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.

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.

Must See Highlights Included with General Admission

Take a Guided Tour

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides for a captivating journey through the Minster. Explore this magnificent building and uncover stories and facts spanning over 800 years of history. Guided tours run Monday to Saturday between 10am and 3pm.

If you’re looking for something a little bit different, why not try one of special subject tours?

• Stained Glass Tour – get a closer insight into the artistry and importance of our world-renowned stained glass. Tours Monday to Friday at 11am.
• Women of the Minster Tour – hear the stories of some of the remarkable women who shaped the Minster’s story. Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm.

Explore the Undercroft Museum

Journey underneath the Minster into the Undercroft Museum and take a closer look at the treasures from the cathedral’s collection. Discover more about the layers of history below the Minster, from Roman barracks to an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and the origins of the Norman Minster.

Marvel at the Great East Window

Venture to the east end of the Minster and enjoy the wonder that is the Great East Window – the single largest expanse of stained glass in the country.

Discover the Medieval Chapter House

A true masterpiece in stained glass and stone. The Chapter House contains some of the Minster’s finest carvings and exquisite stained-glass windows. The octagonal space dates from the 1280s and its magnificent, vaulted ceiling is supported by timbers in the roof, instead of a central column, which is the earliest example of its kind to use this revolutionary engineering technique.

Descend into the Crypt

Descend into the oldest and holiest space of York Minster, now the resting place of St William of York, the patron saint of York.

Take Your Visit to the Next Level

Explore parts of the Minster usually off limits to the public and journey to the depths and heights of York Minster on an exclusive Hidden Minster Tour led by one of our expert guides or enjoy one the best views in York by taking on the Tower challenge.

 Additional charges apply. We recommend pre-booking via our website as tickets are limited. 

• Tower Challenge – ascend the 275 medieval steps of the Minster’s central tower to reach the highest point in York, where you can enjoy unbeatable panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
• Chapter House and Mason Loft Tour - Go above the rooftops of York and explore one of York Minster’s architectural gems with our hidden tour of the Chapter House roof and old Mason’s Loft. Learn more here.
• Crypt Passage Tour - A rare opportunity to delve behind the walls of the present-day Crypt, where your expert guide will reveal the foundations of three spectacular cathedrals, built on this site over nearly 1,000 years. Learn more here.

Exhibitions for 2025

Visions, Voices, Vocations: Celebrating Women in York Minster – runs until November 2025

Step inside the medieval Chapter House and meet the women who shape life at York Minster today through a new portrait exhibition in collaboration with award-winning photographer Olivia Hemingway.

Visions, Voices, Vocations: Commemorating Women of the First World War – runs until winter 2025

Discover a new exhibition exploring the story behind the Five Sisters Window and the vision and inspiring campaign that saw it become part of a memorial to women of the First World War.

Treasures: Yorkshire’s People and Parishes – runs until winter 2025

Discover silver, gold and diamonds in a new exhibition that showcases treasures of Yorkshire that have survived religious turmoil, fire, and war.

The exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into Yorkshire life with cherished pieces from across the North coming together to form one celebratory narrative. The objects are proudly local but tell national and global stories as the exhibition travels across counties and through parishes, charting changing cultures and traditions in churches. Learn more here.

Light, Glass and Stone: Conserving the St Cuthbert Window – runs until winter 2025

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 a general admission ticket.