Cheap Hotels in York

York is an historic walled city in northern England. It was first created by the Romans, but it's the Vikings who really left their mark. Knows as the "City of Festivals", there are an astonishing number of annual events including but most definitely not limited to the Multicultural Food and Arts Festival, the Viking Festival, the Festival of Angels, Mystery Plays, the Christmas St Nicholas' Fair, and the Food and Drink Festival. These can see hotels in York packed to the brim, so be flexible on your travel dates - or why not think of joining in with one of these in 2013 or 2014!

It's not a large city, and with a short break in a York hotel you should be able to see most of the main sights. These include a range of historical buildings and streets, such as the Shambles, and of course the towering York Minster, which dominates the skyline wherever you are looking from. There are also plenty of excellent pubs and restaurants.

If you're someone who likes to go shopping when you're on holiday then York is a great choice because it's well-known for its large number of independent and boutique shops.

Choosing a York Hotel

York has been a popular tourist destination for a long time, and this means that it's very easy to find a great range of hotels for your stay in York. You will find centrally located hotels in York range from budget-friendly hostels and cheap hotels to York's finest five-star offerings for a real treat.

Remember that the centre of York is car free, so if your hotel is out of the city centre you will need to think about transport. Recently, there has been an upsurge of local farms offering rooms on a bed and breakfast basis, or cottages to rent, which can offer a great mix of rural living and city sights. Make sure that your hotel in York offers parking if you're arriving by car or thinking about getting cheap car hire to get around.

You will find that it's very easy to get around on foot from centrally-located hotels in York, so you will not have to worry about your car or driving anywhere - indeed it is in fact easier this way. York is not a large city so you will find it pretty easy to get around.

When to visit York

Of course, the summer is the most popular time to visit the city, and it's when you can (almost) be sure of nice weather and the chance to sit outside and soak up the atmosphere. But don't discount spring and autumn as you will often find sunny days which can be put to good use walking the city walls, whilst there's plenty to do when it rains as well.

The number of indoor attractions means that you could even look for cheap hotels in York in the winter for a break that combines Christmas shopping with sightseeing. The Christmas Market is an incredibly popular time to do this, so you may or may not want to visit at this time.

Remember that festivals can push up the prices of hotel rooms in York, whilst spaces will also book up quickly. The festival season runs from spring right through to autumn, but there are plenty of free spaces between them, so if you can be flexible you'll be able to get a better deal. If you want to visit for one of the festivals then be sure to get booking nice and early to enjoy a good price and a central location.

What to do in York

Despite being a fairly compact city, there is plenty to do on a short break in a cheap York hotel. Seeing York Minster is a must - it's the largest Gothic church in northern England and highlights include the stained glass of which the Rose Window and the Five Sisters Window are well worth seeking out, the King's Screen and the Chapter House. There is a lot to see up high so look out for the mirrored tables that let you look up without craning your neck!

Other top attractions include the world-famous Jorvik Viking Centre, which takes you back to the sights, sounds and smells of Viking York, and the castle complex. A walk along the city walls is a must, as is a trip up Clifford's Tower which also affords great views across the city. York Dungeon, the Eboracum Legion Bathhouse and the Micklegate Bar Museum are also great, plus for a day out with the kids try the York Maze.

You could also spook yourself with a Ghost Walk, discover the Snickleways, which are the Medieval alley which criss-cross the centre, or go on the Micklegate Pub Crawl. Want more tips? Get over to our York guide.