A visit to York Minster is more than just another church to check off your itinerary. Voted one of the United Kingdom’s Seven Wonders in 2002, this magnificent building in the City of York is Northern Europe’s second largest Gothic cathedral, eclipsed only by Cologne Cathedral.
Laid out in a cruciform shape, its dimensions are impressive – 525 feet long and 249 feet wide. There are two west towers reaching over 180 feet and a central tower over 230 feet. The vaulted ceiling is 88.5 feet high.
Wikimedia Commons/Keith Laverack
The cathedral was a work in progress between AD 627 and AD 1472, and was destroyed and rebuilt several times before being completed and consecrated. Evidence of York Minster’s history can be found in the undercroft, which has been revamped into an interactive journey for visitors. There, you can view Roman remains through a glass floor, the cathedral’s Norman foundations, and ancient artifacts on display.
Other visitor attractions include The Orb, where you can see five different panels of stained glass from the Great East Window, which is currently being restored. You can also take a free guided tour to learn more about the cathedral’s fascinating 2,000-year- old history. These informative tours are one hour long and cover the entire cathedral better than any pamphlet could!
Another popular thing to do at York Minster is to climb the central tower that was completed in 1433 and stands over 230 feet high. There are around 275 steps up through a steep and enclosed space, so anyone suffering from claustrophobia or vertigo is advised not to attempt it. The rewarding 360-degree view of the city and surrounding Vale of York is worth the climb, however.
flickr/Andrew Horne
A View of York from the top of York Minster
Other drawcards include a stunning collection of stained glass windows dating back to the 13th century, with most of the important ones still retaining medieval glass. Bring along your camera to capture the historical beauty that sits beneath the impressive stone vaulted ceiling. Finally, be sure to visit the Chapter House, one of the oldest parts of the building.
Wikimedia Commons/Mattana
York Minster, although in many ways an archaeological monument, is still a working cathedral and holds daily morning and evening services, with at least one of these usually accompanied by the Minster Choir. The evening service is announced at 5pm each day by the ringing of the “Nelson Chime” housed in the west towers. There are a total of 35 bells in the towers that are rung for ceremonial occasions.
Map of York Minster
Address: Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
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