A must visit for any train enthusiast, but also interesting for anyone who has an interest in social history or 'days gone by.' The trains really are the centre piece, but there are also lots of items from railway stations displayed around the trains: trolleys with luggage, posters advertising destinations for holidays and many enamelled advertising and information signs. These items create a context for the trains and this helps to bring them to life, it's easy to imagine who would be travelling and what their experience would have been when you see earthenware ginger beer bottles left on a seat or a sack barrow with suitcases and tennis rackets on the platform. The turntable in the second hall is a good reminder that the site of the museum was a working maintenance shed. The archive hall is full of items associated the all aspects of trains, railways and stations. Some are quirky - the packaging from the last microwave cheese burger served - and other show how railway staff were trained or equipped. Everything you could possibly imagine associated with railways can probably be found here. There is almost too much to take in in one visit. The site is wheel chair accessible although one life was out of use when we visited. There is one lot of toilets located near to the entrance, these are modern, clean and well maintained. As a non-train enthusiast engineer, I found plenty to look at and found the hall housing the railway associated items really fascinating. We spent four hours here, but I can imagine those who are truly interested in trains could easily spend a whole day taking it all in. Small children and teenagers may not find much to engage them as the displays are factual with little to interact with or try out. There are cafes in both of the train display halls and they offer a nice choice of snacks and more substantial meals and the prices are not overly expensive. Book ahead as the number of people that can enter is limited by time slots and just turning up may result in a wait before you can enter.

Always a great place to visit when in York. Free entry(donations welcomed) and a great place for any train or history enthusiast! We last visited in 2014 and although not much has changed, a new display of locomotives and a revamp in a few of the halls are a welcome change. A side note, the station hall and gallery are currently shut due to extensive new development so our visit was slightly cut short but the main engine shed is still impressive.

Every boy's dream - and their dad's too! Great selection of locomotives, mainly steam, and lots of other railway-related items too. Good information displays and helpful staff. I particularly enjoyed the 20 minute talk on how a steam engine works, which was free, as was the entry. You just have to book ahead of time, although I think you can just turn up and wait if it's busy.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting the National Railway Museum in York, and it was an experience that completely exceeded my expectations. As a history enthusiast, I was already captivated by the incredible charm of the city of York itself, but the museum took my appreciation of this historical gem to a whole new level! From the moment I walked through the doors, I was struck by the grandeur of the museum. The vast collection of old trains and its rich history effortlessly transported me back in time, igniting a deep fascination for the world of railways. The museum's ability to connect visitors with the past is truly remarkable. The displays were meticulously curated, and I was in awe of the range and variety of locomotives showcased. The attention to detail and the preservation of these beautifully restored trains made it evident that the museum's staff and curators are passionate about their work. It was truly a visual feast! One of the highlights of my visit was the chance to explore the famous Flying Scotsman locomotive. The awe-inspiring size and elegance of this iconic train left me standing in awe. Being able to marvel at its craftsmanship up close was an extraordinary experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. Moreover, the museum did an exceptional job of incorporating interactive exhibits that engaged visitors of all ages. From simulators that allowed me to experience the thrill of being in the driver's seat to informative and entertaining presentations, there was never a dull moment during my visit. It was educational and enthralling, catering to both enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. The National Railway Museum not only serves as a hub for train aficionados but also as a comprehensive educational resource. The museum's commitment to preserving the rail heritage and sharing knowledge with visitors is truly commendable. Beyond the museum's impressive content, its location in the historically rich city of York adds an extra layer of charm and allure. Exploring the vibrant city before or after the museum visit enriches the overall experience and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the fascinating history that permeates every cobblestone and building. I highly recommend the National Railway Museum in York to anyone seeking a captivating, educational, and memorable experience. Whether you're a railway enthusiast, a history lover, or simply someone looking for a unique and adventurous outing, this is an absolute must-visit destination. Trust me; you won't be disappointed! Thank you, National Railway Museum York, for the outstanding journey through time. My visit was truly unforgettable, and I can't wait to return for another incredible adventure!

Really loved this musuem, I'm not particularly interested in trains but this was just great! So much to see and do, you could spend hours in there. Loved the cafe, coffee was tasty and loved the merchandise you can buy. Each train was really well signed and its completely free to enter as they rely on donations! It is advised to get tickets in advance on the website but you definitely don't need to!

I like that the entrance was free, but parking all day was £10 also they asked you for donations. Nice place to walk around and educate yourself. Have toilets. Need to wait in line to enter if inside are too many people. Have coffee and food inside.

A great experience for adults with so many amazing trains to look at and read about. Could be better for younger children with more for them to do. Perhaps the museum could ask youngsters what they'd like to see / do - here's our son's suggestions 🤣 - Upside down model railway - Mini railway (or individual robot trains) inside which tours around the trains - Mallard experience (simulator) where you can push a button and choose which virtual train you'd like to ride - A big picture of the railways showing where trains are, tunnels etc. - Learn how to drive a train - Big blocks puzzle where you can make the shape of Mallard - Have models of each train going around that train The cafes are pricey, but well stocked ... and you don't pay to get in so we're more than happy to pay a surplus for food to help museums like this keep running their fantastic services.

Overall a good museum, plenty to see here if you've an interest in trains or just need ti keep the family entertained for a couple of hours. In June 22, it was still advisable to book online so as to regulate how crowded it gets. Whilst you can get free tickets on the website, it seems to ask for a donation ticket price of £5/adult. It is a big space and split into three main halls. One an old station layout with a cafe & plenty of seating. Interesting to see the old royal carriages and some eclectic rolling stock. In another hall (short walk), there are a range of nationally important & impressive engines including a Bullet train, The Evening Star and Mallard. There is also a steam engine here with massive sections cut away & painted so you can see how it works. Sadly there is no real meaningful explanation. Indeed explanation sheets/boards are minimal throughout the museum, which kind of lets down the whole experience somewhat. A 3rd hall has a really impressive load of old junk (memorabilia) all catalogued and stacked onto shelves. Again this could have more explanation of what has been collected/displayed. This is after all a National railway museum.

