Vikings, medieval streets, Gothic cathedrals, iconic towers, cask ales, and… dungeons? It may sound like a confusing itinerary, but once you’ve wandered down to one of our distinctive, old pubs in York, England’s beautiful cathedral city, you’ll be making plans to visit again before you know it. We’ll keep your favourite spot free, just in case.

Here’s our go-to guide for the 10 best things to do in York – all perfect for pairing with one of our cask ales and a hearty British pie, naturally…

In the heart of York, the JORVIK Viking Centre is filled with immersive exhibits and the reconstructed streets of Jorvik, a Viking village that will tempt you to take a step into the past.

Get directions to Jorvik Viking Centre.

Since you’ve already come all the way to York, we simply must recommend the panoramic views of Clifford’s Tower, a 13th-century castle keep that takes pride of place on a grand grass mount and long ago was used as a prison and royal mint.

Get directions to Clifford’s Tower.

Welcome to the fascinating world of trains and transportation at York’s National Railway Museum, where you’ll discover railway artefacts, over 300 vehicles, and even the Mallard, a world record holder on the steam transportation scene.

Get directions to York’s National Railway Museum.

Said to be one of Europe’s oldest cathedrals, there’s no denying the Gothic glory of York Minster’s architecture, featuring eye-catching stain-glassed windows, tower tours, and an interactive Undercroft exhibition.

Get directions to the York Minster.

If you have “Viking ventures” on your travel to-do list, look no further than The Cross Keys, a Victorian pub that dates back to the 1800s and stands proudly in an area created back in the Viking era! Sadly, the Vikings never got to experience this snug pub – so raise a glass in their honour, won’t you?

Pop back in for a cold pint after you’ve explored the nearby attractions above and tell us all about them.

Surrounding the Yorkshire Museum, you’ll find sprawling gardens with a few historic must-see spots, including real-life Roman ruins and a medieval abbey. Who could resist that?

Get directions to York’s Museum Gardens.

Victorian-era cobbled streets. Costumed guides. A whole host of iconic exhibits worth discussing over a pint. That’s what you’ll find at the York Castle Museum – make new memories with moments from the past.

Get directions to York Castle Museum.

If you’re looking for more facts to swap over your next pint, take a detour to Harkers in St. Helen’s Square, a unique pub that sits opposite from where the city’s Roman Praetorian Gate once stood. In fact, part of this gate can still be found in this unique pub’s basement! Once you’ve impressed your mates with that interesting little fact, make sure to spend some time at the nearby attractions above, both known for giving travellers a few reasons to fill up their city break scrapbooks.

Running through the centre of York, you’ll find the calm waters of the River Ouse, and a variety of available river cruises. How about a calm afternoon spent on the water before catching up over a cask ale and a warming pie?

Enjoy the theatrical storytelling of York Dungeon, made especially memorable with its costumed characters and high-tech ghost house scares. But don’t worry – the only crime you’ll be guilty of is enjoying York a little too much and refusing to leave.

Get directions to York Dungeon.

We hope you’re not too scared after York Dungeon, because our charming 16^th-century pub, The Old White Swan, is also the home of (rumoured) hauntings and the venue for exhibiting the world’s tallest man back in 1781. We don’t know about all that, but we do know you’ll be in high spirits after a British pub lunch and a tall glass of your favourite tipple.

What do you think when you hear Shambles? If you answered, “an iconic medieval shopping street and one of York’s most famous destinations,” you’d be correct! Head here for Shambles Market, selling produce, crafts, and clothing seven days a week.

Get directions to York’s Shambles.

The York City Walls are the remnants of a rectangular fortification around the city of York, erected in 71 CE. Even just a stroll along these walls offers scenic views that are sure to linger in your mind until the next time you visit.

Get directions to York City Walls.

Speaking of things that you’ll be thinking about until the next time you visit, have we told you about our old British pub, The Punch Bowl? Discover seasonal pub dishes, cask ales on tap, and another rumour that this pub is also haunted... Well, that’s what you get when you’re in the business of quirky, historic pubs.

Can’t decide on the perfect pub for your trip to York? Understandable. Thankfully, we have a Yorkshire Ale & Gin Trail for that. Join us on a journey of York’s best pubs, pints and pies as we roam through Nicholson’s vibrant collection of British pubs in the area – while also drinking the finest ales and gins along the way, of course.

Follow this trail from York to Leeds (or vice versa) for an eclectic mix of historic British pubs, each as cosy and charming as they are packed with tales to tell.

Oh, one last thing… For especially ‘appy travels along our Yorkshire Ale & Gin Trail, remember to collect your Ale & Gin Trail loyalty stamps on our app. Keep it up and we’ll pour you a FREE ale or gin with every 4^th old pub you visit.

If all that reading about the best attractions in York – and the charming old pubs that go hand-in-hand with them – has you feeling thirsty, we think you deserve a break.

Find your nearest Nicholson’s pub and take a load off, treating yourself to a couple of cask ales, and perhaps a classic British pub lunch, before getting back to your journey through the best cities in the UK.