York Minster

Is it right for my child?

• Explorers: free Little Explorer Backpacks from the Welcome Desk hold binoculars, a magnifying glass, a torch and a mirror.
• Trails: the Dragon Quest Trail sends children hunting for every dragon in the Minster, for ages 4 and over. Minster Detectives suits ages 7 to 12 and over.
• Ages 8 and up can take on the Tower Challenge: 275 spiral steps to the highest point in York, with narrow corridors and uneven steps.
• Babies and pre-schoolers are welcome, and pushchairs can go in. Minster Mice is a free service for them, on term-time Wednesdays at 9.30am.
• Underground: in the Undercroft Museum, children can try to lift a replica Viking horn.
• Sensory notes: it can be busy and noisy, especially when the organ plays. The Undercroft is darker. Christmas Tree Festival trees may have flashing lights.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Check the calendar for your date, because the Minster can close to sightseeing for services.
• Book ahead on Sundays: Sunday sightseeing tickets must be booked in advance.
• Bring proof of address if you live in York, because residents go free.
• Leave wheeled bags and bags bigger than hand luggage at home.
• Eat outside: food is not allowed in the Minster. Sightseers may bring cold bottled drinks, but services and concerts allow only sealed water.
• For the tower, book a combined ticket, arrive 10 minutes early and read the health and safety guidelines. Trips are subject to availability.

Prices and tickets

• Minster only: adult or senior £20, student not studying in York £16. Up to four children aged 17 and under go free with each paying adult.
• Minster and Central Tower: adult or senior £26, student not studying in York £22, child aged 8 to 17 £6. You must be 8 or over to climb.
• Free: York residents and York students with proof, such as a utility bill, YorkCard or student ID.
• Carers go free. Book a carer ticket on 01904 557200 or at info@yorkminster.org.
• Return visits: tickets last 12 months and include the Undercroft Museum and exhibitions. Free guided tours run Monday to Saturday.
• Services are free. Some Christmas services need free tickets booked ahead (see When to visit).

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Pushchairs are welcome. There is ramped access at the main entrance at Precentor’s Court, and most of the cathedral has level, ramped or lift access.
• Exceptions: the Tower and the Crypt.
• Toilets and baby changing are on the ground floor in the North Quire Aisle, with an accessible toilet.
• Feeding: breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are welcome throughout. Ask staff about St Nicholas’ Chapel, the designated breastfeeding space.

Food and drink

• No food inside and no hot drinks. Only cold bottled drinks are allowed, and there is no café in the Minster.
• Services and concerts: only a sealed bottle of water is allowed, and no backpacks or large bags.
• Picnics are welcome in Dean’s Park, Minster Gardens and College Green, which have views of the Minster.
• York Minster Refectory, a restaurant on the South Piazza, has a Little Pilgrim Menu. Your Minster ticket gives 10% off.

Getting there and parking

• Address: York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH, inside the city walls.
• On foot: about ten minutes from York Station. Some nearby streets are cobbled, but other routes avoid them.
• Car: there is no parking at the cathedral. Nearby pay and display car parks are Monk Bar, Union Terrace and Bootham Row. Park and Ride is free to park, with a stop in Museum Street.
• Bus: the nearest stop is in St Leonard’s Place. Accessible parking bays are close by.

When to visit

• Monday to Saturday: last entry 4pm, and the building closes at 5pm. The Undercroft opens 10.30am to 4.45pm. The Tower Challenge runs 10.15am to 3.30pm, subject to availability.
• Sundays: last entry 2.30pm, and the building closes at 3.30pm. The Undercroft opens 1.15pm to 3.15pm. The calendar lists no Tower Challenge on Sundays.
• Closed for sightseeing: Monday 16 to Friday 20 November, Sunday 6 December, and 24 and 25 December 2026.
• Later starts: entry from 10.30am and the tower from 11am on 12 November and 1 December. Entry from 10am on 3 December, 26 December and 28 December to 2 January.
• 8 December: entry and the Undercroft from 1.30pm, and the tower from 2pm.
• 28 November: last entry 2.30pm and the building closes at 3.30pm. The tower runs until 2.45pm and the Undercroft until 3.15pm.
• 11 December: last entry 1pm and closing 1.45pm, with the tower until 12.30pm and the Undercroft until 1.30pm.
• 15 December: last entry 12.30pm and closing 1.30pm, with the tower until 12.30pm and the Undercroft until 1.15pm.
• 23 December: last entry 2pm and closing 3pm, with the tower until 2pm and the Undercroft until 2.45pm.
• Christmas Tree Festival: 28 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, with 100 trees. It runs during general admission and is included with a sightseeing ticket.
• Family events: the trees light up at 10am on 28 November at the Minster Mash-Up family service. The Nutcracker family organ concert is on 5 December.
• Christmas services: some need free tickets booked ahead, and they often book up quickly. Children aged 2 and over need their own ticket and seat, while babes in arms up to 2 sit on laps.
• Ticket release dates: Advent Procession, 10am on 10 November (28 November service) and 10am on 12 November (29 November service). Sankta Lucia (14 December), 10am on 1 December.
• Nine Lessons and Carols: 23 December tickets open at 10am on 8 December, and 24 December tickets at 10am on 10 December.

Additional needs and disability support

York Minster offers useful support for disabled children and children with additional needs.

Frequently asked questions

Is York Minster free for children?

Yes. Up to four children aged 17 and under go free with each paying adult. Climbing the tower costs £6 for children aged 8 to 17.

Can you take a pushchair into York Minster?

Yes. There is ramped access at the main entrance, and most of the cathedral has level, ramped or lift access. The Tower and the Crypt are the exceptions.

How old do you have to be to climb York Minster tower?

You must be 8 or over. The climb has 275 steps, takes around 10 minutes and includes narrow corridors and uneven steps. Trips are subject to availability.

Can you eat inside York Minster?

No. Sightseers may bring cold bottled drinks only, and services and concerts allow only sealed water. Picnic in Dean’s Park or eat at the York Minster Refectory.

Is York Minster good for autistic children?

The Minster welcomes children with additional needs, with Sensory Backpacks, visual stories and free assisted tours. It can be busy and noisy, so read the visual story first.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official plan your visit page and calendar, families, family trails, Tower Challenge, accessibility, FAQ and Advent and Christmas pages. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.