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York Minster Description: The largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, the present York Minster was constructed in 1220. For hundreds of years before this, however, the site had been of religious and political significance, witnessing numerous battles between the English and the Vikings for control of the city and its cathedral, which had been specially constructed for the baptism of Edwin, King of Northumbria, in the seventh century. Today, half of the surviving medieval stained glass in England is in the minster, with the Great East Window displaying over 100 Biblical scenes. The Chapterhouse, built in Decorated Gothic style and completed in 1286, contains intricately carved walls and has been the meeting room of the Dean and Chapter, who govern the cathedral, for centuries. The nave is the widest Gothic nave in England and features a statue of St Peter, the minster’s patron saint. The elaborate astronomical clock in the North Transept was designed and constructed at the Royal Greenwich Observatory to commemorate 18,000 airmen from Yorkshire and northeast England who lost their lives in World War II. A fire in the South Transept in 1984 led to a £2 million-pound restoration project, and the ceiling now features 62 new bosses decorated with natural and local scenes designed by schoolchildren. There are views of the winding cobbled streets of York and the surrounding Yorkshire countryside from the Central Tower. Contact Addresses: York Minster Visitors Department, St Williams College, 4-5 College Street, York YO1 7JF, UK Tel: (01904) 557 216. Fax: (01904) 557 201. E-mail: info@yorkminster.org or visitors@yorkminister.org Website: www.yorkminster.org Transportation: Air: Manchester Airport, Leeds/Bradford International Airport, Newcastle Airport. Rail: Train: York Station. Road: Bus: Services to Rougier Street. Coach: National Express services to York Station (from across the UK). Car: M1, then M18, then A1(M), then A64 (from London); M6, then M42, then M1, then M18, then A1(M), then A64 (from Birmingham); M62, then M621, then A653, then A61, then A58(M), then A64 (from Manchester); A7, then A68, then A1, then A59 (from Edinburgh). Opening Times: Daily 0700-1800 (winter); daily 0700-2030 (summer). Admission Fees: Cathedral: £3.50 (adult), £1 (child 5-15). Concessions and family pass available. Cathedral guided tour: Free (groups must book guided tours two weeks in advance). Chapterhouse: Free. Treasury: £3 (adult), £1 (child). Concessions available. Tower: £3 (adult), £1 (child). 
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