York is a popular city break destination with people from both home and abroad. Brimming with magnificent historic buildings, fascinating museums and wonderful independent shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, it’s no wonder this stunning Yorkshire city is one of the most visited in the UK.

When booking a city break, it’s easy to head straight for the big hotel chains to look for the best deal. However, with big chains and budget brand hotels, you often sacrifice the level of personal service and thoughtful little extras that boutique hotels usually provide. With a smaller, independent hotel you’re more likely to get local treats waiting for you on arrival and dining is usually a more intimate affair. Plus, you’re less likely to have to climb three flights of stairs and follow a maze of endless corridors to reach your room after a long day exploring the city.

We believe that boutique hotels are always the best option when booking a city break. If you’re planning a trip to York, then check out this list of our favourites. There’s no shortage of accommodation in the city of York but these guys all offer something a little bit special…

3 of The Best Boutique Hotels in York

The Grange

The Grange is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in York. Built in 1829, the Grade II listed Regency townhouse still has its original sweeping staircase with cast-iron balustrade. Decorated in an elegant Regency style throughout and scattered with period antiques, The Grange is a truly remarkable hotel offering a real taste of luxury.

The 41 ensuite rooms all include a flat screen LCD television, a generous hospitality tray with Taylors of Harrogate refreshments, laptop safes, free WIFI and luxury toiletries from The White Company. In the premier rooms, you’re also treated to underfloor heating, air conditioning and a TV in the bathroom.

In the cellars of The Grange Hotel, you will will find their 2 Rosette fine dining restaurant. The Ivy Brasserie offers a menu of perfectly presented classic dishes with a French influence, served in a stunning dining room featuring exposed brickwork and industrial lighting. Although The Ivy Brasserie is a fine dining restaurant, chef, Will Nichols, showcases his culinary talents in a relaxed and informal environment.

Stays at The Grange Hotel are priced at the higher end of the scale, but with such attentive staff, elegant interiors, luxurious rooms and an impressive restaurant onsite, it’s well worth it for a special occasion!

Grays Court

What a gem we have here! Grays Court is the oldest inhabited house in York and one of the most historic buildings in England. With it’s long and fascinating past, York attracts history lovers from across the globe. If you’re heading to York to learn more about its history, then this hotel should be at the top of your accommodation list!

The house was built in the late 11th century and has passed through many hands over the centuries. Before becoming the residence of the famous Gray family for over two hundred years, previous owners included Lord Fairfax and the Squire family.

Now, the Grade I listed building is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in York. With just 12 rooms set across two floors, Grays Court offers exceptional comfort and attentive, yet discreet service. All the rooms are elegantly decorated and furnished with stunning antique furniture. A few of the rooms even boast spectacular views of York Minster.

Headed by Bradford-born Joe Clapham, the restaurant at Grays Court serves fresh, locally and substainably grown local produce – much of which is grown in the hotels own gardens.

Grays Court is an intimate and elegant hotel in a secluded yet central part of York, so it is perfect for last-minute romantic breaks or honeymoon getaways.

Grays Court, Chapter House St, York YO1 7JH

01904 612613

Judges Court

Situated in the heart of York’s bustling shopping district, Judges Court is a 15-bedroom boutique hotel nestled in a hidden courtyard. The Grade II listed Georgian townhouse once provided lodgings for high-ranking judicary figures who came to York to sit in judgement for the city’s most serious crimes. One previous resident of Judges Court was the man who convicted and sentenced the infamous Dick Turpin.

This boutique hotel still has the original wooden panelling of the period and is stylishly decorated throughout with Georgian colours and polished woods. Each room boasts tasteful modern decor that complements the orginal Georgian features and reflects its links to the judicial system.

Small, but stylish and within a short walking distance of York’s wonderful array of quirky shops and boutiques, this hotel would suit couples or business travellers who appreciate sophistication. There isn’t a restaurant at the hotel but each room includes a Nespresso machine, handmade biscuits and a mini bar packed full of indulgent treats.

Judges Court, Coney Street, York YO1 9ND

01904 676184

As with all our articles of this nature, this list will be added to over time. If you would like to make a suggestion or wish to discuss advertising opportunities, please email Alexis@theyorkshirepress.co.uk

If you’re visiting York for the day, or even for a short break, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding on how to spend your time. We’ve put together a short list of our favourite things to do in York to help you plan your itinerary…

13 of Our Top Things to do in York

York Minster

Prices: Adult admission from £11. Children can enter for free with a paying adult (up to four children per paying adult)

York Minster is most certainly the most recognisable building in York. The handcrafted stone cathedral with its intricate stained glass windows is also one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. It’s been at the centre of Christianity on the North of England since the 7th century and is still a popular place for prayer and worship. It is York’s most popular attraction so expect it to busy during weekends and school holidays. If you want to know more about this great city, the York Minster really is the place to go. If the magnificent architecture and opulent interiors aren’t enough to keep you occupied, York Minster houses an impressive collection of historical objects in its very own museum. Housed beneath the cathedral, The Undercroft museum holds some fascinating archaeological finds and educational interactive displays.

York’s Chocolate Story

Prices: Adults £12.95, Children £10.50 (4 – 15), Kids under 4 go free. 

Home to some of the country’s biggest and best-loved chocolate brands, York has played an integral role in the UK’s confectionery industry. While other great Yorkshire cities made their money from things like cotton, wool and steel, York made its wealth from chocolate production. York’s Chocolate Story is an immersive guided tour which will teach you all about the history of chocolate production in York, share with you the secrets of York’s most famous chocolate brands and show you how to make and taste this indulgent treat like a pro!

The York Dungeon

Prices: Adults from £16. Children from £12. Only children over the age of 4 permitted. 

