York is reputed to be one of England’s best cities to visit. With fascinating historical architecture, fine buildings and attractions galore, it’s easy to see what makes York a great destination for a self-catering break.
About Cottage Breaks in York
City Walls, Ghost Walks and a Viking Centre all await in York
York is one of England's top tourist destinations after London and Stratford-upon-Avon. It's a lively northern city, with lots of hustle and bustle, a thriving market, pubs and tea shops, a good shopping centre and lots of 'touristy' things to do.
The centre of York, much of which lies within the yellow city walls is where tourists head for. Here you will find the Cathedral, the Castle, the Jorvik Visitor Centre, boat trips on the river, charming old buildings, many originating from the 16th Century or earlier, and the famous Shambles with its narrow lanes and interesting range of specialist shops.
York is just one of the gems in Yorkshire's treasury, there are numerous stunning and fascinating places to visit, handsome cities, the Yorkshire Dales and Moors national parks and a resort studded coastline.
Top attractions in York include the York Theatre Royal, the Roman Bath Public House, Mansion House, York Art Gallery, Micklegate Barn Museum and the JORVIK Viking Centre. For more information and inspiration click to learn more about York's visitor attractions. We recommend that you visit York’s Tourist Information Centre on arrival in this fine city for plenty of free advice and free resources such as leaflets to help guide you on York’s best attractions.
On arrival, most tourists head for the old walled part of the city with the Shambles - a maze of narrow streets lined with independent and unusual shops that make shopping for souvenirs a pleasure. The buildings hark back to ancient times with half-timbered and overhanging upper floors. There are always street entertainers and a bustling market. York is a great destination for a day out or longer stay.
A river with boat trips runs through York. There are also riverside walks. For really serious walking, the Yorkshire Dales and Moors are easily accessible - within a short drive you could be out in the Dales or Moors and experience solitude under acres of sky.
York has some excellent visitor attractions including theatres, pubs, clubs, restaurants, museums, galleries and cinemas. You can also enjoy days out to the countryside for an overall great Yorkshire experience. Self-catering accommodation in York tends to be in apartments or townhouses.
Behind the ancient city walls of York discover the famous Minster, medieval cobbled streets and historic buildings. This is a city that confidently celebrates its past whilst embracing the modern world – quaint tearooms happily sit along side chic café bars and restaurants. Take refreshment at the Earl Grey Tea Rooms in the Shambles, one of the oldest recorded streets in England, then discover the myriad choice of shops, world class museums and art galleries - including the award winning National Railway Museum; the Castle Museum with its reconstructed Victorian Streets and 'Museum of Everyday Life' collection; the York Museum where you can learn all about the first Roman settlement on the site. Then there are the historic houses - Fairfax House; the National Trust Treasurers House, once the home of the Treasurers of the Minster - now housing the collection of Frank Green - a delightful vision of a 17th centruy manor house by an eccentric Edwardian gentleman of means! Walk the medieval city walls - and discover why, in York, the gates are called bars and the streets are called gates.
Leave the car and follow one of the many cycle routes or walks along the banks of the River Ouse, enjoy the Millennium Bridge and Rowntrees Park. A short drive will take you to the A64 from whence you can discover the further delights of Yorkshire, known as ‘Gods own county’ – Castle Howard, the North York Moors, and the heritage coastline. A ten minute drive from the city centre will take you to the Macarthur Glen Designer Outlet – designer goods at discount prices. In short, York can offer something to suit everyone - from the ancient to the state of the art. No wonder the Daily Telegraph voted it Tourism City of the Year 2009. For more information about this fabulous city, read our York area guide.
Most entrances to the city have a Park & Ride facility - free parking and cheap return fares -an excellent way to access all that York has to offer. York is a very walkable city - there is an awful lot packed into a small space! If you come by train - you are almost in the centre of the city - less than 15 minutes from the Minster, the great medieval cathedral that is the beating heart of this truly historic city.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in York, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in North Yorkshire.
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