Our writer, Rachel McAlley was invited to spend a few days in York sightseeing with City Cruises. This trip was the perfect opportunity to visit a number of attractions that she didn’t know existed in the city she calls home.
I live on the outskirts of York, so I spend a lot of time in and around the city. Thanks to City Cruises, this trip gave me an opportunity to see and visit places that I didn’t even know existed.
Ibis Styles York Centre
I checked in to the ibis Styles York Centre, which is located on The Mount, just a 10-minute walk from York Train Station. It’s roughly a 20-minute walk from the city centre too, so not too far from anything.
It has recently undergone a huge interior transformation and refurbishment. It is classed as a Design Economy Hotel, open to creative minds. The entrance is sleek, clean and understated and the staff extremely welcoming.
The bar and restaurant have a Brewing and Distilling theme, which leans back into the hotel’s heritage. There are double rooms, twin rooms, family or group rooms, and accessible rooms.
My twin room was very clean, contemporary in design, and had unbelievably comfortable beds. Plus, open rails for hanging clothes, kettle, desk, free internet, LCD flatscreen TV, and an en suite. There was even a nod to the Viking era as my bedside table was embossed with a Viking’s head!
I had two wonderful nights in the hotel and couldn’t have asked for anything better. Even the breakfast each morning was great. Moreover, there was everything from cold and continental favourites like ham, cheese, yoghurts, pastries, and an array of different breads. Additionally, the hot buffet-style breakfast was brilliant too, with freshly cooked eggs alongside the usual sausages, bacon, hash browns and plenty more.
If you are thinking of a hotel for York then look no further than ibis Styles, run by Accor. Prices start at £130 for a twin room based on two people sharing. To book, visit ibis Styles here.
Members of ALL Accor can enjoy up to 10% off public rates as well as earning reward points which can be redeemed on stays and experiences, and it is free to sign up. For more info see the Loyalty Program.
The Fat Badger
My first evening was spent enjoying dinner at The Fat Badger with a number of other journalists and writers. The Inn is located at High Petergate, directly set within the historic bar walls. The restaurant has plenty of nooks and crannies to dine in, and our table was facing the York walls. It was super busy, with every table booked for dinner. I enjoyed my first Christmas Dinner of the season, and it didn’t disappoint. I must give a shout out to whoever made the Yorkshire Pudding, it was outstanding, thanks Fat Badger!
After a great night’s sleep back at the ibis York Centre, we all met in reception post-brekkie, for a walk into the city and our first of many attractions. Our first port of call was Barley Hall, down a little alleyway called Coffee Yard.
Barley Hall and Visit York Pass
Barley Hall was only rediscovered in the 1980s and then restored to its former medieval glory. Firstly, we toured the Great Hall. Secondly, we looked in awe it the high ceilings and stunning timber frames. Thirdly, we shopped in the little gift shop. Why not check out the Barley Hall website to find out more.
I must say that having a Visit York Pass, opened my eyes to the amazing venues, historical sites, visitor attractions that York has to offer. The pass itself can be purchased for 1, 2, or 3-days duration, it entitles visitors free entry to more than 35 attractions, and access to over 15 exclusive offers. Equally, it is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.
The Visit York Pass is the city’s official sightseeing pass, it is priced at £99 for adults and £60 for children, to find out more visit York Pass.
The Shambles, Christmas Market, and Roman Baths
From Barley Hall we ventured to The Shambles for a look around at the shops, the famous cobbles, and the Harry Potter/Labyrinth-style shops. After taking endless pictures of the very unique The Shambles we went into The Society of Alchemists, a dark and mysterious shop, where we were kindly given a gift of their Christmas fragrance Merry Krampus. Check out The Society of Alchemists for more info.
It started to get busy on The Shambles so it was time to visit somewhere new. We had a look around the York Christmas Market, which was bustling with people shopping and eating street food. Furthermore, we ordered the most fabulous hot chocolate from one of the Christmas market stalls. Then, we headed to St Sampsons Square where, hidden underground, under The Roman Bath Pub is The Roman Bath Museum.
One of the city’s oldest attractions, 5 meters under the pub is where Roman York can be found. We discovered the remains of the Roman Baths, we learned about the soldiers that lived, worked, and recuperated at these very baths. Visit The Roman Bath Museum to find out more.
