Sat within ancient city walls is historic York, a city known for its Roman past, spooky sightings and quaint, crooked Shambles. It’s a city which experts from Holiday Extras say sounds like it could be straight from the “pages of a dark fairytale”, but it’s also one where Britons could enjoy a city break on a budget this year.
Of course, York is home to plenty of options, including luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, but that’s not to say you can’t whittle down the costs.
The city can be easily accessed by train thanks to the bustling York station. If you book far enough in advance or make use of a railcard, you can get trains for as little as £30.
When it comes to finding cheap accommodation, the best way to save money is by booking in advance and finding the least popular times to visit.
Most hotels run on a supply-and-demand basis meaning the busier it is, the more expensive a stay is likely to be.
Budget hotels, such as Premier Inn, offer some of the cheapest options in the city. Premier Inn is home to six locations ranging from the city centre to the outskirts of York.
Just a quick search shows that Premier Inn’s most central location, York City (Blossom St North) hotel, has rooms available on select dates in September from approximately £67. Split between two people sharing, that’s just £33.50 per night.
York is also home to an abundance of B&BS, from boutique options to those which offer a more purse-friendly stay. According to data from Kayak, some of the cheapest B&B options can be snapped up from £52 a night, at the time of writing.
With a rich history behind it, there are plenty of historic sites and museums which you can enjoy for free. The National Railway Museum which tells the tales of York’s railroad history, is completely free to enter and perfect for the whole family.
For art lovers, the permanent collections on display at York Art Gallery are free to enter, including two galleries which are home to the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA).
At the rear of the building, walk down into the Artists Garden and the Edible Wood before exploring the rest of the beautiful York Museum Gardens.
York is also home to dozens of medieval churches dotted around the city centre – many of which are open during the day for visitors to look inside of. St Michael le Belfrey in York city centre and Holy Trinity hidden in a leafy oasis behind shops in Goodramgate are both recommended by Visit York.
If you want to explore the city on foot while learning a little bit about the story of York, Visit York’s Visitor Information Centre offers a range of self-guided walking tours that you can use to explore the city. “Many cover hidden histories and niche interests in the city and are perfect for experiencing the city in a different light at your own pace,” said Visit York.