York Day Tour by Train from London

york minster

micklegate

cliffords tower

city walls walk

The city is famous for its Viking links, and the medieval town of York is one of the most historic cities in England and is perfect for a day out from London. Our day tour by train from London gives you the option to choose between a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour of York, entry to Clifford’s Tower, or both.

The city grew during the medieval period, leaving behind iconic landmarks such as York Minster, a stunning Gothic cathedral with roots dating back to the 7th century. Explore the well-preserved medieval city walls, which offer panoramic views of the historic center and Clifford’s Tower.

Micklegate Bar was the most important of York’s four main medieval gateways.

York is famous for its narrow medieval streets lined with timber-framed buildings, the best known of which is The Shambles, which provides a glimpse into the city’s past and options for shopping, cafes, and pubs. The Shambles is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies, and there are several themed Harry Potter gift shops in the street.

Clifford’s Tower

Clifford’s Tower in York has a fascinating history dating back to the 11th century when it was originally built by William the Conqueror as part of York Castle. This vast tower was initially constructed in wood and was later rebuilt in stone in the 13th century by Henry III. It served various purposes throughout history, including as a royal mint, treasury, and military stronghold. In 1190, the tower was the site of a tragic event known as the York massacre. Today, Clifford’s Tower stands as a poignant reminder of York’s medieval past. Explore its internal walkways, historic staircases, and medieval kitchen. You can enjoy stunning panoramic 360º views of York from the top of the Tower.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour

Explore York at your leisure. Hop on and off at any of the  20 stops conveniently located by the city’s main sites. The route will take you around the ancient city, the famous medieval streets, the Shambles, museums and galleries such as the Castle Museum, and York Minster, the extraordinary Gothic Cathedral with its outstanding stained-glass windows.

Route Map and Places to Visit

There is an audio guide available in English, Spanish, French, German, Polish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese.

The Shambles and surrounding Medieval Streets with its narrow cobbled-stone streets with local shops and pubs.

The York Railway Museum is the foremost railway museum in the world.

Micklegate Bar, is the historic southern entrance to York. A museum is located here that covers the entire history of York. from here you can also walk the 13th century city walls the entire way around the ancient town.

Jorvick Viking Center, a reconstruction of a 9th-century Viking settlement

York Army Museum, one of the most important regimental museums in Britain, covers the history of the British army from 1685 to the present day.

ighlights:

• Visit Clifford’s Tower and take a tour of the city on a hop-on hop-off bus as selected.
• Spend the rest of your day exploring the city highlights. York is famous for York Minster, the largest medieval Gothic cathedral in Europe. It’s an inspiring place to visit, with magnificent stained glass windows and impressive arches.
• Visit the Jorvik Viking Centre (entrance ticket not included), and discover how the Vikings lived over 1,000 years ago. There are loads of interactive and engaging displays that make for a fascinating visit, with something for both adults and children.
• Walk through the Shambles, the narrow ancient streets of York that house a collection of local shops and cafes. These are considered some of the prettiest streets in England. From here, you can walk to the pretty River Ouse.
• Why not visit the Castle Museum, which explores English history and way of life over the past several hundred years
• Walk along a section of the City Walls we suggest from the Mickelgate Bar. The Romans built these walls, and they are today a perfect way to get an overview of the city.

Travel Times

• London to York – Monday to Friday
  Outbound Journey: Departure: 9:00 am, Arrival: 10:51 am
  Return Journey: Departure: 6:59 pm, Arrival: 8:53 pm

More information

• Guests will receive an email at least five days before travel with the train e-tickets and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus or Clifford’s Tower ticket.
• The tour includes a train ticket from London to York, and a train ticket from York to London
• A full refund will be issued if cancelled up to seven days prior to the travel date.
• This tour is unescorted.
• Train seats are allocated on first come first served basis & not guaranteed together.
• Train times can fluctuate. Please refer to actual train e-tickets for exact departure times.
• Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Under 5s are not allowed.
• Please arrive at least 30 minutes before train departure time.