York

Tower Street, YO1 9SA· Cheap

In the 11th century, the Normans built a castle here to keep the Vikings at bay and subdue the local population following their conquest of England.

Castlegate, YO1 9RN· Cheap

A Georgian townhouse built as the winter home for the Viscount Fairfax and his daughter, which has today been lovingly restored as a charming example of aristocratic life in York.

St. Helen’s Square, YO1 9QN

Built in the 15th century as a meeting hall for the guilds of York, the Guildhall is now also home to the city council chamber. Guilds are associations of artisans and merchants of a particular industry akin to something between a…

Exhibition Square, YO1 7EP· Free

Now the very apt home for the University of York's Archaeology Department, this was a royal headquarters during the Tudor and Stuart dynasties (16th and 17th centuries).

Fossgate, YO1 9XD· Cheap

Remarkable timbered guild hall, built by city merchants between 1357 and 1361. The great hall was where they gathered for business and socialising, the undercroft was an almshouse for the poor and sick, and in the chapel all mercantile…

Walk: follow the New Walk along the Ouse for about 1 mile (1.6 km) from town, then access via the Millennium Bridge. Bus: 11, 26· Free

Named for the Rowntree company, which gifted the park to the city, and dedicated to company employees lost during the First World War, this is a 30-acre green flag oasis next to the Ouse.

St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate, YO1 8NN· Cheap

Hands-on experience for children, who are briefed and then let loose on fake archaeology pits to turn up what they can. The 'synthetic soil' means germaphobe parents can relax and wonder why theyve been charged an entry fee to sit and…

1 mile (1.6 km) south of the city centre. Bus: 197 shuttle operates between railway station and course on race days· Cheap

York has been going to the races since Roman times, and the current site, in use since the early 18th century, is one of England's largest horse racing venues. Racegoers to the County Stand must adhere to a formal dresscode.

12 Clifford Street, YO1 9RD· Moderate

Knock-about version of horrible history, suitable for ages 8+. 75-minute tour with storytelling and a very liberal interpretation of historical events that will keep you laughing and screaming.

5 miles (8 km) east of city centre on the B1228. Bus: 36, X36 (M-Sa); timetable and details here.· Cheap

The largest 'maize maze' in Europe. Each year is different; the 2018 maze was shaped like two giant Jurassic Park dinosaurs. There are numerous other activities, such as mini-mazes for children, quadbiking, games such as crazy golf, and…

4a Colliergate, YO1 8BP· Expensive

Email via online contact form. Your team is put in one of three themed rooms (Atlantis, NYPD, Ministry of Wizards), and you have 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles and codes in order to escape.

14 Lendal, YO1 8AA· Moderate

Email via online contact form. An ale house which promotes the pairing of good beer with quality food. The menu is bursting with regional produce, from bread baked in the city, to platters of locally-smoked meats and rich, savoury pies.

45 Fossgate, YO1 9TF· Cheap

Snazzy artisan sandwiches and paninis (think York ham, goat's cheese, pastrami, hummus.) for lunch, and a selection of toasts, pancakes, and pastries for all day breakfast or brunch. Excellent fresh coffee, made Seattle-style.

4½ miles (7.2 km) north of town up Haxby Road. Bus: 13· Cheap

Award-winning family-run chippy with takeaway and restaurant. As good a plate's worth as you'll get in York, so it's worth the trip. Gluten free and halal options available.

2 Church Street· Moderate

Fish and chips with the usual sides. Offers delicious vegan options (including vegan fish and chips, with the "fish" made from banana blossom) and outdoor seating.

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, YO1 8BL· Cheap

Part jumble sale for second-hand books, part cafeteria selling good cheap homemade sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks in a tiny deconsecrated church - eat on the grass outside.

15 Blake Street, YO1 8QJ· Cheap

Authentic Japanese restaurant with vegan and gluten-free options, and an enormous tea menu to accompany your meal.

Bus: 11, 26· Cheap

Camp in the city! Next to both Rowntree Park and the River Ouse, this is mostly a site for caravans and motorhomes, though there are pitches for tents too. Washroom, laundry room, electricity and gas hook-ups, Wi-Fi. Disability friendly.

88-90 Micklegate, YO1 6JX· Moderate

Handsome Georgian townhouse right in the centre of York's nightlife: free earplugs available if you find it noisy. A mix of shared dormitories (4-12 people, some female only) with bunk beds and private rooms (2-4 people).

Bus: 11, 26· Pricey

Cosy but basic B&B in a Victorian house, offering a continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. No alcohol on premises, but there are good pubs and restaurants close by. Diamonds also has three other guesthouses in period properties around York.

½ mile (800 m) north of city centre. Bus: 1, 5, 5A, 6, 40· Pricey

Victorian-era villa with a range of en-suite rooms, including an accessible ground floor double room. Full English and continental breakfast. Private parking. Wi-Fi.

Bus: 2· Pricey

Traditional B&B run by a friendly husband-and-wife team. Has a mix of en-suite rooms and a few with shared bathrooms.

Bus: 1, 5, 5A· Moderate

Small, basic rooms. Wi-Fi signal not great. Nice communal areas, including a bar. Unbeatablebreakfast.