Holiday homes & rentals in York

York is the ideal city-break destination with kids of all ages. The city is compact, and easy to get around on foot. Holiday lettings are the ideal solution when visiting York with children, and there's a wide selection available. In the oldest parts of town, stay in a quirky apartment overlooking the Minster or busy shopping streets. Modern apartments and larger houses are also available.

Probably the best place to start a visit is at Jorvik, York's famous Viking centre, completely redesigned after serious flooding in 2015. See the ancient Viking settlement under your feet, examine artefacts then sit in a motorised "time capsule" for a trip back to 10th-century city streets.

If you're visiting Jorvik, take advantage of the 'Pastport' deal, which gives access to four other York attractions too. Perhaps the best for younger kids is DIG, an archaeology experience where they can dig for Roman, Viking or Victorian artefacts. Older kids might prefer the Richard III Experience, highlighting the life of one of England's most controversial monarchs. Medieval Barley Hall is also worth a visit, with costumed guides and furnished rooms making it easy to imagine life 500 years ago.

Of course, York isn't just about history. The city is also strongly associated with chocolate, and what better way to spend the afternoon than surrounded by bars, blocks, and melted chocolate? Take a tour at York's Chocolate Story to find out how the cocoa bean is transformed into everyone's favourite treat. Kids get the chance to make their own chocolate lollipop, and you can watch the master chocolatiers at work in the kitchens. There are also an on-site café and shop – perfect for picking up some souvenirs.

The best way to get a sense of York's unique atmosphere is to explore it at your own pace - step out of your York holiday cottage and go for a wander around the city’s historic streets. It won’t be long until you find something that draws your attention! Once your interest has been piqued, it’s time to visit some of the must-visit attractions the city offers.

The city’s most famous attraction is also one of the best in the country. York Minster was built between 1230 and 1472 and is one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals. It’s not difficult to find the cathedral - it's huge! Spend some time exploring the interior of the building before heading up the central tower for the best view in the city. If you have the opportunity to see one of the performances that take place in the cathedral, seize it - you won’t regret it.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of other ways to explore York’s fascinating history. At Clifford’s Tower, you can travel back more than 800 years to see a mediaeval tower fortress. It’s named, somewhat cruelly, after Roger de Clifford II, who was hanged for treason against King Edward II in 1322. The tower also offers great views over the city and beyond.

On the same premises is York Castle Museum, an interactive museum that lets you walk through the city at various points in its history. In the museum you’ll find a recreated Victorian street, period style rooms, an exhibition about what life in prison used to be like, an exhibition on World War I, and also one on the history of toys!

National Railway Museum

Not just for rail enthusiasts, this museum encompasses 300 years of locomotive history from around the world. See how railways changed the world.

York Castle Museum

Home to the famous reconstructed Victorian street, this museum displays exhibitions about life from the 18th-century onwards. The building itself is a former prison, used as a place of incarceration for 1000 years.

York Minster

Considered one of the greatest cathedrals in the world, York Minster hosts exhibitions and events whilst also being a historical landmark. Take a tour, see its treasures, or admire the intricate architecture.

The Shambles

This medieval complex of ramshackle buildings dates from as early as the 14th-century. The narrow street was once filled with butchers who used the street as a slaughterhouse.

York City Walls

The longest mediaeval town wall in England, visitors can walk along its entirety, which takes around 2 hours. The views, towers and posterns are enjoyed by 2.5 million visitors every year.