Premier Inn York

York is Britain’s chocolate capital, with a long history in confectionary which continues to this day - both the Kit Kat and the Chocolate Orange being its most famous exports. Take the York Chocolate Trail by picking up a map at the visitor information centre - it takes you on a walk around the city’s best confectioners. Final stop on the Trail is York’s Chocolate Story, an interactive museum that gives a fascinating glimpse into York’s chocolate making past (and lots of opportunities for tasting).

York is special for its rich history, medieval architecture and well-preserved city walls. It’s home to York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, and offers charming, cobbled streets like the Shambles which date back to the 14th century.

The best time to visit York is during spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded, allowing for more enjoyable sightseeing.

York is famous for its Viking history, medieval streets, York Minster, the Shambles and being one of England’s most historic cities. It’s also known for its role in Roman and Norman history and for having one of the most complete medieval city walls in England.

Harry Potter was not directly filmed in York, but the Shambles in York is widely believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the films. Its narrow, crooked buildings and magical atmosphere attract many Harry Potter fans each year.

Yes! York is famous for several foods, especially Yorkshire pudding, which originates from the region. It's also known for chocolate—York was historically home to major chocolate companies like Rowntree's and Terry's—and for local specialties like York ham and Parkin cake.

No trip to York would be complete with a visit to York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe which took an incredible 250 years to build. So big it even has its own police force, it’s spectacular from the outside, but inside its sheer size and scale are jaw-dropping - in fact the Leaning Tower of Pisa would fit inside the central tower.
Admission is free, as are guided tours, although a donation is asked for. So climb up for fantastic views, or simply stand and admire the detail on the stained glass windows. All the faces have tiny eyelashes, an amazing achievement for craftsmen back in the 1400s and even more remarkable when you consider the windows were 100ft from the ground, so such tiny details would never be seen. View our York Minster hotels.

If you’re in York on a family city break, walk directly to the National Railway Museum because it’s unbelievably intriguing - and free. Travel back in time to when locomotives ruled the tracks at this, the largest railway museum in the world.
You don’t need to be an engineer to enjoy seeing the Flying Scotsman or the only Japanese bullet train outside of Japan. Equally fascinating are the stories. In the days before radio communication, if train cooks ran out of supplies, they’d put a note in a potato and throw it at the signaller, who’d telegraph ahead to the next station.

York is famous for horse-racing - it’s a tradition here that goes back 2,000 years from the times of the Romans and Vikings. And York Racecourse is one of the finest in the country, full of listed buildings and character making it very popular among the 60,000 people who visit each year.
The racecourse runs 17 racedays from May to October, and they’re very popular. But the real attraction is the Ebor Festival. Held over four days in August the city fills up with well-dressed racegoers in all their finery.

In York for Halloween? You’re in luck. York was officially named the Most Haunted City in Europe by the International Ghost Research Foundation. Treasurer’s House in York is home to one of the most famous apparitions in the UK. The house was built over what was once a Roman thoroughfare, and in the 1950s a heating engineer saw a legion of Roman soldiers, visible only from the knees up, marching through one of the cellar walls.
Take your pick of one of the many Ghost Walks on offer (held after it gets dark, naturally). Don’t like to walk? Take the Ghost Bus. It’s an old 1960s Routemaster with a creepy conductor providing a running commentary.

A great way to get a feel for the city is to head upwards for a stroll along the limestone city walls. It’s free to access - just head to Museum Gardens, behind the cathedral for the best starting point. It takes about two hours to walk the five kilometre circuit. Not to be missed are the battlements at Micklegate, where traitors like William Wallace met a gristly end.

York is teeming with quaint tea rooms, but if you like your Earl Grey with a huge helping of 1930s glamour, head to Bettys on St Helen’s Square. Everything about it is utterly charming, from the smart waiting staff and fine crockery, to the fabulous art deco interior. Try their signature Fat Rascals - plump, juicy scones decorated with almonds and cherries.

Crammed with buildings more than 500 years old, The Shambles is believed to be the oldest shopping street in Europe. And it looks it - higgledy piggledy timber-framed buildings that lean together so they seem to touch at the top. Once known as The Great Flesh Shambles, a number of the hooks that butchers used to hang out their meat are still visible on the buildings. Nowadays, you’re more likely to pick up a souvenir than a side of beef though.

If you’re on a family break in York, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s plenty to keep the noisiest family members quiet. Take York Maze, created from over one million living maize plants. Open every summer, it’s the largest maze in the UK. Kids will love finding their way round with a compass - and you are allowed to cheat and buy a map.

Famously, there’s meant to be a pub in York for every day of the year. But if you want a pub with a massive helping of history, head to Stonegate to the Grade II listed Ye Olde Starre Inne. The pub was first licensed in 1644 – meaning it has the longest continuous licence of any pub in York. Warm yourself by the open fire, enjoying a real ale while you hear stories about the pub ghosts - an old lady and two black cats.

To spend a day in York, start by visiting York Minster, one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Then, take a stroll along the Shambles, the famous medieval street, and explore the York Castle Museum or Jorvik Viking Centre to immerse yourself in the city’s Viking history. Finish your day with a visit to The National Railway Museum or a relaxing river cruise along the Ouse for a scenic view of the city.

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.