This post will share how to spend 24 hours in York on a day trip.
I’m so excited to write about this trip because it’s been sooo long.
I finally summoned the courage to get out of Manchester in March 2020.
Technically, my last trip was to Paris in January 2020, and I was planning a trip to Dublin in April 2020 when COVID happened.
While I know I could have gone on a couple of trips between the lockdown restrictions, I just wasn’t comfortable enough to wear a mask for more than 30 minutes on the train.
So, I just stayed home, got depressed and put on 10kg.
I think I gradually lost my mind after Phase 3 of the lockdown restrictions in April. I literally could not take it anymore.
So, to calm myself, I started to plan a trip for my birthday in June.
I already go on day trips for my birthdays, so this was a huge motivator.
I figured my birthday was a big enough occasion to leave the house.
Well, I did, and I had a great time. I can’t wait to share how it all went down.
Planning A Trip To York
Before planning this trip, I was conflicted about where to go, seeing as I’ve visited many of the major cities in North England.
From Leeds to Liverpool, Blackpool and, of course, Manchester, where I reside.
So, I picked up a map, tried to find the cities I had missed, and stumbled on York.
Like I always do before planning a trip, I type the location into Google Maps to gauge the number of attractions and historical landmarks and determine whether it is worth visiting.
Listen, the results I saw instantly made me giddy with excitement.
I was already looking forward to having a blast on my trip.
After choosing York, I went ahead to plan an itinerary of sorts.
I created a private list on Google Maps and added all the destinations I wanted to visit in order of personal interests and general ratings.
I also try to determine what attractions are free and paid for and whether they are worth the money.
As a rule of thumb, I try to visit one Cathedral, Art Gallery and Museum.
Then, I slot in any other unique attractions since I just have about 12 hours of exploration.
Then,
Next, I went to National Express and Trainline to determine the costs, distance, and time the journey would take.
Anything more than 1hr 30 minutes, I just buy a train ticket.
Anything less, I try to snag a cheap National Express ticket.
Remember, I always have a budget, so the fewer my expenses, the better.
Thankfully, the train ticket to York wasn’t too bad, and I was gladly happy to drop the cash.
Again, to save money, I buy my tickets about two to three weeks in advance.
It’s usually cheaper than buying it on the same day at the train station.
Then, it’s time to prepare for the day.
Of course, I had to get a cute dress and a warm jacket because the weather is incredibly unpredictable in the North of England.
I didn’t even care if it was cloudy or rainy; I was going either way.
I also prepped a huge tote bag, which was a mistake because dragging that heavy bag across York ached my arms and shoulders all day.
For my next trip, I’ll just take my camera backpack instead.
Speaking of cameras, I was looking forward to taking lovely photos for my blog and Unsplash account, so it was non-negotiable.
Plus, it’s been so long, and I’ve missed outdoor photography.
I also had to take my tripod because I was determined to learn to take the best photos of myself without anyone’s help.
It turned out to be the best decision ever.
Getting To York From Manchester
If there’s one thing about England and Europe in general, it is the incredible ease of transportation.
Fortunately, I bought a flexible train ticket.
While I originally planned to go through Manchester Victoria or any other two train stations in Manchester, I finally chose Manchester Oxford Road.
I was so happy because it was the station closest to my home, and it took just thirty minutes to get there.
So, I had some extra time to spare before the train arrived.
So yeah, depending on where you live, you can go to York via any of the train stations in Manchester.
As long as your ticket is flexible.
The trip was super comfy and took about an hour and thirty minutes.
I arrived at the York Rail Station just before noon and was suprised by how busy it was.
Anyway, it was time to navigate my itinerary by distance, from the closest to the farthest.
Here’s How To Spend 24 Hours In York As A Solo Traveller
Google Maps has a nifty trick: you can sort any city’s attractions and historical landmarks by relevance, distance, ratings and opening hours.
This helps me figure out where to start my walking tour and prevents me from going in circles.
Even though my sense of direction is not the best, I eventually find my way.
Before going further, it’s helpful to know the history of York.
Here’s a super helpful timeline for the history nerds.
It adequately describes the timeline of events from the Romans’ arrival until the 20th century.
There’s so much history behind York that even as someone who couldn’t care less about history, I was intrigued to look it up.
In a nutshell, York is a walled city founded by the Romans as far back as 71 A.D.
As you’ll see in the timeline, York went through several kingdoms and events during which most of what we now know as historical landmarks were built.
In short, in terms of historic cities, York is the only city that has given me Parisian vibes so far.
There’s so much history packed in a tiny city. It is unbelievable.
It felt like I was walking through the pages of a history textbook.
Before I ramble on, let’s get this walking tour of the places to visit in York started!
Note: All attractions are mostly free unless specified.
Micklegate Bar
My map directed me to Micklegate Bar, the first destination closest to the train station.
This is one of York’s medieval gateways, which used to be an entrance into the city from the South.
It’s also interesting to know that severed heads of rebels and traitors used to be hung above the gate.
After watching a lot of Korean Period dramas, I can completely imagine that happening.
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
Just a two-minute walk from the Micklegate Bar is the Bar Convent.
It initially went completely unnoticeable because it looked like a typical English building.
It wasn’t until I checked the map before I noticed it.
This used to be a hiding place for the Catholics who were being prosecuted in 1686.
So, the nuns built a convent that was hidden from the outside.
They also ran a school, which was eventually taken over by the Church.
But today, it is a chapel and a museum.
Who else thinks how ironic it is for a convent to be named ‘a bar’? Lol!
National Railway Museum
Again, while I completely overlooked this museum because I couldn’t figure out where it was for my life, I eventually went.
