York Minster was one of the 50 most popular visitor attractions in the UK in 2022 according to figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) today (Friday 17 March).

Last year, York Minster welcomed 620,591 visitors for worship and tourism, an increase of 133% on 2021 (266,183) and not far short of the cathedral’s record visitor number of 706,484 in 2019. The increase helped the cathedral to rise from 80^th to 49^th position in ALVA’s listing.

Barbara George, Director of Visitor Experience at York Minster said:  “This is great news for the team at York Minster and a tribute to their energy, resilience and commitment after a tough couple of years. Great hospitality is at the heart of everything we do and it is reassuring that so many people made the journey to York to visit the Minster last year. We will continue to work hard to deliver a world-class welcome for all of our visitors.”

York Minster is preparing for another busy year. The Royal Maundy Service will take place at the cathedral on Thursday 6 April in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen Consort. The cathedral’s programme for 2023 includes a summer recital series and a children’s concert featuring the recently restored Grand Organ, an updated exhibition Majesty: Monarchy & York Minster celebrating the Coronation and a Christmas tree festival in December.  Visitors are also invited to join daily worship and to complete their day with an Evensong service in the Minster’s Quire. Evensong is the most popular service of the day, an opportunity for prayer and reflection and to experience superb English Choral Music performed by the internationally renowned Choir of York Minster.