York Minster

Take a journey with our expert tour guides to see hidden spaces normally closed to public access. Hear untold stories about how parts of the Minster were built and the people who made it happen.

Chapter House and Mason’s Loft

Go above the rooftops of York and explore one of York Minster’s architectural gems with our hidden tour of the Chapter House roof and old Mason’s Loft.

Learn how 13^th century Masons used a revolutionary engineering technique to create a structure that is one of the wonders of medieval carpentry. View the centuries-old design drawings still visible on the Tracing floor, see Victorian wooden templates and touch timber believed to be nearly 1,000 years old.

These tours take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am.

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Crypts of the Early Minster

A rare opportunity to delve behind the walls of the present-day Crypt, where your expert guide will reveal the foundations of three spectacular cathedrals, built on this site over nearly 1,000 years.

These tours take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11am.

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Scaffolding and Meet the Masons Tour

800 years of craftsmanship have gone into making our Cathedral, come and see how our artisan craftsmen maintain the building using the same techniques as were used originally. You will meet the Masons, and climb to the top of the scaffolding, where you will get amazing views over the City of York. See the new grotesques and pinnacles recently carved by our Masons and how they are added to the Minster.

These tours are currently unavailable.

Prices and booking

Chapter House and Mason’s Loft – £28 – £30, which includes general admission and a 12 month pass for York Minster (£12 for York residents, as entry to the cathedral is free all year round with a valid York Card or proof of address). Book Now
Crypts of the Early Minster – £22 – £24, which includes general admission and a 12 month pass for York Minster (£6 for York residents, as entry to the cathedral is free all year round with a valid York Card or proof of address). Book Now

Booking in advance is recommended as spaces are limited to eight people per tour, but tickets may be available on the day. Hidden Minster Tours are only available to those aged 18+, who can meet the following Health and Safety guidelines: