Looking for free things to do in York? Well, good news: York’s a great place to visit with kids, and it’s bursting with free things to do. Children are easily pleased, so you don’t need to spend a fortune in York to have a good time – in fact, there are lots of things to do in York that are free or cheap (even by Yorkshire standards, and we do love a bargain).
Luckily there are lots of ways to have fun in and around the city, with lots of history to explore, nature to spot, green spaces to discover and unique experiences that you won’t get anywhere else and don’t require a costly admission ticket.
What can you do in York for free? Here’s our pick of the best free and cheap things to do in York and beyond that kids will love, all with the Little Vikings seal of approval. You’ll find some amazing attractions and museums, wonderful walks and our best ways to have fun and save money on your trip to York.
Top tip – make sure you pick up your FREE Little Vikings Family Card from the Visit York Information Centre on Parliament Street to save even more money on your trip to York. Find all the Little Vikings Family Card discounts and perks here
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At a glance
Looking for family fun in York that won’t cost a fortune? You’re in luck. From world-class museums and riverside walks to hidden snickelways, free festivals and family trails, there are endless ways to enjoy York on a budget. We’ve rounded up our favourite free and low-cost ideas for kids, all tried, tested and loved by local families.
Why York is brilliant for budget-friendly family fun
York is one of those rare cities where history, culture and adventure come together without having to spend very much. You can explore medieval city walls, wander through cobbled streets that ooze history and explore parks, rivers and museums, many of them free or offering great-value admission. Whether you live locally or are visiting for the weekend (or longer!), our handpicked ideas will help you make the most of York without breaking the bank.
Free and cheap admission in brief
Free admission for all
- 1. National Railway Museum
- 2. York city walls
- 3. Little Vikings I Spy Trail
- 4. York Cat Hunt
- 5. York Museum Gardens
- 6. Rowntree Park, Homestead Park, West Bank Park
- 7. The Royal Armouries, Leeds
Free admission for York residents
- 1. York Minster (adult and child residents go free)
- 2. York Castle Museum (child residents go free)
- 3. The Yorkshire Museum (child residents go free)
Free admission, just pay for parking
- 1. Dalby Forest
- 2. Bolton Abbey
- 3. Brimham Rocks
- 4. Sutton Bank
- 5. Falling Foss
- 6. Askham Bog (free car park)
- 7. Moorlands Nature Reserve (free off-street parking)
- 8. Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve
Tickets valid for 12 months
- 1. JORVIK Viking Centre
- 2. The Yorkshire Museum
- 3. JORVIK Dig – An Archaeological Adventure
- 4. Barley Hall
- 5. The Deep, Hull
- 6. York Minster
- 7. North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 8. Fairfax House
Free entry for children
- 1. Fairfax House – Free for ages 16 and under
- 2. JORVIK Viking Centre – Free for under 5s
- 3. Barley Hall – Free for under 5s
- 4. York Minster – Free for under 16s
- 5. DIG – Free for under 5s
- 6. Eden Camp – Free for under 5s
- 7. Castle Howard – Free for under 1s
- 8. York Art Gallery – Under 5s free (and all York under 16s)
- 9. York Castle Museum – Under 5s free (and all York under 16s)
- 10. The Yorkshire Museum – Under 5s free (and all York under 16s)
Top free attractions in York for families (and free child admission)
National Railway Museum
An all-time family favourite and completely free, the National Railway Museum is a brilliant day out for all ages. Step aboard historic locomotives, peek into royal carriages and see the engineering wonders behind Britain’s railways. There’s plenty of hands-on fun for children, plus cafés and picnic areas for an affordable day out. It’s the perfect destination for a rainy day.
If you feel like splashing out, the new interactive gallery, Wonderlab, costs extra but is excellent. Likewise, there’s a lovely little miniature railway if you fancy splashing out on a ride.
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ – Visit the NRM website for more details
York Minster (free for York residents and under 17s)
Residents with a valid York Card can explore one of Europe’s greatest cathedrals for free, and all under 17s enjoy free admission too. What’s more, your tickets are valid for 12 months, making it even better value.
