Attractions You Get With The Visit York Pass 

There are so many attractions to visit in York, and if you fancy doing a few on your next trip, you can get the Visit York Pass which gives you entry to 40 top sites across the city. Let’s take a look at some of the best attractions you can get out of this pass, so you get great value for your money! 

Must-Visit York Pass Attractions

York Minster

York Minster is the heart and soul of York and will probably be the first attraction you want to go to. The grand cathedral can be seen across the whole city. It’s got beautiful glass-stained windows, including the Great East Window, which is the largest piece of medieval stained glass in England, dating back to the early 1400s. 

At York Minster, you can climb the central tower’s 275 steps for amazing city views, and you can explore the crypts to discover artefacts from Roman times. 

​Read my full review of the York Minster here. 

JORVIK Viking Centre

The JORVIK Viking Centre teaches you all about York’s Viking past. It showcases real artefacts that archaeologists found in Coppergate. You can see the foundations of buildings right under your feet! 

​You get to experience the sights, sounds and smells of 10th-century York as you take a ride through the recreated street. This gives you an idea of what life was like back then! 

Read my full review of JORIK Viking Centre here. 

Clifford’s Tower

Clifford’s Tower is another iconic building in York.  William the Conqueror built it in 1068, and the tower once served as a royal stronghold and even a prison. You can climb up the steps and see amazing views of the city.

Your York Pass covers your entry here, so there is no need to worry about extra costs. 

The York Dungeon

Walk through 2,000 years of York’s darker history inside The York Dungeon. This attraction features live actors bringing spooky stories to life in over ten interactive shows. It’s full of jump scares, creepy sets, and plenty of laughs as you meet characters like the Plague Doctor or Guy Fawkes.

It usually takes about 75 minutes for the full experience. Some scenes may be scary for young children; please check the age guidance before booking your visit.

​Read my full York Dungeon review here. 

Witches Walking Tour

The Witches Walking Tour is a thrilling way to explore York’s dark past. This tour tells the stories of witches from centuries ago as you walk through cobbled streets and spooky alleys where they lived and met their fate.

You will hear about real people who faced harsh punishments for being accused of witchcraft.

Fairfax House

Fairfax House was a complete surprise when I visited! Even though I had lived in York for many years, I’d never heard anyone talk about this beautiful house. This means it’s usually a quiet place to visit. We got to enjoy many of the rooms on our own, with only the knowledgeable volunteer staff around, and they are so nice to talk to! They know everything about Lady Fairfax and this beautiful house. It’s only small, so it’s worth squeezing in while you get free entry with your York City Pass!

Read my Fairfax House review here. 

York Castle Museum 

When people ask me for recommendations to visit York, I always say York Castle Museum. In my opinion, it’s the best place to visit in York because it has a bit of everything! There’s Kirkgate – the oldest indoor street in Britain that lets you see what an old street would have looked like in the past. There are exhibitions about the First World War, fashion, the 60s, and you even get to go down into the old prison. You could easily spend all day there! 

Read my full York Castle Museum review here

Top Beyond York Destinations

The pass includes some other attractions a bit further from York, which are worth visiting if you have time! 

Beningbrough Hall

Beningbrough Hall is a mansion hidden just outside of York and has stunning gardens and a house to explore!

Read my full Beningbrough Hall review here. 

Castle Howard

Castle Howard is a stunning stately home near York. It was built in the 18th century, it has beautiful architecture and stunning gardens. You can explore its impressive rooms filled with art and antiques. I love the seasonal events here, especially the Christmas ones! 

Read my Castle Howard Review here. 

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Train lovers will love the  North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This scenic train ride takes you through stunning countryside and beautiful moors. The steam trains are stunning! It runs from Pickering to Grosmont and Whitby. 

Read my full North Yorkshire Moors Railway review here. 

York Allied Air Forces Memorial Museum

The Yorkshire Air Museum is such a great place to visit if you have an interest in planes and the war. It features a wide range of stunning aircraft to admire. It’s packed with history and many different artefacts. You can even go inside some of the planes!

Read my full Yorkshire Air Museum review here 

Other attractions with the Visit York Pass:

• Barley Hall
• Captain Cook Museum, Whitby
• City Cruises
• DIG
• Goddards
• Golden Tours York
• Historical Gems Tour & A Taste of York Chocolate
• The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
• Murder and Mayhem: True Crime Tour
• National Birds of Prey
• National Railway Museum – Road Train (read my review here)
• Stump Cross Caverns
• The Bar Convent
• The Hilt – Coached Session and Games Session
• The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring 
• The Romain Bath Museum, York
• The Spookologist’s Guide the Haunted York Tour
• The Treasurer’s House
• Van Gogh Immersive Experience 
• York Army Museum
• York City Sightseeing Bus Tour
• York Cocoa Works
• York Cold War Bunker
• York Chocolate Story
• Yorkshire Museum

The VisitYork Pass

The VisitYork Pass is easy to use and includes entry to over 30 attractions, allowing you to save a significant amount of money. You can get it for 1, 2 or 3 days, and it’s valid for 1 year from purchase. 

The 2-day pass is valid for two consecutive days, but the 3-day pass must be used within six consecutive days. 

Some attractions require pre-booking, so check beforehand and then show your pass at the entrance to the attraction. 

The Visit Yor Pass is non-refundable, but you can buy cancellation cover for £5, which will give you a full refund.

Read here for further information. 

As you can see, the York Pass opens the door to a number of attractions in this historic city, and it’s a great way to visit some of York’s top attractions at your own pace for a great price. 

With entry to the most popular attractions in York, you’ll never be stuck for something to do on your next visit!