Beautiful piece of architecture and history. I had the opportunity to tour this place and go up the tower. Admission was £21.00 general admission and tower tour. That tower was no joke. The stairs are narrow and steep. You do get to stop mid way to see the view before heading to the top and seeing the panoramic view of the city. You do go down the way you came up. The tickets for the tower are for specific times. The church was beautiful! When you walk in you're greeted with an amazing view of stain glass and art details across the entire building. Definitely a place worth exploring. read more

York is a wonderful town and well worth a visit. It's easy to park and the historic center is perfectly easy walkable. And the centerpiece of course is the massive York Minster. It's an Anglican cathedral. The first record of a church on the site dates to 627, but the bulk of the building was constructed between 1220 and 1472.The minster retains most of its medieval stained glass, a significant survival among European churches. The Minster stands tall at a max. tower height of 235 feet (72 m) and is visible from far away. Good if you get lost...just look out for the Minster. And it is a really impressive piece of history, art and architecture. Really amazes you when you first walk up to it. There are so many details to find, to explore. To think how long it's been standing here - surviving quite the fire in 1984. We didn't go in this time around, but that's surely something for another visit. Not sure it's always as windy as it was when we've visited (August), but boy....did it almost blow us away at Precentors Court on the west side of the Minster. So, hold on your hats! Definitely a must do - probably THE must-do when in York. read more

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My visit to York Minster was an experience far beyond just sightseeing. Our group took a day trip to York, and unfortunately, I woke up that morning with intense period pain, making the day incredibly challenging. However, stepping into York Minster provided an unexpected and profound sense of peace and comfort that truly helped me through. From the moment I entered, I was utterly captivated. The sheer scale and intricate architecture of the Minster are breathtaking. Every arch, every column, and every carved detail tells a story of centuries of craftsmanship and devotion. It's a testament to human ingenuity and faith. But what truly mesmerized me were the stained glass windows. They are simply divine. The way the light streamed through the vibrant colors, casting kaleidoscopic patterns across the ancient stone, was nothing short of magical. Each window, from the smallest to the monumental Great East Window, felt like a masterpiece, filling the vast space with a soft, ethereal glow. Looking at them, tracing the stories depicted in glass, was incredibly calming. In that moment of intense pain, the beauty and grandeur of the Minster, combined with the quiet reverence of the space, brought me a profound sense of solace. It was a true sanctuary. The hushed atmosphere, the soaring ceilings, and the kaleidoscope of light from the stained glass created an environment where, for a precious time, my discomfort seemed to fade into the background. My cramps were really painful, and it was hard to breathe and stand, so just sitting in the pews and admire the windows and the calming cathedral music really helped. York Minster is not just a historical building; it's a living work of art that can deeply move and soothe the soul. Even if you're not in pain, the beauty and architectural majesty are reason enough to visit. For me, it was a beautiful refuge that I will always remember with deep gratitude. Highly, highly recommend. read more

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A MUST VISIT while in York! The York Minster is absolutely stunning. Hailing from the 7th century, everything from the stained glass to the hand crafted stone is just amazing. There is so much to see that you could spend hours and hours here exploring each chapel, the crypt, the amazing organ, the carvings, the history of the fire and more. If you are not afraid of heights then do the Tower challenge. Don't miss listening to the bells chiming. Also, the light show in the evening on the side of the minster is way cool! Fantastic! read more

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What can one say about a 1000 year old building as majestic as York Minster. It's as spectacular and storied as Westminster, but having been at the London Minster a week prior (along with apparently every other human on the planet) our visit to York Minster was infinitely more enjoyable for the lack of crowds. We took the free guided tour and learned a good deal of the history behind this Norman colossus and it's mix of Gothic and Romano architecture. The stained glass windows, (particularly the giant rose window with its red and white Tudor rose alongside the red rose of Lancaster quite an interesting sight in the seat of the Archbishop of York), were incredible to behold. The magnificence of the vaulted ceilings have to be seen, and the many ceiling bosses and their tales. The scale of the place defies description, it requires seeing in person. The whiteness of the stone, as immaculate as they day it was hewn, adds a brilliance to the entire structure. Schedule did not allow us to visit the Undercroft museum, nor the Tower. Although I'd guess my knees and lungs would not be in any shape to tackle almost 300 steps up and down. But maybe next time, I can't wait to return with more time. It was certainly a highlight, not only of our stop in York (a city I fell instantly in love with), but of our entire two week trip across our brilliant little island taking in as many historical sites as we could. William the Conqueror, we;; no one asked him to come a knocking, but he did leave us some truly magnificent architecture, more than can be said for the Saxons. Wherever you are in the UK you owe it to yourself a visit to York,  a fantastic city, and to York Minster. It's a thousand year old gift deserves to be enjoyed by all. read more

