There’s a whole heap of fun to be had at York Minster during the summer holidays.

York Minster is open throughout the school summer holidays, offering sightseeing, family activities, and adventures that are jam-packed full of fun! Discover everything we have in store for families to enjoy this summer.

Don’t forget – every adult sightseeing ticket includes FREE entry for up to four children aged 17 and under! Plus, you can use your ticket as many times as you like within a year, meaning your summer plans just got easier!

All activities listed below are included with a sightseeing ticket. 

Love to LEGO®: Build your own

It’s back! After a hugely popular Easter activity, during which nearly 1,000 people help us recreate the epic 14th-century shrine of St William of York out of LEGO® bricks, the building blocks return once again.

This time though, you are the architect.

Bring your imagination to life and be inspired by one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Create your own architectural designs based on your surroundings, or build a rocket, or a dinosaur. The sky is the limit here at York Minster, where centuries of heritage craft have flourished.

LEGO® sessions run Monday – Saturday from 10am – 3pm. There is no need to pre-book, just turn up and get creative!

Trails and Quests:

This summer, embark on an adventure like no other and hunt for dragons throughout the medieval Minster. Our specially designed Dragon Quest Trail will take you on a journey around the cathedral, spotting hidden dragons in all their forms, from iron and gold to stained glass. Once you’ve completed the trail,  head to our shop to pick up our limited-edition, exclusive Mason Mouse soft toy as a memento of your quest.

Continue your adventure with our brand-new Stamp Trail. Journey through the Minster in search of five stamps hidden throughout the cathedral. With every stamp you find, you’ll bring a beautiful stained-glass design to life.

Sightseeing Activities:

Borrow a Little Explorer Backpack from the Welcome Desks. Each backpack is packed full of gadgets to help you on your adventure through the medieval Minster.

Get hands on with history in our state-of-the-art Undercroft Museum. Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, touch archaeological remains uncovered over the centuries, and explore changing exhibitions in the Treasury.

Make sure to visit our immersive underground cinema, to discover all about how we’ve used the latest video game technologies and 3D scanning to recreate the epic 14th century shrine of St William of York.

Aged 8 and above? Take on the York Minster  Tower Challenge and climb all 275 steps to the very top of the Minster and enjoy panoramic views across the beautiful city of York.

Good to Know:

This summer, we are taking part in the Great British Summer Savings scheme, meaning we are offering sightseeing tickets at the discounted rate of £18.20 for a limited time only. This offer is available from 25 June to 1 September.

Adult tickets are priced at £18.20 and include entry for up to four children aged 17 and under for a whole year. So, two adults and up to eight children can explore one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals as many times as you like for just £40!

Pre-book your sightseeing tickets to kickstart your York Minster adventure.

Enjoy tours, trails, exhibitions, an accredited museum, and backpacks filled with gadgets, all designed to help your young adventurer discover the cathedral’s 1400-year history. We encourage children and families to get hands-on during a visit.