The National Railway Museum provides a really fascinating day out, even if you are not a train fanatic. It contains not only locomotives and carriages showcasing the 200 years of railway history, from the Rocket to the bullet train, but also station signs and equipment (far more interesting than it sounds) model trains, insignia, personal stories and general memorabilia. The section showing royal trains from the Victorian era onwards I found particularly engrossing. It shows what was regarded as essential for travelling royalty but also encapsulates the development of railway carriages from their horse-drawn equivalent to the rather less ornate version we are familiar with. Refreshments are available and there is also a gift shop.

Great for family’s. Old trains or modelling fans would be delighted here. Can touch a lot of old decent trains models here. Food, souvenirs, books. Can stay half of a day. Free entry. Must go if you re in Yorkshire.

First time visiting the museum. It is free entry and there is parking opposite the museum at £10. A good collection of trains inside but mainly for viewing. Probably 1 hour experience. You can get a car/train to the centre of York which is around £3 per person.

The museum has real engine pieces, maintained at the highest standards. If you are a train nerd, it's got a lot of history and information and can even take up a whole day if you go into the nuances. Nevertheless, the visual imagery of the engine parts are nothing alike in the photos that you see. Perfect place to go with your family, as they've got a kids' play section. Toilets well maintained, cafe ✅ It's free and can be booked online.

Excellent 3hrs well spent, have not been for years...enjoyed every minute. Good for all the family especially if you like trains and their history. Plenty of memorabilia to see, goes from the start of the railway to today. A good display of Flying Scotsman's history. Possibly 3hrs is not enough to take it all in.

Loved this museum. Flying Scotsman, Mallard and many more famous trains displayed in their glory. Amazingly it's free entry. Great for all ages. Good food courts too. Only gripe is that in the main hall it is too dark to see inside the drivers cab footplates and passenger carriages, despite stairs up to them.

A wonderful muesum, with really history, which you can up close and see. The staff were lovely and the exhibitions stunning. My wife and I booked on line, very easy, and we hadn’t been since we were children (a few years ago!) so it was great to go back after a number of years (quite a few!) and revisit both our past and the muesum. Sadly we missed the Flying Scotsman…. But that’s life. If you are in York and have time don’t miss out on a wonderful place.

Great place for a visit young or old. Amazing history and engines! Welcoming and attentive event staff. Cafe food made us feel a bit ill, would eat elsewhere or bring your own. Otherwise looking forward to seeing this wonderful monument to history again soon!!

Super fun and interesting museum, lots of neat things to see and information available. Definitely plan to spend about half a day here and book ahead. When you get there, book tickets for the mini railway, they sell out quick! Food options were mediocre but the cafe in the main station and the Countess of York were awesomely set up. Unfortunately, the steam rides and the hands-on exhibits were closed when we went, but we'll look forward to visiting them in the future. Shockingly good for a free museum and a must-visit for anyone who likes trains!

Enjoyed our visit. Good selection of locomotives and rolling stock on display. Entrance is currently free with boxes for any donations. You are advised to book your entrance ticket online, prior to actually arriving at the museum. Car parking onsite with a disabled parking area closer to the main entrance. At the time of our visit, parking was £10 for all day. A lot of areas currently undergoing refurbishment/redevelopment, but this did not distract too much from the overall experience.

What a wonderful museum! We gladly gave a donation and couldn't believe admission was free for such a large place to visit. There is the Royal trains, steam trains, Euro train and even a carriage over one hundred and seventy years old. You don't have to be an train enthusiast to enjoy this museum. A must see! You can pay £10 to park all day until 18.30, which allows you plenty of time to visit other attractions within walking distance.

It's one of the best Railway Museum I have ever seen. I visited the same museum last year November month and last week this year and to my surprise the whole museum is totally changed. Before it was direct entry but now free entry via a time slot which can be Pre booked on the website. Now the Museum is divided in to multiple parts. It is having very good collection of so many types of Railway engines. Now it is having multiple washrooms, multiple cafes with variety of food items. Good place for kids to spend time in so many toys & mini railway models. It is now have multiple souvenir coin machines also installed. It will take couple of hours to complete the museum now. A very good place to know the full history of Railways.

Free to visit but book tickets online beforehand. We used their car park opposite which was £10 all day. You have to pay in the museum, you get given a ticket with a code on it so you can get out. We spent a couple of hours in the museum then walked into York Centre which was about a 15 minute walk depending on how fast you walk. Get in the car park as early as you can as there are very limited spaces.

This was our first visit to the National Railway Museum in 20 years. We found the display of locomotives and carriages strikingly impressive, and there was a charming toy railway, a railway turntable and signal box with a video on operating signals. On the other hand we missed some of the highlights of earlier visits: Queen Victoria's carriage; social history montages explaining how railway travel opened up the possibilities of market gardening and holiday making; illustrated histories of the gradual development of a) steam and b) travel by rail; a children's section allowing visitors to experiment with the physics of rail travel (involving gradients, stopping times etc). Whereas the 'old' Museum offered enough to captivate a whole family, of varied interests and ages, for an entire day, the present Museum would primarily be aborbing to an avid railway enthusiast.