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There is so much to see in the York Minster. There are several rooms as well as the undercroft. There are memorials to many buried there. There is a organ, stained glass windows, statues, an astronomical clock, displays and a gift shop. Wherever you like, you will see something interesting. You can take a tour, do a self tour or just wander around. We opted for wandering. Children are free with a paying adult who will pay 16 pounds. I find the undercroft to be particularly interesting which dates back 2000 years. It houses archives and manuscripts. The history is quite interesting but the beauty of the structure is worth seeing. Outside they installed a statue of the departed Queen Elizabeth II. When you enter you can pick up a map with information about the different areas and exhibits. Although I've been there before, I enjoy going back. I think it is well worth a visit. read more

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This place is beyond beautiful. We had to walk around the building to find the entrance for the tours but it was so beautiful on the outside we did not mind. When we entered using our LONDON PASS (get one while you're in London and you will save yourself some money) and were immediately in awe. These walls have seen so much history that you can feel it while walking around. Plenty of places to snap photos of and signs explaining the significance of certain items. read more

York Minster - Churches Near Me - York, YOR

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A stunning place! The architecture is lovely and I especially liked seeing the Queen Elizabeth II statue in front--I had forgotten it was placed there fairly recently. read more

This was my second time touring the Minster and the first time I took the Tower Challenge. They aren't lying when they say it's a narrow and steep climb, but wow! The views are more than worth it! read more

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This is a must see spot in York for sure. Yes you have to pay for admission to go inside and walk around but it is totally worth it!! I have never seen such a beautiful cathedral in my life and I am so glad I went in. I'm not a religious person but it still amazed me at how detailed everything is and looked. They have places to go underground where you can see some information and history of how this place has been building and what it was before and now! There is a pretty cool time lapse video underground that shows you what has happened over time. Overall from top to bottom this place looked and felt amazing!! The amount of detail in every part of this place was astonishing. It was seriously worth the 11 pounds to get in. So if you are ever in York and it doesn't really matter if you are this religion or not, it's still worth a look to see some history and just an amazing place. read more

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Everyone said we HAVE to visit the Minster (Cathedral) while we were in York for the day -- so we did! Beautiful place, really old, and you'll have to decide if it's worth the 11 pounds entry (as of May 2019). Takes about an hour to see most everything. We tried two of the free tours but it was difficult to understand the accents and hard to hear -- so we went it alone. Took LOTS of photos and if you are fan of "Minsters" don't pass this up. read more

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The York minster is such a stunning piece of architecture both inside and out and I especially loved the stained glass windows depicting the beginning and the end. There is so much to see and admire in this beautiful cathedral so I would set aside a few hours for your visit. Admission is £12 for an adult and if you want to climb the tower it will be extra but I didn't do this. Some people begrudge paying to get into the minster but I personally found it was worth the money as it is spectacularly beautiful and breathtaking and no trip to York would be complete without visiting York minster. read more

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This is one of the best Minsters in all England. It's worth going to York to see this. It's a gigantic place and can take a good amount of time to see. Amazing historic place. read more

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We only got to spend an hour here unfortunately! It was massive and grandiose and had a very interesting museum underground! Could've spend at least another 1/2 - 1 hour here. And it was too dark to really see the outside also. But from what we saw, it was fascinating! And the staff were very friendly and helpful and let us take our time even though it was pushing closing time! read more

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York Minster is a large and beautiful cathedral in York, and in an old-fashioned city with many old and fantastic buildings, this is by far amongst the greatest and perhaps the most memorable, as a Grade I listed building, it stands out and can be seen on the adjoining streets of the city, like on Lower Petergate in York where the cathedral in the distance makes a beautiful combination of new and old in the city. I don't like the ticketed approach to entry, I understand churches and cathedrals must make money and this is common practice, but there is something which I just don't like, how they charge people to visit certain aspects, perhaps a donation model would be better suited, but the main issue which grinds my gears with the ticketing system is that let's say you pay to enter and book in advance online which allows you a visit any time within 12 months, there is a lack of notice about what you can see, with tours being different every-day with some parts a zero access zone, which really isn't what you want to see. Adding insult to injury, you must purchase tickets in advance which also restricts people who can visit (people who might not have online skills), it also puts off spontaneous tours as you have to visit before 10 am on the day of visit. A beautiful building, but in my opinion worship (they do sometimes close tours in respect of this and to allow it) and the admiration of the church are the highlights and how stunning and beautiful it looks in the city, but the whole "business" side of the church including the tours into the unknown and high ticket price (£11) for what it is, does let it down slightly. 3* read more

