Green York: Eco Adventures

York offers a myriad of opportunities to connect with nature, and explore the city's historic charm in an environmentally responsible way.

From serene gardens to sustainable outdoor adventures, Green York is perfect for those looking for an eco-conscious getaway. Whether it's taking a leisurely stroll through York's beautiful parks, joining a guided walking tour, or visiting eco-conscious shops and eateries, there's something for everyone.

Your eco adventure in York is even more accessible with York Park & Ride! Park for free at 6 easy-to-reach sites and travel into the city in comfort with regular, 100% electric buses. An Adult Return ticket is just £3.80 and up to 3 children under 16 go free.

Read on to discover York's eco-friendly activities and tours - so you can make the most of your visit while supporting York's commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.

Explore York's Gardens

York’s beautiful green spaces are one of the best parts of the city. With 3 gardens winning Green Flag Awards, there are plenty of lovely, lush areas to relax in. Here are just a few:

• Holy Trinity Goodramgate

"I've lived in York for 20 years and never knew there was a garden here" - the staff and volunteers at Holy Trinity Goodramgate hear this comment (or a version of it) many times each week.

Although located in the centre of York, the church is surrounded by green space. In the summer, the historic churchyard is filled with benches located in sunny spots or under trees filled with blossom. This space is cared for tirelessly by the garden volunteers. Recently, they have even come up with innovative new ways to ensure that wildlife enjoys this space as much as the visitors do by focusing on growing native plants whenever possible, reducing their use of weed killer and building "dead hedges". This encourages insect life which leads to more birds – plus, there’s even a fox that regularly visits.

• York Museum Gardens

A blend of historic charm and ecological mindfulness, York Museum Gardens is a must-visit for all visitors. The green space is a stunning 12.5-acre historic garden that offers free access to the public seven days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm, all year round except on Christmas Day. A haven for wildlife, the space featuring areas of long grass in shady spots for hedgehog day nests and breeding habitats for butterflies such as the Speckled Wood. Native wildflowers have been introduced to support pollinators, alongside a selection of pollinator-friendly ornamental plants. A small apple orchard has been created, providing a rich environment for wildlife, while a new wildflower meadow at the rear of York Art Gallery further enhances the biodiversity.

• Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens is meticulously maintained to encourage a diverse range of species. The garden is adorned with bird boxes designed to attract different bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, sparrows, great tits, and blue tits. A substantial bird feeding area is maintained year-round, and a bat box has been installed in the courtyard. Hedgehog boxes are set up with water left out for these nocturnal visitors.

The garden's white doves breed prolifically, providing premium feeding for a family of sparrowhawks in the adjacent wood. A traditional wildflower meadow supports a profusion of butterflies, moths, and British native plants, with seed heads left to provide food for birds and protection for insects. Visitors to Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens enjoy the chance to see and hear this rich wildlife, finding the garden a place of peace and reflection.

• Mediterranean Garden at Beningbrough
  

Delayed by pandemic and wet weather, the Mediterranean Garden is a brand new garden in National Trust’s Beningbrough. The garden is home to over 4,000 herbaceous perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs from Mediterranean climate zones around the world. Planted by volunteers and staff, the garden has been carefully designed and looked after, with winding pathways and a pond with miniature lilies.

Beningbrough itself is a magnificent mansion near the city centre, with 8 acres of beauty to explore. This stunning sight is free to visit for National Trust members.

The Cookery School at The Grand, York

A unique experience for visitors and residents of York, The Cookery School at The Grand, York offers a variety of eco-conscious cooking and baking classes for all levels of ability.

The Cookery School is 99% single use plastic free, and the in room amenities have been changed to wall mounted, refillable Molton Brown products. The Grand, York are also involved in trying to reduce their carbon footprint where possible - they have a rooftop Apiary which is home to 4 beehives where the bees are helping with pollination and biodiversity within the city. The staff aim to increase their activities further through their in-house Green Team.

SPARK:York

A great pitstop on your fun eco day out, SPARK* is filled with a variety of traders that offer delicious street food and refreshing drinks. The hub also offers a variety of events, from yoga to painting, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

SPARK* are home to Grow It York, a collaborative project with the University of York’s ‘FixOurFood’ initiative and LettUs Grow. This community aeroponic vertical farm brings cutting-edge urban farming to the heart of York, providing hyper-local harvests to surrounding businesses and food banks, all while championing sustainability. The farm grows micro herbs and greens, supplying RAD Pizza Shop, the General Store (an independent food bank and zero-waste supermarket), and food aid providers like The Red Tower.

Additionally, SPARK* focuses on sustainable and ethical development practices in its operations. This includes using recycled materials like shipping containers, OSB boarding, and scaffolding boards in construction, implementing rent reductions for traders running environmentally friendly businesses, and ensuring comprehensive waste management to avoid sending any waste to landfill.

York Racecourse

Going to the races this year? Have confidence that York Racecourse have been committed to environmental sustainability since 2017, and in the last five years have made considerable strides towards minimising their negative impact and finding ways to have a positive impact through their land stewardship.

The Knavesmire is one of the largest green spaces in York, and hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

In 2023, they launched an environmental sustainability strategy with these four key pillars:

• To reach Net Zero emissions by 2040
• To enhance biodiversity
• To conserve water
• To embrace the circular economy

York Racecourse’s environmental strategy, Green Knavesmire 300, is all about understanding the totality of their impact and taking meaningful steps towards being the most sustainable racecourse they can possibly be, across all areas of the environment. 

Walks & Tours

Named the The Mirror’s most walkable city of 2024, York is the perfect place for beautiful walks. Whether you fancy a guided tour, a spooky ghost walk, or a pub walk, there are several great tours and trails to suit everyone. Here are just a few to choose from:

• Recognised as carbon neutral by Carbon Footprint, Golden Tours offers guided tours on York's hop-on-hop-off buses - highlighting York’s rich history while promoting environmentally responsible travel. 
• Mountain Goat Tours provides nature tours, including walking excursions that showcase the city's stunning landscapes and historic sites. 
• York on a Fork combines culinary delights with sustainability, offering food tours that explore local eateries committed to eco-friendly practices. These walks not only immerse you in York’s beauty and heritage but also support the city's green initiatives, making your visit both enjoyable and environmentally responsible.
• York Photo Walks offer a unique experience that takes you round the city, a great way to get out and explore whilst improving your photography skills.

Dalby Forest

Nestled in the North York Moors National Park, this expansive forest offers a variety of walking trails suitable for all levels. For the more adventurous types, Go Ape offers exciting high ropes and zip wires under the forest canopy. Dalby Forest is committed to conservation, featuring well-maintained paths and eco-friendly facilities. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or looking for a leisurely stroll, Dalby Forest provides an escape into nature, perfect for those seeking an outdoor adventure near York.

Make the most of your eco-friendly trip to York and book a night or two away – discover sustainable accommodation in York here. Or, explore York’s wide range of sustainable food and drink businesses here.