Are you looking for the top things to do in York, UK, with kids on your family vacation? As a family that has traveled all around the world, we couldn’t appreciate what a gem York would be to visit until we saw it with our own eyes!
On our visit last November, we fell in love with York. Not only is it a beautiful English town full of historic landmarks, But, as huge Harry Potter fans, we loved the quaint, cobblestone streets that are reminiscent of (and said to have inspired) Diagon Alley. In fact, you can even live your dream of shopping like a wizard on Shambles, which is one of the world’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets.
In York, there’s fascinating local history and exciting family attractions around every corner. There are delicious places to eat that everyone will love (even those picky eaters!) and some neat hotels to stay at for a full-on immersive experience.
From Harry Potter to famous haunted locations, ghost walking tours, and the famous chocolate history, your York trip will be one you’ll never forget!
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About York
York is perfectly located between Edinburgh and London, and it’s unlike any other historic city in England. With 30 amazing museums, a bustling cultural scene, a rich history, and stunning outdoor scenery, the entire family will love this exciting vacation.
Every era that York has lived through has left its trace in the Victorian tea rooms, city walls, cobbled alleys, haunted pubs, and the unmistakable Medieval Minster. During your visit, you and the family will get a fascinating glimpse of life in this area over the centuries.
With exciting history woven in with interactive museums and exhibits, modern art galleries, and chocolate factories, you’ll experience how current times and modern history have shaped this beautiful town — the activities for kids and families are endless! Sneak in history and fun in everything you do on your trip to York.
Here’s a tip: York would make a great spring break destination for families. It’s the perfect time to catch the city at its liveliest!
19 Best Things To Do In York, UK With Kids
Here are our favorite can’t-miss York things to do with kids. Honestly, there’s so much to do that we could take a vacation there every year and still not see and do everything.
1. York Castle Museum
The York Castle Museum is considered one of the most iconic locations in York because it allows you to travel centuries back in time to Victorian England. It even includes a replica of the Victorian-era streets that you can walk to experience York’s history firsthand.
Exhibits from World War II, Dick Turban’s prison cell, and more showcase this unique city’s history. Our kids loved the historical toys, with some dating back to 150 years ago.
2. York Minster
York Minster, a magnificent cathedral with stunning stained glass, has been a North England Christian center since the 7th century. We had such a blast (slowly) climbing the York Minster Tower’s 275 steps, which rewarded us with panoramic city views. Be sure to take the Hidden Minster tour to uncover the secret spaces and stories hidden within this architectural masterpiece.
After, stop by the Undercroft Museum to discover Roman barracks remains, connecting the Minster to York’s Viking history. My kids love anything related to Vikings, so this was a must-see for us.
3. Walk the City Walls
When visiting York, you don’t want to miss walking around the city’s ancient walls. York’s city walls are a major part of its history and identify and showcase the remains of walls spanning 2,000 years of change.
The best section of the city walls to walk with kids is from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar, where you can experience one of the old city gates that are open until dusk. We loved walking along the walls and admiring the city views, especially at sunset.
4. Step into Harry Potter World on The Shambles
If your family loves Harry Potter, visit The Shambles, which looks surprisingly like Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley (it could possibly have been the inspiration for it!). It was once lined with butcher shops and got its name from the old English word for slaughterhouse.
My family and I had so much fun exploring the magical shops and cafes on this street. Visit the Potions Cauldron for a fun experience with potions, or stop at The Shop That Must Not Be Named for a Nimbus 2000 or Pygmy Puff. There’s even a wizarding game of mini-golf at The Hole in Wand.
Since Harry Potter fans from everywhere flock to The Shambles, it’s one of the busiest places in the city center and one of the most haunted streets in England. For more Harry Potter fun, check out these Harry Potter virtual tours!
5. Visit the Shambles Market and Enjoy Delicious Street Food
While you’re strolling down The Shambles, stop at Shambles Market at one of the 70 stalls where you can enjoy delicious street food. Open seven days a week, this outdoor market has family-friendly food but also hand-crafted cheeses, alcoholic beverages, hotdogs, coffees, and more.
We especially loved the churros and chocolate sauce at Churro Bar, which is perfect for a sweet treat while exploring the market. The Shambles Market also has live music on Saturdays and Sundays, making it a lively and fun atmosphere for families.
6. JORVIK Viking Centre (A Must Do!)
The Vikings made a lasting impression on York; the Jorvik Viking Centre is an activity you must do as the kids will love it. Step back in time 1,000 years to experience Viking life. Built on the site of the ancient Viking city, you’ll explore the site of one of the most famous modern archeology discoveries.
