Venue Description

York Minster invites everyone to discover God’s love through our welcome, worship, learning and work. York Minster is a gothic masterpiece in stone and stained glass, a magnet that draws people to visit the City of York and a defining symbol of the ancient “capital of the North”. Each year around 600,000 people from all over the world come to explore the Minster, and visitor surveys find a high level of satisfaction from their experience. It is one of the centres of York’s lively cultural and intellectual life, hosting many concerts, lectures and exhibitions.

Accessibility

All areas of York Minster are accessible with the exception of the central tower, Zouche Chapel and High Altar. Externally, there are steps (fitted with handrails) and ramps to enter and exit the Minster. Internally, the Minster is accessible via ramps and lifts where necessary. The Minster is also fitted with a hearing loop (with the exception of the Chapter House) and a tactile model of the building. In addition, we have a tactile map of York Minster with a Pen-Friend for key and audio description for a self-guided tour around the building. We have wheelchairs at the main entrance with can be borrowed for the duration of your visit as well as stair-climbers for fire evacuation from the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://yorkminster.org/visit-york-minster/accessibility.html

Toilets

Our accessible toilet is fitted with handrails, hand dryers, bins and an emergency pull lever and call controller to speak for assistance. The toilet is large enough to maneuver a wheelchair and for carer assistance.

Staff

Our front of house staff and volunteers will assist and provide a friendly welcome to all visitors, based on the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to engage with, use and enjoy the Minster, its collections and the services it offers. Our staff are at hand to provide visitors with maps to assist in orienting people around the building, in particular the location of ramps and lifts for accessibility.