The York Minster is such a Large and such a beautiful cathedral will highly recommend it. The amount of detail in every part of this place was astonishing. It was seriously worth the 11 pounds to get in. So if you are ever in York and it doesn't really matter if you are this religion or not, it's still worth a look to see some history and just an amazing place. To bad you cant buy a pint of lager read more

From Denver to York!!! It is truly breathtaking to understand how long it has been there and that it is built over a Roman City. A must see if in York. read more

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Wow what a place, narrowly missing out on the top spot to Lincoln Cathedral. York mister is very deserving of it's second place as the UK's best Cathedral. We purchased tickets which are valid for as many visits as you can fit in during the year and we also purchase the tower tickets for only a couple of pounds extra. We wandered around the Minster without a tour but after overhearing one I would recommend booking as they are packed with information. The Minster itself is just beautiful and there is plenty to see there including the underground sections. The windows are just incredible and well worth a study. We opted for the tower tour which after the 240 odd stairs (not for the faint heart ted) we arrived at the very top of the tower. We had amazing weather which allowed us to see far... very far and the views are stunning. Overall a great trip and defo worth a visit if your stopping off in York. read more

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What can be said that hasn't been said? The place is gorgeous, an architectural marvel that can be appreciated without any religious context. I was deeply touched by the beauty and the evidence of the church's role within the community of York over the centuries. This place is truly a treasure. read more

York Minster - Gorgeous windows - Churches Near Me - York, YOR

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At £10 to enter, £15 to climb the stairs to the top, York Minster is the 2nd largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. It is worth a visit if you're so inclined and paid admission will get you admission for the rest of the year. Think of it as pay today and free for the next 364 days. Unless it's a leap year. The cathedral is magnificent. The stained glass windows are awe inspiring. I didn't pay to climb the stairs but I did pay to go inside. This I found to be strange since most attractions in England (museums and the like) have been free. But I don't mind paying for the restoration of this lovely building. And it is quite lovely. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England. It was completed and consecrated in 1472 and had undergone many changes since first being constructed. It's a gorgeous building and is surprisingly warm inside. read more

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Wow. Just wow. I could stop the review there, because anything else I say just takes away from the majesty of this amazing building. Towers and arches and buttresses and the largest medieval stained glass window in the world. The place took nearly 250 years to build. I just can't picture how they could have done that in 1472. Yes, five hundred years ago they managed to build three 200 foot towers. The place has suffered from a number of natural disasters - fires going back to 741 including a suspected lightning hit - and manmade ones. It's been damaged during the English Reformation, by William the Conqueror, by a number of Danish raiding parties and even Cromwell's forces during the English Civil War. But you wouldn't know from looking at it! This is the second largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe (after the one in Cologne) and is the seat of power of the second-highest office in the Church of England. Well worth the visit. Don't miss it! read more

York Minster - Magnificent York Minster - Churches Near Me - York, YOR

Jaw dropping spectacular sight. The magnificent architecture, stone work, and stained glass alone make it worth visiting. We particularly enjoyed the guided tour. These are included in the cost of admission and leave every half hour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. She spun stories about the Minster and its history, and pointed out highlights and details we otherwise would not have noticed. Another highlight, especially if you're traveling with kids, is the Undercroft museum. It is well worth the time to visit, and included in the admission. This well done museum is underneath the Minster and teaches about the ancient Roman history of the cathedral site, the old Norman cathedral precursor to the Minster, and recent restoration work to fix foundation issues. Yeah, I've read a few complaints it's a bit pricey at 10 pounds per person (we skipped the tower). Seriously I don't mind because of the enormity of the sights involved. I looked at it as a contribution towards the enormous maintenance and overhead costs they must have, with any remainder as a contribution to a charity. For families, kids getting in for free can cut some of the sting too. read more

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Gorgeous cathedral in the heart of Old Town York! Unfortunately a lot of it was under construction when we were there so we didn't get the full vibe. Definitely pay a few pounds extra to climb to the top of the tower - it is a lot of steps but SO cool to see York from up above! I believe it it one of the highest points in town. They offer free tours which is pretty cool if you really want to learn all of the history. It is definitely a must-see when in York. read more

