ORIGINAL POST MARCH 2023, UPDATED AUGUST 2026

This year I got to revisit charming York. During our previous visit in 2023 our trip was tormented by rain. This year we were treated to lovely sunshiny weather and we were able to pack in more activities. So therefore I decided to do an updated guide to York, it is great for first-timers but also as an itinerary with kids!

Where we stayed

In 2026 we stayed in the Burton Stone Inn, a small boutique hotel within walking distance of York’s old city center. Prices vary greatly depending on season and the type of room. We had a spacious 4-person room including breakfast for about € 200 per night. Quite expensive if you ask me, but we did love the a la carte breakfast (eggs benedict!!) and charming atmosphere of the bar. There is free parking on site, which was very handy as well. 

In 2023 we stayed at a campsite near York, don’t you love the rainbow over our campervan?

Things to do in York

We loved roaming through York. The city center is super colorful and cozy, the streets near Low Petergate are particularly lovely.

York Cat Hunt

The York Cat Hunt is a free map that indicates where you can find cat statues. It will take you all around the city center, along highlights such as the Shambles as well as back alleyways you otherwise wouldn’t have discovered. Most hotels offer the map, but otherwise you can pick it up at The Cat Gallery at Low Petergate. The cats were actually quite hard to find, you definitely have to put in some effort and my 5-year old absolutely loved scouting them. It took us over two hours to find all the cats and all this time we had a very engaged and curious kid.

National Railway Museum

Which kid doesn’t love trains? In York you can visit the National Railway Museum for free. There are lots of old trains on display and it makes for a fun afternoon. The museum consists of two buildings, one is the Station Hall and the other is the Great Hall. In the Great Hall you can enter some trains, while in the Station Hall there are less activities. I preferred the Station Hall for its aesthetics but would say the Great Hall is more fun for kids. We had lunch in a booth in the Station Hall, which was very cozy and the kids menu was affordable. On the grounds you will also find a small kids playground and a short mini train track (paid). The website advises to book a timeslot, but we just showed up and got in within a few minutes.

Museum Gardens

Another free activity is the Museum Gardens at the Yorkshire Museum. The garden is super colorful with flowers and surrounded by ruins. It is a lovely area for kids to roam around and enjoy nature in the city.

Käthe Wohlfahrt

Käthe Wohlfahrt is a famous German Christmas store and in York it is open year-round. Most of the decorations are very expensive but I always love to visit for inspiration and to check out the new décor. 

The Shambles

The Shambles is an iconic medieval-style street in York. It’s super gorgeous but always incredibly crowded. It can be an overwhelming experience for small kids and their adults. If you have the possibility to visit in the rain, I would advise doing this. You will find way less tourists in the street and it will be just as beautiful as without rain. I took my pictures in 2023 when the rain was pouring down and had a better experience than when I visited in 2026 on a sunny day. 

York Minster

You cannot visit York and miss the York Minster. You probably won’t as you can see it from most angles as it is so high. In the front of the Minster there is a tiny maquette, which my son loved. And at the backside there are a few cute photo spots. We didn’t go in as a tickets for adults cost £ 20, but underaged kids can go in for free with a paying adult.

York City Walls

If you have a kid who loves to climb, the York City Walls are a great visit. The walls feature lots of stairs and narrow sections, so it definitely isn’t a stroller friendly visit. It takes about 1,5-2 hours to finish them, but you can get off at separate access points so you don’t have to do the full circuit.

The Ivy

I always love to visit the Ivy for a brunch or dinner, but this time I discovered it is surprisingly kid-friendly as well. The Ivy in York is decorated in that quintessential Ivy style, with pattern mixing and colorful paintings. They do a lovely kids menu. For about £ 15 your kid can choose a drink, main and a dessert. The dessert was one of the most spectacular and beautiful desserts Hugo ever received and made him very happy. Make reservations in time as it can get super busy. 

Sunday Roast

York has an insane number of cozy pubs and one of the best ways to discover those is via a Sunday Roast. I find roast dinners incredibly kid friendly, as they often include cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire puddings. Again, roasting is a very popular thing to do, so I would advise making reservations or arriving early around lunch time. The Hole in the Wall is a typical English pub, with carpet on the floor and a roaring fire in the wintertime and they serve a great roast as well!

Yorkshire Lavender

Just outside of York you will find Yorkshire Lavender. During the summer months there are gorgeous lavender fields in bloom. Yorkshire Lavender also has a cute teahouse and a play area. If you want to discover more, read my blogpost on Yorkshire Lavender.

Pop up patch

I discovered Pop up patch just in time before going home. Just a then minute drive from York you will find a sunflower maze in summer and in autumn they have a pumpkin patch. We couldn’t bring sunflowers on our boat to the Netherlands, so we didn’t pick any flowers and visited for free. There is a little café and a sandpit as well. Check out the official website for more information.

Castle Howard

About 30 minutes from York, in the beautiful countryside you will find Castle Howard. It has gotten famous because of Brideshead Revisited, but also worth a visit if you haven’t seen the series. The castle has a nice puzzle route for kids and a great adventure playground. Find my Castle Howard blogpost here

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