Free Things to do in York

Visitors to York are often surprised at the number of free things to do in York. 

There are free attractions in York for all ages and budgets so, unlike many other cities in the U.K,  it is possible to visit York on a budget.

In addition to all the free things to do York is a small, compact city so you won’t need to spend any money on public transport or taxis once you arrive. Yorkshire people are also known for their frugal ways so you can also expect to find great deals on food and drink.

 

Things to do in York for free – historical attractions

 

The National Railway Museum

 

The National Railway Museum (NRM for short) is a favourite of York residents. We have visited every year since I have lived in York and there is always something new to see. There is something at the NRM for all ages so I think it is one of the best things to do in York with kids.  

You can explore two huge halls packed with shiny trains, engines and carriages of every age, size and colour. There is also a large model railway, an active restoration workshop and a railway memorabilia exhibit. 

See the Eurostar nose cone under a section of the Channel Tunnel, sit in a Shinkansen carriage (the only Bullet Train outside of Japan) and view the fastest steam engine in the world, The Mallard. There is also a working replica of Robert Stevenson’s famous engine, ‘The Rocket’ whilst the Station Hall has a Royal carriage once used by Queen Victoria. 

Go onto the outdoor balcony and wave at the trains entering and departing York railway station.

Kids will love the small enclosed playground and the miniature railway ride. 

 

Opening hours – Everyday 10 am to 5 pm.

 

👉 Local tip  – The NRM is very busy at weekends and during school holidays so arrive early for your visit. In 2023, the NRM is undergoing reconstruction works so there are rolling exhibit closures. You can check latest updates and book free tickets online in advance here. 

 

Useful information

The NRM is located directly behind York railway station so it is an ideal location if you are visiting York by train. 

You can find fee paying parking opposite the main Museum entrance.

It is a 15 minute walk from York city centre to the NRM. Alternatively, you can catch the ‘Museum Road Train’ from outside York Minster to the NRM entrance. The road train departs every 30 minutes between 11.15 am and 4.15 pm, has a journey time of 10 minutes and costs £3.50 for adults / £2.40 for children each way.

There is a restaurant, outdoor picnic area, a cafe and toilets at the NRM.

Note that the interactive science lab ‘Wonderlab’ is fee paying. Its 18 hands on exhibits are fantastic for kids but unfortunately it isn’t free. Tickets cost £9 adults and £7.20 for children aged 4-16 years.

 

 

Walk the City of York walls 

 

If you’re looking for free romantic things to do in York, I recommend taking a stroll around the medieval city walls. They are the longest city walls in England (around 2 miles long) and are built on the remains of older, Roman era walls. 

The walls are popular with York residents so you will see office workers, shoppers and families using the walls as a shortcut home or as a jogging circuit. 

You will spend around 2 hours completing a full circuit of the walls. You can access the walls at any of the four medieval gateways (called ‘bars’) which were once the main entrances to the city of York.

 

Highlights of the City of York walls

Monk Bar is the largest and most ornate of the four historic bars. It sits at the entrance to Goodramgate, around the corner from York Minster. 

You can see a 14th century portcullis, arrow slits and murder holes which were used for dropping boiling water (among other nasty things) onto invaders below. In my opinion, it also has the best bar entrance; a steep set of enclosed narrow stone stairs. 

Walmgate Bar is the most complete of the four medieval gateways as it is the only bar to retain its original barbican section.

It is also the only bar with a cafe so it is an ideal spot to take a break on your circuit of the city walls. 

Bootham Bar is the nearest bar to York Minster. A section of the original Roman wall can be seen opposite Bootham Bar adjacent to Kings Manor. 

Micklegate Bar is the closest bar to York rail station and sits opposite the oldest convent in England, the Bar Convent. 

 

Opening hours – Everyday from dawn till dusk. Note that the walls are closed in icy weather.

 

👉 Local tip – If you don’t have time to walk the full circuit, I think the most interesting and scenic section of the walls runs between Monk Bar and Bootham Bar. It runs behind York Minster and offers perfect photo opportunities.

 

Useful information

Unfortunately, York city walls can only be accessed by steps so they are not wheelchair user or pushchair friendly. You must collapse pushchairs and carry them up the narrow entrance stairs. 

The path along the walls is not enclosed so keep children close. There are also several steps along the pathway so don’t forget to watch your feet whilst admiring the views. 

There are public toilets outside Bootham Bar and a cafe at Walmgate Bar. 

Monk Bar has a fee paying exhibition about Richard III whilst Micklegate Bar has an exhibition about King Henry VII.

 

The Shambles

 

The Shambles is one of the most visited locations in York and has been voted ‘The Best Street in Britain.’

It is an atmospheric, narrow, cobbled street lined with lopsided, overhanging medieval buildings. When you walk along The Shambles you will feel as if you are stepping back in time. 

In medieval times, The Shambles was the home of the butchers shops of York. If you look closely you can still see dangling metal hooks and the wooden ledges where the meat was displayed. It is these ledges ‘shammel’s (flesh shelves in Anglo Saxon) which gave The Shambles its name.

