Your guide to living in York
York is an incredibly historic city and is renowned for its beautiful architecture. Due to the cobbled streets, most of the centre is car-free meaning that this city definitely isn’t about the hustle and bustle. Previously, York has been voted one of the friendliest places to live in the UK! So if moving to a new city feels daunting, York may be the perfect place.
Where is it?
York is the capital city of Yorkshire, England.
What’s the transport like?
York is easily travelled by foot and is also a bike-friendly city with plenty of cycle paths. There are frequent buses, as well as 6 park and ride services to help you get to the city centre for free. If you’re needing to travel out of the city, there are fast train services to London King’s Cross, Leeds and Manchester airport.
Where do the locals go?
Parks:
Dean's Park is in the city centre and dates back to the 19th century. Sit on the lawn of York Cathedral and opposite views of York Minster. Although not a big park, this is the perfect place to stop on your lunch break or to stroll with coffee and a friend.
If you want to feel like you’re away from the city, head to Homestead Park - a beautiful 14-acre garden in Clifton, just over a mile from the city centre. The park was opened in 1904 by Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree (owner of Rowntree’s Chocolate Factory!), and remains a popular site to visit. Attractions include a wildflower meadow, a children’s play area, and a pop-up café with a picnic area and plenty of seating.
Events & Activities:
The Romans left York with the longest wall barrier in the country. 50 acres of wall surround the city, including fortified gateways, arrow-slits and gun ports, sculptures, and masons’ marks. Walking the full length of the city walls will take a couple of hours but it’s a rite of passage if you’re living in the city to make the effort to do it at least once.
Pretty much everywhere you go in York, you can catch a glimpse of the Minster soaring over the city. But make sure you also go to see it close up! Step inside the cool interiors and admire mediaeval stained-glass windows, carved stone and sparkling artefacts.
To live as a time traveller for a day, check out York Museum. Experience the immersive experience Kirkgate, York’s re-built Victorian street. Hear horse-carriage bells and smell mysterious odours as you step into the real-life shops recreated from historic records: hat-makers, fudge-makers, tailors, chemists and more. To make it even cooler, you have actors playing real-life characters that you can interact with!
The best restaurants:
We couldn’t give restaurant suggestions in York without including a place that celebrates a traditional northern speciality - the Yorkshire pudding! The York Roast Co. took the delicacy to new heights by reimagining the pudding as the meal itself and created the ‘yorkie pud wrap’. Their menu consists of slow-roast meats accompanied by crispy roast potatoes and gravy, all enveloped in a Yorkshire pudding wrap. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it - be sure to order a side of crackling and stuffing too!
Los Moros started as a stall in Shambles market selling street food from North Africa. Now they have their own restaurant with gorgeous tiled flooring, wooden tables and an outdoor dining area. Sample their menu of small plates which includes mussels on toast and sardine balls, or try one of their equally delicious traditional dishes such as shakshuka and tagine.
You can find York’s finest French restaurant, Rustique, just around the corner from The Shambles on Castlegate. Expect French classics such as beef bourguignon, duck confit, and of course, steak. If you’re willing to splash the cash or want to mark a special occasion, this is the place to go.
The best pubs:
Built in 1640, The Eagle and Child has become a York institution with its timber frame and postcard-perfect exterior. The pub serves lunch and dinner from locally sourced produce and has bars and seating spread over three floors, so there's always plenty of room. If you head to the top floor you’ll notice the signatures of The Rolling Stones in lipstick are still on the wall from the spot where they would regularly hang out.
The Blue Bell is York’s smallest pub and prides itself on being ‘A proper pub for proper pub people’. Their list of house rules has been in place for over 119 years, and prohibits swearing, large groups, and more recently - mobile phones. This is the ideal pub to go to alone or to take a friend for a catch up. They have a great selection of beer including blondes, bitters and IPAs, as well as an excellent rum and gin menu. And if you get a bit peckish, order one of their freshly prepared pies to have with your pint!
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more lively, visit Evil Eye for Tuesday night karaoke, a Wednesday quiz, or pop along on Thursday for an open mic night. The bar currently holds a world record for number of gins in stock, but their speciality is cocktails. They also have a surprisingly great mocktail menu (but will serve you a cuppa, if you ask nicely!). Have a go at their snakes and ladders bar game - You might end up buying a stranger a drink, or downing a ‘purple squirrel’. Play at your own risk!
The best coffee shops:
Tucked away behind York minster, you’ll find Coffee Culture. This cafe prides themselves on championing the local community, and supports local businesses and organisations by using locally sourced produce in their menu. Expect an extensive menu of sourdough toast and toppings, as well as fresh ciabatta sandwiches and, of course, a daily selection of homemade pastries and cakes.
Gatehouse Coffee is located in - you guessed it - a gatehouse in the walls surrounding the city. The cafe includes two floors, a rooftop and a mediaeval barican, which is the only fully intact barbican in the world! Their menu features unique craft drinks such as Hojicha, salted caramel hot chocolate, and a selection of chai lattes!
Your go-to brunch option will be Brew and Brownie. The cafe is split across two locations, two doors apart from one another. One serves everything from a traditional English breakfast, to stacked pancakes with honeycomb butter. The other specialises in baked goods such as artisan bread toasties, savoury croissants, and a range of delicious cakes, donuts and brownies.
Shops:
York is spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping. Coppergate shopping centre covers all your highstreet needs, while Duke of York Square offers a hub of high-end boutiques. In terms of independent brands, The Shambles is home to several, and nearby you can find Cleggs or Imaginarium which stocks everything from handmade candles, to jewellery and ceramics. If it’s clothes you’re after, check out Mint Velvet, Wild & Westbrooke, or Sahara Boutique. But if you’re in the market for vintage clothing, check out Expressions, Dog & Bone Vintage or Chinese Laundry to find some one-of-a-kind steals!
What’s it famous for?
York is famous for its Viking and Roman roots which are reflected in the city's unique architecture. A popular tourist attraction is ‘The Shambles’, which are Elizabethan buildings that have maintained their traditional shop fronts and layout. They are also believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley from the movie adaptation of the Harry Potter series.
Want to know the average room rent for York, and other UK towns and cities? Check out our latest guide here!
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