Climb on the immersive ride that takes you around the site. And don’t miss DIG, the hands-on, family-friendly activity that has your family become trainee “diggers” and introduce your kids to archaeology in the excavation pits. My kids loved this activity, and it was a fun and interactive way to learn about history.
7. Climb Clifford’s Tower
Clifford’s Tower is a centuries-old landmark with a spooky history, serving as a royal mint and prison. Named after Roger de Clifford, executed in 1322, it was burnt down twice before Henry III rebuilt it and has since been restored with a new interior. The tower now offers entrance to once-inaccessible areas, prompting speculation about its haunted past.
We climbed up the spiral staircase to get 360-degree views of York; it was a great way for my kids to see the city from a different perspective. It’s also a great place for a family photo with the city in the background.
8. Chocolate Bar Making at York Cocoa Works
York has a long history in the chocolate world thanks to three families that made it the UK’s home of chocolate. But it goes back much further than that to 4,000 years. You can learn all about how to make chocolate with interactive experiences and chocolate tours found all over the city.
As a family of chocolate lovers, we had a great time at York Cocoa Works, which had some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had, and I’ve tasted a lot! The guides at the York Cocoa House are amazing and share all kinds of fun chocolate facts.
We did the chocolate lollipop-making experience, which offers good ol’ family-friendly fun that everyone will love. They even offer masterclasses for older kids who love cooking, where they learn how to make their own chocolate creations.
9. Discover the National Railway Museum
Include the National Railway Museum in your York itinerary for a popular attraction featuring a miniature railway. Perfect for a rainy day or cold weather (which will happen in York), explore the impressive collection and let the kids enjoy interactive learning activities like building model trains and bridges.
Even if you aren’t a train lover, you’ll appreciate The Railway Museum, where you can see a Japanese bullet train and The Flying Scotsman. We especially enjoyed the storytelling sessions and craft activities for kids.
10. Follow the Little Vikings Trail
The Little Vikings I Spy Trail was another fun, free activity your family will love when you visit York with kids. It’s a great way to find some interesting and quirky York facts as you find everything from gruesome facts to Guy Fawkes’ birthplace on the free map you can download.
My kids especially loved spotting all the different Viking statues located throughout the city. It’s a great way to explore York on foot and keep your little ones entertained at the same time.
11. Have Afternoon Tea at The Grand York
When in England, you must experience afternoon tea, and there’s no better place than at The Grand. The famous historic hotel is a beautiful place to stay and experience one of York’s best places to have afternoon tea, biscuits, scones, and those cute finger sandwiches.
The highlights for us were the decadent pastries and the unique tea selection. The Grand York also offers a special children’s afternoon tea menu with fun treats like chocolate chip cookies and mini milkshakes.
12. Take a Ghost-Walking Tour
York has many paid and free walking tours and attractions, such as ghost walks, throughout the city’s most haunted locations. Each guided ghost walk leads you through the frightening past of York, where you can expect the unexpected and supernatural. Oooh… spooky!
Make sure you check out the York Ghost Merchants on Shambles Street, one of the most haunted streets in England. This unique souvenir shop has lots of ghostly souvenirs that my kids got a kick out of. There’s also a spine-tingling Ghost Bus Tour your family will love as you travel around York’s most famous haunted locations.
13. The Wizard Walk of York
Along with the other wizardly world attractions of York, The Wizard Walk of York is one of the most magical tours designed specifically for kids. While you don’t need Harry Potter expertise to love it, it’s perfect for wizards and witches of all ages.
My kids loved the adventure of this interactive tour, where they got to use a magic wand and take part in a treasure hunt. The tour takes you through the city’s most enchanting spots and is sure to leave you spellbound.
14. Discover York’s Grizzly History at the York Dungeon
If the plague, bloodthirsty and marauding Vikings, ghosts, and the torturer of York Castle don’t scare you enough, nothing will at the York Dungeon either. We loved the gruesome and frightening stories told about the dungeon’s past 2,000 years, where the nine live shows tell some of York’s darkest days.
15. Take a City Cruise With York Cruise
One fun way to explore York is one of the city cruises with York Cruise. These family-friendly city cruises take you across the water that brought the Vikings to York hundreds of years ago. Learn interesting facts about the area as you ride the waves in your own boat. We enjoyed the commentary provided by our tour guide and took lots of pictures of the beautiful scenery.
16. St. Mary’s Abbey
While you’re visiting York’s Museum Gardens (a registered botanical garden), be sure to tour the ruins of the Abbey. It’s the perfect excuse to take a break for a picnic lunch and discover the 14th-century Hospitium and the little York Observatory grounds. My family enjoyed exploring the hidden paths and gardens, making it a peaceful and picturesque stop on our trip.
