One day in York - what to do?

[ProfessorofDarkArts]

I have a random unexpected day in York this week, I’ll be dropped near the town centre but won’t have my own transport until I’m picked up at the end of the day. Any suggestions for what to see/do? I like a bit of shopping - independent/unusual shops as well as high street and especially a decent bookshop - a nice coffee/lunch and to see a bit of the town’s history/culture. Thank you ☺️

Wander through The Shambles, climb the Minster and walk around the city walls. Have lunch at Betty’s and definitely visit The Little Apple Bookshop and the Minster Gate bookshop.

I’d love to visit York - is one day enough or ideally should longer be spent there?

So much to see and do in York, definetly a weekend stay at least.

We did a walking tour, I think it was the standard one done by volunteers from the local civic/historic society, and it was absolutely mind blowingly good (bear in mind that dp and i are history nerds and our top-rated dates tend to include looking at Saxon earthworks).

York is tiny so the shopping bit is v easy. Just start walking.

Ok this sounds perfect, it’s not a holiday as such or I’d definitely be going for longer!

Walk the walls. York Minster. The Shambles. Clifford’s Tower. Train Museum - a must and free. Even if you’re not a train person, it’s so interesting. Betty’s is nice for a coffee and cake but I’d probably get lunch in one of the quirky pubs. York is fab. Enjoy.

I would go to Betty’s straight away for a coffee - it really is a beautiful building and lovely staff. But the queues start to get ridiculous from lunchtime onwards and there are some fab independent places for lunch

Cliffords tower and the Castle Museum are good (but both charge entry)

The minster, a free guide to take you round, then go down to the catacombs and also up to the roof of you’re able.

The Castle Museum was unexpectedly good if the weather is poor, otherwise it's a lovely city to walk around.

Railway museum
York minister

It’s one of those places you can just mooch and see where the whim takes you.

The Minster is ££ but beautiful, and the free guided tours are good especially the stained glass one.

Wouldn’t bother with Betty’s, there are plenty of great independent coffee shops like Rise.

If the weather’s nice take a picnic (meal deal!) to the Museum Gardens or Minster Gardens. Or eat in the Shambles Market.

Shops: Topping & Company is a new huge bookshop on Museum Street.
Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop on Stonegate
Country Traditionals polish pottery on Colliergate

Walk the walls, pop into the churches eg Holy Trinity on Goodramgate. The Shambles obvs.

Railway museum is great but currently an absolute pain to get to due to building works. Worth splurging on the noddy train (stop is on Duncombe Place by the Minster).