Coronavirus has put a stop on my travel plans but before this all started I was able to turn in one of my Christmas vouchers and my boyfriend and I did a weekend away in York. I recapped the weekend here but I wanted to deep dive into one of my favorite things we did, visiting York Minster. York Minster is a massive Cathedral in the heart of the city dating back to the 7th century and is definitely one of the largest churches I have been in lately.
York Minster is considered the centre of Christianity in the north of England and is still actively used today, though parts are under construction. We bought the tickets for the cathedral and were able to explore the main part of the Church and got a timed slot to climb to the roof. After 275 steps we reached the top and were greeted with a gorgeous views over York from a very windy roof. As is the case with most old building the climb was not straight up – there were many winding staircases and spans across the church, one of which gave a great view of the flying buttress and various vantage points of York, which is considered by many as the capital of the North.
A few questions from our journey up to the roof:
And after we made our way back down those 275 stairs we explored more of the church including the crypt which dates back more than 1,000 years. My boyfriend likes to joke when things in the United Kingdom are called “new” and still fair outdating the founding of America – like the fact the crypt was remodelled and the “new” chapel was built in 1154 in the Norman Style.
I am quite glad we decided to visit York Minster on our first day in town as the second day it was an absolutely torrential storm and the visiting the church in the rain surely would not have been as enjoyable!
Would you want to visit York Minster?

Sally says
Great spot and photos.
Franicine says
We have a few Church’s like this in Canada but this is truly something special.
Will have to make a note to go there on our next trip abroad as I know that actually standing inside this magnificent structure will be a memory that will last forever.
Franicine says
We have a lot of really pretty church’s in Canada but this is truly spectacular.
We are planning a trip abroad and am going to add this to our out of the way places to visit. Thanks for the heads up.
Elizabeth says
The details on those spires is stunning. It is one of the prettiest churches I have ever seen. I can’t imagine them making such an elaborate structure today or how much it would cost.
I hope that they take good care of this treasure.
Sabrina says
Great history lesson about the church. It certainly is a gorgeous spot and I bet the acoustics are incredible. Would love to go to mass and hear the choir there.
Nan says
How gorgeous, it looks like something out of a movie set. Stunning architecture.