It’s almost like the ancient city of York was made for the colder, darker months. The streets feel more atmospheric, the twisted buildings look even more dramatic, and the whole place has that mix of cosy and spooky that autumn is all about.
Wandering around York in October or November feels completely different to doing it in July. The Shambles, already one of the most famous streets in the UK, feels more alive in the cooler weather. The cobbles are often a bit wet, the shop lights glow against the darker afternoons, and you might end up ducking into little tea rooms or sweet shops for a little blast of warmth. Even just standing there watching people go by can make you feel like you’re on a Harry Potter film set.
Walking the city walls is another must, and it’s a perfect autumn thing to do. They’re not a huge walk, you can hop on and off at different points, but the views from up there are great. In autumn, the trees are changing colour, and you get that mix of oranges, yellows and reds stretching out across the city – and you don’t need to be a photographer to appreciate how good it looks.
But of course, it’s the Minster that dominates the skyline, and in autumn it looks especially striking. On a grey day, it can look a bit moody and Gothic, on a sunny autumn afternoon, it seems to glow. Either way, it’s one of those buildings that you have to see in the flesh. You don’t even have to go inside if you don’t want to, though it’s worth it if you’ve got the time. Just standing outside and taking in the sheer size of it can be enough.
Getting here
York also works because it’s easy to reach. If you’re in Leeds or Manchester, it’s barely any time at all on the train. Even from London, you can get there in a couple of hours, which makes it doable as a long day trip. Driving is an option, though parking can be a pain, so the train is often the best choice.
The journey doesn’t have to be wasted time either. In autumn, train rides feel cosy in themselves, especially if you manage to get a window seat and watch the fields and trees rolling past. If you’re not the type to stare out the window, it’s also a good chunk of time to relax with something else. People read, listen to podcasts, and play games on their phones, laptops and tablets. iGaming at casinos not on GamStop have become a popular way to pass the time because you can pick it up and put it down easily. There’s also no restrictions and a huge pool of games to choose from. By the time you pull into York station, you’ve already had a bit of fun and the day hasn’t even really started.
Ghosts
If you didn’t know about York’s haunted reputation, you sure will by the time your day trip is over. The city is said to be one of the most haunted places, not only in the UK, but in the whole world, and you can’t walk far without finding a sign for a ghost walk. These tours get especially popular in October, and, of course, it’s easy to see why. Following a guide in a cloak down dark alleys while they tell you tales of plagues, executions, and restless spirits feels about as autumnal as it gets!
Some of the haunted spots are genuinely eerie. The Treasurer’s House is famous for the story of the Roman soldiers marching through its cellar. The Golden Fleece pub is another, with so many reported ghosts that it’s almost become part of its identity. Even the streets themselves feel haunted at times. The Shambles after dusk, when it’s quieter, can make you feel like you’ve stepped back a few centuries.
Eating, drinking and warming up
York’s food and drink scene is always above par, but in the cooler months, it just hits a little bit better. The pubs are the obvious choice. There’s nothing like stepping into a low-ceilinged room with wooden beams, ordering a pint and a pie, and feeling the warmth come back after walking in the chilly air.
Tearooms are everywhere too, and while Bettys is the one everybody talks about, you can easily find a smaller café with fewer queues that serves just as good a slice of cake. Markets are also worth a wander. The Shambles Market has stalls selling hot food, handmade gifts, seasonal treats; you name it, it’s probably here. In autumn, it starts to take on that slightly festive feel, with mulled drinks and hot chocolate popping up. What’s even better is it’s the kind of place where you don’t need to have a plan, just drift around and see what grabs your attention.
Plenty to do in one day
York works for a day trip because everything is packed close together. If it rains, you’ve got museums like Jorvik or the Castle Museum. If it stays dry, you’ve got the walls, the streets, the shops and the Minster. You don’t have to rush, but you’ll never feel like you’re out of options either. The balance of history, shopping, food, and atmosphere makes the city feel like it gives you more than most places can in a single day.
So if you’re after a day trip this autumn that feels seasonal without being stressful, York really is very hard to beat indeed. The look of the place in autumn is stunning; it’s got the spooky haunted side that makes this time of year so fun, and you won’t struggle to fill a day with good food, walks, sights, sounds and good grub. It’s close enough that the journey doesn’t eat into your time, but far enough that it feels like you’ve properly gone somewhere.
So, whether you go for the history, the spooky stories, the food, or just to wander and see what you find, York is the kind of place that makes a simple day trip feel like something more.
