York with kids and OAPs

[SaulGoodmanIsTaken]

Would really love some local tips for a nearby alternative to Betty’s tea room in the town centre please?ideally one that lets us book in advance!

i would love to hear recommendations for places to eat/visit with the kids 6 and 9, we’ve booked the railway museum and wondered about Viking centre?

thanks eveyone!

I know you can book Impossible for afternoon tea. Never tried it myself.
Mad Hatter’s Coffee and Cakes is above a teddy bear shop. The theming is fun and it does a good afternoon tea. We’ve never needed to book.
Brew and Brownie is super but doesn’t take bookings.
Double Dutch Pancake House - not sure about booking but the dc love it!

Jorvik is good fun and my dc have really enjoyed DIG. I’d also recommend York’s Chocolate Story.

Unfortunately MadHatters has closed down.

The 45 minute boat cruise along the River Ouse may be worth consideration.

As fivemoreminutes posted:

Jorvik is great although 10 year old DD objected strongly to the smell. When we went back when she was 18 she turned green and sat in the square outside refusing to come any closer.

We really enjoyed the chocolate story and the Double Dutch Pancake house.

I last visited the Jorvik Viking Centre about 20 years ago - I can still remember the smell - like sweet leather!

With the yorvik centre you can get a four attraction pass ticket for not much more. Was a decent thing to do, it included Dig where you have a go at being an archaeologist digging things up and the entrance to the tutor (?) house Barley hall. Also included to go inside the city walls but it's two rooms in the tower so that's only really worth it if you're already there walking the walls anyway. The yorvik ride is kind of fun but it's quite short.

The surprise favourite for me on our trip was the castle museum- amazing museum (paid)- has an old jail, massive victorian recreation street, 60s recreation street, old fair games, old toys. Might be a lot with the rail museum as well but we loved it.

Agree with above Yorvik is worth a visit but I can still smell the smell of it!
The dungeons were also a decent way to spend an hour or two.

We visited the plush cafe last year and they did a lovely afternoon tea. There's all differently themed rooms, staff were lovely and plenty of food.

The York museum is fantastic and plenty to see for old and new, it has a brilliant Victorian village inside too

We did this walking tour with the DC, I'd highly recommended it. DC aren't history buffs by any means but they were really absorbed by it.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionProductReview-g186346-d17809404-The_Best_of_York_on_Foot_in_a_Small_Group-York_North_Yorkshire_England.html

The Cat Gallery on Low Petergate gives out a Cat Trail which is brilliant for kids. There are carved cats attached to walls all over the city and you go round to spot them all. It takes you around all the key places.

Don’t be tempted to ‘buy a ghost’ on the Shambles. The queues are eternal (over an hour usually) and while a fun idea it’s not worth it. There’s a large Harry Potter shop on the Shambles too (the city likes to milk the fact that it looks a bit like Diagon Alley) which you might either want to avoid or visit depending on your own interest/budget!

The Castle Museum really is fantastic for the whole family, and Plush is very popular with local children for tea.

Thank you so much for taking time to recommend these eveyone, if you come to the NW I’ll try and return the favour!