York

Start with the city’s story and build a practical plan. Visit History, Heritage and Everything In-between to find the must-see landmarks and their contexts, then consult Top-Rated Things To Do for highly rated tours and experiences that make those sites come alive. If you want a confident primer on what to prioritise and why, read Not your Average Traveller — it frames York’s character and points out where time is best spent, from quiet lanes to high-energy hotspots. Together these guides give a short, honest orientation: what’s essential, what’s exceptional, and how to fit both into a day-by-day visit.

York’s food and drink scene is direct, well-made and sociable. For first light and lunchtime turns, follow Coffee and Bakeries Worth the Queue — the guide names where to get a deliberate pour and the croissant that’s worth waiting for. In the evenings, lean into convivial rooms and well-kept pints with Classic Pubs and Cask Ales , which points to pubs that pair character with solid snacks. If you want a more experimental sip, head to Craft Breweries and Taprooms for local brewers and relaxed spots to try small-batch beers. These three guides cover morning, midday and night so you can plan a full day of reliably good eating and drinking.

If you want practical, actionable time-use and experiences that connect you with the city, these guides are the place to start. Follow the 48 Hours Itinerary for a compact, realistic two-day plan that balances landmarks, meals and relaxed neighbourhood time so you leave feeling you’ve seen York rather than ticked it off. For deeper, hands-on options that teach a skill or open a door to local life, consult Authentic Experiences , which lists cooking classes, artisan workshops and cultural sessions that turn sightseeing into living — and give you something to take home beyond photographs.