Riverside's Guidebook

Daniel
Riverside's Guidebook

Free Sightseeing

On a beautiful sunny day sometimes there is nothing better than to lay a blanket down on the grass and enjoy an ice cream (or maybe some cake from one of the local coffee shops) and watch the world pass by. The Minster gardens, the Museum gardens (a five minute walk from the minster gardens) and beside the river Ouse are the perfect locations for this. (If choosing to wander by the river look out for the Ice Cream riverboat.)
Dean's Park
2 Minster Yard
On a beautiful sunny day sometimes there is nothing better than to lay a blanket down on the grass and enjoy an ice cream (or maybe some cake from one of the local coffee shops) and watch the world pass by. The Minster gardens, the Museum gardens (a five minute walk from the minster gardens) and beside the river Ouse are the perfect locations for this. (If choosing to wander by the river look out for the Ice Cream riverboat.)
Roughly a 15 min walk away from Riverside is the perfect starting point to start a free walk of the famous Roman walls that encompasses the beautiful city of York. Monkgate is one of four 'gates' or 'bars' that once granted entry into the medieval city, this one happens to be the largest and is the only one that has a portcullis in working order, which you can see as you pass underneath it. Choosing to start the wall tour here will mean you will pass some beautiful residential properties, the York St John university and appreciate some impressive views of the York Minster, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Europe. This section of wall will end at Bootham Bar, which houses some amazing local pubs and coffee shops, is opposite the York art gallery and is just around the corner from the York Minster. For more information on the walls, routes and events please use the following link: https://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/
Monkgate
Monkgate
Roughly a 15 min walk away from Riverside is the perfect starting point to start a free walk of the famous Roman walls that encompasses the beautiful city of York. Monkgate is one of four 'gates' or 'bars' that once granted entry into the medieval city, this one happens to be the largest and is the only one that has a portcullis in working order, which you can see as you pass underneath it. Choosing to start the wall tour here will mean you will pass some beautiful residential properties, the York St John university and appreciate some impressive views of the York Minster, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Europe. This section of wall will end at Bootham Bar, which houses some amazing local pubs and coffee shops, is opposite the York art gallery and is just around the corner from the York Minster. For more information on the walls, routes and events please use the following link: https://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/
With a stock of over 100 locomotives, that are periodically rotated throughout the museum, there is always something new to inspect at this unique museum which captures the impact of rail transport throughout Britain's History. Home to some significant railway vehicles such as Mallard, Stirling Single, Duchess of Hamilton and a Japanese bullet train! Situated right next to York Railway station. Open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is free but a donation is appreciated.
153 locals recommend
National Railway Museum
Leeman Road
153 locals recommend
With a stock of over 100 locomotives, that are periodically rotated throughout the museum, there is always something new to inspect at this unique museum which captures the impact of rail transport throughout Britain's History. Home to some significant railway vehicles such as Mallard, Stirling Single, Duchess of Hamilton and a Japanese bullet train! Situated right next to York Railway station. Open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is free but a donation is appreciated.

Sightseeing

York Minster is a behemoth to behold and is the pinnacle of gothic architecture. After several centuries of construction it was finally finished in 1472 and still holds a huge following for Christianity in the north of England. From simply walking round the outside it is impossible to not notice the meticulously handcrafted stone or the unique medieval stained glass of the Rose Window or the Five Sister lancets. Inside, light streams through a spectrum of different colours housed by the building's 128 stained glass windows and fills the enormous space with a peaceful and majestic radiance. With an interior height of 88.5 feet, the equivalent of an 8 story building, and the length of 165 feet there is plenty to see. There is also a museum underneath that traces the routes to the building's Roman and Viking ancestry. Please remember that this is still a church so services and worship will be happening daily. General admission is from 9.30am to 4pm and is £12.50 per person (Last entry is at 3.30pm). It is an extra £6 to go to the roof of the Minster, be warned there are a lot of spiral stairs, the passage is very narrow and there is nowhere to stop and rest!
209 locals recommend
York Minster
Deangate
209 locals recommend
York Minster is a behemoth to behold and is the pinnacle of gothic architecture. After several centuries of construction it was finally finished in 1472 and still holds a huge following for Christianity in the north of England. From simply walking round the outside it is impossible to not notice the meticulously handcrafted stone or the unique medieval stained glass of the Rose Window or the Five Sister lancets. Inside, light streams through a spectrum of different colours housed by the building's 128 stained glass windows and fills the enormous space with a peaceful and majestic radiance. With an interior height of 88.5 feet, the equivalent of an 8 story building, and the length of 165 feet there is plenty to see. There is also a museum underneath that traces the routes to the building's Roman and Viking ancestry. Please remember that this is still a church so services and worship will be happening daily. General admission is from 9.30am to 4pm and is £12.50 per person (Last entry is at 3.30pm). It is an extra £6 to go to the roof of the Minster, be warned there are a lot of spiral stairs, the passage is very narrow and there is nowhere to stop and rest!
National Geographic voted that York was possibly the most haunted city in the world! Founded in 1460 this medieval building is situated right between York Minster and Monkgate and is the starting location for Mad Alice's bloody tour of York! There are several ghost tours available in York, but this one is personally recommended for the vibrancy Mad Alice brings to depicting some of York's more gruesome history. It has recently won a Tripadvisor award for experience of the year... and its understandable. Tickets from £13 per person but need to be booked in advance. There are two tours per night one starting at 6pm and another at 8pm.
St. Williams College
5 College St
National Geographic voted that York was possibly the most haunted city in the world! Founded in 1460 this medieval building is situated right between York Minster and Monkgate and is the starting location for Mad Alice's bloody tour of York! There are several ghost tours available in York, but this one is personally recommended for the vibrancy Mad Alice brings to depicting some of York's more gruesome history. It has recently won a Tripadvisor award for experience of the year... and its understandable. Tickets from £13 per person but need to be booked in advance. There are two tours per night one starting at 6pm and another at 8pm.

Local Takeaways

A local Chinese takeaway that also does fish & chips. 01904 623668 Highly recommended are the hand-cut deep fried chunky chips. Open till 11pm every night.
China Inn
23 Haley's Terrace
A local Chinese takeaway that also does fish & chips. 01904 623668 Highly recommended are the hand-cut deep fried chunky chips. Open till 11pm every night.