York Minster |
Look out for the amazing stained glass windows - York Minster has more medieval stained glass than any other church in England.
York Minster is 518ft long, 241ft wide, and the tower is 197ft high - it's the biggest lantern tower in Britain. The architecture is of the Perpendicular, Decorated and Early English styles.
Small Wooden Chapel
It was Oswald (Edwin's successor) who dedicated the chapel to St. Peter (as the Minster still is today) and enclosed it in stone.
Both the Saxons and Normans built churches here, which were destroyed by invading Danes, Norse raiders and by fire.
Restored, sections rebuilt and extended, succeeding generations of Christians have striven to ensure the survival of the Minster in York.
250 Year Restoration
In 1220 a 250-year programme to rebuild the Minster around its Norman predecessor began.
It was Archbishop William de Grey who was responsible for the design of the transept where the new building work began.
What evolved was the Cathedral much as we know it today.
After the Second World War, the glass from the medieval windows which had been removed for safekeeping, was restored to its rightful place. This must have been like solving a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Major restoration was carried out between 1967-1972 to restore the central tower and again in 1984 when fire destroyed the roof of the south transept.
Children submitted thousands of designs and six were chosen to be included in the new carvings, which represent all aspects of God's creation.
Stained Glass
Undoubtedly the most glorious feature of the Minster is its wealth of stained glass - one hundred and twenty eight windows in total.
Other famous windows are the West window with its heart-shaped tracery portraying the heart of Yorkshire.
In the South transept is the Rose window commemorating the end of The Wars of The Roses.
Another of importance is the Pilgrim window, featuring Peter surrounded by pilgrims, unusual details to look for are the funeral of a monkey and a cock reading.
Dragon's Head
You will find many other fascinating features on your tour of the Minster; look out for the dragon's head in the nave projecting from the gallery; this is part of a levering device to raise the cover on the font.
The rood screen, a masterpiece of late gothic sculpture is worth seeing, as is the monument to Archbishop William de Grey in the South transept.
Before leaving York Minster don't miss The Crypt, where you can see the Romanesque pillars from the eleventh century church, and many treasures of antiquity, also The Undercroft, which is now fitted out as a museum.
Fascinating Tours
York Minster offers visitors a range of tours, including Stoneyard Tours, Tours of the Glass Conservation Studio, Hidden Minster Tours and Library Tours throughout the summer. To find out more or to book a tour, please call 0844 939 0016 or email.
For general information, or to find out what concerts, events and exhibitions are on at York Minster, please visit the York Minster website.
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Directions |
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York Minster is in the heart of the city of York, and can be found easily from the city centre. |
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York Minster Postcode for SatNav: YO1 7HH
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Days Out near York Minster
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Yorkshire Museum (<1 Mile)*
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DIG-An Archaeological Adventure (<1 Mile)*
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Barley Hall (<1 Mile)*
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Treasurer's House (<1 Mile)*
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Fairfax House (<1 Mile)*
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Jorvik Viking Centre (<1 Mile)*
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York Guildhall (<1 Mile)*
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York Dungeon (<1 Mile)*
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Cliffords Tower (<1 Mile)*
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York Brewery Tour (<1 Mile)*
Places to Visit near York Minster
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York (<1 Mile)*
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Stillingfleet (6 Miles)*
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Stamford Bridge (7 Miles)*
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Riccall (9 Miles)*
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Kirk Hammerton (9 Miles)*
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Bugthorpe (11 Miles)*
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Boston Spa (11 Miles)*
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Saxton (13 Miles)*
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Everingham (13 Miles)*
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Slingsby (14 Miles)*
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