York Minster Guide: Tickets, Tower Climb & Opening Hours
1-2 h
Cathedral
Current Gothic structure begun 1220-1230, completed c. 1472; a Christian site since 627 CE
Deangate, York YO1 7HH, United Kingdom
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
£20.00
£16.00
Monday-Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00 · Sunday: 12:30 - 14:45 (hours vary — see full schedule below)
Advance booking is recommended via the official ticketing platform.
| Year-round | Monday-Saturday | 09:00 - 17:00 | Last Admission: 16:30 |
| Year-round | Sunday | 12:30 - 14:45 | Last Admission: 14:15 |
Closed On: Subject to closure for services/special events. Sunday morning closures are standard (worship services).
York Minster Cathedral access. Tower climb is a separate ticket.
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Adult (cathedral only) | £20.00 | Includes 12-month free return | Online or on-site |
| Student | £16.00 | Valid student ID required | Online or on-site |
| Tower climb add-on | £6.00 | 275 steps, not wheelchair accessible | Online or on-site |
| Combined (Cathedral + Tower) | £26.00 | Best value if visiting the tower | Online or on-site |
| Children (up to 4 per paying adult) | Free | Accompanying a paying adult | — |
Ticket Options
£20.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & Visitor Introduction
York Minster (formally the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York) is England's largest medieval Gothic cathedral, dominating the York skyline with its twin west towers and central tower. A Christian site has stood here since 627 CE, though the current structure was built mostly between the 13th and 15th centuries.
The standard adult admission is £20.00, and a separate tower-climb ticket (275 steps, 360-degree views) costs £6.00 on top of that, or £26.00 combined. Up to 4 children accompanying a paying adult are admitted free. The ticket also includes free re-entry for 12 months.
The Minster is closed to general sightseeing on Sunday mornings, when it is dedicated to worship — Sunday visiting hours (12:30-14:45) are shorter and centered on services rather than a full self-guided tour.
History & Architectural Significance
York has been a major Christian site for nearly 1,400 years. The current building, begun around 1220, is the third cathedral on this site and took roughly 250 years to complete. It survived the English Reformation, the Civil War, and a serious fire in 1840, emerging as one of England's most intact medieval cathedrals.
Beneath the cathedral, the Undercroft preserves Roman-era foundations (including a hypocaust heating system) from a 4th-century Roman fortress, alongside medieval artifacts — a reminder that the site's history predates the Gothic cathedral by nearly a millennium.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Nave
The cathedral's soaring main interior, with ribbed vaulting and quintessential Gothic verticality.
The Great East Window
One of the world's largest medieval stained-glass windows (57 x 33 ft), completed in 1408 and depicting biblical scenes.
Central Tower Climb
275 steps to the top for 360-degree views of York and the surrounding Yorkshire countryside — a separate £6 add-on ticket.
The Undercroft
Roman foundations and medieval artifacts beneath the cathedral, included with standard admission.
Chapter House
An octagonal room with a polygonal ribbed ceiling and no central supporting pillar — a bold medieval engineering feat.
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Pass Compatibility
Compare York PassesYork Minster is included in the Visit York Pass (all 1/2/3-day tiers) at standard admission level — check directly whether the tower climb requires a separate add-on even for pass holders.
The Visit York Pass
Included. You must reserve your entry time directly with the official provider. York Minster is listed on the official York Pass attractions list. No pass-specific discount model is documented.
Data Provenance
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Frequently Asked Questions
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