Great place to visit especially if you love transport or trains, Such a variety of historical steam engines diesel and electric locomotives, some amazing royal carriages lovely cafe on the platform. The great hall is impressive and facts can be found everywhere, The Ellerman lines cutaway give a great understanding of how steam engines work. If you're in the area definitely worth a visit, I have been many times

An awesome railway museum to visit. The Flying Scotsman is in presently (past few times I've visited, she has been out on tour). The VR experience is worthwhile. Pretty popular, so may be useful to book the VR in advance. Overall museum arrival was easy - free entry. The lab section was very well put together, teaching some excellent railway based scientific concepts.

One of the best museums in the UK. Very popular. Much for children to do. Has a decent safe also. There is a library and archive - appointments are needed. Worth getting tickets in advance so that you can get in quicker. Great place for children. Worth the trip there.

This is a really interesting place whether you really like trains or not. There are some amazing trains to see including one of the worlds biggest plus Mallard, a world record holder still to this day. The exhibition of train memorabilia is fascinating, so much history. You can go inside a Japanese train and get up close to others too. It can get busy at times so get your tickets online before you go. We went on a weekday morning and it was reasonably quiet. Tickets are free but you can add a donation if you like.

Absolutely amazing value, entry is free when you book in advance but there are options to donate. I have never been particularly interested in trains but I found the experience fascinating, there were loads of different trains to look at from the very earliest trains all the way up to the most modern high-tech ones. The trains are very nicely presented with well-written descriptions. I particularly enjoyed being able to sit on the Japanese Shinkansen and watching a short film about its history. The cafe is very nice and the seats take up some of the museum space rather than being separate. I thought this was nice as you are able to have a coffee whilst sat next to some of the trains. It was by far the best value activity that I did on my visit to York!

A real gem in the North of England. The National Railway Museum is a brilliant place to experience and learn about Britain's railways, and some international railway history as well. The main exhibition hall has numerous locomotives, including a few famous ones. The other halls and sheds have other marvellous sights as well. Very handicapped accessible, and also a great place for children. Multiple cafes and areas to play on site. Conservation hall is excellent. Renovations happening throughout 2024 so check the website before visiting.

This is a great free museum to visit with an approximately 20 minute walk from the city centre. There's loads to see here and you could easily spend several hours walking and looking at the various exhibits. There's also a cafe and a great gift shop with some really nice items to buy. I'm not a 'train enthusiast' but still found this a extremely interesting place to go and visit and, don't forget it's free.

It's the first time we have been here, an excellent afternoon out looking at all the old trains and learning a bit about them. It's free to get in but the car park itself is £10 for the whole day so keep that in mind. My 7 year old really enjoyed finding the oldest train and getting to see inside of some of them. It's a good day out.

An amazing collection of national treasures located in the heart of York, one of Europes most beautiful cities. Good facilities for accessible needs and a decent cafe to rest whilst exploring the excellent exhibits. Home of the iconic Mallard, the museum is a must see destination when visiting York.

An absolutely amazing experience. Incredible staff. Area is kept incredibly well. Walking throughout the structure feels surreal. Regardless of your religious background, you will find this visit to be incredibly rewarding. One can easily spend an entire day here. But even 90 minutes will provide a wealth of views. Ornate architecture and some of the best stained glass in the world. The size of the interior is overwhelming.

From the moment you step inside and for many hours after, this cathedral is truly spectacular. The acoustics, the stained glass windows, the intricate carvings in the masonry and the massively high roof line just take your breath away. If you're in York, even for a short break, York Minster is an absolute must see.

One of the main things to see and visit whilst visiting York. Absolutely awesome and stunning building! Takes your breath away. The history of the building is incredible and has an underground museum, showing how its changed throughout the years and how they've saved and reconstructed it throughout the years. Give yourself plenty of time to see everything as it's a big building and you can easily get lost in it's history for 3-4 hours. Didn't climb up the tower, (275 steps) although would of liked to for the amazing views as there was a bit of a queue and its time allocated. But it was a fantastic and amazing experience and highly recommended.

Beautiful imposing building on a mammoth scale. Well worth a stroll around and through the grounds. Undergoing renovation works so some areas are scaffolded but you can watch the stone masons at work preparing and carving stone for replacement. We didn't enter the building on this visit but it's top of the list for next visit!

Initially I did not want to go inside due to the cost of £16pp entry. Tickets last a 12 months so you can visit multiple times and offer you lots to do inside, museum, gallery, free tours inside, etc turned out to be well worth the cost as internally it's magnificent and would now highly recommend this if you're in York. Beautiful cathedral with lots to see and do once Inside.

Visiting York Minster was an unforgettable and inspiring experience. The majestic architecture of the cathedral, with its towering spires and intricate Gothic design, was a breathtaking sight. Walking inside, I was struck by the sheer scale and artistry of the place. The stained glass windows, especially the Great East Window, were captivating, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors and intricate patterns. The Chapter House, with its detailed stonework, exuded a quiet elegance. The blend of architectural grandeur, historical richness, and artistic beauty made my visit to York Minster a truly exceptional and enriching experience.

What a breathtaking building....inside and out! I love York and its abundance of History and shops. All the years we've been going to York and never actually went to have a look at York Minster....until today. We're so glad we did and wondered why we'd left it so long, the exhibits and sights are really amazing, the Roman exhibit and the Crypt were exceptional. So much more than what we thought. Well worth the money.

Stunning to see. We were lucky that our group was permitted to tour York Minster alone, while the choir was warming up for a BBC special. They sounded heavenly and it really set the scene for our group as our guide gave us a wonderful tour. York is very walkable, with plenty of stores and cafes. Take time to walk the city walls near the Minster, as there are some awesome views of the Minster. Clifford's Tower is also within walking distance and worth a visit.