Kids will love the Harry Potter wizarding shops as this historic street is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. 

 

👉 Local tip – The Shambles gets very busy at weekends and holidays. Visit as early or as late as you can. The photo above was taken by my friend during the Covid lockdown; it is rare to see The Shambles empty! 

Look out for The Shrine of St. Margaret Clitherow halfway down The Shambles. An unassuming wooden door opens onto a tiny chapel dedicated to York born saint, St Margaret Clitherow who lived here with her husband in a butchers shop in the 16th century. Margaret was brutally martyred on York’s Ouse Bridge in 1586.

 

Useful information

There are fee paying public toilets on Silver Street in the adjacent Shambles Market. If you want to eat or drink there are a few cafes on The Shambles or pop into the Shambles Market for street food options.

 

 

Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate 

 

Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate (which loosely translated means neither one thing nor another) is York’s shortest street. It is adjacent to The Shambles between Colliergate and Fossgate. Blink and you’ll miss it!

In the Middle Ages, Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate was the site of the city’s stocks and whipping post.

 

Explore York’s snickets and snickleways

 

The word snicket or snickleway is Yorkshire slang for an alleyway. A labyrinth of ‘snickets’ criss-cross the city of York and are used as shortcuts for York residents. If you have time, I think there are two snickets you shouldn’t miss. 

Lady Peckett’s Yard is alleged to be one of the most haunted spots in York. You’ll find the 17th century snicket squeezed between York Gin and Pizza Hut on Pavement. Pope’s Head Alley between High Ousegate and Peter Lane is just 2.5ft wide.

If you see a snicket, follow it – who knows where you’ll end up? I think our snickleways are one of York’s hidden gems. 

 

Attend a service at York Minster

 

York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and contains more stained glass than any other English cathedral. It is an unmissable York attraction. 

Unfortunately, due to the cost of upkeeping the Minster, it is not free to enter unless you are attending a service.

You are not permitted to look around immediately before, during or after the service. However, you will get to see the nave and hear the spine tingling Minster organ and choir. 

 

Opening hours – Monday – Saturday 9.30 am to 4 pm, Sunday 12.45 pm to 3.15 pm. Sightseeing is not possible during services.

 

Useful information

York Minster offers disabled access. There are toilets inside the cathedral. You can find out times of services on the York Minster website here. 

 

Visit one of York’s historic churches 

 

York is packed with historic churches. All churches apart from York Minster are free to enter.

Holy Trinity Church on Goodramgate dates back to the 15th century. It contains rare boxed pews (the only ones in York). It was recently used as a filming location for the BBC drama ‘Gentleman Jack.’

Holy Trinity Church on Micklegate  is listed in the Domesday Book as one of five great northern churches. It has a Monks of Micklegate exhibition as well as cloisters, gardens and ponds.

Unassuming All Saints Church on North Street has an outstanding collection of 13 high quality stained glass dating back to the 14th and 15th Century. The chancel ceiling is beautifully decorated so don’t forget to look up!

 

See the best City of York architecture

 

Stonegate (named for its stone paving) is lined with interesting and ornate buildings. My favourite are the Tudor frontage of the The Golden Balls pub or the 15th century building, ‘Mulberry Hall,’ home to the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop. 

Turn into Coffee Yard snicket to see the exterior of the timber Barley Hall, a medieval era townhouse. If you continue through the snicket into cobbled Grape Lane you will get a glimpse of the medieval banqueting hall inside Barley Hall.  

At the end of Stonegate is St. Helen’s Square. It is home to Betty’s Tea Rooms, the pink Mansion House, home to the Lord Mayor of York and the Grade II listed St. Helen’s Church. 

High Petergate (starting at Bootham Bar) is lined with black and white Tudor buildings. Look out for Guy Fawkes Inn, the birthplace of the infamous Gunpowder plotter. 

The colourful facades of the Georgian and Victorian buildings of Low Petergate feature on many York postcards whereas lively Fossgate’s cobbled street is lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

Look out for an elaborate doorway half down down Fossgate which leads to the Merchant Adventurers Hall. The grounds of this 660 year old timber building are free to enter though you have to pay to enter the hall.

Do a free walking tour of York

 

One of the best things to do in York for free is to join a guided walking tour or complete your own self-guided tour. 

A tour in York will help you to navigate the city but it’s also one of the best free activities in York you can do to learn about history and stories of the city. 

There are free tours you can join. I highly recommend joining the Association of Voluntary Guides who offer free, no tip tours starting from Exhibition Square in front of York Art Gallery.  The tours are led by knowledgeable locals and run all year round. Tours last around 1.5 – 2 hours and start at 10.15 am and 1.15 pm.

Alternatively, a tip based tour with White Rose Tours lasts 3 hours and includes a tea break halfway through the tour.

These tours begin outside the west entrance of York Minster everyday at 11 am. It is a long tour but you are able to leave whenever you want to. 

