Churches and York Minster Cathedral

(York, North Yorkshire, England, UK)



Religion has long been important to this medieval city, with various centuries-old churches being centred around York Minster. This truly is one of the world's finest cathedrals and the Minster comes with extravagant Gothic-style architecture, a chapter house, a wide nave and the greatest expanse of medieval stained-glass in existence, anywhere on the planet.

The Minster serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of York and is the seat of the city's Archbishop, while also being the Church of England's second-highest office. Many visitors choose to climb to the very top of the main tower, where panoramic views across the city await. However, with 275 extremely narrow and steep spiralling steps, this is quite an undertaking and only really suitable for those who are relatively fit and not uncomfortable in enclosed spaces. Recent renovation work in excess of £20 million has ensured that the cathedral remains well-preserved for future generations to admire and enjoy.


York Minster photograph

York Minster

Address: Deangate, York, YO1 7HH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 557216
York Minster stands proudly in the heart of the city centre and has been an important place of worship here for more than 1,000 years. This important church is actually the second-biggest Gothic cathedral in the north of Europe and boasts a particularly peaceful atmosphere. Attractions include audio-guided tours, a famous Rose window, a vast number of stained-glass windows, numerous impressive period features and breathtaking architecture.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:30, last admittance 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 15:45
November to March, Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 18:30, last admittance 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 15:45
Closed to sightseers on Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt open hours: July and August, Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 18:30, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 18:30, last admittance 17:30
September to June, Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 18:30, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 18:30, last admittance 17:00
Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt closed: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Minster Tower open hours: July and August, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:30, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 18:30, last admittance 18:00
September to June, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:30, Sunday - 12:00 noon to 18:30, last admittance 17:00
Minster Tower closed: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
No admittance to Tower for children under four years old, all children under 16 must be accompanied by and adult.
Admission: charge, free to children under 16, discounts available for students and seniors
Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors, free audio tour included
Minster, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors, free audio tour included
Tower admission: charge, discounts available for children, no children under four allowed to climb the Tower

Central Methodist Church

Address: St. Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 612171
Located in the city centre and alongside the Saviour House office building, the Central Methodist Church dates back to the mid-19th century and features stunning architecture. Other attractions include a vast interior, carvings, stained-glass windows and regular services.

Holy Trinity Church

Address: Melrosegate, York, YO31 0RP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 422958
Situated in the Heworth area, on the eastern side of the city, the Holy Trinity belongs to the Church of England and was built in 1867. Visitors will find beautiful stained-glass windows, typically English-architecture and regular services.

The Parish Church of All Saints

Address: North Street, York, YO1 6JD, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 424304
Located in the city centre, next to the River Ouse and near the Low Ousegate Bridge, the Parish Church of All Saints dates all the way back to the 15th century. With important, historic paintings and wooden statues, the All Saints also features an impressive pulpit, which is more than 300 years old.

The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity

Address: Micklegate, York, YO1 6LE, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 623798
The historic Priory Church of the Holy Trinity is located in the Micklegate area of the city, being just a stroll away from the York Brewery and Visitor Centre. Founded almost 1,000 years ago, much of the original structure was destroyed in the mid-16th century, but was rebuilt and renovated to its former glory soon after.



St. Mary's Church

Address: Bishophill Junior, York, YO1 6EN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 623798
Centrally located St. Mary's, just south of Micklegate, is actually the oldest church in the city. Situated next to the York Walls, St. Mary's dates back to the 11th century and has many well-preserved period features, including Roman stonework, stained-glass windows and detailed architecture.

St. Andrew's Evangelical Church

Address: Spen Lane, York, YO1 7BS, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 768836
St. Andrew's Evangelical Church can be found in the heart of the city, just across from the Town House, where it was built in the 15th century. Over the years, St. Andrew's has been used for a variety of different purposes, but is now used as a parish church once more, with regular services. Useful points of reference close by include the Merchant Taylors Hall, the Cuthbert Morrell House and the New School House Gallery.

St. Columbus Church

Address: Priory Street, York, YO1 6EX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 488445
Standing near the Holy Trinity Rectory and Priory House, St. Columbus was constructed in the late 19th century. This United Reformed Church features large stained-glass windows and impressive architecture. Of note, the Micklegate Bar Museum is just a couple of minutes' walk down the road.

St. Denys Church

Address: Walmgate, York, YO1 9UB, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 633261
Situated in the Walmgate area of the city, St. Denys Church dates back to the mid-12th century. Attractions include medieval stained-glass windows, many original features and regular services.

St. Helen's Church

Address: St. Helen's Square, Stonegate, York, YO1 8QN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 656385
St. Helen's Church is an important 14th-century building, situated in the heart of the city centre, alongside Betty's Cafe and Tea Rooms, the York City Council building and the Yorkshire Terrier brewery pub. With medieval stained-glass, original stone arches and Dutch panels, St. Helen's has undergone much restoration work over the years.

St. Margaret's Church

Address: Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 632220
St. Margaret's Church is one of the most important buildings in the city and is Grade I listed, being situated within the Walmgate area, near both Foxton House and Pullman House. Once used to store theatrical props by the nearby Theatre Royal, St. Margaret's has recently been restored and is now used for many local festivals and events, including concerts and exhibitions.

St. Martin's Church

Address: Coney Street, York, YO1 9QL, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 656385
Located next to the City Screen Picturehouse and the River Ouse, St. Martin's Church was built in the 15th century, although much of this attractive building was sadly destroyed during the Second World War. After much restoration and renovation work, St. Martin's opened its doors once again in the 1960s and continues to hold regular services for its congregation.

St. Michael le Belfrey Church

Address: 11 - 12 Minster Yard, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 624190
This important religious building was completed in the 16th century, on the site of a much older church dating back to the 8th century. Situated next to Dean's Park and close to the Theatre Royal, attractions at the St. Michael le Belfrey Church include painted glasswork, regular services, historic architecture, disabled access and a number of popular events throughout the year.

St. Olave's Church

Address: Marygate, York, YO30 7BH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 625186
St. Olave's lies within the Bootham district, on the western side of the city centre, where it was originally built in the mid-14th century. Over the years, the church has been completely rebuilt twice, in the late 18th century and again in the early 20th century.

St. Wilfrid's Church

Address: 11 High Petergate, Duncombe Place, York, YO1 7EN, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 624767
St. Wilfrid's stands in the Bootham area, being close to both York Minster and the Theatre Royal. This Roman Catholic church was founded in the mid-18th century and holds regular services, where all are welcome.

Unitarian Chapel

Address: St. Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 423604
The Unitarian Chapel is actually the oldest non-conformist church in the area. Built in the mid-18th century, points of interest within the chapel include a Georgian pulpit, a historic painting and stone carvings.

Baptist Church

Address: Priory Street, York, YO1 6EX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1904 640124
Located on Priory Street and close to Oliver House, the Baptist Church was built in the 1860s. Notable highlights include numerous historic features, grand architecture and a famous leather-topped table.