The building's architecture and history was fascinating. The Tower Challenge (275 steps up two narrow spirals staircases) was well worth it for those who can do it. The underground museum was old and musty. My allergies prevented me from being there too long.

Huge queue to entry, buy ticket online, ignore time slot allocated, just go and gain access with the ticket. Beautiful church with high sealing and ornaments. Gladly wasn't destroyer in the WWII

The exterior was superb! The interior as well. We went on a Saturday, and you can buy tickets on the day. When we entered, there was an ongoing mass (wish we had known sooner; we could’ve attended it as well -not sure if it’s free to enter if you’re going to attend the mass). The cathedral was huge, and every detail inside was lovely, from the portrait glass windows and many more. Make sure to roam every corner of the monster to immerse yourself in history fully.

Visited October 2023: breathtaking, even though I didn’t go inside the outside is beautiful. There’s an area where you can observe the stone masons repairing parts of the building too

No visit to York is complete without seeing the Minster. It's a beautiful cathedral, but what I was most excited to see (and hear) was its recently restored Grand Organ. I attended an organ recital here and it was incredible. This mighty instrument has over five thousand pipes and dates back to the 1830s. I was chuffed I finally got to experience it at its best!

Such a beautiful place! Worth the money! My friends and I went right after it opened and there was no wait time. We bought tickets there and got a student discount. It has such a beautiful history and so many rooms to go into. Worth stopping in for sure.

Of course if you are visiting York then you must visit the York Minster. It is truly magnificent from the outside and in! As you are paying, id 100% recommend joining the talking tour where you get a 1hr 45min detailed and informative tour of the cathedral and get to learn so much about the history of the cathedral and details you'd miss if not joining!

One of the top 3 cathedrals I've ever visited in the world. It's surprisingly large, with massively high ceilings and the most stained glass I've ever seen in one place. I highly recommend the guided tour, at no extra cost, that starts on the hour. They tell the cathedral's story, ups and downs, really well. Worth the 18 pound admission, and they have posters explaining how the money is spent.

Had a great time at the York Minster. The staff are friendly and helpful. They give you information about the church if you ask them. The crypt of St Williams is beautiful and serene. The whole church is just stunning. 😍 Do check out their astronomical clock, their eastern window. The stained glass art is gorgeous. 😍 Definitely recommend and will go again.

A very nice and beautiful Place of worship. Very pretty glass windows and lots of things for the eyes to gaze upon. Didn't manage to make it up to the top of the tower but as the tickets last 12 months I will visit again sometime and explore again. There is a very fine Astronomical Clock which I found particularly fascinating

Great tour of the Minster (not a cathedral...more!). If you are reasonably fit, take the tower climb...TOTALLY worth it. I think the stained glass tour would be incredible too. York was awesome as was the Minster.

Absolutely awesome building. The history of the building is incredible. Well worth the visit. Give yourself plenty of time to see everything as it's a big building. I didn't climb up the tower as 275 steps up a spiral staircase gives my vertigo the wobbles! But it was a fantastic experience even without the climb.

First time visiting York Minster, so I chose the guided tour, I found this really informative and well worth the money. The Minster was great to see in all its glory. There was refurbishment work being carried out mostly outside, so it didn't interrupt the visit. I had a great time here if you go to York and have the time it's a great few hours we'll spent.

We were lucky as a choir was rehearsing, and we had a beautiful impromptu concert. Our guide was a delightful lady. We really enjoyed our tour with her.

The Minster is stunning. We also did the 'Crypts of the Early Minster' tour (additional £6 per person when we visited) which was fascinating, and limited to a very small number, ours was 6 people. This meant we had a great opportunity to learn from the experienced guide and see some sections of the (even older!) churches that lie beneath the current building.

Really beautiful architecture and glass windows, we even get a souvenir in the shop next door. There are even guides available at the front desk when they scan your tickets. It's better to get tickets in prior and students can even get discounts!

Extraordinary. Feels as if I'm thrown into the past as I'm exploring the buildings. I heard that at a certain time you can go to the rooftop and see the church bell along with the view of the whole city. Too bad I cannot go there when I visited since the wind is blowing wildly and they don't allow anyone to go up there. But definitely worth to visit. Also, don't forget to take some pictures.

Went twice because once was not enough. Absolutely stunning. There isn’t enough time in a day to look at all the details and find all of the cool things but it’s beautiful. You pay once and you can go back for a year. I will definitely be going back the next time I’m there. It’s incredible. One of my favourite places to date.

Absolutely stunning. We thought York was more grand than Westminster Abbey. There was more intricate carvings and stained glass. It was very beautiful. The Crypt museum was remarkable in not only discussing the thousands of years of occupation of the area, but the immense restoration project undertaken to save the massive Cathedral.

One of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever visited. You can pay extra for tickets to go up to the rooftop. Beautiful views of York & the cathedral when looking down.

Stunning stunning stunning. The most beautiful building I’ve visited in the UK. Fairly expensive to get in (£18 + £6 for the tower) but worth it to see everything. A true work of art, above and below.

Amazingly intricate cathedral, especially on the outside. The inside is also fantastic but nothing that much more special than other major UK cathedrals and abbeys, which makes the entrance price slightly expensive for what it is. Still a must see site if visiting York! Queue to get in on weekends and holidays, but worth ‘pre-booking’ a slot as this makes it slightly quicker to get in.

Beautiful and tranquil. The jewel in the crown of York. Lots (700 years+) of history, and lots to see. Recommend a guided tour as the volunteers are so knowledgeable and passionate. Paid the extra to climb the tower (all 275 steps!) and the views are amazing! Definitely worth paying extra for the views (and the exercise!)

Weather made this weekend fabulous. Lovely city, friendly people. There is something for everyone. It is very busy. York races was great and not too expensive.