York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH – Visit the York Minster website
More free admission at York museums and attractions
York is full of exciting and inspiring museums and other attractions that offer a brilliant experience for children, and many can be enjoyed by kids for free. Often the adult tickets are valid for 12 months, so you can return as many times as you like within the year:
– Children who are York residents go free at The Yorkshire Museum, and all under 5s go free. Adult tickets to The Yorkshire Museum are valid for 12 months. It’s a brilliant pocket-sized museum where you can explore Yorkshire’s history, including the ever-popular Jurassic Yorkshire dinosaur exhibition. Under 5s and York resident under 16s go free to York Art Gallery.
– Children who are York residents also go free at York Castle Museum, and under 5s go free too. Explore York’s history, walk down the Victorian street and relive the swinging sixties at this fantastic attraction.
– Under 5s go free at the JORVIK Viking Centre, DIG and Barley Hall, and paid tickets are valid for 12 months. That’s a whole year of entertainment for the price of entry! All of the JORVIK attractions are excellent and have fun interactive elements for children.
– Under fives go free at York Mansion House, and all York residents also get a 50% discount at York Mansion House too.
– Under fours go free at York’s Chocolate Story, where you can find out about York’s chocolate past and even make your own sweet creation.
– Under twos go free at Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park
– Staying a couple of days? It’s worth considering buying a York Pass from Visit York (21 Parliament Street, York) for free and discounted entry to lots of attractions.
Free outdoor adventures in York
Walk the York City Walls
We love walking York’s city walls, and you can stroll around almost the entire circuit for free. Kids love spotting the towers, gateways and secret views of the Minster. Some sections have railings running alongside them but others don’t: good to know if you’ve got a little livewire on your hands. The section from York Art Gallery/Bootham Bar to Micklegate Bar is fully fenced and also has incredible views of York Minster. It’s easy to hop off once you’ve had enough. Bring snacks and take your time – it’s one of York’s best open-air experiences. Read our guide to walking York’s city walls with kids here.
Do the Snickelways and Silly Street Names Trail
The new Little Vikings Snickelways & Silly Street Names Trail leads families through York’s famous winding lanes, with lots of laughs and a tiny bit of history along the way. Pick up a free map from the Visit York Information Centre or download the Snickelways map from our website.
Play at Rowntree Park
This riverside park near Bishopthorpe Road is the perfect place to go with kids, with two playgrounds, a skate park, ducks to feed and plenty of space to run, cartwheel or scooter about. Pop into the Reading Café for breakfast, lunch, ice cream or coffee.
Rowntree Park, Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ
Explore York Museum Gardens
Right in the heart of the city, York Museum Gardens is an absolute gem, and the perfect place to head to for some peace and quiet (or loud running about – nobody will mind!) away from the hustle and bustle. The Yorkshire Museum and York Art Gallery are right on the doorstep, too.
York Museum Gardens, Museum St, York YO1 7FR
Discover more parks and green spaces
There’s no play equipment as such, but plenty of history, nature and open space to appeal. Dean’s Park, behind York Minster, is a lovely green space too. We’re very fond of Homestead Park, too, with its large play areas, outdoor gym equipment and pop-up Reading Cafe during the spring and summer months. Further afield, other green spaces we love are Askham Bog Nature Reserve, Moorlands Nature Reserve, Hagg Wood and Falling Foss.
Do the Little Vikings I Spy Trail
Our popular Little Vikings I Spy Trail – recommended by The Sunday Times – is free to download and a really fun way to explore the city. Look up, look down, and see if you can spot everything on the list as you explore. Find out more about the I Spy Trail here.
Do the York Cat Hunt
The York Cat Hunt is great fun for cat fans (and non-cat fans, to be honest!). It’s completely free, and a fun way to keep kids interested in a walk around town. It’s free too! Statues of cats have been placed on buildings in York for around two centuries, although statues, since removed or rotted, are thought to date from medieval times. The original cat statues were placed on buildings to frighten away rats and mice, which can carry plague and illness. They were also thought to ward off wandering evil spirits and generally to bestow good luck and good health on citizens who needed feline friends to ensure a good night’s sleep in old and temptingly chewy timber-framed buildings! Pick up a trail leaflet from The Cat Gallery on High Petergate.
