“Nothing magical or fun about York”
This comment on one of my recent TikTok videos shocked me. I love York and even got married there, and refuse to believe anyone can visit and not come away falling in love with it. So here’s my argument for why York is magical – and a few of the most fun things to do.
The magical shops on the Shambles
This is an obvious first choice. The Shambles is a beautiful medieval street. It’s also apparently the inspiration for the film version of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. The cobbled street and overhanging buildings look truly magical. And, it contains a host of Harry Potter inspired shops.
Personal favourites include the Potions Cauldron which sells magical drinks, Monk Bar Chocolatairs for the best chocolate (including chocolate frogs!) and the Society of Alchemists – a fantastical looking shop with the best bath bombs.
York’s Snickelways
York has many a ginnel, and in 1983, author Mark W. Jones coined the term ‘snickelway’ to refer to the numerous snickers, ginnels and alleyways (incorporating all three names into one fun word!).
Whatever you call them, you can spend a fun few hours exploring the many ginnels in the city centre. Get lost and pretend you’re wandering secret passages to less discovered parts of the city.
I recommend checking out the Coffee yard – York’s longest snickelway and home to the Barley Hall, a less frequented museum in York. Mad Alice lane has a fantastic back story. It’s named after a woman hanged for poisoning her husband and is believed to be haunted by her ghost. Lady Peckett’s Yard is the most aesthetic snickelway, and feels like you’re travelling back in time.
Wizard Golf
Nothing can sound more magical and fun than the words ‘wizard golf’. Hole in the Wand on Coppergate Walk has 9 magical holes with magical, wizarding themes and is fun for all the family. Make sure you keep a track of your scores. At the end of your game, you’ll be given a potion based on your score! It was an hour of fun for a really reasonable price (£8.99 per adult and £7.49 per child at the time or writing).
York City Walls
York has had city walls since the Roman times and substantial parts of the medieval city walls still remain. In-fact, York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. Steeped in history, and completely free to walk across, there’s nothing more fun than walking along a section of them. There’s also many places to stop and admire the various views of York. Visit the Friends of York walls website for a free audio trial of the walls.
York Chocolate Story
A tour about the history of chocolate in York, with chocolate tasting throughout? Sounds like great fun to me! You might be surprised to know that quite a few big brands had their humble origins in York, from Kitkats to Aeros and Terry’s Chocolate. The tour is very interactive and as you move from room to room, you’ll discover more about chocolate making and York’s chocolate. You’ll even make your own chocolate lolly at the end!
Haunted Pubs
York is often referred to as the most haunted city in Europe and has a whole host of creepy ghost stories throughout it’s history. What makes York even more fun is the amount of pubs that claim to be haunted – because what’s better than a quirky old haunted pub?
My personal favourite is the Black Swan – a beautiful black and white timber pub. Their ghosts range from a highway man called Jack, a jilted bride staring into the fire, and Victorian boy and pickpocket. And think twice before taking the chair by the fire – it’s rumoured to be cursed!
The Puzzling World of Professor Kettlestring
Explore the weird and wonderful creations of Professor Kettlestring. Full of optical illusions and photo opportunities, it’s a fun place to spend time getting great photos – my personal favourites are a set of mirrors that let you merge faces, and the illusion that shrunk one of us. It’s a fun place to spend time in York and is all indoors, so perfect for a rainy day.
And a little bonus
I’d argue York has the most fun street name in the UK! What’s more fun to say than Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate? Known as Whitnourwhatnourgate in the 1500s, it meant ‘what a street!’.
I’m YorkshireFi – a travel content creator based in Yorkshire. You can find my videos on TikTok and Instagram. I share the best days out and things to do in Yorkshire.