York Minster is a wonderful place to visit. £18 for adults. Students at university in York get in free, as do children. Tickets last a year so you are free to return which is great as there is so much to take in. I highly recommend a tour as they are full of knowledge and take you to all the hidden spots of history that you may well miss. Try and go on a Wednesday as they have a coffee morning with delicious cakes and hot drinks and proceeds go to charity. Prayers are on the hour which are a reminder to take time to reflect and services are on throughout the day for you to join if you so wish. Don't miss the Undercroft Museum, it's been wonderfully done and seeing the base of both the Roman and Anglo-Saxon churches and buildings before the current Minster was in place is fabulous.

Really cute street! There are many little fun shops. It’s a shame they don’t have more lights in the evening as it would be nice to see it lit up.

How, just how? These buildings all butted up against one another, and the slopes. Building significance - incredible Shops — interesting

I absolutely loved seeing the old style shops it was very busy long ques for the ghost shop. I would suggest being careful if you have difficulty walking as it's very uneven but a must-see while visiting york!

The Shambles is a very popular but narrow road preserved medieval cobbled shopping street. If you just want to see/photograph it rather than shop, it may be easier if you can get there early/late when most of the shops are closed.

Interesting architecture but very ‘twee’ shops.

Special place with a lot of tourists.

A great experience - that's all we can say when visiting this place. Surely you will also agree with us, if you have the opportunity to walk on the old streets that can be said to be the most beautiful in England. How wonderful.

A charming street with a lot of interesting shops. The architecture makes you feel like you are back in the medieval times.

Beautiful old buildings looking picturesque in the winter season. Extremely busy during the day, excellent shops to browse and buy in! Better later at night when the crowds have dispersed and you can enjoy the street and its magical beauty without the hustle and bustle.

Way too busy but so stunning it's worth facing the people.

Fantastic experience if you are a Potter Head. The street was very full of people.

This is a "must see" street if you are visiting York. A beautiful medieval street, cute small old times shops , pebbled tiny roads , and historic Vibes!! Best to come on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

The street was beautiful coupled with the amazing weather - it made the day more exciting and adventurous. I loved exploring all the little stalls.

A must if you visit YORK,beautiful old buildings and loads of great little shops along the way

A lovely place to visit, but unfortunately it’s so busy at times and difficult to get in and out of shops / view anything. With so many people, we encountered some rudeness and ignorance, but was nice to walk through nonetheless. And goodness me, don’t wait for hours for that ghost shop!! There are so many other things you could do.

Lovely street, but extremely crowded during the day. Would recommend going at night or with a tour

Love the shambles. Pick the right time and it's an enjoyable experience. Tuesday afternoon on a cold snowy January day and there was plenty of space to peruse and wander, soak up the atmosphere of such a historic place. Great independent shops, beautiful buildings, fabulous ale houses and eateries. Marvellous.

Beautiful little street with lots of history and character, was very busy today so didn't enjoy skipping people. Will definitely come back again to explore properly in hopefully quiter time.

Great old street in the middle of York, full of wonders and bespoke items you never knew you wanted. There was a shop who made ghost figures, a ton of Harry Potter shops, a few sweet shops, an alchemist shop and various others

Great street with great history behind it 👍 it's actually quite crowded so watch your pockets.

York has retained so much of its medieval structure that walking into its centre or around its 3 mile long ( 4.8 km ) Ancient city walls is like entering a living museum. Amazing experience! Be aware of no security fences in place in some parts along the pathway. The wall's gates close at dusk. Must be seen. Such a free of charge wonder!

Great place to take a walk , with good weather ! Can't imagine it was built do ling time ago, it was so well maintained ! There are a lot to see on the wall , we could look over the city area from the wall. They have numerous sitting area that visitors could enjoy bathing under the sun.

It is a lovely walk around the York city walls nice little path around it, a great thing to see if you are going to York it doesn't take that long only a few minutes but the one thing that makes it four stars not five stars is that when there is someone walking in the other direction it is quite hard to make room for them to walk past you but besides that is is a great place to go I would recommend if you are going to York as it is near the centre so easy place to get to.

Really enjoyed being able to see and walk around the old city walls. Not something you’re still able to do in most towns/cities these days. Throughly pleasant for a stroll and gives some nice view points too.

this took us a few hours as we stopped frequently to look at the views. Was a lot of fun. Its around 4km distance to walk. Its not continuous- but easy to pick up when the wall runs out. Highly recommend

I love York!! Historic small little town Beautiful architecture all around!! Lovely walk along the walls of York with some amazing views. York looks different and majestic from every angle ! The wall is surprisingly well kept for its age, really impressive and well worth visiting. great attraction :)

Amazing history. Love walking the walls. Every time I come back to York, it's on top of the list of things to do. And as an added bonus you get around the city nice and quick.

One of the main places we wanted to visit in York was the City Walls. I had initially thought it was one complete wall, but it's not; it's split into separate sections, so you'd walk a little bit, then climb down the stairs and then cross the road before climbing back up again; most of the walls I did safe, but some sections had no barrier so it felt a little unsafe, especially in wet conditions. Still, otherwise, I'm happy I went to because i got a taste of the history, and there are many facts to educate on what happened in Yorks past. All are free, and you do not need to pay, but I know there are guided tours available, too, but I don't think you'd need that because it's self-explanatory. I wouldn't say this is suitable for people with mobility issues because there are no ramps, only medieval stairs, and some parts do not have a barrier, so there is a high risk of falling.

Really cool and interesting addition to the city. Not something you get to do everywhere and it was fab to see the city from a different perspective. Would be middle of taking young children up there as the side is open to a sheer drop.

