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Undercroft to close January 2012 to March 2013
As part of the exciting York Minster Revealed project, a great deal of work is taking place to improve your experience of visiting York Minster.
Starting in January 2012, during temporary work in the Undercroft, you can enter the Eastern Crypt through an entrance in the South Quire Aisle.
York Minster has many exciting areas to explore. Can you complete our Treasure Hunt around the Minster? It is included in the price of admission and can be collected on arrival.
Discover the hidden animal carvings during a safari in the Chapter House or the changes the Tudors made with our Tudor Trail. You can download these and other free trails and resources to use during your visit at http://www.yorkminster.org/learning/school-visits/resources/.
Then return in 2013, to take an inspirational journey into the redesigned underground chambers of the Undercroft and Treasury, revealing York Minster’s past, present and future. Dynamic, new interactive displays will reveal the significance behind York Minster’s history and its most treasured artefacts as never before.
Access will be also greatly improved by installing lifts in the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypts, and by creating a piazza at the South Transept entrance with integrated ramps and new ticketing facilities.
York Minster Revealed is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Central Tower
Ascend the 275 steps to the top of the Tower for unrivalled views across the city and the Vale of York. Can you spot the White Horse of Kilburn, the “golf balls” on Menwith Hill, The Nestle Chocolate factory, or the Drax power station some 15 miles away?
Our PDF guide to the tower contains four drawings of the views north, south, east and west. Each image highlights the major structures and landmarks that can be seen from that direction. Alternatively have a virtual view from the top of the tower by following this link to our virtual tour.
Prices and opening times
Adult £6.00
Child £3.50 (Sorry no children under 8)
Seniors and Students £5.00
You may pay on arrival at the Group Desk by cheque/cash or credit card.
Please make cheques payable to The Dean and Chapter of York.
Monday - Saturday from 9.30am
(Nov - March: from 10.00am - last trip 30 mins before dusk)
Sunday from 12.30pm - last trip 5.00pm “ “ “
Closed: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and in extreme weather. Opening times are subject to major church services.
Teachers please note:
For health and safety reasons no children under 8 are allowed to climb the Tower. Children 16 and under must be accompanied. For security reasons there is no left luggage facility.
Please see our Risk assessment
Any school group with over 10 children (aged 16 and under) must be accompanied by a minimum of 3 adults. The three required adults will climb the Tower for free, and any extra adults will pay the standard rate.
Groups of 10 or less may climb the Tower with two adults (one front one back) on the proviso that if anyone needs to be escorted down the Tower the whole group must come down.
It is not possible to pre-book a visit to the Tower.
Please check on arrival at the Group Desk when the next group is ascending.
Group size: A maximum of 50 individuals each trip.
No entry charges are made for pre-visits.
Please contact the Centre for School Visits to arrange a time. 0844 939 0017.