Explore 2,000 years of York’s gruesome history through this 75 minute, actor led experience. Using a combination of special effects, immersive sets and talented actors, The York Dungeon offers a fun, albeit slightly frightening experience for the whole family. Discover the bloody secrets of York’s long history and meet some terrifying characters such as The Torturer, The Highwayman and The Plague Doctor. Fantastic fun but not for the the faint hearted!

The Shambles

One of York’s most photographed tourist attractions is actually a narrow cobbled street. Lined with perfectly preserved Elizabethan buildings, a walk down The Shambles is like travelling back in time. For centuries, Shambles was a street of butcher’s shops with slaughterhouses behind them and some of the original shelves and hooks are still present today. You won’t find a butcher’s shop on The Shambles anymore, however, you will find a whole array of lovely little shops and eateries. You cannot possibly visit York without seeing this iconic street, which some say, may well have been the inspiration behind certain Harry Potter sets!

National Railway Museum

Prices: Free admission for all

The National Railway Museum in York is part of the British Science Museum Group of National Museums and tells the story of the British railways. See iconic locomotives, learn how a steam engine works and explore 300 years of history at this free museum. This is a great day out for the whole family as in addition to their fascinating displays and collections, they offer family-friendly science shows and have a great play area for the little ones to enjoy. Download the Treasure Hunters app to your phone for a great interactive experience that the kids will love!

Jorvik Viking Centre

Prices: Adults from £12.50, Children (5 -16) from £8.50

Jorvik Viking Centre first opened in 1984, following the successful Coppergate dig of 1978, which unearthed remains of Viking age timber buildings and many interesting artefacts. York was captured by the Vikings in 866 AD and was an important trade hub in Britain until the Norman conquest of 1066 AD. With state-of-the-art artefact galleries and an excellent ride experience, Jorvik Viking Centre offers an immersive insight into York’s Viking days. Board one of Jorvik’s time capsules and take a journey through 10th century York, where you will see, hear and even smell what life was really like 1,000 years ago.

Clifford’s Tower

Prices: Adults £5.70, Children £3.40

Clifford’s Tower is all that remains of York Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in 1068. This stone tower was added in the 13th century after much of the original timber structure had been destroyed by fires. During the 1820s, the walls of York Prison encompassed Clifford’s Tower, leaving it out of the view of the public. It wasn’t until 1935 that the prison walls were demolished and restoration work began so that visitors to York could explore the tower and enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the North York Moors beyond.

York Castle Museum

Prices: Adults £10.90. Children under 16 FREE with paying adult. 

York Castle Museum is home to many fascinating collections and exhibitions but the most iconic, has to be Kirkgate. The Kirkgate exhibition at York Castle Museum is a whole Victorian street complete with police cell, schoolroom, Hansom cab and an array of perfectly recreated 19th century shops. The cobbled Victorian street was formed as the centrepiece of the museum when it opened back in 1938 and its popularity has continued to soar ever since. Step back in time and see for yourself how businesses in York operated between 1870 and 1901. Each shop on Kirkgate is based on a genuine York business from that era. Interesting stuff indeed!

York City Walls

At 2 miles in length, York’s medieval city walls are the longest town walls in England. Mainly built of magnesian limestone in the 13th century, this ancient monument which circles this historical city offers a scenic, elevated walk around York. Open from 8am until dusk each day and completely free to access, walking the city walls will take you approximately 2 hours. This really is a great way to see York but the walls themselves with their arrow-slits, gun ports, sculptures and gateways really are a sight to behold.

Yorkshire Museum

Prices: Adults £8.00, Children (under 16’s) FREE with a paying adult

Built on the remains of St Mary’s Abbey, Yorkshire Museum is home to some impressive collections and exhibitions. Some of the greatest archaeological and geological finds in Britain are housed in this museum, so a visit here is a must for history enthusiasts! Walk across a genuine Roman mosaic floor, marvel at the finest example of a Roman statue in Britain and explore York’s history through a tremendous collection of fascinating artefacts.

The latest addition to Yorkshire Museum is the hugely popular “Yorkshire’s Jurassic World”. Travel back through 150 million years of Yorkshire to discover the lost giants that once roamed the lands.

Fairfax House

Prices: Adults £7.50, Children £3.00

Once the winter home of a long established Yorkshire Catholic family, Fairfax House is one of York’s most beautiful attractions. Journey back in time to Georgian Britain with a visit to one of Britain’s finest Georgian townhouses. Located in the heart of York, Fairfax house is a time capsule of 18th century life in York. With opulently decorated interiors, splendid displays of original period furniture and stunning collections of artwork and silverware, Fairfax House will transport you back to days of grandeur and high society living.

York Army Museum

Prices: Adults £5.00, Children (5 – 16) £2.50, Under 5’s FREE. 

Home to some of the most important regimental collections in the UK, covering almost 300 years of history, York Army Museum is great educational day out for the whole family. The museum houses collections from both the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Yorkshire Regiment including medals, firearms, swords and uniforms. Uncover tales of hardship, humanity and comradery as you explore this excellent museum dedicated to telling the story of the importance of the British Army in Yorkshire.

York City Cruise

Prices: Adults £10.00. Children (5-16) £5.50, Infants (0-4) FREE

Admire the beautiful city of York and learn all about its fascinating history with an hour-long cruise along the River Ouse. Experienced skippers will deliver informative sightseeing commentary whilst you enjoy spectacular views of York from either the enclosed saloon or the upper deck. York City Cruises have a fleet of five sightseeing vessels, each with toilet facilities and a saloon bar stocked with beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks, tea & coffee and a selection of snacks. This is a great way to see the city if you are short for time or simply want to do so from a different perspective and without all the walking!

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