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In the last couple of weeks we’ve seen a lot of rainfall in York, and we all know that a rainy or stormy day is often a culprit of dampening one’s holiday. One sure thing to still have a great time, regardless of the weather is, you guessed it, to stay indoors. York has plenty to offer in term of indoors activities and there is definitely enough to keep you entertained no matter the amount of sunshine in the sky!

Visit all the museums with a York Pass

York has a number of museums all within a short walking distance from each other. Go back in time at York Castle Museum, make your own chocolate lolly at York’s Chocolate Story and feed a virtual reality dinosaur at the Yorkshire Museum. To make all these visits easier and save you some money, pick up a York City Pass that will let you visit York's attractions for one great price!

Indulge in a spa day at The Grand Hotel & Spa


A spa day is always appreciated, especially when it’s grey outside. Extend an hour-long massage into two hours, get a facial scrub and a manicure, relax in a steam room and soak in a whirlpool spa with a refreshing cocktail. The Grand Hotel & Spa is our number one choice – you won’t regret spending a day treating yourself to some luxury.

Join a cooking class


Cookery is art. On a rainy day, why not learn how to cook a new dish? Join a cooking class with The Cookery School at The Grand, York. Learn how to tackle traditional Italian dishes, make handmade pasta and some finger-licious sauces from the freshest Yorkshire ingredients. Meet like-minded people and surprise friends and relatives with your amazing fine dining cooking skills.

Have a cuppa in one of York’s independent coffee shops


Is there a better way to enjoy a rainy day than with a cup of hot coffee in your hand? There are so many amazing independent coffee shops that make rich and delicious lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and all other delicious hot drinks. For a rich taste, head over to Spring Espresso, if you have a sweet tooth why not try Brew&Brownie and treat yourself to some fluffy pancakes as well. For those of you who prefer tea over coffee (same here!) why not try a traditional Japanese Matcha at Ippuku Tea House.

Immerse yourself in the art of Van Gogh


Located in St Mary's Church, it’s your last chance to a journey into the world of one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century through a magnificent spectacle of virtual reality, music, animations, optical illusions, and 360-degree projections.

Share Your Only In York Experience

We love to see what you what you explore and discover during your visit to the city, so please tag us in your posts on social media and use #OnlyInYork for the chance to be featured as a guest contributor.

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