Standing on the floor of York Minster is an experience in itself—the sheer scale, the quiet reverence, the light pouring through ancient glass. It’s truly humbling.
But let me tell you about a completely different way to see the Minster, and indeed all of York. High above, the Central Tower calls out, promising what I believe is the single best view in the city. But it’s a view you have to earn.
The journey involves 275 steps spiralling 230 feet up into the sky. This isn’t some modern lift to a viewing deck; it’s a proper climb through the heart of a medieval giant.
The reward? An absolutely breathtaking panorama of the city and the vast, flat plains of Yorkshire stretching out around it.
It’s a journey from the spiritual heart of the cathedral to a spectacular, bird’s-eye view of centuries of history laid out like a map at your feet. Without a doubt, it’s the highest and most rewarding viewpoint in York.
So, you’ve bought your ticket and you’re ready to go. What’s the climb actually like? Well, it’s an adventure in itself, a journey through the very bones of the Minster.
The Ascent: A Spiral Through Time (With a Surprise)
The climb itself feels like stepping back in time. The staircase is exactly what you’d hope for in a medieval tower: worn stone, spiralling “round and round and round”.
It wasn’t built for tourists, and that’s what makes it so authentic. It gets properly narrow in places—down to just 24 inches (61 cm) wide—so you’ll need a steady footing and a bit of nerve.
As you climb, you can almost feel the history in the stone, thinking of all the masons and clergy who have walked these same steps over the centuries.
Just when your legs are starting to feel it, the tower gives you a fantastic surprise. About halfway up, a door leads you out into the open air for a “great outdoor respite”.
Here, you can catch your breath on a walkway that weaves among the tower’s pinnacles and buttresses. It’s an incredible chance to get up close and personal with the architecture you can only admire from afar on the ground.
You’re literally face-to-face with weathered medieval stonework and the stern, sometimes comical, faces of Gothic gargoyles.
It’s more than just a rest stop; it’s a brilliant little adventure in itself and a perfect taste of the main event waiting at the top.
The Summit: York at Your Feet
That final step out of the winding staircase and onto the summit is a brilliant moment. The enclosed stone gives way to the sky, and you’re hit by the “fresh air” and “sunlight”.
And then you see it: York, and the world beyond, unfolding in every direction.
My first instinct is always to look straight down. You get a real sense of the city’s medieval layout, with the rooftops giving way to the ancient, winding streets.
From up here, you can play a great game of spot-the-landmark. The elegant Georgian front of the Manor House on St Helen’s Square (built in 1725) is easy to pick out.
The famous City Walls, which feel so massive when you’re walking them, look like a delicate ribbon weaving through the city’s “patchwork view”.
It’s also a great lesson in perspective; the mighty Clifford’s Tower, the last remnant of York’s great castle, looks almost small from up here, which really shows you just how much the Minster dominates the skyline.
The view goes on for miles. Look north, and you can see over the Nestle factory towards the distant hills of the North Yorkshire Moors.
On a good day, you can even spot the famous Kilburn White Horse carved into the hillside.
To the east, you’ll see the Foss Island Chimney, a local landmark known affectionately as the Morrisons Chimney, left over from a waste facility built over a century ago.
From this one spot, you can trace the story of York from its medieval core to its industrial past and its deep connection to the surrounding countryside.
Don’t worry about getting the perfect photo, either. The viewing platform is safely enclosed by a metal fence, but they’ve cleverly left gaps just for camera lenses, so nothing gets in the way of your shot.
Planning Your Climb: A Bit of Friendly Advice
Because you’re climbing an ancient monument, not a modern attraction, a little bit of planning goes a long way.
The team at the Minster rightly prioritises safety and preservation, which means there are a few rules you need to know. Think of it less like a theme park and more like being a guest in a very old, very special house.
Know Before You Go: Climbing the Central Tower
Booking: Here’s the key thing: you can only book tickets on the day you visit, right there at the Minster. They’re sold first-come, first-served, so you can’t book ahead online or over the phone.
Tickets: A combined “Minster Entry & Tower Trip” ticket is your best bet.
Adult/Senior: £26.00
Student: £22.00
Child (8-17): £6.00
If you already have Minster admission, the Tower Trip is just £6.00 per person.
Hours & Weather: The climbs run at set times during the day, but they are very dependent on the weather. Be prepared for cancellations, especially in winter, if conditions aren’t safe.
Health & Safety: This is a tough climb, so it’s not for everyone. Children under 8 are not permitted to climb.
The climb is strongly advised against if you have breathing issues (like asthma), heart conditions, high blood pressure, a fear of tight spaces (claustrophobia), or a fear of heights (acrophobia).
It’s also not suitable if you’re pregnant or have recently been ill or had surgery.
The Minster staff have the final say, and they’re doing it for your safety.
Conclusion: More Than a View, It’s an Adventure
Trust me, climbing the Minster’s Central Tower is so much more than just a trip to a viewpoint. It’s a real experience—a physical challenge that connects you to the very fabric of this incredible building.
The effort is completely worth it for the unforgettable perspective you get on one of England’s most historic and beautiful cities.
As a final touch, once you make it back down, you’re given a “Tower Champion pin badge.” It’s a small thing, but it’s a great little souvenir of a truly memorable achievement.
Enjoyed this tour of the views immensely but was downcast when you showed the cage at the top. Maybe it’s necessary but I was expecting there to be a great sensation of openness – a view into the great wide world – but instead there’s a sudden feeling of being trapped and very much indoors.
Hi, I understand what you are saying, but can assure you that the low turrets almost make this a must for safety… plus having been in many a place with openness and with great wide views, when you are there you feel it is done wonderfully without the feeling of enclosure.