Our hotel thankfully collected our bags for us upon arrival so we entered the wall straight from the rail station and followed it to the other side of town. It was a pleasant walk, some parts fairly narrow, especially if there was a passing by group or family. Most dangerous parts did have a railing for safety. You do need to climb some steep stairs in some parts, particularly near the gates. I'd recommend a dry day over a wet one for this activity. Definitely do include at least some part of the wall on your visit to York

A great way to see the city. It's a very peaceful walk and so much to see along the way. The walls are so well preserved and well kept.

I had an amazing experience walking around the York city walls. You get a good idea of the the layout of the city. I would suggest you take a walk on the wall first. There are 4 sections of the wall. Each section is known as some gate.

You MUST walk the ancient walls of York City! Great history, lots of tower stop offs with convenient pubs nearby. Lots of historic views and photo opportunities. A beautiful way to see York. About 2 miles all around. All in the open - adverse weather beware and dress appropriately. Beware of rude people who take pushchairs up there, DESPITE some parts being barely single-file who think everyone (sometimes bottle-necks of 20+ people) should walk backwards or jump onto railings hangibg over edges to accommodate their selfishness! But that's some people for you. Some parts are narrow and barely single file, others have no railings with 8ft open drop sides. Children MUST be supervised! No pushchairs on some parts as it's just too narrow. No dogs. It's not good for people with a fear of heights and drop edges. Not good for elderly and infirm as lots lots of steps. Not disabled accessible.

These are kind of defense walls around York downtown, were constructed in the Roman period. We walked through the trails on the walls seeing views of York downtown. It was nice and bright day, we were so delighted that whispered a korean song. I really recommend you to visit here if you go to York in England.

Lovely walk , lots to see and we'll maintain. I probably wouldn't take small children along the wall. Absolutely Heaps of photo opportunities and some benches to take in the view

Walk the Walls of York (Like a Medieval Defender, Without the Black Death) 5 out of 5 stars York's city walls are basically a giant time machine. You can walk the battlements like a grumpy old knight, pretend to defend the city from invaders ( squirrels mostly), and get some pretty epic views of York. Just watch out for rogue pigeons and tourists wielding selfie sticks like swords. All in all, a fun way to spend an afternoon and feel a bit historical (without the inconvenience of actual plague).

Beautiful city with historical buildings that truly take your breathe away. It was so nice to walk across the wall and just enjoy nature. Highly recommend

Only 2 miles in total distance, not too steep other than occasional climb up and down stairs as the wall breaks from time to time (which is a bit tricky to find the next continuous point). There are several nice views along the relax walk.

Amazing walk today on these walls will definitely recommend to do as you get to feel history of city trough times

Enjoyable walk free to access at any point. Be mindful if you have small children with you. Otherwise enjoy the views.

Medieval walls and it's free to walk this pathway, a great way to feel the history and enjoy the overall view of the city. Just be aware, some of the path had no barrier and narrow without handrail. With ancient steps on the windy day it can be hazardous.

Beautiful old city wall at York. It is a very walkable wall with many gates and key attractions.

A fabulous trip back in time! Spent about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring this fantastic museum, with so much to see and learn. Hopefully the images show you a good overview of what’s to see. Good for families too Car park nearby, toilets, cafe, and shop. We especially loved the Victorian Street with sounds and even Smell! The museum is in two parts, all easy walking. If your in York, this is a must visit. Tickets also last one year.

It's a wonderful museum. Even though parts of the museum are currently closed we still spent about 2 hours at the museum. We heard a talk on different prisoners inside a prison cell. It was super interesting and the speaker even took some time later to show us prisoner's engravings in the stone and told us more. So much passion and knowledge! Even without a talk personal stories come to life with video projections. Also, the whole part about WW1 was fascinating and I loved the way it was so interactive. You could choose a real person and follow him or her through the years of the war. It made everything feel much more real. You can take the train and later crawl through a tunnel at the front line (literally!) There's also a wall to leave your thoughts on the war. This is a great place to learn. I'd highly recommend it for adults but also for children (some parts are highlighted as distressing, so you can skip it).

Great museum! Booked tickets in advance which I definitely recommend. Staff who greet you are lovely and clearly very happy to help. Quite a lot to look at and read and was easy to work out which direction to go and easy to just follow it round. Love that it was a mix of things to look at, from ww1 to 60s to the York jail and the best to last, Victorian street where you can go in and out of shops etc.

Excellent museum, with 4 themed areas. The first was a Victorian street. You next go into the trenches of ww1. You then go to the 1960s Street, and finally, you go into the old prison and walk through and into the old cells. We spent about 2 hours in the museum but could have stayed longer. Your ticket is valid for free returns for 12 months from purchase, so we will be returning. We had a brilliant time, and my daughter and I loved every part.

Excellent museum telling you the history of York. You can walk through a Victorian street with various rooms of the main street showing the history of the time. The staff are all very knowledgeable and very happy to spend time telling you about how the collection was put together. We spent 2 hours here and could have stayed Longer if we had read more of the many information boards around the displays.

We really enjoyed our visit - Firstly it is great that we can enter again as tickets are valued for a year. There is so much to see that I won't begin to explain but this museum will interest all ages - we chatted to the lovely lady in the fabric shop bought sweets from the sweet shop and paid to watch sooty and sweep play their instruments - we are all children at heart. Loved the 60's and 70's area.

Highly recommend visiting this museum! They have really done a great job on the displays and information about each exhibit. I loved all the interactive areas for the children and all the different activities for adults. Bring 1 pound coins to play with some of the antique machines available to use. This museum is in across the street from Clifford’s tower.