Absolutely recommend taking the time to tour York Minster. We booked in at the last slot of the day and was a little less crowded than other times. read more

York Minster is the grand cathedral in the north of England. In the hierarchy of the Church of England, it ranks third in importance behind Canterbury Cathedral and one other. Architecturally, it is right up there with Canterbury Cathedral. What I found surprising is there are no kings or queens buried here, just a son of Henry III. A modest admission fee is charged to to help defray the high cost of maintenance. This place can get extremely crowded when the tour buses arrive. read more

Beautiful medieval church in the heart of York. We were fortunate to be able to join a tour group right after entering, and our tour guide was wonderful. About a 70 minute tour that took us around the whole building and showed us the highlights. The stained glass is beautiful. We also visit the crypt and I could have spent hours down there. I'll be back! read more

Wow - awesome, striking, magnificent, 'they don't make em like this anymore' - these are all things that could be said about York Minster. The truth is that I've always admired it from outside in the past but I was that much of a skinflint that I'd never feel like coughing up for a trip inside (beyond the reception anyway...) - But on this occasion we were looking to do some touristy stuff for a hour and thought it perfect time to nip in and see what it's all about - especially considering if you show a valid train ticket to York on that day and you can get 2 for 1 tickets (should have been £20 but we got 2 tickets for £10) This is a great building with stunning architecture and loads to do and see inside - make sure you check it out yourself! read more

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It's the second largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and it completely lives up to the hype. If you like history even a little bit, you'll be intrigued; construction started in the 1200s and was completed in 1472. Just think about it. The stained glass windows are magnificent, and be sure to look up at the detailed ceilings and down at the floor as well. Other highlights are the Hindley clock, astronomical clock (a World War II memorial), and the undercroft and crypt. They let you take photos inside as well as long as you're discrete, which is nice. Climbing the 275 steep steps to the top of the Central Tower is grueling, but completely worth it for the magnificent view and awe of medieval achitecture-- obviously, no powertools were used to create this. Like all cathedrals, the price is relatively steep; tickets are 14 pounds per person for the cathedral and the tower. One perk is that they're good for a year, so if you're in town for a few days you can always explore again. We were lucky enough to find out about a lunchtime organ concert the day after our visit, and used our tickets to go back. If you ever have an opportunity to hear their organ, take it. One of the highlights of our trip to the UK. read more

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York Minster styles itself as the 'largest mediaeval gothic cathedral in Northern Europe', although Cologne also claims the title. It is a key part of the York UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although personally, I don't think it's a particularly atmospheric church for its age - there's not a lot of interest at ground level in the nave and crossing - it is a huge and impressive architecturally. The most interesting parts are the nearly 2,000 years history preserved and on display in its crypts, and its enormous collection of original mediaeval stained glass - unrivalled in Britain, and of world importance. In other words - look up and look down! History York has a very long Christian history indeed. A diocese was established and based in the Roman city of Eboracum in 314AD, although the first church on the site was built in wood for King Edwin of Northumbria in 627AD. This was rebuilt in stone and dedicated to St Peter in 637AD by King Oswald. Although the history is obscure during the Viking period, when the city was renamed Jarvik, it was rebuilt several times again before the Norman conquest in 1066. The Danes destroyed it in a raid in 1075, and a fully Romanesque church was built by the Normans in 1080, completed in 1154. The ascendency of York as an Archbishopric led to the Cathedral being rebuilt from the 13th Century onwards on a vast scale and in the new Gothic style, in a complex sequence that has left substantial elements from all three main periods of mediaeval Gothic architecture: Early English of 1220 in the transepts, from around 1220; Decorated Gothic in the Nave and Chapter House from 1280-1350; and Perpendicular in the Chancel from 1361-1472. The tower collapsed in 1407, and a new one was completed in 1420, and the western towers added between 1433 and 1472. The church is therefore unusual in being almost entirely mediaeval in its structure, with the restorations of the Victorians and later being relatively restrained - largely repairs from fire damage, including the most recent fire in 1984 which destroyed the roof of the south transept. The church suffered badly in the Reformation, especially in destruction of its tombs, although the glass survived remarkably intact. Work to underpin the cathedral in the 1970s led to the discovery of substantial Roman, Viking and early mediaeval remains under the cathedral's crypt, and much of this is now visible as a separate tour. The Church The best place to start is the Nave, although the entrance is normally through the South Transept. One of the widest mediaeval naves in Europe, it is a perfect exampel of the elaborate Decorated Gothic style. The west window is one of the most impressive anywhere: it is known as the 'Heart of Workshire' because of its heart-shaped tracery and dates from 1338. At ground level, the nave is relatively plain, but the glory of York is the stained glass, mostly mediaeval. This is best observed on a sunny day, as much of it is very dark (and large areas are in need of further restoration). Notable on the south wall of the nave is the Jesse Window from 1310. The Transepts are perfect examples of the early English Gothic style, particularly the window in the north transept, whose five enormous lancets are known as the Five Sisters' Window. The delicate grey-green glass, known as grisaille dates from 1260 and is the oldest glass in the cathedral. Opposite, the great rose window in the south transept dates from 1500, and celebrates the union of the houses of York and Lancaster at the end of the Wars of the Roses. The elaborate tomb of Archbishop Walter de Grey, who began the rebuilding in 1220, is in St Michael's chapel in the South Transept, and is the best preserved mediaeval tomb in the cathedral. The crossing (1420) contains wonderful tracery in the vault. The elaborate screen separating the crossing from the Choir dates from the 15th century, and depicts fifteen kings of England from William I to Henry VI. The tower can be climbed from an entrance in the south transept, for excellent views over York. Finally, the Chancel, containing the Choir and Sanctuary are in the grand Perpendicular Gothic style, and include two more half-size transepts (actually, better appreciated from the outside). The interior of the choir and its wooden stalls are, alas 19th Century replacements after a fire 1829. But all eyes are drawn to the huge East Window, completed in 1408, and the largest single expanse of mediaeval glass in the world - famuosly, the size of a tennis court. It depicts scenes from the beginning and end of the world, from the books of Genesis and Revelations. At ground level, the chancel aisles contain most of the tombs in the cathedral. The only Royal tomb is at the entrance to the north aisle, and belongs to Prince William of Hatfield, son of Edward III. Unusually, although he died as an infant, he is depicted as a young boy in full armour. Half way along the north aisle is the St William read more

