Spotlight on York
A city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth woven into every brick and beam, York seeps history at every turn.
With its Roman roots and a Viking past, it is unsurprisingly one of the UK’s most historic and picturesque destinations - a place to explore, discover and savour the pre-industrial past.
Ancient walls surround contemporary independent shops, vibrant eateries and thirty world- class museums. Spoiling its visitors with things to do, it’s home to more attractions per square mile than any other UK city, the best racecourse in the country, and at its heart sits one of the world’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals, the York Minster.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre are the glorious Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Wolds. Visitors can discover the natural beauty of the national parks, countryside and Northern coastline, while experiencing the warmth of the Yorkshire hospitality in the charming villages and historic market towns.
National Rail Museum
Get up close to icons of the rails including Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive, at York’s National Rail Museum. Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering firsts, explore over 200 years of history and find out how railways shaped our world. Climb aboard the Japanese bullet train, discover how high-speed rail travel began and journey back in time to experience the working life of a station.
York Minster
Recognised for its exquisite, handcrafted stone and stunning collection of medieval stained glass, York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals and has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century. Today it remains a thriving church and welcomes thousands of visitors from across the globe to experience the 800-year-old cathedral and explore the 2000-year history of its site.
Bettys Tearoom
The country’s most famous tearoom has been spoiling visitors with timeless treats for a century. Celebrating their 100th birthday this year, Bettys Tearoom located in St Helen’s Square attracts visitors from across the world to indulge in their traditional Afternoon Tea and admire the café’s beautiful interiors. A must when in York - could there be a better way to celebrate a special birthday than with a rather scrumptious slice of cake?
Take a tasty trip down memory lane with Betty's cookery school tutor, Jenny Culver.
Yorkshire Dales
Deep valleys, heathered moors and deligthful stone-built villages populate the picturesque countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. Home to the Three Peaks, the National Park's stunning scenery and great natural attractions are best enjoyed on foot or bike. Stop by Aysgarth Falls to admire the backdrop seen in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, visit the pretty village of Goathland which you'll recognise from Heartbeat or Harry Potter, and enjoy a day at Masnfield Park's Newby Hall.
