Famed for its rich heritage and stunning architecture, York is well known as a historic and cultural centre in the North of England but is also a very student-friendly place to be. The real enjoyment of the Yorkshire capital comes from being a York student and having the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the city’s cultural hub and educational opportunities. Set within the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, York provides a great city lifestyle, while still being central enough for you to explore all that Yorkshire has to offer.
To the west of York, you’ll find the peaceful rolling meadows of the Yorkshire Dales, which have provided inspiration for writers such as the Brontë sisters and James Herriot, while in contrast, South Yorkshire boasts a fascinating glimpse into the region’s industrial heritage.
Towards the north, you’ll discover the North Yorkshire Moors with their dramatic brooding landscape of rocks and purple heather and to the east there’s the rugged Yorkshire coastline with its picturesque coastal retreats, such as Scarborough, Filey and the infamous town of Whitby, where Bram Stoker found some of his inspiration for ‘Dracula’.
With its skyline dominated by York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, York’s old boundary is still guarded by its Roman walls, which are an impressive reminder of York’s role as the Roman Empire’s capital city outside of Rome.
In addition to its surroundings and history, York has countless leisure and entertainment facilities. With two theatres, a conference centre and York Racecourse, the city regularly welcomes some of the top names in the world of music, comedy and entertainment. The city is packed with bars, cafés, nightclubs and restaurants, as well as many specialist shops and boutiques. Not to mention that York famously has 365 pubs, one for every day of the year!
York is a beautiful, vibrant and diverse city, with something for everyone. Whether you're new to the city or have lived here for years, we’re sure you'll find something new to fall in love with. Here's our top 5 things to do!
- Tuck into some street food. With the Shambles Market, Spark York CIC, countless food festivals and York's world famous Yorkshire pudding wrap, you're spoilt for choice.
- Walk! Whether it’s along the Walls at dusk, by the river at dawn or through York's medieval alleyways at noon, you'll be hard pressed to find a more picturesque city to explore.
- Grab a book and head to one of York's green spaces. The Museum Gardens, Minster Gardens and Rowntree Park are all perfect places to catch up on some reading.
- Catch some culture. With two theatres, multiple museums, dozens of live music venues, festivals and street art, York has something to suit everyone's taste.
- Go independent. York has a wide array of independent and locally owned businesses, ranging from amazing coffee shops to truly unique bars, long-standing shops to start up shipping containers and pop-up stores.
York is a student city full of amazing pubs and bars, so whether you prefer a pint or a mocktail, there's something for everyone in our beautiful city.
Check out some of our favourites below:
- Enjoy real ale and craft beers? Check out House of Trembling Madness, The Hop, and Brew York.
- Looking for a cocktail or mocktail? Visit Evil Eye, Bobos, and Sotano.
- Did you know? Get Licensed named York as the best place in the UK for a night out in 2022. York also scored the highest in the safety categories, enabling you to enjoy your night to the full!
York has an excellent cafe culture. With a range of independent cafes, bakeries and tea rooms, whether you prefer a flat white or a cappuccino, you can find it all here.
Check out some of our favourites below:
- For your fix of coffee, pancakes and tasty sandwiches, visit Brew & Brownie.
- Not far from us, you'll find Robinsons, a cafe that serves a range of teas and coffees and offers some excellent brunch options.
- Famous with tourists and residents alike, treat yourself and visit the iconic Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms for an unforgettable afternoon tea experience.
