York is the perfect place for an autumn escape

There is something magical about York. Its medieval walls and soaring minster have helped to shape the character of the city by preserving so much cultural wealth in a relatively small area, so that at times it can feel like there is a new discovery around every corner of its cobbled streets. It’s a phenomenon that encourages unhurried exploration of the warren of "snickelways", narrow streets and footpaths that simultaneously link the modern roads to each other and the past. Here are five activities to do with your family when you visit this enchanting city.

Satisfy your sweet and spooky cravings

Where other cities built their wealth on industry, York charted itself a sweeter destiny. The York Chocolate Story (above) celebrates the city’s entrepreneurial chocolatiers and offers a guided tour through an exhibition that provides a fascinating insight into the process of making your favourite treats. This Hallowe’en, there will also be guided trick or treating for the kids, with a competition for best costume.
Under-4s free, 4-15s £10, adults £12.50; trick or treat tour from October 20-31, tickets for children £5.99, adults £4.99; yorkschocolatestory.com

See the heavenly architecture

York Minster is a staggeringly magnificent cathedral. Its sheer size and grandeur is breathtaking alone, yet even more so when the sun is blazing through the stained glass and radiating a kaleidoscope of colour into the interior. For a truly enlightening experience, book a tour of the chapter house and mason’s loft (above), crypt passages or scaffold, to discover a side of the minster few others have seen.​
Under-16s free, adults £10; special tours from £5; yorkminster.org

Ride the rails

Step into the great hall at the National Railway Museum and you will be greeted with a dreamscape of gleaming engines and glistening enamel. Its incredible collection of locomotives (above) juxtaposes legends from 300 years of rail in the same cavernous engine shed, which still has a working turntable. Steam train rides are available on weekends and a miniature railway operates daily.
Free entry; railwaymuseum.org.uk

More destinations to discover this half term

Meet the Vikings

Hop into a time capsule and zip back to a darker time, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of a Viking Age village (above) and meeting its animatronic residents in an encounter that feels like more of a film set than a museum. Afterwards, you can see 1,000-year-old artefacts discovered during the Coppergate dig that led to the founding of the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Under-5s free, 5-16s £8, adults £11; jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

Frightfully good fun

Delve into 2,000 years of grisly history at the York Dungeon, where savage Vikings, plague doctors (above) and torturers compete to scare and entertain in equal measure. There you will meet Guy Fawkes, who was born in the city, and learn of his horrible fate after failing to blow up Parliament. It’s just one of many well-executed encounters.
Tickets from £12; thedungeons.com/york

Think the car is the cheapest option for a family day out or getaway? Think again. With the LNER Family Return ticket, up to two adults and four children can travel for one great fixed price, starting from just £59*. Leave the car at home and hop onboard an LNER train for a hassle-free trip. With savings of up to £315** for families, why wouldn’t you get the train? Book your Family Return now

*Ticket must be booked at least 7 days in advance.
**Based on a weighted average of all Advance journeys sold on routes offering the LNER Family Return ticket.

For more great half term ideas, click here