Places to visit on a two day break in York

Said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films, the Shambles is the heart of York. Many of the buildings date back to the 14th century, when streets of this name typically featured butchers and meat markets (the streets were made narrow to keep the meat out of the sun). Today, the higgledy-piggledy lane houses charming tea rooms, boutiques and indie stores. Discover quirky magic-inspired shops such as The Potions Cauldron(opens in a new tab), The Shop That Must Not Be Named(opens in a new tab) and Monk Bar Chocolatiers(opens in a new tab). Also, don’t miss Fossgate, a street near Shambles that’s packed with independents: highlights include The Hairy Fig(opens in a new tab) deli and Remedy Coffee Shop(opens in a new tab).

For foodies, SPARK:York(opens in a new tab) is one of the top places to visit in York. Amid its trendy shipping containers and communal tables, its nine food traders serve everything from buttermilk-fried chicken burgers and authentic Greek gyros, to Gujarati street food and Brazilian churrasco. Tuck in for lunch! There are also four bars, plus regular pop-up markets, craft workshops and live music too.

Step back in time to AD 975 to experience the Viking city of Jorvik. Standing on the site of the Coppergate Dig – one of the world’s most famous modern archaeological discoveries – JORVIK Viking Centre(opens in a new tab) reveals York as it was nearly 1,000 years ago. See a recreation of the dig in a glass-floored gallery, hear the archaeologists’ accounts, and explore reconstructions of Jorvik’s 10th-century streets. The galleries reveal Viking artefacts: from earrings to frying pans, and even fossilised Viking poo! One of the best attractions in York.

For a night of pure indulgence, book a table at Michelin-starred Roots(opens in a new tab). A relaxed tasting-menu restaurant in the city centre, Roots (like its sister restaurant, The Black Swan(opens in a new tab) in nearby Oldstead) embraces a farm-to-fork ethos, using seasonal ingredients grown and foraged on the owner’s farm. The menu evolves throughout the year to reflect the growing groups – The Preserving Season, The Hunger Gap and The Time of Abundance. Expect dishes such as lamb with Jerusalem artichoke and black garlic and scallops with honey and pickled mussels. One of the top foodie places to visit in York.

The Grand hotel(opens in a new tab) is a luxurious, historic choice for city breaks in York – and it’s your recommended base for tonight. Whether you choose an exquisitely designed suite or opt for a classic room with Edwardian decor and high ceilings, you’ll enjoy impeccable service and a fabulous breakfast tomorrow. There’s also a spa, if you fancy a massage or hydrotherapy dip after today’s Viking antics. Ragnar would be jealous.

York’s city walls(opens in a new tab) are the longest medieval town walls in England. Start your day on the two-hour walking route along them, which is free to access: one of the best places to visit in York. Look out for York’s ancient snickelways – the alleys, ginnels and lanes that run between the city’s streets. While some are wide enough for cars, others are little more than an archway, though all reveal lots about York’s past.

Tucked beside its namesake cathedral, York Minster Refectory(opens in a new tab) serves an elevated lunchtime menu amid spectacular 19th-century architecture: think seafood platters with coronation crab and organic salmon, and venison burgers with juniper bubble ‘n’ squeak. It’s located in a Grade II-listed former schoolhouse, overlooking York Minster – one of the top attractions in York.

For a boat tour with a twist, City Cruises boat hire(opens in a new tab) lets you ride along the River Ouse, taking in the sights and sounds of York’s riverside at your own pace. The boats are super easy to drive and fit up to eight people; you can hire them for a half-hour sail, or a leisurely hour-long ride to make the most out of your time on the water.

As the ‘birthplace’ of Terry's Chocolate Orange, KitKat, Smarties and Aero, the city’s chocolate heritage is sweet indeed – as York’s Chocolate Story reveals(opens in a new tab). Its interactive tour explores how Central American cocoa beans galvanised 18th- and 19th-century York, and introduces the pioneering local families behind the likes of Rowntree’s and Terry’s. Afterwards, you can try chocolate-making too, with a truffle-rolling experience or chocolatier-led masterclass. One of the top attractions in York.

To tap further into York’s Viking heritage, gather your finest warriors for dinner at Valhalla(opens in a new tab) – one of the best pubs in York. This one-of-a-kind spot is named after the Norse legend Valhalla, a Nordic heaven where dead Vikings could drink and feast to their hearts’ content. Its bar is bursting with craft beers, wines, spirits and even mead – widely regarded as the drink of the gods – while the Thor platter is a feast of ham, pork pies, cheddar and chutney. Horned helmets: optional!

From The Starry Night to Sunflowers, Van Gogh’s paintings are iconic – and now you can get closer to them than ever. At the Van Gogh Experience(opens in a new tab), you can walk through vast-scale projections, experience ‘A Day in the Life of the Artist’ and learn to draw like him too. One of the top places to visit in York.

A 20-minute drive south of York, extend your stay at Dovecote Barns(opens in a new tab). The luxurious yet sustainable self-catering cottages won Gold in Visit England’s Awards for Excellence.