The top 10 things to do in York as a student staying for the summer

Pretending to be a tourist is actually quite fun

3 months ago | UPDATED 1 week ago

Every student staying in York over the summer knows that it can be a lot. The tourists are out in full force, campus is packed with graduates, and don’t even get me started on how every single building in town traps the sun. Boiling. Majority of the time it’s difficult to just find a spot to sit down and have some peace. As tempting as it is to stay in the comfort of your beautiful Tang Hall rented house, the liveliness of York during the summer isn’t one to miss.

If you know where to go and what to do, summer season in York is hard to beat. So, here’s our top 10 activities to get planning for the rest of August – you can’t be wishing for another year of uni so soon, can you?

1. Walk the walls

Has any student actually walked the full length of the walls? It’s pretty hard to find time to spare to wander along some Roman walls for hours and hours when you’ve got an essay due. And that’s the glory of summer! Zero essays or assignments (for most people anyways). Although this might seem a little boring, this walking route is surprisingly fun. Circling from the outskirts of the city right into the centre, the walls boast the best views for a hot girl summer walk. If you still can’t find your way around without using Google Maps, this one might have to be added to your summer list.

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Even better, at each gate (where you have to come back down) there are the cutest underrated cafes and shops just sat waiting for you. Our faves include Gatehouse coffee (Walmgate Bar), Roberto (Monk Bar), and the Perky Peacock (by Lendal Bridge). Plus, there’s plenty tourists up on the walls that love to ask about university here in York – the perfect answer being how similar it is to Hogwarts. I still can’t tell the difference between Gryffindor and Derwent.

2. Picnic in the Museum Gardens

This one is definitely more popular with us students, and for a good reason. A classic picnic is the best summer activity, and the Museum Gardens in the centre of town is the perfect spot to relax. The botanical gardens are always filled with people sunbathing, reading, and just chatting the day away. If you get hungry or thirsty, there’s normally trucks selling iced drinks, food, ice cream, and more. The cutest little ice cream boat, The Full Moo, floats on the river just through the gates at the bottom of the gardens! This hidden spot also has a load of benches right by the river to pretend you’re by the sea, or in Spain, or something.

3. Vintage shopping

Something visitors of York don’t really notice is the huge amount of vintage and charity shops that line the streets. From Chinese Laundry, to Dog & Bone Vintage, to the Antiques Centre of York, there’s enough to browse for hours on end. In a city as unique as York is, there’s bound to be hidden gems in second hand shops – and who else is going to find them if not students?

If you’ve already been in all the vintage shops York has to offer, Leeds is of course only a quick train journey away. Leeds is full of hundreds of cool independent shops, more than York could probably even fit!

4. Walk to Bishopthorpe

Me and my friends made this walk last summer, and yes, we did end up crying, but it was cute when we got there! The little town of Bishopthorpe is just over an hour’s walk from Campus West, but it really is a nice day out. The journey goes down the side of the river Ouse, through York racecourse, and then along the tiny streets of the outskirts of York. Bishopthorpe itself has the cutest village vibe to it, with a riverfront with boats, kayaks, and canoes to hire. Everyone’s favourite activity outside of Knaresborough. A fair warning, the walk back is absolutely brutal once you’ve tired yourself out – especially if it’s hot.

5. Watch the sunrise and sunset

Every now and then, you’ll unintentionally see the sunset and go “aw, look at the sky!” But why not make it an actual activity? Plan it out, choose the best spot in town, get some snacks, and your camera at the ready. Summer sunsets by the minster are beautiful, and the streets usually empty at this time as most go out to eat. To catch the sunrise requires a bit more dedication, but the streets are even more bare and it truly is worth it. Wandering around such a popular city before it fills up is one of the best and most underrated perks of living here, it’s like going to a theme park before it opens!

6. Trip to Whitby

Whitby is a gorgeous seaside town just a little up north from York, around an hour’s drive or two hour’s on the coastliner bus. Whilst it is a pain to get there, as there isn’t a direct train, it’s still a great day out. There’s pubs, cute shops, piers, crabbing (that’s catching crabs), and of course, Whitby Abbey, the gothic landmark linked to Dracula and other famous literary figures. Every English Literature students dream. The animated Dracula experience across the bay from the abbey is one to remember, it’s like a funny, smaller version of Hallowscream (emphasis on smaller).

7. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus

This might just be the most boring (or the most fun) thing you’ll do this summer. You’ll drive past spots that you’ve seen a million times, but you’ll also learn some historical facts about Clifford’s Tower and Walmgate Bar – you really do learn something new everyday.

In all seriousness, if you want to actually learn a bit more about the city you’re living in and experience everything it has to offer, the hop-on hop-off buses seem a good place to start. It’s around £13 for students and tickets normally last 24 to 48 hours, so you have plenty time to spare in the pub if you just happen to find yourself in there. Grab your sunglasses and hit the top deck!

8. Running

York genuinely has some amazing running routes – there’s the city, campus, woodlands, by the river, and more. Our guide to the best Strava Segments to run in York sets out all the different routes that are popular with students, making your run that little bit more scenic and enjoyable. Whether you love running around people or need a fairly empty route, York isn’t short of a variety of different paths and roads. Campus itself is in such a great spot, close enough to the centre but easy enough to head the opposite direction to quieter areas of town.

If you’re bored out of your mind this summer, a run is a great way to blow off some steam – if it’s not your thing, why not just walk your new favourite route?

9. Pottery painting

Everyone knows of Bish Bash Pot, the small and cute pottery studio in town. What you might not know is that the studio regularly hosts special nights and events such as adults evenings and wheel nights! Whether you want to quickly pop in for a bit of a paint, or make a full night of it with rosé at the ready, this activity is so easy and stress-free for students. Plus, they also offer a paint at home basket, something quite handy if you just want to stay in your pyjamas. The perfect girls night in.

10. Visit the Art Gallery

For those rainy summer days, because there’s been quite a few. The current exhibition at York Art Gallery is Monet, “The Water-Lily Pond”, only here until September 8th. There are also ever changing collections beyond the exhibitions downstairs, so even if you have been before, there’ll be something new to see.

Plus, there’s a beautiful outdoor cafe that overlooks the secret garden of York’s Museum Gardens, as well as a gift shop (yay). The gallery hasn’t yet announced the next exhibition to follow Monet, but it will most likely launch during the autumn/winter period!