Stretch little legs and go for a walk or bike ride
Ducks, otters, swans and even an ice cream boat: there’s a lot to spot on a walk along the river Ouse, accessible from York city centre. Alternatively, grab your bikes (or hire them – Get Cycling is a great place for family bike hire, including inclusive options) and enjoy a ride along the cycle tracks (York’s solar system trail is very popular). Trips to the great Yorkshire countryside needn’t cost much either – pack a picnic, find a free parking space and let the kids run wild. The Yorkshire Dales and Moors and our glorious coast are all great options. Take a look at the Little Vikings Guide to Family Walks in York and Yorkshire.
Stroll through York’s streets
Wandering around the city streets is one of the best things you can do in York and it costs nothing. There’s plenty to interest everyone, from fantastic street entertainers to genuinely talented buskers to tiny alleyways and secret passages, cobbled streets and grand squares. Marvel at the Minster, take a turn around the bottom of Clifford’s Tower, skip along Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate and amble through the Shambles.
Head to York’s libraries for free
York has some fantastic libraries that run activities for children all year long that are free or inexpensive, and they are also great places to drop in and browse or grab a coffee and cake. Don’t miss York’s Summer Reading Challenge either – it’s a great way to keep little bookworms reading during the long holidays. Explore York Library, on Museum Street, is the main central library and it’s a lovely space for families. It’s right next to York Museum Gardens, which is a great place to let kids run about (and again, it’s free).
Free events and festivals in York
York hosts a year-round calendar of family events that don’t cost a penny. Our highlights include:
- – JORVIK Viking Festival (February) – A celebration of all things Viking, with loads of activities for kids
- – York Ice Trail (February)– Incredible ice sculptures dotted around the city.
- – WizardFest (May) – A weekend of all things magical, aimed at children
- – York Ghost Week (October): Loads of ghostly goings-on, lots of which are free and family-friendly
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Pick up a Little Vikings Family Card
For offers and discounts from a variety of family-friendly businesses in York, why not collect a FREE Little Vikings Family Card? Current stockists include the Visit York Information Centre, York Army Museum and The Blue House Bookshop. You’ll access offers from York’s attractions, shops, cafes, classes and more – here’s what’s currently on offer.
Best things to do with kids beyond York
Children go free at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Another cracking day out, and only adults pay for admission. Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a fantastic outdoor day out that inspires (and tires out little legs). There are some nice cafes and the Visitor Centre is worth a visit. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG – Visit the website
Admission’s free, just pay for parking at Dalby Forest
One of Yorkshire’s most stunning spots is accessible for just the price of parking. Head out on one of the many trails on foot or by bike and don’t miss the epic adventure play area. There’s a cafe and loos at the Visitor Centre. Dalby Forest, Dalby Forest Drive, Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT – Visit the Dalby Forest website for more details
Top tips for saving money in and around York
Get a Little Vikings Family Card
Pick one up for free from the Visit York Information Centre to unlock special offers at attractions, cafés and independent shops across York.
Use your York Card
Residents can access free or discounted entry to local attractions, including York Minster and swimming pools.
Pack picnics and refill bottles
There are plenty of picnic-friendly places around the city.
Look for York Residents’ Festival Weekend and special offers
Many attractions run York Residents’ Festival discounts each January and special holiday deals for families, like Kids Eat Free.
This guide was written by the Little Vikings editorial team. Little Vikings is an award-winning, independent guide to family-friendly activities in and around York, run by a local family with an in depth knowledge of the best things to do and places to go.
About Little Vikings – York for Kids
Little Vikings is York’s award-winning family guide, run by a local family who know the city inside out. We explore, review and recommend the best things to do, see, eat and experience with kids in York and beyond.