The York Castle Museum was a lovely visit, and we made the booking online, which meant it was straightforward to go to the reception to show our tickets. The tickets are annual, meaning you'd be able to return within a year of initially purchasing your tickets which is great to know. There were many people during our visit, but the queue moved quickly. I especially loved visiting the prison and the indoor city market as it felt like we were transported in time with the retro styling of the shops; you could go in and investigate the history of York and Britain. The cafe was lovely too, and we had a nice cup of tea with a freshly baked cake; this took us around two hours to investigate the place, and it's somewhere I would be willing to return. Remember to bring change since throughout the museum, there are coin-operated machines to enhance your experience in the museum further because the machines demonstrate what life was like back then, from old-fashioned entertainment toys to predicting your future!

The Victorian Streets are open again and currently covered in snow. More shop fronts and the sweet shop has moved... the toy shop still has a little of the lingering smell from the previous occupant 😍 It's been a few years since my last visit but this remains as a favourite museum... I'm sure I missed a bit but that could have been new areas that of change. Good value at £7 and that gives allows access all year. York Children go FREE.

We absolutely loved Castle museum, we had a lovely time there. We were walking around for ages, looking at every detail , smell, and sound of the street, made the whole atmosphere also lovely people who work there.

This place is wonderful! My husband's tolerance level for museums is about one hour...we were here for almost 3 hours. It covers a wide variety of subjects, from clothing, history, a Victorian street (fantastic) and historical artifacts. We would definitely recommend it.

Museum is well kept and all the notice boards are well maintained and full of interesting facts. The reconstructed street scene is amazing with lots of period shops. The prison has amazing graffiti. Kept my 5 year old entertained for 2 hours so would keep older kids or adults interested for much longer. Toilets are frequent/central and well maintained. Worth the entry fee definitely.

Last visited over ten years ago and it hasn't changed too much in the time from what I remember, but it is still a really good and interesting place to visit. The first world war exhibition was really good and well presented.

Great day out. Much bigger town expected and went on for much longer than expected too. The Victorian Street is amazing, like walking into a set. The staff/actors here were brilliant and very informative and loved giving out great details about the place.

What a gem of a place to visit to learn about the history of York and indeed you also learn about British and Social History. The museum guides you through a series of rooms, streets and shops that are all set up to allow you to see how people used to live and work. The setups include sounds, sights and smells of days long gone. Some of the rooms and spaces are very spooky which adds to the atmosphere. I would recommend taking a bag full of 20p's and 50p's to use in the very old amusement machines; it is something that everyone, young and old should have a go at to see how people used to entertain themselves. I would recommend this place and will go again when I visit York in the future.

A fun day out. Great for adults as well as families. Lots of interesting things on display throughout the ages. I was particularly interested in the temporary exhibition celebrating the rich history of the Gypsy and Traveller Communities (GTC) in York which has proven to be excellent and thought provoking. The museum is accessible with opportunities to explore using different senses.

Great indoor activity for all ages in the centre of York. It shows the history of York through the ages with real life set up of rooms, shops, streets and prisons. It is split in two halves allowing for a stop off in the middle at the gift shop and cafe situated at the main entrance / exit. 😋 See pictures for further info of what's inside. Limited public parking is available nearby but York's Park & Ride is certainly a great option when up to five can travel up unlimited on the bus for the whole day for only £10. 😮 Definitely recommend spending a few hours here especially on a wet day. 😎👍

Loved it here. Part of the museum was closed but that gives us an excuse to come back when it reopens again there's so much to see will definitely be back.

A beautifully laid out museum with plenty from the ages to look at. If you or a family member are benefits you can get in at a heavily reduced rate which is always nice. Unfortunately when we went half the museum is closed and will be for some time, with that said they have reduced the entry fee.

Well worth a visit if you love learning about the past, how people used to live, and to experience what it was like. The Victorian Street that has been constructed was the highlight for me. All the old shops and services are so interesting to look at and to see how people would have gone about their daily lives. Lots of other things to see, an old prison, a section dedicated to the 60's, a First World War museum, and not forgetting the castle. Loved it! We pre-booked our tickets, so just had to give our name and then went straight in.

This is a very interesting museum covering various aspects of social history. It has recreation of historical streets and shops you can explore, and rooms reflecting different historical periods. It also has the former prison cells from when it was a court. There is an entry charge, or it is included in the York Pass.

Last minute idea & it was worth it! The Victorian Street was so extensive to look around! You can buy some sweets there too (cash only). A great peek into history. The period rooms were nice to see with all the artifacts. The WW1 section was very interesting, with lots to see including a little trench (kids size) to go through with something to see inside! The Sixties was cool, especially the fashion and technology "artifacts" 😅 The York Prison was very interesting, with projection videos into some of its most famous "visitors". A reasonable price for the visit. Prams/pushchairs have to stay at the reception & there is always someone there. There is a little cafe and giftshop with some nice gifts to buy from the visit.

Best museum I’ve ever visited! This is really immersive and brings you back in time with interactive people/actors in 2 shops who will tell you about how things were. 100% recommend! Buy tickets in advance I think it’s a bit cheaper

The ticket is a bit expensive (like 16 or 18) but the ticket can last for a year so it's worth it. This museum is bigger and more impressive than I expected. They not only have individual spaces for displaying old-fashioned rooms, and cabinets for small and delicate trinkets but also have a big hall (kind like Beamish museum but indoors) to revive a whole retro town. You can walk into some shops but even if you can not go inside, you can still see lots of fancy items through the windows. There is also a prison and war-themed exhibit on a completely separate floor, and that floor is quite nice as well. Overall, I like this museum and will come back here in the future.

