York named best city in the UK for free summer holiday activities – here’s why
If you’re looking for a bargain break this summer, you might not have to travel very far. The historic city of York has been named the best city in the UK for the most amount of free activities in relation to its size.
Wonga identified the top ten British cities for visitors on a budget by taking into account free attractions like castles, historic houses, cathedrals and parks, and compared the number to the amount of people who live there. York was found to have 13 free attractions per 100,000 residents.
Brighton and Hove, famous for the South Downs National Park, took second place and in third was Manchester – a sporting landmark and museum hotspot.
So what made the medieval city of York also beat the likes of Edinburgh, Bath and London? Here are just a few things you can do for free in the city.
Stroll within the walls
Quintessentially English, this walled city was founded by the Romans in 71 AD; today the well-preserved walls surround independent shops and eateries. There are plaques dotted around the walls so you can learn about the history and the whole walk takes around two hours. The masterpiece is gothic cathedral York Minster, which can be seen from most of the city. If you want to go inside, there’s a charge (£11 for adults, children free) and you can climb the central tower (£16 for adults, £5 for children). Book here.
Relax in the parks
For a relatively small city, York is blessed with a lot of green spaces and four of them are ‘green flag’ parks. West Bank Park is a pretty combination of rambling countryside and formal lawns. You can play bowls in the 1900s Clarence Gardens or the Edwardian Glen Gardens, both in the heart of the city. For more open space, there’s the 20-acre Rowntree Park, with a big lake, areas for skateboarding, mini-golf and kids’ playgrounds, or Rawcliffe Country Park, with 2,000 trees and 1,500 woodland shrubs. Homestead Park, a walk away from the centre along the River Ouse towpath, is great for kids – with a monkey gym, paddling pool and slides.
The National Railway Museum
This excellent family-friendly museum is home to a collection of iconic locomotives and tells the story of rail transport in the UK. There are over 250,000 objects and 1,000 model engines on show and the exhibitions include the history of women working in the railways, how train safety has changed, and the royal family’s connection to British railways. There are talks, tours and activities to take part in, and incredibly, it’s all free (but donations are welcome). More info here.
Discover the Shambles
You’ve probably seen photos of tourists posing outside higgledy-piggledy shop fronts on narrow cobbled street ‘The Shambles’, in the centre of York. It was once home to butcher shops, but today you’ll find quirky boutiques and cute cafes – although you’ll still feel like you’ve stepped back in time. A free walking tour by the Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York, passes along the street.
Yorkshire Lavender
See (and smell) this purple flower, which grow on hillsides of this 60-acre family-run lavender farm, just outside York. With hundreds of lavender and herb varieties, it looks beautiful – and the heady scents also have therapeutic values. You can learn about the history of the lavender plant’s healing properties, too. Entry is free in March, April, May and September. Charges apply June-August: £3 for adults, £1.50 for kids. More info here.
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