Manchester and York

Where

Manchester, York

Pace

Relaxed. Two cities, a short rail leg and two or three stops a day.

Best season

Spring to autumn is easiest for walking both cities; indoor museums cover wet days.

Suits

Museum lovers, Rail fans, Weekend breaks

• No step-free information for these 15 stops
• No stops marked family-friendly in our guides

Step-free and family flags come only from data we hold (OpenStreetMap contributors or the venue's own access page) and are not a full access check. Contact each venue before you go.

1. Day 1 · Manchester

   Central Manchester

   Overnight: Manchester

   1. 1

      John Rylands Library

      Library · Spinningfields & Deansgate

      

      A neo-Gothic library.

      Show on map Our guide to Spinningfields & Deansgate
   2. 2

      Manchester Cathedral

      Cathedral · Northern Quarter & Cathedral

      

      Near the old Shambles Square.

      Show on map Our guide to Northern Quarter & Cathedral
   3. 3

      The Old Wellington Inn

      Historic pub · Northern Quarter & Cathedral

      

      A Grade II listed public house in Shambles Square.

      Show on map Our guide to Northern Quarter & Cathedral
   4. 4

      Manchester Art Gallery

      Art gallery · Piccadilly, Chinatown & the Village

      

      A gallery in the centre.

      Show on map Our guide to Piccadilly, Chinatown & the Village

2. Day 2 · Manchester

   Castlefield and industry

   Overnight: Manchester

   1. 5

      Castlefield Canal Basin

      Canal basin · Castlefield & the Canals

      

      Canals and viaducts.

      Show on map Our guide to Castlefield & the Canals
   2. 6

      Roman fort (Mamucium)

      Roman site · Castlefield & the Canals

      

      Roman site in Castlefield.

      Show on map Our guide to Castlefield & the Canals
   3. 7

      Science and Industry Museum

      Museum · Castlefield & the Canals

      

      At the old Liverpool Road station.

      Show on map Our guide to Castlefield & the Canals
   4. 8

      People's History Museum

      Museum · Spinningfields & Deansgate

      

      A museum of democracy and workers' rights.

      Show on map Our guide to Spinningfields & Deansgate

3. Day 3 · York

   Arrive in York: Minster and streets

   Overnight: York

   Getting from Manchester to York. By train. Check National Rail (opens in new tab) for times and changes.

   1. 9

      York Minster

      Cathedral · Minster Quarter

      

      Start at the cathedral.

      Show on map Our guide to Minster Quarter
   2. 10

      The Shambles

      Street · The Shambles and Stonegate

      

      A famous old street.

      Show on map Our guide to The Shambles and Stonegate
   3. 11

      Barley Hall

      Historic house · The Shambles and Stonegate

      

      A historic house nearby.

      Show on map Our guide to The Shambles and Stonegate

4. Day 4 · York

   Walls and the railway museum

   Overnight: York

   1. 12

      Bootham Bar

      City gate · Minster Quarter

      

      Join the city walls here.

      Show on map Our guide to Minster Quarter
   2. 13

      Monk Bar

      City gate · Minster Quarter

      

      Another gate along the walls.

      Show on map Our guide to Minster Quarter
   3. 14

      National Railway Museum

      Museum · Station and Museum Gardens

      

      Usually free; check the official site.

      Show on map Our guide to Station and Museum Gardens
   4. 15

      York railway station

      Railway station · Station and Museum Gardens

      

      A good place to end the trip.

      Show on map Our guide to Station and Museum Gardens

Rail times vary by day and operator, so only times from an official page are shown. Opening hours, prices and tickets change: check each official site. This route is independent and unofficial.