Great family afternoon, spent a good couple of hours wandering around and can highly recommend. The staff were very friendly and helpful (we lost a coat and they found it). Can highly recommend a visit and the best thing is after one visit you can go back for free for the year 😱

It's a fantastic museum which felt very interactive. But was really disappointed to find out (after we had paid entry) that two of the main exhibits I was looking forward to were closed. Wish they had said something when we went in. Still a great place though.

What a fantastic museum, it is made up of two parts. The first is the recreated Victorian street complete with shop fronts and even a back alley slum. The second part is when the world changed forever during WW1, culminating with a 1960s street. The last part shows what the final use of the building was used for, which is a prison. They have a cafe and a gift shop, They charge for entry, but free entry is available to recipients of numerous benefits, so check the website.

Spontaneous trip with 2 kids, age 10 and 13 who both really enjoyed their visits! There's so much to see and some fun interactive bits such as period dressing up stations. 4 really well planned out areas in a clear to follow one-way system over 2 floors so don't miss anything. The WW1 area was especially interesting and the kids loved the cobbled streets and period shops and businesses. This would be fantastic for a school visit! There are toilets, a small cafe and a lovely giftshop. Entry was reasonable and we easily spent 2 hours here. Would definitely recommend!

Very nice visit. The sets really do take you back in time, facts are well displayed and the prison is cool! Also a very lovely gift shop.

Fabulous! Wowed what a surprise! We seen this was one of the most visited attractions so here we go! We booked as this can be very busy right in the heart of the stunning beautiful and historic city of york! The train ride surprised us! About 20 minutes take you through a brilliant and very realistic tour of the Viking age! Truly amazing and definitely worth a visit! No parking as it’s right in the Center! But don’t let that put you off as plenty of parking available in York.

I didn't know what to expect fully, apart from a museum, so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered there was a ride which took you through a full reconstruction of a the Viking settlement upon where the centre is now. So many details, excellent animatronics, and a clear and detailed spoken guide telling you facts and information. After the ride, you get to go through the museum to look at the artefacts found in the digs. There is also a lovely gift shop at the exit. Booking in advance is highly recommended to ensure you get in, especially during busy periods. You can also save on a duo ticket with DIG and even more so with a Passport. Your ticket is also valid for a year!

It's now a ride. Which is good fun and a good experience. If you have small kids you get round it very quickly as they won't look at the displays. We spent about 30mins here. Note that if you are an English heritage member you can get a discount.

Not originally part of my itinerary but so glad I went! Didn't know anything about the place so everything was a pleasant surprise. A bit of a queue but the ride was really well designed and brilliantly showcased the everyday life of the vikings. Definitely something which would appeal to all ages Near the end the exhibits were great as well, especially the detailed analysis of the skeletons

Brilliant. The ride in carriages that take you around the village was very innovative. Great idea. The commentary was excellent. The exhibition once your ride was over was very well structured and very interesting. Not to much of it either so no chance of getting bored with it all. Good few hours and well worth the visit.

This is a great experience, especially when visiting for the first time. It's worth buying tickets in advance to avoid waiting, but it's not essential. The staff are excellent and really add to the experience, guiding and providing interesting details. The 'ride' is like going through a film set. The scenes are great and align with the narration. The characters are animated and have some pretty realistic details. It can lack appeal for return visits, but hopefully they have scope to reinvent areas.

Absolutely worth a visit! The 2 faces that have been reconstructed from skeletons that were found are amazing! Learning about how the river Ouse was re rooted and how they lived in York back in the day- all great!

It's the first time I've been to this viking center, it's great for education and the kids certainly liked it but going around the first "ride" part it does incorporate smells into the experience to take you back and some of those smells are not great 😅. But all in all it's quite good.

We were able to walk in which was great because we didn't pre-book. It was an interesting visit, but it smelled quite badly which was a huge turn off for me. We couldn't wait to get out. The ride was really cool... the people and animals looked so life-like. It could have been a really great outing but we couldn't spend much time looking at everything and just wanted to be out in the fresh air.

This was a fantastic attraction to visit, with stairs or a lift to enter straight away from the suitable reception with nice staff! The glass floor was excavations is wonderful in the first room, where black and white imagery depicts the area in olden days beautifully. What follows on the ride is a fascinating experience, telling stories from back in time and going through the moving settings! The artefacts are incredible too, giving an insight into how people lived way back then.

Amazing experience will definitely recommend to visit, didn't get ticket in advance so had to wait 20 minutes but I was happy with it. People that are working inside are very helpful and knowledgeable. Going through time and different houses of Viking tomes was memorable and very educational. Ticket is £15 and is valid for 1 year so you can come back as many times as you like. Will recommend for everyone if visiting York

Absolutely amazing place for all ages . There are lifts for the disabled . And the majority of it your taken around in a cable car . The wax works are so life like . And of course you get the smells lol .

I was shocked to see, how much it had changed. It's a very interactive experience now; and you can drop in on the talks given to groups going around. Firstly there's an archaeological dig, underneath the first room. The glass floor is a bit off putting, but with the guide book, you can match up what's there. Next you have an indoor fare ride, that takes you through (very slowly) a Vikings daily life. It has animated people, and even the fish on the barrel move. One word of warning though, it is rather pungent! There are skeletons after this, hand made musical instruments and jewellery. A fascinating world, topped off by a really good gift shop. From wooden Viking ships & wooden swords, to jewellery and real weapons.

There is an entry charge, but offers such as combined tickets or using a York Pass. It is quite popular with separate queues for both advance and walk up entry (if there are advance spaces you can book a time slot on the day). First there is a glass floor where you can see some Viking archaeology, an incredibly slow ride around a replica Viking settlement with a choice of languages and subtitles to guide you. After the ride there is an exhibition where you can see a variety of discoveries including some very, very old poo!