Quick Facts
York Minster is the cathedral church of York, seat of the Archbishop of York (second only to Canterbury in the Church of England). Northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral. Built 1220-1472 (252 years!).
- Address: Deangate, York YO1 7HH
- Open: 9:30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 12pm-3pm Sun
- Cost: £16 adult, includes audio guide
- Tower climb: £6 extra
What to See
- Great East Window — largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain (size of a tennis court)
- The Five Sisters Window — 13th-century grisaille glass
- The Chapter House — octagonal, beautiful vaulted ceiling
- The Crypt — Roman foundations + medieval treasures
- Quire — choir stalls and bishop's throne
- Undercroft Museum — 2,000 years of York history
- Astronomical Clock — modern memorial to WWII pilots
Tower Climb
- 275 steps up the central tower (61m / 200 ft)
- £6 extra on top of admission
- Time slots — book on arrival or via Minster website
- Restrictions: Must be 8+, no children under 8
- Closed: in heavy wind/rain
- Reward: Best panoramic view of York and Yorkshire
Tickets & Times
| Ticket | Online |
|---|---|
| Adult | £16 |
| Child (under 16 with adult) | Free |
| Concession | £14 |
| Tower climb | +£6 |
| York Minster + Roman Tour | £20 |
Year tickets (£25) — pay once, enter unlimited times for 12 months.
Tips
- Free at Evensong (5:15pm Mon-Fri) — quiet, reverent, no audio guide
- Combine with York City Walls walk (free, 90 min)
- Free guided tours run hourly during the day
- Tower climb sells out — book early
- Photography permitted (no flash)
- Café and shop on-site
🎶 Choir: Best at Sunday Evensong (3:30pm) — full choir, sermon, atmosphere. Free, but arrive 3pm to get a seat. Magnificent acoustic.