Why you should visit York with kids

Updated 15/10/2021

York is the perfect destination to visit with kids.

It is a family friendly destination to suit all ages, interests and budgets. 

The City of York is packed with affordable attractions and places to stay, eat and drink. Plus it has excellent transport links so families can enjoy day trips into the wider Yorkshire region. 

Reasons why you should visit York with kids

York is easy to get to

It takes 2 hours to travel to York from London and 2 ½ hours from Edinburgh and York railway station is a 10 minute walk from York city centre. It couldn’t be easier. 

Leeds Bradford International Airport is one hour by car and Hull International Port is around 1 ½ hours away. 

It is quick and easy to travel around York with kids

York is a small city with a compact city centre and most of the key city streets are pedestrianised.  

York’s major attractions are within a short walking distance of each other so you do not need to use public transport or taxis for sightseeing. 

The city has an extensive public bus network with discounted travel for children. 

There are four Park and Ride stations at each compass point of the city so families do not need to tackle city centre driving and parking.

You check York bus routes and timetables here.

Regional trains to and from York city centre stop at surrounding villages and towns offering visitors a wider choice of accommodation options. 

There are diverse York attractions for every interest and budget

York is a fascinating city with a rich cultural heritage.

You can visit buildings and ruins from the Roman, Viking, Medieval, Georgian and Victorian eras all in one day.

There are several free attractions, countless hidden gems and a wide choice of indoor and outdoor attractions for rainy day and sunny weather visits.

You will not fit all the things to do in York in one visit and will leave our city planning a return trip!

There are York attractions for kids of all ages

Families with young children will enjoy The Dig and family tours at York Minster.

Older children will love the medieval games at Clifford’s Tower, the state of the art cab ride through a Viking village at Jorvik Viking Centre or the recreated Victorian street at York Castle Museum.

Teenagers will enjoy climbing to the top of York Minster or exploring the terrifying York Dungeons. 

Families can have fun together at the city’s parks and playgrounds or hire a Little Red Boat on the River Ouse. 

Themed museums include the National Railway Museum, York Army Museum and York Chocolate Story. 

Harry Potter fans will love the wizarding shops on The Shambles and the magical Hole in the Wand crazy golf course.

Try something new with a parent and child cooking class ay The Grand Hotel or a chocolate making class at York Cocoa House.

After dark, take in a show at one of York’s three theatres, join a walking Ghost Tour or take a trip on the black Routemaster Ghost Bus.

For a comprehensive list of things to do in York with kids of each age group click here. 

York is a festival city

No matter which month you visit York, there is always a festival on. From the ice trail in February to the historic themed Viking or Roman festivals to the chocolate festival in April, there is something for everyone.

Christmas in York is super special for kids and if you’re kids like all things spooky, York at Halloween is a must. It’s one of the most haunted citys in Europe.

York is a child friendly destination

We are fortunate to have large green parks in the heart of our city centre which are ideal for a picnic or runaround.

Plus there are two are fantastic playgrounds within walking distance at Rowntree’s Park and Homestead Park.

York residents regularly visit the city centre so visitors will discover that York restaurants, cafes and pubs are family friendly.

Most locations have high chairs, children’s menus and activities and several city centre restaurants offer family deals and special offers. 

There is a fantastic choice of hotels in York for kids that offer family rooms, extra beds and cots. Plus, there are several York hotels with a pool. 

York city centre streets are pedestrianised so moving around the city is both easy and pleasant! 

There are several baby change facilities and free and paying public toilets in York; check out my useful list on public toilets in York here.

York is a budget friendly destination 

There are lots of fun, free things to do in York as well as affordable places to eat and drink with many offering special deals for children. The city has several excellent bakeries for picking up snacks or a picnic lunch. 

Children under 16 are free with a paying adult at some York attractions including York Minster.

York is a vibrant city with year round, free, family friendly festivals such as the rousing Viking Festival or the popular Ice Trail.

There is a wide choice of excellent budget accommodation as well as several hostels in York.

Plus, there are campsites and caravan parks within York city centre or a short distance away.

Fantastic infrastructure 

The helpful York Visitors Centre near York Minster provides ideas on things to do as well as free city centre maps. 

Visitors can discover the highlights and history of York by taking a free, tip based or paid guided tour. Or go at your own pace with a self guided tour of York.

Families can leave luggage at convenient city centre luggage drops and take advantage of the different sightseeing passes on offer in the city. Read more about the money saving York Pass here. 

York makes a great base to explore Yorkshire

York is an ideal base to explore the rest of Yorkshire as the city has excellent road, bus and train links to the rest of Yorkshire.  

The North Yorkshire coast (and famous coastal towns of Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay) are around 1 hour by car or the popular seaside resort of Scarborough is just 1 hour by train. 

A trip to the wild and windswept Yorkshire Moors will take 1 hour by car but can also be reached by the Coastliner Bus which won the  title of ‘Best Bus Route in Britain.’

Historic neighbouring towns and cities such as Durham, Hull and Harrogate are all under 1 hour away by train.  

Families can reach the rolling hills, caves and waterfalls of the Yorkshire Dales in 1 hour by car. Market towns in the Dales such as Skipton and Ingleton can be reached via connecting trains in Leeds. 

A family trip to York will be fun, varied and affordable and I guarantee you will leave York planning to return. 

Visiting York with kids is about as easy as travel can be with kids!