York is a “cathedral city” in England, within the county of North Yorkshire. York Minster in England – United Kingdom is the most popular tourist sight here.
Location
York Minster in England – United Kingdom is located in Deangate, York.
Getting There
You can get to York via rail or car. Most visitors however prefer to take the train as there are several train services in various parts of Scotland and England that run to and from York. Among these are Edinburgh, Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.
If you will be flying in to Manchester, there is a direct train service from the airport that can take you to York.
What to See and Do
Upon visiting York Minster in England – United Kingdom, what will impress you first is the magnificent Gothic architectural design of the cathedral.
The Central Tower offers fantastic views of the city down below. Ascending its two hundred and seventy-five steps, you can see beautiful medieval pinnacles as well as gargoyles.
Going up the steps is no small feat hence; there is a badge that you can get from the Visitor Center to mark this achievement.
For a look at some of the relics found during reconstruction of the church, you can go down the Undercroft.
Another interesting place that you can visit here is the Glass Conservation Studio. Here, you can take a look at some of the stained glass windows currently being restored.
You can also take a tour of the South West Tower, the Clock Chamber, Great Peter Ringing Chamber, and Bell Chamber.
Before you leave, do not fail to visit the Chapter House. Here is where you see beautiful carvings that date as far back as 1270 and 1280.
Finally, for souvenirs, drop by the Shop also located within the cathedral’s premises.
Brief History
The first church that was built on the site where the York Minster in England – United Kingdom now stands is a small church constructed for the purpose of having a church where the King of Northumbria, Edward can be baptized.
This was in the year 627.
Immediately after, King Edward ordered that the church be re-constructed in stone as the first one was just made of wood. When the king was killed in battle in the year 633, completion of the construction was undertaken by King Oswald.
The church was finally completed in the year 637.
However, damage and ultimately, destruction ruined the church. The cathedral that now stands today was rebuilt and reconstructed under Archbishop Walter Gray who served the church for forty years.
The cathedral was finally completed in the year 1472 – 250 years in the making.
Cost
The cost to visit York Minster in England – United Kingdom varies, depending on which part of the cathedral you wish to explore. For the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt entry is £ 9 for adults; and £ 8 for senior citizens.
Children aged 16 years and below, and visiting with the family, are free of charge.
For the Tower, entry is £ 5.50 for adults; £ 4.50 for senior citizens and £ 3.50 for kids aged 8 up to 16 years old.
For the Glass Conservation Studio, there is a fixed rate of £ 7.50 per person.
Other Information
The York Minster in England – United Kingdom is open from 9 in the morning up to 5 in the afternoon from Monday to Saturday; except between the months of November and March upon which it opens at 9:30 in the morning.
Sundays, the cathedral is open from 12 noon up to 3:45 in the afternoon. There are no tours allowed on Easter Sunday and Good Friday.
Visiting the Glass Conservation Studio is only allowed on M-W-F at 2 in the afternoon.
