York Minster Tickets: Entry, Tours and Tower Costs

Admission and concessions

The cathedral's displayed sightseeing price is £20 for adults and seniors and £16 for students from outside York. Up to four children aged 17 and under enter free with each paying adult. York residents and students based in York can enter free with proof. Check the applicable conditions when purchasing, since your circumstances and the ticket selected determine which price applies.

General admission covers the cathedral, Chapter House, Undercroft Museum, crypt and regular tours. The cathedral FAQ describes validity as 12 months from the ticket date and time. Check the terms of a separately booked product for its own conditions. A free visit for worship or private prayer has a different purpose and does not provide a full sightseeing visit. Our Evensong guide explains the distinction.

Climbing the Central Tower

The tower is a separate addition costing £6 per person. Climbers must be at least eight and face 275 steps, including narrow sections and uneven treads. Children aged eight to 17 need an accompanying adult. The operator advises against the climb for visitors with certain health conditions, during pregnancy, and for those affected by heights or confined spaces. Read the full conditions before deciding.

Places depend on capacity and weather. Check the current booking arrangements and availability for your visit directly with the cathedral. The admission and walking options here should be treated separately from the tower climb, so make your tower plans independently. The climb itself is not wheelchair accessible; the main cathedral spaces have level, ramped or lift access.

The Great East Window

At the east end, the Great East Window brings together scenes from Genesis and Revelation. John Thornton of Coventry was commissioned in 1405 and completed the window in 1408. Its panels tell stories of creation and the end of all things. Give yourself time to look at the glass from inside the building, then explore more of its long story in our history guide.

Undercroft Museum

Beneath the cathedral, the Undercroft combines archaeological remains with displays and interactive interpretation. The collection includes the Horn of Ulf, the York Gospels and Anglo-Saxon coins. Excavation during work to secure the Central Tower revealed Roman barracks, an Anglo-Saxon burial ground and foundations of the Norman Minster. The museum is part of general admission, but its opening window can be narrower than the cathedral's, so check the day's calendar.

Free guided tours

Regular cathedral tours are included in general admission when available. Ask about the day's options as you arrive and leave room in your schedule if you would like to join. A separate York walking tour can introduce the surrounding streets; check its description for what it includes. The small-group city highlights walk, for example, does not include Minster admission.