Historic York and its Surrounding Area

York is a beautiful, walled, riverside city of great historic importance having been invaded by both the Romans and the Vikings, their influence has left its mark and can still be seen in the many preserved sites around the city. The medieval past comes to life in the narrow cobblestone streets and snickleways.

York plays host to numerous museums and cultural historic sites including York Minster, The National Railway Museum, Jorvik Viking Centre, The Castle Museum, Cliffords Tower and The Yorkshire Museum to name but a few.

York is also attributed with being the most haunted city in Europe. Why not join one of the guided ghost walks which take you through York's haunted past from Roman through to Victorian times. If that's not scary enough for you, pay a visit to The York Dungeon.

York is situated on the river Ouse. There are riverside bars and cafes and you can also take a floodlit river cruise or hire a boat yourself!

Year round there are numerous events taking place including food and drink festivals, cultural festivals, street entertainers, markets and much more.

We are ideally situated for easy access to the York racecourse. The Ebor races are a popular annual event as well as regular meetings throughout the year.

YORK RACE DATES 2012

May 16-18 & 26
June 15 & 16
July 13 & 14, 27 & 28
August 22-25 Ebor Festival
September 9
October 12-13

The York marina is located just a short distance away.

Also just a short distance away, on the way into York there is the York Designer Outlet. This is an undercover retail therapy outlet which also operates a park and ride system into the city centre.

Being located in North Yorkshire, you have access to a whole host of Yorkshire's beautiful historic estate houses and gardens, including nearby Castle Howard, Harewood House, Newby Hall and Fountains Abbey. The Yorkshire Dales, The North Yorkshire Moors and the lovely North Yorkshire Coastline (including Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby and Scarborough) are all within easy driving distance.

Within a half hour you are in the heart of David Hockney country in The Yorkshire Wolds. Come and enjoy Hockneys landscapes for yourselves.

EVENTS 2012

Feb 11-19 JORVIK Viking Festival
Mar 23-25 & 31-1 Apr York Open Studios
Apr 5 Queens visit to York
6-9 Yorks Chocolate Festival
7-9 York Model Railway Show
May 4-7 & 11-17 Spring Steam Gala
26-27 tbc Battlegroup North
June 2-10 Railfest
4 & 5 Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
9 & 10 Swinging 60s Weekend
16-30 York Festival of Ideas
19 & 20 Olympic Torch Relay
23 & 24 York Cycle Show
24 Polo Tournament - Castle Howard
29, 30 & 1 July De Havilland Weekend

>> Official York Tourism Website