City Cruises
It was time for us to head to the River Ouse, where we were to step foot onboard a York City Cruises, Festive Sightseeing Cruise. And, due to the cruises timings we also experienced the Fish & Chip Cruise too! What a fantastic Yorkshire thing to do, tuck into fish, chips and mushy peas whilst cruising along the river with a guide telling us the history of York.
City Cruises run daily cruises along the River Ouse, there’s general sightseeing trips, dining trips, boat tours, festive cruises like ours, and York’s Santa experience at this time of year. We were lucky to get into the festive one as it was busy with Christmas cruise guests! But, having it in conjunction with the Fish & Ship cruise, this was a bonus. Furthermore, everyone on the festive cruise also received a mince pie and glass of mulled wine or hot drink of their choice.
I’ve been on a cruise with City Cruises before and loved it, so it was wonderful to be back onboard, and this time with a lovely lunch of fish and chips from Mr Chippy, plus a mince pie and mulled wine.
In addition, the hour-long cruise took in beautiful bridges, parks and buildings, and it gave us a proper insight into the historical venues that overlook the Ouse.
Prices start at just £10 and rise to £28 depending on which cruise is booked. Check the City Cruises website for dates, pricing, and important information.
Santa Experience with City Cruises
I have also just been on the Santa Experience Cruise, which was truly wonderful. It’s aimed at children and their families and is well worth doing. Each child receives a lovely gift, and a little bag of treats plus some Santa bells, and each family member has a hot drink and mince pie. There’s Christmas music, singing, meeting Santa, writing a list and posting it, and generally a trip filled with festive magic.
After this, we went back into the city to do some shopping time and then on to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
Once showered and ready we had drinks with Jessica from Splendid, the marketing team at the ibis Styles, which was followed by dinner at a little Italian restaurant called Valentinos opposite the hotel.
Jorvik Viking Centre, Van Gogh, and York Minster
The morning was filled with packing suitcases, a hearty breakfast at the hotel, and then our final day in York.
We caught the bus from outside the hotel into the city, and firstly visited Jorvik Viking Centre. This is a fantastic attraction, complete with ride around the entire centre going back in time to the year AD 960.
Travelling through a reconstructed village of the Viking Age it included sights, sounds, and smells of this era – even the smell of Viking poo! Subsequently, we learned how they cooked, cleaned, worked, and played. Once off the ride there’s the gallery, which holds original Viking artefacts from here in York. If you want to know more visit the Jorvik website.
After the Jorvik Viking Centre shop we went to see the Van Gogh Exhibition at St Mary’s Church, located in the Coppergate Shopping Centre. This immersive exhibition is a 360 degree digital art experience. It includes projections, light show and the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Then we took in the art exhibition before leaving this wonderful show. For more info visit Van Gogh.
Our next port of call was York Minster, a beautiful church, originally a small building built in the year 633. In 1080 a new cathedral was started, in 1154 a new expansion, it then took 250 years for York Minster as we know it today to make an appearance.
It has seen fires, wars, treason, and much more. For more information about this unbelievable building visit York Minster.
It was nearing lunch time and we had Afternoon Tea booked at York’s iconic hotel, The Grand York. So, it was time to leave the cobbled streets, stroll across Lendel Bridge, and down the road to our final destination.
The Grand York
Another of Accor’s beautiful hotels, this cherished 5* hotel has been York’s pride and joy since being built in 1906. Our visit was fleeting as it was solely for one purpose, Festive Afternoon Tea.
We couldn’t have timed it any better as The Grand was just been named winner of ‘Best Afternoon Tea 2026’ by Conde Nast Johansens. We were in for a treat!
The AA Rosette, The Rise Restaurant is the perfect location for Afternoon Tea, as it offers view of the city walls. The food is outstanding, the service excellent, and the restaurant itself comfortable and welcoming.
We settled down to a selection of hot drinks, and Festive Afternoon Tea filled with dainty sandwiches, mouth-watering mini desserts, and scones that were to die for! It was simply the perfect end to 3-days of magic in my home city of York.
Visit The Grand York to book afternoon tea.
In conclusion, I had a fantastic time, and it is with huge thanks to York City Cruises for organising the trip around York.
An Amazing 3-Days Sightseeing in York with City Cruises – Words by Rachel McAlley @LadyRach