17. Piglets Adventure Farm
The Piglets Adventure Farm is the perfect family-friendly activity where kids can experience farm rides, the Piglet Maternity Ward (so cute!), and even watch pig racing. There’s plenty of good fun for all in the massive sandpit, family-friendly mini-golf, and go-kart racing. My kids were big fans of the jumping pillows and feeding the animals. It’s a great way to spend a sunny day with your little ones in York.
18. Yorkshire Air Museum
Just outside of York is The Yorkshire Air Museum, where you can see one of the unique Friday the 13th Halifax Bombers and other more modern jet fighters. They designed the whole museum like a WWII bomber command station, so it’s really neat. Your kids will love the Allied Air Forces Memorial, and there are plenty of interactive exhibits to keep them engaged.
19. Stop for a Hot Chocolate at Cocoa Joe’s
Now, stopping for hot chocolate may not seem like a big deal, but Cocoa Joe’s is unique. They use pure chocolate that doesn’t have extra additives but is extra delicious. Of course, it’s also nice that they sell their chocolates online and at Cocoa Joe’s.
My kids wouldn’t stop raving about the hot chocolate and the giant waffles topped with their famous chocolate sauce. And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure to try their truffles and fudge too! Needless to say, Cocoa Joe’s is a must-add to your list of the best things to do in the city of York with kids.
Other Things to Do in York, UK With Kids
If you have time during your trip, here are some other fun, family-friendly activities and attractions to experience.
- Castle Howard
- The Web Adventure Playground and Park
- Millennium Bridge
- North York Moors National Park
- A day trip to Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Whitby, or Herriot
- River Ouse activities
- Agility York (It also has a soft play area for kids)
Where to Stay In York with Kids
The Grand York
The Grand York, a luxurious five-star hotel in a historic setting, features a family-friendly environment, a spa, stylish rooms, and an on-site restaurant. Conveniently located, it’s just a ten-minute walk to York’s top attractions.
The Jorvik House Hotel
Overlooking the York Museum Gardens, St. Mary’s Abbey remains, and the 11th-century Church of St. Olaf’s, The Jorkvik House is a charming 1750s Georgian townhouse. Just a five-minute walk to York’s shopping district, it offers remodeled luxury suites and rooms.
The Parisi Hotel
The Parisi Hotel, a vibrant bed and breakfast in a unique area of York, features a playful mix of contemporary and retro furniture. Ideal for a quirky and intimate stay, it offers a courtyard garden that everyone will enjoy.
Hotel Indigo
The Hotel Indigo is a four-star hotel located within a ten-minute walk to the center of York. It’s got a neat lounge bar with various entertainment options and one of the best views of York Castle Museum, and York Minster is close by.
FAQ’s
Yes, York is definitely kid-friendly, with so many fun things to do. On sunny or rainy days, there are activities to keep the whole family entertained, including visiting Harry Potter-themed stores, learning about York’s chocolate history, or taking a city cruise with York Cruise.
The kids will love activities like the detective walking tour, where you’ll learn about chocolate and the hidden gems of York. The history and location make it a magical, family-friendly place to visit.
York, UK, is famous for many things, but it’s best known as the most haunted city in Europe and Britain’s Home of Chocolate. York also has one of the best racecourses in the whole country, York Racecourse. And the character and culture of York is unmatched!
Take one of their haunted tours, see the medieval stained glass at York Minster, or explore the 50 snickelways and ginnels to travel the same paths the people of York did hundreds of years ago.
LateRooms.com ranked York as one of the 20 most walkable cities for visitors. They calculated the results using data on air quality, high-rated things to do per square mile, the amount of urban greenery, hotels centrally located per square mile, and a walking score.
Besides being one of the most family-friendly places, York ranked high in lush greenery and things to do on foot, so skip the car rental and explore the sights by walking or taking a tour.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in York, UK With Kids
If you’re looking to take a city break in the UK, there’s no better place than York. From touring York Cocoa Works to a stroll or picnic in the York Museum Gardens, you won’t get bored on this family-friendly UK vacation. Be sure your trip includes a visit to Beningbrough Hall or Castle Howard.
York’s top attractions provide a glimpse back over the long history of the area while adding in some family fun that will make this a vacation you’ll never forget. Your family will have a blast discovering what life was like hundreds of years ago and how it shaped the area, as well as modern innovations that combine to make York a magic UK destination.
Looking for information on other places in the UK? Read these posts for other great destinations around York.