This is so close to the train station so it’s helpful to cross it once and for all before heading to the city centre.
I honestly don’t think I’ve visited any transport museum as extensive as the National Railway Museum.
There’s one in Manchester, but it’s not quite as big.
A quick Wikipedia search shows it is part of the Science Museum Group.
Think about it like a franchise of science museums.
It has such a diverse collection that dates back to the history of British Rail and how it has evolved over the years.
I’m not so much of a science or engineering geek; so many things flew over my head, but there’s no way I wouldn’t appreciate that much history.
I cannot do justice to the museum in words; you’ve just got to see it for yourself.
My favourite thing about the museum was the royal carriages the royal family used on tour.
It’s all nicely furnished and still preserved today.
Barker & Lendal Tower
Another unmissable historical landmark is the river side of the Barker and Lendal Towers.
They were built in the 14th century and served as a defence for the city to control river traffic.
In fact, at some point.
There was an iron chain between the towers, and ferrymen had to take a toll to cross it.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this location is the Dame Judi Dench Walk beneath the Lendal Tower.
Museum Gardens
One of the really nice places to visit in York is the Museum Gardens.
This botanical garden houses the York Observatory, York Museum, Anglian Tower, and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey church, and it does not forget the iconic Multangular Tower and Roman Wall.
Seeing that these landmarks are still iconic, even in ruins, is fantastic.
While the York Museum is temporarily closed, if you’re interested in biology, geology, archaeology, and astronomy, you‘ll probably enjoy it.
York Minster (Paid)
The only attraction I’ve previously heard about and was really looking forward to during this trip is the York Minster.
For the first time ever, I wish I owned a drone.
Unfortunately, I’m not tall enough to thoroughly appreciate the grandeur of one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Europe.
No offence, but Notre Dame has nothing to say about it.
It has survived the Viking and Normans’ invasion and was rebuilt over 250 years. Damn!
It is worth noting that due to COVID protocols, you must pre-book before entry.
I think it costs about £12.
When I return to York, I’ll definitely revisit the York Minster.
It is also worth noting that it was at this point that I started to feel claustrophobic.
York is too cramped, with too many landmarks in a tiny city.
You could literally walk around the entire city in one day.
This was even before I got to the Shambles Market, which you’ll see subsequently.
York Chocolate Story (Paid)
When you think you’ve seen it all, you find a chocolate museum.
Another pretty interesting place to visit in York is the York Chocolate Story.
It’s a guided tour through the history of York’s most famous chocolate-making families.
If you’re curious about the origins of Kit Kat, Quality Street, and the Yorkie chocolates and why they were created, I think this guided tour is worth the money.
I’m not a fan of guided tours, as I prefer to go at my own pace.
Who knows, I might give it a shot some other time.
You’ll need to pre-book for £15.
The Shambles & Market
The Shambles is another iconic place to visit in York, just a stone’s throw from the York Chocolate Story.
Historically, the Shambles are categorized as shops and stalls in a narrow street with unusual, lopsided buildings.
In the case of York, it is one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the World.
I probably should have stayed longer to touch one of the buildings, but I quickly walked past because the street was slightly crowded.
Also, we’re still in unprecedented times, and I’m not about to get COVID.
The best time to thoroughly enjoy the Shambles is at night when the stores are closed.
If you have time, check out the outdoor Shambles Market, which has a decent selection of quirky shops, crafts, and fresh produce.
Jorvik Viking Centre (Paid)
The Jorvik Viking Centre and the Coppergate Shopping Centre are a five- to ten-minute walk from The Shambles.
If you’re curious about the Viking Age, from its origins to its lives, times, and eventual extinction in England, this is an experience you don’t want to miss.
You must spend a few hours here to truly enjoy and appreciate this immersive and educational experience.
As always, you’ll need to pre-book.
Clifford’s Tower
Just around the corner is one of the most fascinating places to visit in York; Clifford’s Tower.
Unfortunately, when I visited, it was under renovation, which was a shame because I was looking forward to climbing the tower stairs.
According to the historical timeline, this iconic construction was distinctly Norman compared to the rest of York, which was predominantly built during the Roman and Viking eras.
Unfortunately, Clifford’s Tower reflects York’s violent and bloody past.
Over the centuries, it has been used as a prison and a royal mint.
They’re not currently taking bookings because the Tower is under construction, but you can stay up to date here about its reopening.
York Castle Museum (Paid)
Built on prison grounds, including a female and debtor’s prison, the York Castle Museum is one of the 20th-century landmarks founded in 1938.
Here, you’ll find about 400 years’ worth of York’s history.
They usually have a bunch of guided tours with interactive exhibitions.
You can check out all the current ones here.
At the moment, general admissions are closed but will be reopened on June 23rd.
You have to pre-book here.
Is anyone else noticing a new pattern of pre-booking visitations ahead due to COVID?
I miss the good old days when you could just walk in without booking. Oh well!
York City Wall Trail
My biggest regret on this trip was not walking through the York City Walls, especially since I passed through them multiple times.
I just completely forgot to do that basic thing that didn’t cost a dime.
It wasn’t until it was time for my train to depart for Manchester that I remembered the City Walls.
Anyway, there’s always a next time, and it would be my very first priority.
In Conclusion,
I said York can be explored in one day, but I honestly take that back.
Researching the city whilst writing this post has opened my eyes more than I imagined.
York is definitely worth a weekend trip and more.
I have 31 attractions on my Google Maps list, meaning I could only scratch the surface.
But if you don’t squeeze time for an extended trip but you still need some time away, I hope you have found this list of places to visit in York very useful.
I believe I’ll be going back before the end of the year.
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