Check out their Instagram Reel here.
We drove to Poppleton and then took the York Park & Ride. With free parking available at all sites, it’s a convenient and cost-effective option. What’s even better, an Adult Return ticket costs just £3.60, and up to three children can travel for free! Buses into the city were every 15 minutes.
First stop was our self drive boat cruise down the Ouse – the boats can take up to 8 people so perfect for family trips. Prices start from a very reasonable £35, the self drive hire point is at King’s Staith.
We’d booked a morning cruise, but there is nothing stopping you taking a picnic on board and enjoying your lunch whilst cruising down the same river that brought the Vikings to this beautiful city! You get full instructions on how to drive the boat, and the rules of the river! But don’t panic if you don’t take it in – all instructions are on the boat too – including a handy bridge map! I was captain for the day (with a little help from my daughter) and it was really simple!
The cruise itself takes about an hour – the weather gods were looking out for us and it was lovely sunshine. You could even grab yourself an ice cream from an ice cream boat!
We had a great time – the self drive made it way more fun for us than your average boat cruise and it was lovely to see York from a different aspect. It was also really relaxing – and no tired little feet from too much walking!
More information about City Cruises York 
Find out more on the City Cruise York website.
1 hour boat ride from £35.
Open seven days a week, see website for sailing times
King’s Staith Landing, York, YO1 9SN and Lendal Bridge Landing, York, YO1 7DP
After our cruise we made our way up to York Minster, just strolling the streets of York itself could fill your day – we stopped by some amazing street performers on our walk.
It’s free for children to enter the building and is really well catered for children. They get a free explorers backpack. They have two new trails for this summer too – the light trail and the maths trail. We didn’t do either but I’m told the math’s trail was a hit with York Mumbler!
To be honest, just being at York Minister was enough for me – such a stunning building, we were all a little in awe.
More information about York Minster Find out more on the York Minster website.
Free if York resident with proof of address. To climb the tower you must be aged 8+ and charges apply (£22 per adult/£6 per child)
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4pm & Sun: 12.45pm – 3.15pm
York Minster, Deangate, York, YO1 7HH
No trip to York is complete without a mooch around The Shambles – so much to see and do – especially if you’re a Harry Potter Fan – which we all are!
Now for me, no trip to York is complete without a trip to my favourite little cafe for the most beautiful cakes – Partisan never disappoints, and finished off our family day out in York perfectly!
A beautiful day out in York – perfect for all the family!
This is a sponsored blog post from Visit York. You can find out more information about Summer in York with Visit York on their website here.
Reviewed July 2023 – some aspects of this trip were gifted.
