Although Greater Manchester is bursting with places to visit and things to do, every once in a while it’s refreshing to have a change of scenery with a day trip. But when you factor in travel costs, eating out and activities, the cost of a visit can soon rack up.
This weekend to help make a day out more affordable, 60 historical buildings will open up for free in York, so you can soak up some history and culture without worrying about admission fees. Only an hour and 20 minutes away from Manchester on the train, York is city layered with history, and it's perfect to visit for the day or a weekend away.
On October 15 and 16 dozens of buildings and open spaces will be open to the public free of charge, as part of York Unlocked. The aim is to inspire visitors and give them an insight into the incredible places within the city.
READ MORE:
A few of the buildings participating in York Unlocked are not usually open to visitors, so you can have a nosy at places you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. Some locations operate on a pre-booked tour basis only, but for most of them you can just turn up on the day.
From mediaeval halls to grand Georgian buildings, there’s something for everyone. Not to mention you can walk around the city’s walls as you make your way from one location to the next.
Some of the highlights include:
- Monk Bar - the tallest and most ornate of the four mediaeval fortified getaways into the city
- The Assembly Rooms - Grade I listed Georgian Assembly Rooms, which is one of the earliest neo-classical building in Europe
- Merchant Taylors Hall - a Grade I listed guildhall, built in 1415, with a wing added in the 15th century. It features stained glass painted by Henry Gyles
- Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate -Grade I listed mediaeval church dating largely from the 15th century and features original 17th and 18th century box pews. Anne Lister (also known as Gentleman Jack) and Ann Walker took sacrament here to seal their union in 1834 and there's now a blue plaque dedicated to it
- York Oratory and the Oratory Garden (St Wilfrid’s Church) - a Grade II listed church, said to be one of the most perfectly finished Catholic churches in England
The opening times of the buildings vary as the opening is controlled by the owner. Some buildings can only be visited with a pre-booked tour. For more information click here.
For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
READ NEXT:
- Where to go pumpkin picking in and around Greater Manchester for Halloween 2022
- I went for a 'bottomless' curry at Zouk to see how much I could handle but made one key error
- The gorgeous beach with sand dunes and a woodland walk just over an hour from Manchester
- The cake outlet shop with cut-price caterpillar cakes, mini rolls and flapjacks that's great for trick or treats and birthdays
- Here’s how you can get free National Trust tickets this autumn
