York Castle Museum was built on the site of York Castle. York Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. However, York Castle fell into ruins, and two prisons were built using stone from the ruined castle.

The York Castle Museum is located in the two former prisons, which are now connected by a gallery. The Debtor's Prison is a three-story building completed in 1705. The Female Prison was completed in 1783. Dick Turpin, an infamous highwayman, was captured and imprisoned in The Debtor's Prison.

The Raindale Mill was moved to the museum grounds in the 1960s. This reconstructed 19th-century flour mill was used to grind grain into flour.

The museum was founded in 1938 by John L. Kirk. Kirk had a large collection of Social History items he wished to display, and the City of York decided to collaborate with him. Kirk recreated a Victorian street to display his various Victorian items. The Toy Stories exhibition focuses on the history of children's toys. The Sixties exhibition tells the stories of that radical decade. The Cells tells stories of life in The Debtor's Prison and The Female Prison. 1914: When the World Changed Forever commemorates World War I. Finally, Shaping the Body: Food, Fashion & Life focuses on the fashion industry.

Why You Should Visit:
The York Castle invites visitors to step back in time and immerse themselves in Victorian History. Instead of seeing objects in glass cases, visitors can see historic items set amongst a shopping street.

Tip:
Try to time your visit with the half-hour guided tour through Kirkgate (very interesting and informative) and take some 20p coins to have a go on the machines from the old days.

Bettys Café Tea Rooms in York stands as a culinary landmark with a rich history that dates back a century, initially founded in Harrogate. Known primarily for its exceptional afternoon tea, Bettys has earned a reputation that draws visitors globally seeking a quintessential English tea experience. The café offers a delightful menu that includes breakfast and lunch, complemented by an array of exquisite pastries and cakes reminiscent of Swiss culinary traditions.

The interiors of Bettys York echo the elegance of the RMS Queen Mary, reflecting its historical connection during World War II when it served as a haven for American and Canadian bomber crews. This history is immortalized by Betty Mirror, where signatures of the "Bomber Boys" are still visible, etched during the war.

The afternoon tea at Bettys is an exclusive affair, held in the Belmont Room-a space inspired by the grandeur of the Queen Mary. The menu features beloved patisserie items and specialty tea room dishes. Patrons can enhance their experience with champagne and find accommodating options for various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections.

Bettys is part of Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, a family-owned enterprise that also includes the renowned Yorkshire Tea, founded by the Taylor brothers in 1883. This historic link between Bettys and Yorkshire's rich tea heritage is further strengthened by its acquisition of Taylors in 1962. Today, the group encompasses several brands, including Yorkshire Tea and Bettys Cookery School, underlining its deep-rooted connection to both Yorkshire and Swiss traditions.

The York Minister is an impressive cathedral with a long and storied history. The Romans settled here and named the area Eboracum in 71 AD. King Edwin was baptized in a small wooden church here in 625. A stone church was built, and King Edwin was buried in the stone church in 633. In 1088, a new Minister was built. The Minister was expanded between 1154 and 1225. In 1328, the York Minister hosted a royal wedding between King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault.

Richard Scrope, Archbishop of York, was accused of treason by Henry IV and beheaded in 1405. His tomb lies in the Minister.

The Minister as it stands today was completed in 1471. It is the second-largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. The name "minister" harkens to Anglo-Saxon missionary churches. The cathedral's official name is the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York.

The Minister features majestic architecture, including a Gothic nave and a Perpendicular Gothic quire. The 1408 Great East Window is the largest expanse of stained glass in the world. Each lancet in the magnificent Five Sisters Window is 53 feet tall. A gorgeous rose window graces the south transept. The design of the west window is known as The Heart of Yorkshire.

The transepts feature wooden roofs. The nave was completed in 1350 and is England's widest Gothic nave. The central tower is 235 feet tall (72 meters). The choir is 102 feet tall (31 meters). The octagonal Chapter House was built in 1280 and features wonderful stone carvings.

