Huge, awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, with a wealth of intricate medieval stonework inside and out, and beautiful stained glass windows. We paid £12 entry fee, the ticket is reusable for twelve months after the purchase date.
There are free guided tours lasting an hour, but I explored on my own. It can get very busy with sightseers, but there are chapels for quiet contemplation. Highlights for me included the recently restored Great East Window, dating from 1405, the statues of medieval kings on the quire screen, and the amusing little stone heads in the Chapter House.
A group of young people were doing choral practice in there, great acoustics, and the singing was beautiful. In the undercroft you can see Roman foundations, carved pillars from the old Norman cathedral and the shrine of York's patron saint. I felt a real sense of two thousand years of history and faith.The gift shop has everything from tapestries to magnetic bracelets, and some nice art prints and books.
Travel with
