Discover one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a masterpiece in stained glass and stone and a sacred space which has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century.

The Minster was built for the glory of God and this is reflected in every aspect of this ancient building, from the exquisite handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

Marvel at the Great East Window, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the country, take a guided tour filled with stories from the building’s 800-year history or visit the Undercroft Museum to explore the remains of a Roman barracks and the cathedral’s links to Viking York.

Climb the 275 steps of the Central Tower for panoramic views of the city or take a Hidden Minster Tour to discover spaces normally closed to public access. Additional charges apply.

Young adventurers can collect a Little Explorer Backpack filled with gadgets to help them explore the Minster including binoculars, a torch and a compass, or follow a trail or treasure hunt around the cathedral.

The Minster remains a thriving church and everyone is invited to join our daily services, including choral Evensong sung Tuesday to Sunday during term time by the Choir of York Minster, visit to pray or light a candle or simply spend time absorbing the atmosphere of the cathedral.

Exhibitions for 2023

Majesty: Monarchy and York Minster – 25 March to 1 October 2023

Discover York Minster’s royal connections and collections through an exhibition exploring the cathedral’s centuries-old relationship with the monarchy in celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III. From the humble baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria on Easter Day in 627 in a small wooden church built hastily for the service – the first York Minster, to HM King Charles III’s poignant return in November 2022 to unveil a statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Explore these royal events and how they have shaped life and worship at York Minster over the centuries. See full details here.

Sculpting the Sovereign – runs until summer 2024

Explore the story behind York Minster’s recently unveiled statue of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a new exhibition – Sculpting the Sovereign. The exhibition goes behind the scenes in the creation of the sculpture, which sits at the cathedral’s West End and was produced to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. It will stand as a lasting memorial to Her Late Majesty and as a tribute to her life of service and devotion.

Learn about the statue’s creation and explore its development from initial designs, through the modelling process to the carving of the final sculpture, a process which combined cutting edge technology alongside world-class heritage craft skills. See full details here.

Light, Glass and Stone: Conserving the St Cuthbert Window – runs until 2024

See at close range medieval stained glass from the St Cuthbert Window, one of the largest surviving narrative windows in the world, and learn about the Minster’s major project to conserve the window and the stonework of the South Quire Transept. Learn more here.

All exhibitions are included with general admission.