Visitors can view the remains of the Roman fort in the cathedral's museum.

Why You Should Visit:
The York Minister is one of the most impressive churches in Northern Europe. It was one of the few Catholic churches not destroyed by Henry VIII, as he wanted to convert it to an Anglican church. The soaring nave, impressive towers, storied history, and Gothic architecture are the highlight of any York visit.

Tips:
Go for an evensong service, usually held in the evenings at 5:15 pm, and experience the acoustic wonders of the choir and organ.

The 35 church bells ring at 10:00 am on Sundays.

The York City Walls in York are a historic and extensive fortification that has surrounded the city since Roman times. Today, York boasts more miles of intact walls than any other city in England, known collectively as the York City Walls, the Bar Walls, or, less accurately, the Roman Walls. The latter term is a misnomer since the majority of the surviving structure is not of Roman origin, and the layout of the walls has significantly evolved since the Roman period.

These walls originally date back to around 71 AD when the Romans built a wooden fort near the River Ouse, covering approximately 50 acres. The fort's rectangular boundary was integral to its defensive strategy. However, these early fortifications proved inadequate during the Viking invasions, necessitating the construction of more robust defenses.

Between the 12th and 14th centuries, a new stone wall was erected, utilizing the foundations of the old Roman walls and extending southwards across both sides of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. This expansion effectively enclosed the city, enhancing its defense against future threats. Today, the walls stand about 13 feet high and 6 feet wide, a testament to medieval engineering and strategic planning.

Access to the city is controlled through four main gates, also known as "bars": Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. These gates not only served as toll collection points in medieval times but also played crucial roles in the city’s defense during wartime. Each gate has its unique historical significance and architectural features, contributing to the overall heritage of York’s medieval city defenses.

The Shambles is a historic street. Shambles refers to a meat market, and several streets with butcher shops are named The Shambles. Butcher stalls in this area were named in the 1086 Doomsday Book. The oldest buildings that line The Shambles today were built in the 14th century, and most were built by 1475. By 1426 the street was known as the Great Flesh Shambles, and later the street name was shortened to The Shambles.

Slaughterhouses were set up at the back of the butcher shops. The pavements were raised on the cobblestone street to allow easier cleaning of blood.

This narrow street features overhanging buildings, and some areas are so skinny that visitors can touch both sides of the street at once. The overhanging buildings would have sheltered the walls below and protected the display meat from the sun.

Visitors will find a shrine to Saint Margaret Clitherow on this street. Known as the "Pearl of York," she was martyred in 1586 for refusing to enter a plea to the charge of harboring Catholic priests. Saint Margaret Clitherow was married to a butcher and lived on The Shambles.

Butchers no longer line The Shambles, but several buildings still display meat hooks and meat shelves on display. Today's shops include restaurants, a bakery, and a bookshop.

Shambles Market runs daily between The Shambles and Parliament Street.

Why You Should Visit:
The Shambles is known as one of the best-preserved medieval streets in England. While fans believe it may have been the inspiration for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, author J.K Rowling has denied these rumors. Regardless, the charming narrow street will transport visitors back in time.

Tips:
Visitors will also love exploring the five snickelways that lead off The Shambles. These snickelways are narrow alleys that connect to other streets.

The Vikings captured York in 866 AD and settled the area until William the Conqueror invaded in 1066. In 1972, an excavation revealed evidence of the Viking settlement. The dig showed up to nine meters (29 feet) of layers. The layers protected delicate historical items such as clothing, timber, leather shoes, seeds, and insects. The dig continued, and over the next five years, archeologists found over 40,000 items.

The dig found Roman and medieval roof tiles re-used by Vikings, the timber used for buildings, metal slag, and pottery. The discoveries enabled scientists to envision how the Vikings lived, the layouts of buildings, what the Jorvik people ate, and how they spent their time.

To show visitors what life in Jorvik was like, the center has created an immersive experience. Visitors travel through the re-created Viking city in a time capsule ride. As visitors travel 1,000 years in the past, they will meet different animatronic Vikings, traders, Anglo-Saxons, and settlers from Ireland.

