Spend the afternoon wandering the Shambles and City Center. The Shambles are the oldest street in York and are considered one of Diagon Alley's inspirations. The Shambles have famous shops such as The Shop That Must Not Be Named, Monk Bar Chocolatiers, and The Potions Cauldron.
Day 2: York
Start the morning with a visit to York Minster. The cathedral opens at 9:30 am and costs GBP 16 to enter. The cathedral opened in 637 AD and is one of the largest in Northern Europe.
Next, visit the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. It costs GBP 9.5, but they offer a discount for booking online. The museum covers York's Viking, Roman, Norman, and English history, focusing on the reformation.
Early lunch at ASK Italian, in the Grand Assembly Rooms, or at a pub.
Visit Barley Hall after lunch. A visit costs GBP 8.25 and takes approximately 30-45 minutes. There is also an option for a joint Barley Hall & Jorvik Viking Center ticket. Barley Hall is York's hidden medieval townhouse in York's city centre. It was once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York.
Take a tour and tasting of the York Cocoa House. A tour takes 45 minutes, and a chocolate manufactory tasting journey costs GBP 9.50. The city of York used to be known as the Chocolate City due to the prominence of the chocolate industry. The York Cocoa House offers an insight into York's chocolatier history.
If you have time, take a tour of the York Mansion House. A tour takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs GBP 6.50. The York Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York and has been since 1732.
After dinner, take the Original Ghost Walk of York. There is no need to book in advance; the tour costs GBP 7.50. As one of the most haunted cities in the UK, a ghost tour is the best way to end the day.
Day 3: York
Start your day at Clifford's Tower. Tickets are GBP 8.10, and your visit will take about an hour. The tower includes a great view of York from the top and historical context.
Across the street is the York Castle Museum. Entrance to the museum costs GBP 16, but there is a discount for booking online. A visit to the museum takes approximately 2 hours. The absolute highlight of the museum is Kirkgate. Kirkgate is a recreated Victorian street and one of the oldest recreated indoor streets.
After a light lunch, take a York River Cruise. The cruise takes 45 minutes and costs GBP 13 minutes. You'll learn fun facts about the city and its neighbouring areas.
Finish your sightseeing with a visit to the Jorvik Viking Center. The visit will take about 1 hour and costs GBP 15. It is recommended to book in advance. The JORVIK Viking Centre has won several awards for its museum quality and it shows.
Finish with tea at Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms. The vintage tearoom offers afternoon tea service for casual dining and special occasions. The tearoom interior was inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner and was installed in 1936.
Day 4: Yorkshire Dales Tour
Depart for an all-day Yorkshire Dales Tour. I recommend going with Mountain Goat Tours, who offer small group tours leaving from outside of York Minster.
The tour includes highlights such as historical landmarks like Castle Bolton, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Wensleydale Creamery, and Aysgarth Falls.
** You may want to consider buying a York Pass depending on how many of the sights you are visiting.
Where to Stay in York
Luxury
Mid-Range
Budget
If you've enjoyed this guide, please share, write a review, or leave a tip! Thank you!
If you want to consider other trips nearby London, see my guide for 25 train trips within 2.5 hours of London.
4 Day in York Itinerary
Day 1: Travel London to York
Take a morning train from London King's Cross to York. The journey takes about 2 hours, and it is recommended that you arrive 30-45 minutes early for your train departure.
Check in to your accommodation and drop off your bags. The station offers luggage storage if you need to store your bags there instead.
Start your day with a wander around the Yorkshire City Walls. Easy starting points include Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. The walls are free to visit, and walking around the city takes about 2 hours.
Spend the afternoon wandering the Shambles and City Center. The Shambles are the oldest street in York and are considered one of Diagon Alley's inspirations. The Shambles have famous shops such as The Shop That Must Not Be Named, Monk Bar Chocolatiers, and The Potions Cauldron.
Day 2: York
Start the morning with a visit to York Minster. The cathedral opens at 9:30 am and costs GBP 16 to enter. The cathedral opened in 637 AD and is one of the largest in Northern Europe.
Next, visit the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. It costs GBP 9.5, but they offer a discount for booking online. The museum covers York's Viking, Roman, Norman, and English history, focusing on the reformation.
Early lunch at ASK Italian, in the Grand Assembly Rooms, or at a pub.
Visit Barley Hall after lunch. A visit costs GBP 8.25 and takes approximately 30-45 minutes. There is also an option for a joint Barley Hall & Jorvik Viking Center ticket. Barley Hall is York's hidden medieval townhouse in York's city centre. It was once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York.
Take a tour and tasting of the York Cocoa House. A tour takes 45 minutes, and a chocolate manufactory tasting journey costs GBP 9.50. The city of York used to be known as the Chocolate City due to the prominence of the chocolate industry. The York Cocoa House offers an insight into York's chocolatier history.
If you have time, take a tour of the York Mansion House. A tour takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs GBP 6.50. The York Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York and has been since 1732.
After dinner, take the Original Ghost Walk of York. There is no need to book in advance; the tour costs GBP 7.50. As one of the most haunted cities in the UK, a ghost tour is the best way to end the day.
Day 3: York
Start your day at Clifford's Tower. Tickets are GBP 8.10, and your visit will take about an hour. The tower includes a great view of York from the top and historical context.
Across the street is the York Castle Museum. Entrance to the museum costs GBP 16, but there is a discount for booking online. A visit to the museum takes approximately 2 hours. The absolute highlight of the museum is Kirkgate. Kirkgate is a recreated Victorian street and one of the oldest recreated indoor streets.
After a light lunch, take a York River Cruise. The cruise takes 45 minutes and costs GBP 13 minutes. You'll learn fun facts about the city and its neighbouring areas.
Finish your sightseeing with a visit to the Jorvik Viking Center. The visit will take about 1 hour and costs GBP 15. It is recommended to book in advance. The JORVIK Viking Centre has won several awards for its museum quality and it shows.
Finish with tea at Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms. The vintage tearoom offers afternoon tea service for casual dining and special occasions. The tearoom interior was inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner and was installed in 1936.
Day 4: Yorkshire Dales Tour
Depart for an all-day Yorkshire Dales Tour. I recommend going with Mountain Goat Tours, who offer small group tours leaving from outside of York Minster.
The tour includes highlights such as historical landmarks like Castle Bolton, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Wensleydale Creamery, and Aysgarth Falls.
** You may want to consider buying a York Pass depending on how many of the sights you are visiting.
Where to Stay in York
Luxury
Mid-Range
Budget
If you've enjoyed this guide, please share, write a review, or leave a tip! Thank you!
If you want to consider other trips nearby London, see my guide for 25 train trips within 2.5 hours of London.