In addition to the Squirrel Trail in Museum Gardens, families can also do the city based Cat Trail which takes around 1 hour to complete.

Pick up a free map from The Cat Gallery on Low Petergate or download a free map here. Then find 20 cat sculptures ‘hidden’ on city centre buildings; some of the sculptures date back over 100 years.

Check out my recommendation for fee paying tours in York here. 

 

 

Watch a street performance

 

York offers diverse, family friendly street performances. These range from full piece bands to pop singers, magicians and opera singers.

There are a few locations in the city you can visit for a street performance. St. Helen’s Square and Parliament Street is the best place to find a singer or band. King’s Square in front of York Chocolate Story is where you will find the magicians and street artists.

My personal favourites are the opera guy (usually near Betty’s) and the brilliant Hyde Family Jam (usually on Parliament Street).

Please note – These performers are highly skilled and talented artists. Although I have listed street performers in this free things to do in York article, they make a living from your donations. No donations, no York street artists. If you have been entertained, please give what you can to support the artist.

 

Attend a festival or an event

 

One of the things I love most about living in York is that there is always something going on. There is a festival or event every month; most of which are free to attend.

If you are visiting York at Christmas, even the Christmas Markets in York are free. It is regularly voted one of the best Christmas markets in Britain.

In February, there is a free Ice Trail weekend when the city is packed with ice sculptures. You can also see free ice carving demonstrations. There is also a week long Jorvik Viking Festival which includes craft demonstrations, best beard competitions and live combat. Don’t miss the noisy and rousing Parade of The Tribes through the city centre.

Other free York festivals include York Chocolate Festival in April, the Georgian Festival in August and the York Food and Drink Festival in September.

No matter what time of year you visit York, you will find something free happening in the city centre.

 

Free Things To Do in York – Parks and Gardens  

Museum Gardens 

 

I love visiting Museum Gardens. This landscaped park is a respite from the busy city centre and offers several free attractions in addition to the fee paying The Yorkshire Museum.

See The Hospitium, a private 15th century Tudor building and explore the extensive 13th century remains of St Mary’s Abbey. 

The 3rd Multiangular Tower – one of York’s best preserved Roman remains – is tucked away in a quiet corner of the gardens. Sadly, it is often missed by visitors and residents alike. I recommend going inside the tower to appreciate its size. You can clearly see the different layers of bricks from different periods of history; the lower bricks are Roman whilst the middle level bricks are medieval. 

Don’t miss the ruins of St Leonard’s Hospital, just inside the city centre entrance on Museum Street. It was the largest northern hospital in medieval times. 

Enjoying an impromptu picnic in Museum Gardens is one of my favourite things to do in York for couples.

 

Opening hours – Museum Gardens are open everyday from 9 am – 6 pm.

 

👉 Local tip  – If you are visiting York with kids download the free, interactive ‘Squirrels Trail’. This fun to follow trail will lead you to the hidden treasures around Museum Gardens. 

 

Useful information

There are no public toilets in the gardens. The nearest public toilets are inside York Central Library  which is adjacent to the gardens.

There is usually a coffee can inside the gardens.

 

York Observatory

Museum Gardens is also home to the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built in 1832. It houses a 4 inch telescope (once the largest in the world) and a rare 1811 clock which tells the time based on the positions of stars. The clock is 4 minutes and 20 seconds behind Greenwich Mean Time and, at one time, all the clocks in York were set by this clock.

The observatory is free but due to its tiny size it has limited numbers and limited opening hours. Check opening hours here in advance of your visit.

Rowntree’s Park  

 

This is the biggest park in York and the nearest playground to York city centre. It is a 10 minute walk along the River Ouse (opposite bank to the city centre) from Clifford’s Tower. 

Rowntree’s Park has a large adventure playground, a smaller playground for young children, tennis courts, a skateboard track, a pond and an excellent cafe. Public toilets are available inside the park and in the cafe. 

 

Dean’s Park 

This small leafy park sits behind York Minster. It is never busy yet it offers fantastic photo opportunities of York Minster.

It is home to the Cathedral Library, the arched ruins of an Archbishop’s Palace and a WWII memorial.

 

Edible Wood

York’s newly panted Edible Wood sits between Museum Gardens and York Art Gallery. Don’t pick or eat anything in this educational garden as most of the plants are poisonous!

The Edible Wood follows the same opening hours as Museum Gardens.

Take a stroll along the River Ouse 

 

The River Ouse flows through York city centre. Its paved, leafy riverbank is a popular meeting and exercise spot. 

The paths are suitable for pushchairs however they are not fenced in. There are several restaurants, pubs and cafes that provide riverside views and outdoor seating. 

 

👉 Local tip  – This is my favourite walk along the River Ouse. Start from King’s Staith near Skeldergate Bridge. Walk on the city side of the river to the pedestrian only Millennium Bridge. Cross over the bridge and return to York on the other side of the river, passing Rowntree’s Park on the way.  

 

There are fun, free things to do in York for everyone. Let me know if you discover something free to do on your trip to York which I haven’t listed here!