York

York is a city with a long and rich history.

Because of its Roman, Anglian, Viking and Medieval past, it is one of the most interesting and popular places in Britain to visit.

York Minster is at the heart of the city. Around it, there are streets - some of the built by the Romans, others later on - packed with churches, shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs.

The city walls make a nearly-complete circuit of the city and are great fun to walk.

The Yorkshire Museum, the Jorvik Museum, Clifford's Tower, York Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum are among the top attractions.

York Races draws crowds to the Knavesmire for its events.

York History

Origin of the Name York

York's name stems from the Brittonic Celtic Eburakon, meaning 'place of Yew trees', or perhaps 'place belonging to a person called Eburos'.

The Celtic Brigantes tribe lived in the area before (and after) the arrival of the Romans.

Roman York

Information about Roman York.

Anglian York

Information about Anlgian York.

Viking York

Information about Viking York.

York and the Norman Conquest

William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and arrived at York in 1068.

More information about the Norman Conquest in York.

Medieval York

Information about Medieval York.

York Sights and Attractions

These are some of the sights and attractions in York.

Yorkshire Museum

The Yorkshire Museum is in the Museum Gardens near Lendal Bridge.

It has a collection of Roman artefacts from York, as well as the York Helmet from the Anglian period.

From July 2025 to July 2027, the Viking North exhibition is on at the Yorkshire Museum.

Jorvik Museum

The Jorvik Museum is at Coppergate, and is a reconstruction of the Viking street which was excavated there.

Clifford's Tower

Clifford's Tower is the motte of the Norman motte and bailey castle.

York City Walls

Information about York city walls.

York Minster

York's Minster is on the site of the Roman Principia.

King Edwin of Northumbria had a wooden church built here in 627, but it was Archbishop Walter de Gray who ordered the building of the Gothic Cathedral in 1215.