York Minster

The outside of this building is amazing. The first view of it was breathtaking.
We paid to go in (total - £27.50!) because my husband wanted to climb the Tower to get photos of the City from above.
While he did that I said i'd keep myself busy by walking around the inside.
Scaffolding everywhere in the middle, closed off. There was work going on to the organ pipes which took up another huge space, fenced off.
Walking past all of that, I saw the Crypt stairs and went down, absolutely the best part of the inside.
After 10 minutes down there reading everything I was surprised to find my husband waiting for me at the top of the stairs, his "20 minute" tower trip was done in 10 but he did have some gorgeous photographs.
The Rotary club seemed to have taken over the entire far end of the building and so it was impossible to walk around there or see anything because of the sheer volume of people (and noise).
After walking back down the left side and reading a few bits we realised that everything else was blocked off and so we left.
Don't get me wrong, the building itself is beautiful but I think the inside is lacking. We live near Gloucester Cathedral and that is definitely better inside with more to see.
I'm Pagan, I didn't visit this site as a place of worship, however I always respect other religions and beliefs, but it really doesn't sit well with me that a Church is charging people to enter for worship.

Due to Covid-19, we had to book two separate time slots for 1.30pm & 2pm. However, when we arrived for 1.30pm, there was a long queue to get in, but the member of staff said we could both enter at the same time, as we had proof of our booking. As a result of only two people being allowed in at a time, we didn't get into York Minster until around 1.50pm. It's a beautiful building, but as there a major renovation works taking place, there was scaffolding and coverings in place, and no access to the tower. I think the entrance fee of £11 should be reduced until access to all parts of the building is available.

It never fails to take my breath away when you first enter the square and see this beautiful building from the outside.
It is equally stunning on the inside, although a bit pricey to go around (£11 each, although this allows further multiple entries for a year)
Worth signing up for a guided tour if you do go in. Our guide was very knowledgeable, emphatic to the size of the group and fun, mixing interesting historical facts with amusing anecdotes and pointing out unexpected oddiites within the building.
The Undercroft Museum is also worth visiting (included in the price), helping to bring to life the ancient history of the site and the fascinating more recent work to stabilise the building.

My Booking was for the 11am slot. You can access the booking and Minster by showing the ticket ton your phone or printed at home. when opening the doors it is a lining up by the side of the Entrance then one family, personal or couple at a time.
The Minster is so beautiful inside and outside including the Gardens near the West Entrance.
I'd recommend really take your time walking round and take in it's history.

Also York Minster is near the City Wall so you can achieve a full day of fun and history
i Paid 11.50 and wall fully worth it.

Please please Enjoy

This is the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps and is truly a sight to behold. It is immense in scope (bigger than Notre Dame) and incredibly beautiful. There is an entrance fee of 11.50GBP but this gives you entry to the Minster and its crypt museum as well as a guided tour. Our tour guide spent over an hour talking us through this amazing building and giving context to what we saw. The tour alone would have been worth the entrance fee. Your ticket also allows you limitless access to the Minster over a calendar year so all in all, excellent value. The Minster has the oldest and largest surviving panel of Medieval stained glass in Europe so that alone is well worth the view. I can't recommend this Minster highly enough. A truly wonderful experience

My wife and I joined two Chinese ladies (mother & daughter) and a young lady from Seattle on a guided tour of this amazing building, our guide was David Haw who has the broadest Leeds accent imaginable, his historical knowledge of not only the building but people throughout the ages was incredible, David managed to keep our eclectic group attentive for one hour and twenty minutes.
A modest man who was quick to point out some of his fellow guides were more knowledgeable about the Minster itself. David also does the White Rose York tour (Free Tour) York Minster well worth the visit

I visited with my partner only to be told we needed to book a slot online and today is sold out, this was at about 1pm. How ridiculous in a building of that scale Interestingly they didn't seem as bothered about the crowded gift shop. I poked my head out of the gift shop into the Minster just to have a look and was spoken to in an appalling tone by one of the guides. I'm not sure how I feel about a church charging £25 for two people to enter. I know such a large building requires upkeep but That seems beyond the joke.

Right - its a beautiful building and the stain glass is worth the entrance fee alone. If it was just this then I would give it 5 stars.
Our issue is how people are treated during these troubling times. We are a middle aged couple who are tech savvy. We booked our tickets off our smartphones 40 minutes beforehand. We joined the queue about 10 minutes before our slot, there were approximately 20 people in front of us and when our time arrived around 10 behind. At the allotted slot 'staff' went along the queue and only at this point visitors were told they had to prebook. It was done in such a dismissive manner that it visibly upset a number of people. These were all of the older generation who, if like my elderly Mum, have never even touched a computer let alone a smartphone.
Why signage couldn't make this clear, why in what is supposed to be a symbol of Christianity are people let down in such a manner and finally why hasn't the Minster come up with a solution for those most in of a bit of spiritual uplifting come up with a way they can be helped in making a visit.
I know its difficult times but surely it is now we need to show the most compassion and help and at least speak to.people understanding their predicament.
We love architecture and art. Strange that as atheists we were the only ones who did not feel comfortable in the treatment of visitors. Shame - staff inside were lovely.

This is an absolute ‘must’ if you are visiting York. In fact very much worth a journey on its own merits.
The building is inspiring and breathtaking and if you go on one of the guided tours - included in the fairly priced admission - you will be regaled with a great mixture of history, architecture, stories, stained glass, laced with humour and extensive knowledge. And even better go up the Tower to get the wonderful panoramic view of York.

We purchased tickets to view inside the Minister and were not disappointed, and once inside they fully complied with the latest Covid regulations and social distancing was also fully in place. The staff were very friendly and helpful, we certainly learnt a lot more on its history after we went inside. You could write 1000 plus words on our visit but only one word comes to mind magnificent and would certainly recommend a visit.