Visitors can then leave the ride and see 1,000-year-old artifacts up close. For example, visitors can admire ancient earrings, padlocks, and socks.

Tip:
It is worth booking in advance – for a little extra you jump the queue. Tickets are also valid for a year's worth of visits.
Once inside, ask the staff about what to look out for and they will point out some interesting things about the place you would never have realized.

York Dungeon, located in York, offers a unique blend of education and entertainment through its portrayal of the darker aspects of local history. This attraction, which opened its doors in 1986, was the second such Dungeon, following the London Dungeon established in 1974. Both attractions are designed as interactive live-action horror shows, drawing from historical events but presented with a theatrical twist.

At the York Dungeon, visitors experience history through actor-led shows, complete with special effects and detailed models and displays. The tours at the Dungeon are particularly structured, beginning every 7 minutes and lasting anywhere from one to one and a half hours. These tours guide visitors through a series of dramatically reconstructed scenes and historical reenactments.

One of the standout experiences at the York Dungeon is the Great Plague show. Set in 1551, this exhibit recreates a plague doctor’s surgery, where an actor, playing the role of an assistant to a deceased plague doctor, leads the narration. Another significant highlight is the recreation of The Golden Fleece Inn, a historic York pub, where visitors gather to hear chilling local ghost stories.

Additional shows enrich the Dungeon experience. These include the "Judgement of Sinners," where visitors find themselves accused of various historical crimes, and the "Torture Chamber," which showcases gruesome torture devices. Throughout the tour, actors in the roles of plague doctors’ assistants, innkeepers, night watches, torturers, judges, executioners, stagecoach guards, and witch-burners engage with the audience, sharing macabre and thrilling tales.

York Dungeon thus serves as a portal to the past, inviting visitors to explore the grim and eerie aspects of York’s history in a uniquely immersive environment.

Why You Should Visit:
Atmospheric and realistic. The actors are very good and the stories are entertaining. Some surprises and audience participation were used well.
At the very least, you get an insight into some of the poor living and health conditions that folks had to put up with along with the barbarity of those in power.

Tip:
Pre-book online so you can turn up at your time and just go straight in; otherwise, risk being turned away or waiting in a lengthy queue.

Clifford's Tower in York is a historical site steeped in a rich and tumultuous past. It stands as the largest surviving part of York Castle, which was once northern England's most formidable medieval royal fortress. The tower has recently been enhanced with a significant update in 2022, which includes a dramatic roof deck, internal walkways, and a soundscape interpretation that narrates the tower's compelling history like never before. These new features make its history and interior more accessible, providing a vivid account of its dramatic and sometimes tragic events.

Originally constructed by William the Conqueror in 1068-69, Clifford's Tower was built to assert control over the rebellious north. The tower has endured multiple devastations, having been burned down twice before being reconstructed by Henry III in the 13th century. It is named after a particularly dark event where Roger de Clifford was executed for treason against Edward II and displayed on the tower walls.

Today, the tower's stone structure, dating from the late 13th century, invites visitors to explore its multifaceted history. The site is not only significant for its military and royal associations but also as a tragic site of the 1190 massacre of about 150 Jews who sought refuge there. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower to walk the open-air wall that guards once patrolled, offering unparalleled views of York, including the Old Minister, the North York Moors, and other remnants of York Castle.

From this vantage point, one can also view the "Eye of York"-a collection of buildings that includes the Female Prison, Debtor's Prison, and the Assize Courts, enhancing the understanding of York's historical and architectural development. The panoramic views from the tower make it an ideal starting point for anyone visiting the city.

The ground floor of Clifford's Tower, once the royal exchequer, now invites visitors to explore its history. A tactile model in the courtyard showcases its unique, possibly French-inspired four-lobed architecture. The first floor features a richly decorated chapel, formerly private apartments. Historically, the tower has served as a prison and royal mint, and it was here that the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was identified, leading to his execution in 1739.