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!

Jorvik is good but short - only plan an hour for your visit. You can get a package for Dig and Barley Hall too, which are both great too. Opposite Jorvik is a wizard themed mini gold, hole in the wand. It's great but gets v busy so pre book. York chocolate story is also popular.
Heavenly desserts is brilliant if you like sweet stuff.

Piglets would be good for that age group. They have a splash park area so take a change of clothes if the weather is nice.
Personally, I’d skip Jorvik. It’s small with not much to see. It’s mostly information to read and not much fun for kids.
The Chocolate Factory Experience would be much better.
Rowntree Park is a must!
See what the threatres are showing for the time you’re there
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Personally, I’d skip Jorvik. It’s small with not much to see. It’s mostly information to read and not much fun for kids.

I think that depends on the kids. DD (obsessed with Horrible Histories) still raves about the Jorvik centre. But I agree it is small. We got the triple ticket and she also really enjoyed Dig.

My kids loved York Castle Museum and it’s good for all ages. Has good dungeons and an excellent recreation of a Victorian street with shops you can go into.
Jorvik Centre has a fun ride through a Viking ‘world’. My kids like it but it is quite short. They enjoyed ‘Dig’ as well at that age. Also liked walking on the walls and we did a boat ride and a ghost walk.

My kids love horrible histories too and are very interested in history. That’s why they were so disappointed with Jorvik.

The Minster has a kids trail I think. Though their new restaurant is very expensive!

@Toddlerteaplease am pleased someone else has said that The Refectory is expensive! Everyone I know seems to think it is fantastic, but I cannot get over the prices and before I moved up here I lived in London for 17 years.

The Christmas Day price is eye-watering.

It's also not what I want from a cathedral tea room. I want scones, cakes and good coffee. Not fine dining! And they serve veal which has put me off completely.

@Toddlerteaplease totally agree and someone told me it was £9 for two (smaller than normal) flat whites...

OP - there is a nice little cafe around the corner from this astronomical place called The Old York Tea Room but it is very small and has stairs. I have heard the afternoon tea at Middleton's is good. Not too far from Rowntree Park mentioned above.

Just had a thought… The City of York Museum (I think it’s called) is brilliant. It has a Victorian Street to go down and look in the shops etc

@GrinAndVomit that's the Castle Museum next to Clifford Tower. Very good for all ages.

That’s the one!

My DC enjoy a boat trip from - you can get on at Lendall Bridge or St George 'a Fields (across the road and park from Clifford's Tower).

If your dc are into Harry Potter/Witches and Wizards etc, see if there is any availability on a Wizard Walk of York tour. They are brilliant.

For a tearoom - try the Old York Tearoom on Goodramgate.

When are you going? It's York Pride next weekend, so there will be some road closures etc and you may need to address some interesting Qs from your dc, whose country-mouse eyes were opened wide when we unexpectedly came across Leeds Pride a few years ago.

Thank you all for taking the time to make such good suggestions! Going to look through these now, you’ve all been so helpful. Enjoy your bank holiday weekend!