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Castle
Museum, Tower Street
(tel
01904 653611)
(open
daily year round)
A former 18th century prison, a variety of displays include a recreated
Victorian street, costumes, working water-mill and the Coppergate
Helmet, a 1,200 year-old Anglo-Saxon helmet unearthed during city
excavation work.
City Walls
York's ancient city walls are among the longest and best preserved
in the country. You can walk along a path on the top which crosses
over the fortified gates or "bars". Micklegate Bar was
traditionally the monarch's entrance. Staircases found in a break
lead to the path and look out towers.
Clifford's
Tower, Tower Street
(tel 01904 646940)
(open daily year round)
Chilling tower dating back to the 14th century built on an historic
mound. Scene of an horrific massacre of 150 Jews in medieval times.
Fairfax
House, Castlegate
(tel 01904 655543)
(open daily, but Fridays - guided tours only at 11am & 2pm,
mid-Feb - Dec, plus Fri, Aug - Sep)
Decorative arts museum and one of England's most elegant Georgian
houses. Highlights include the sumptuous grand salon and marble
dining room.
Guildhall,
St Helen's Square
(tel 01904 613161)
(open daily May - Oct, Mon - Fri, Nov
- Apr)
Situated on the river, the restored Guildhall dates back to the
15th century when it was used for pageants and plays.
Jorvik
Viking Centre, below Coppergate Shopping Centre
(tel 01904 543400)
(open daily year round)
Experience the sights, sounds and even smells of Viking times in
this entertaining exhibition. Great for kids.
Merchant
Adventurer's Hall, Piccadilly
(tel 01904 654818)
(open daily mid-Mar - mid-Nov, Mon-Sat, mid-Nov
- mid-Mar)
Largest half-timber medieval hall in the city with a pretty garden.
Antique fairs are held here most Saturdays throughout the year.
National
Railway Museum, Leeman Road
(tel 01904 621261)
(open daily year round)
The world's largest railway museum and home to Britain's national
collection of trains. Highlights include the Mallard from the steam
era, an interactive exhibition of working life on a mail train and
passenger cars used by Queen Victoria. You can go aboard some of
the trains.
The
Shambles
York's best preserved medieval street and a popular
attraction, with half-timber shops and houses huddled together.
Originally, the city's meat market, it is now full of craft and
gift shops.
Stonegate
A pedestrianised narrow street featuring charming
18th century and Tudor courtyards and storefronts.
York
Minster
(tel 01904 557216)
(open daily year round)
The largest Gothic church in England, offering superb views of the
city and surrounding moors from its great Central Tower (reached by
275 winding steps). Highlights include the beautiful stained-glass
Rose Window, the ornamental 14th century nave, huge choir screen featuring
the Kings of England, and the east window, a splendid example of medieval
glazing. Visit also the 13th century Chapter House and the Undercroft
Museum and Treasury.
Yorkshire
Museum, Museum Gardens
(tel 01904 551800)
(open daily year round)
The museum, housed in the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, focuses on the
natural and archaeological history of Yorkshire, with material associated
with Viking and Roman York. Also of interest is the Middlesham Jewel
from the 15th century, featuring a large sapphire set in a pendant.
The colourful gardens at St Mary's provide an atmospheric setting
for the medieval York Mystery Plays performed here every four years
(next performances in summer 2004).
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Micklegate
Bar
Jorvik Viking
Centre
Stained glass
window, York Minster
York
Minster
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