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Wow! I had forgotten how spectacular this place is. The architecture is phenomenal. There is plenty to see here and you can spend loads of time wandering about reading everything. There are plenty of seats to take the weight off your feet too. There is a cost of approx £10 to get in, this does go up if you want to visit the tower as well. Be warned it isn't for those with mobility issues. This is a must for all visitors to York. read more

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Worth a look, especially from the top. Ceiling not as beautiful as Peterborough Cathedral. read more

York Minster - York Minster - Churches Near Me - York, YOR

you can't even walk around inside the cathedral without paying the 10 pound fee. I have never had this experience in a church! this put a damper on the entire experience for me. yesterday I was at Durham Cathedral which is equally impressive (perhaps even more so) and admission is free. yes, it's beautiful and enormous inside, the stained glass windows are impressive. for the entry fee you can climb to the top of the tower in a scheduled group. be warned, the steps are very narrow and the climb is steep so if you are out of shape, you may want to skip it. there were two couples in our group who who gave up. it's about a 10 or 15 minute climb. once at the top, the views are beautiful, but it's super windy. hang on to your hat :) after you've paid the fee you're free to walk around the church and there are other guided tours which delve into the history. the gift shop is nice and had reasonably priced prints of the cathedral. so I am glad I saw it, but the price of admission still bugs me read more

Now, whether you like christianity or not, or you just don't care- you can't deny that they're good at architecture, and York Minster is an excellent example. It is worth a trip inside (there are plenty of ways to get discounts too), as you can wander on the different levels, you aren't going to be stuck for things to look at in there, and you can kill plenty of time, the chapter house is a particular favourite of mine. It is a magnificent example of gothic architecture, buttresses, cinquefoils, stained glass and all, mostly early english and perpendicular, depending on which part of the cathedral you're gazing at, but, I shan't bore you with all my architecture nerdy bits. Theres the opportunity for guided tours, and audio ones too, or just wander around in your own time. Make sure you head underneath to the extra bits too. read more

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Oh the bells! I was visiting a friend in York (a few years back), and he happened to live within shouting distance of the Minster. I could see them practicing at the bells on Tuesday evening (from the window of the flat!)...jumping madly in the air while grasping the bell pulls. I'm imagining that not much has changed with the Minster in the intervening time. The pictures I took of the stained glass are among some of my favorites from my entire trip. I paid for the tour of the ruins underneath the Minster, and also paid to take the climb up the central tower. More than worth every pence. Breathtaking treasures, ruins, views, and workmanship. The Sunday bells can be a bit excessive (especially when they begin at 8?? 9?? AM). I also thought the Sunday bells were not nearly as lovely sounding as the Tuesday "practice" bells. As the largest Gothic Cathedral in Europe, it's definitely worth the trip to see this magnificent building. read more

