How To Spend A Weekend In York

For Next-Level Food:

The Alice Hawthorn

The Alice Hawthorn reopened its doors two years ago after an extensive renovation. One of our favourite properties on this list, the pub has 12 stylish new rooms, ideal for a romantic break in the countryside. A great option if you want to stay a little further out, it’s easily reached via a 30-minute drive from the city centre. All bedrooms have super king beds with crisp white sheets, freestanding bathtubs or walk-in rainfall showers. Here, it's all about the food. In the restaurant (a destination in itself), friendly staff serve elevated classics made with local, seasonal produce, as well as hearty breakfasts featuring dishes like avocado on sourdough toast, pancakes with bacon and syrup, and fresh fruit and granola. Guests can also relax in the landscaped garden with a wood-fired sourdough pizza, or explore the many walking routes nearby. 

From £120 per night.

Visit TheAliceHawthorn.com

For Self-Catering:

22 Atelier

If you’d prefer to cook your own meals, this Airbnb is great value for money. The apartment is light and bright, with a mix of contemporary and vintage furnishings. Couples can stay in the double bedroom which is separated from the open-plan living area with chateau doors. Guests will be treated to a welcome basket of prosecco or wine, plus breakfast options like bread, eggs, fresh fruit juice and Bettys tea. York Minster is an eight-minute walk away, as is the station. 

From £110 per night.

Visit Airbnb.co.uk

For Michelin-Star Food:

Roots

Two years ago, Roots was the first restaurant in York to win a Michelin star.  Tommy Banks and his family launched the restaurant alongside friend and restaurateur Matthew Lockwood. An in-town little sister to the Black Swan in Oldstead, Roots showcases seasonality and sustainability with creative and modern dishes like trout with carrots and sea buckthorn, aged beef with lovage, and frozen pear with pumpkin seeds.

Visit RootsYork.com

For Great Steak:

Pearly Cow

GuestHouse’s new restaurant group Pearly Cow has opened its outpost at the York hotel. With an emphasis on slow-farmed meats and seafood, diners can tuck into dishes made with local produce. Menu highlights include aged fillet of beef tartare with oyster with ‘beef jam’, roasted scallops with cauliflower and madras, Yorkshire lamb shoulder with sweet and sour peppers, and rhubarb crumble soufflé.

Visit PearlyCow.co.uk

For Relaxed Fine Dining:

The Rattle Owl

This neighbourhood restaurant offers fine dining in a relax setting. Housed in a restored Grade II-listed building, The Rattle Owl was given an AA Rosette award because of its sustainability credentials. Guests can choose from four- or eight-course tasting menus featuring dishes like wild seabass with tomato gazpacho, beef ribs will dill and oysters, and crème fraîche sorbet. The Sunday roast also comes highly recommended.

Visit RattleOwl.co.uk

For A Special Lunch:

Skosh

Set in another Grade II-listed building near the city centre, Skosh has an open kitchen where diners can watch chefs at work. Perfect for a special lunch with friends, head chef Neil Bentinck creates a regularly rotating menu of British classics with a twist. Current highlights include crispy saddleback pork fritters with spiced rhubarb ketchup, salt-aged duck breast with rhubarb jam, and blood orange tart with coconut and burnt meringue.

Visit SkoshYork.co.uk

For Brunch:

Partisan

A favourite with locals, Partisan is a lovely café with a buzzy atmosphere. Diners can tuck into sandwiches, toasties and sweet treats, but we like this spot for brunch. Choose from dishes like savoury French toast, shakshuka or huevos divorciados. Leave room for chocolate brownies, financiers or a slice of carrot cake.

Visit PartisanUK.com

For Evening Drinks:

Lucia Wine Bar

Lucia is an Italian restaurant, but the real draw is its wine bar which is perfect for a trip with the girls. With colourful interiors, there’s a range of classic cocktails and plenty of gin-based options like the ‘Saint Lucia’ made with Sipsmith gin, St Germain, Martini Bianco, lime, apple juice and basil leaves. 

Visit LuciaWineBar.co.uk

For Impressive History:

York Minster

At the heart of the city is York Minster, one of the most impressive gothic cathedrals in the world. Buy tickets in advance to see the spectacular building which dates back to the 12th century. Visit the interactive exhibition to learn about its rich history, then climb the 275 steps for panoramic city views from the tower. 

Visit YorkMinster.org

For A Long Walk:

City Walls

York is full of historical architecture and ruins that hark back to its medieval past. Its 13th-century surround the narrow streets where you can visit the many museums and galleries, and try local Yorkshire produce at the restaurants and cafés. It takes about two hours to walk around the city walls – finish at the Museum Gardens then stop by Gatehouse Coffee for a hot drink and slice of cake.

For City Views:

Clifford's Tower

There are few remains of York Castle except for Clifford's Tower, a ruin from the 12th century. There’s not much to do inside but the hill has great views of the city and the grass is a lovely spot for a picnic in the summer.

Visit English-Heritage.org.uk

For A Sunny Day Activity:

The River Ouse

During the summer months, hire a boat or head on a cruise on the river Ouse. Most tours last around an hour with live commentary on the landmarks. You can also hire self-driving boats for up to eight people for a longer cruise.

For A Day With The Kids:

National Railway Museum

Keep kids entertained on rainy days at the National Railway Museum which houses over 100 locomotives. In its giant railway sheds, little ones can learn about the first trains in the world right up to ultra-modern modes of transport. There’s also a high-tech simulator experience of the Mallard, which set a world speed record for a steam locomotive in the 1930s. 

Visit NRM.org.uk

Holgate Windmill

The city’s last surviving windmill is also the oldest five-sailed windmill in the country. Now restored and open to the public, head in to see millers dressed in traditional costume, as well as various exhibitions during the summer months.

For A Culture Hit:

Yorkshire Museum

York's Roman archaeology is beneath the medieval city, but if you want to spot the last ruins and artefacts, visit Yorkshire Museum which also has a selection of maps and models based on its 4th-century architecture. There are also regular exhibitions, including a Jurassic display for kids.

Visit YorkshireMuseum.org.uk