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Who can resist the allure of standing atop a tall building? York Minster is one hell of a climb. The stairs are old, and there's a lot of them. You'll feel it in your legs by the time you're done. Do yourself a favor and sit for a few minutes at the very top before you head back down. It'll help! The most fascinating part is the exterior catwalk. About halfway up, you cross over the span of the cathedral before making your way up to the viewing platform. From here you get an unparalleled view of the Gothic architecture. £6 for the tower is pricey, but it's worth it for the architecture, or if you happen to just really love stairs. read more

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An awesome cathedral worth the day trip to York. It is a quick walk from there fabulous train station. You can't miss it. It is a spectacular site to enjoy. It was a busy Easter Friday the day I visited so allow at least several hours especially if you do the tour or climb the tour. I would definitely recommend any church tower climb if you have the time. You got to see more of the cathedral and get some spectacular views. read more

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We visited this cathedral three days ago and it was *well* worth the admission cost, as with the cathedral in Lincoln (the naysayers seem blissfully unaware of just how costly it is to maintain this type of building). Here, too, we took one of the (free) tours and it was another terrific experience; our guide was incredily knowledgeable and she also had a great sense of humor. The tours are supposed to last for one hour, but she went over by about 20 minutes - although we certainly didn't mind, as we were enthralled throughout the tour. read more

The mighty Minster overlooks all of York. I challenge anyone to be not in awe of this magnificent structure. The architecture is amazing on the outside but, once inside, it is inspiring. Well worth a few hours wandering around taking in.....everything with an open mouth. There is an entrance fee. However, the upkeep of this building must be enormous so, no brainer. You can purchase guided tours but we are 'loners' on these expeditions. However, listening to some of the commentaries by the guides, it was obvious they were 'in the know'. Their parties, going on their faces, were suitably impressed with their knowledge. Either way, a 'must' if visiting York. read more

York Minster is a beautiful stop for any tourist travelling through the city. Plus, you'll be able to see it practically wherever you are, so you're not going to get lost easily on your way. The stained glass is magnificent if you can get in there on a sunny day. Everyone can enjoy the outside of the minster, but to get in it'll cost you £9 (lower prices available for students/seniors/children). In my opinion, it's well worth it, and if you live nearby that price covers you for a full year, so you can return again and again. With that ticket you get to walk throughout the interior of the minster, exploring all the beautiful art and decoration, the high ceilings, the back rooms, portions of the crypt, and much more. If you stay long enough you're bound to hear some organ music, or if you're lucky some bells. It's a bit of a shame that so much of the decoration is on the ground where people just don't look. There are placards remembering people of the past, and gravestone markers that have been so worn from people walking on them that it's hard to discern what they are saying. Take a moment when you're in here and look down on the ground, especially in the northern section of the minster, and you might be surprised at what you find. I paid the extra cash for a ticket to climb up the tower as well. There are few warnings in advance regarding the climb, but I'd suggest you're in decent shape before giving it a go. The passageway to the top is very narrow, so if you stop everyone behind you will have to stop as well. There's lots of stairs, it's dark, and in some areas steep. If you can make the climb, it's well worth it for the views of York below, especially if you have beautiful weather - a much better view is provided here than what you get at Cliffords Tower. read more

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At £10 a pop (£15 if you want to climb the tower. We did!) I was quite surprised at having to pay to visit a Cathedral, most likely because we're spoiled with free museums and attractions in Glasgow, and the idea of paying for, essentially, going to church seemed rather vulgar. But the mother wanted to see the inside of this architectural masterpiece, and was paying, so I indulged. Like previous reviews have mentioned, with the exception of the crypt, there isn't much in the way of exhibits. What you're paying for is the centuries old structure and interior, and the monolithic task of climbing 275 steps to explore a 360 degree view of York. Which, for me at least, wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. Be warned, you need to have a decent level of fitness and ok with enclosed spaces, as the stairway narrows the further up you go. The one small exhibit displaying a portion of the Roman street under the Minster was quite fun. We indulged our inner children and had a go at building an archway out of blocks (no guide or instructions, by the way), and take advantage of the dress up section. If it hadn't been for an aged Museum attendee stalking us we would have donned the stone masons hard hats and did a chorus of YMCA. Anyway, tickets are valid for a year, so if you know a friend that has visited hit them up! ;) read more

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