B

uilt between 1220 and the 1470s, York Minster is not only old, it’s also very very big. One of the biggest cathedrals in Europe in fact, with the tower alone weighing a whopping 16,000 tonnes. That’s the same as about 40 jumbo jets piled on top of each other. Thankfully it’s been standing for nearly 800 years, so the architects obviously knew what they were doing.

So what’s waiting for you inside? For starters, the Gothic architecture in this place will make your eyes water – even if it’s only from craning your neck to get a good view. Then there’s the beautiful stained glass in the Great East Window, which you’ll find in the Minster’s Lady Chapel; apparently it’s the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.

But the grand finale, of course, is the 275-step climb to the top of the tower. Once you’ve got your breath back, you’ll see the city and Yorkshire Wolds spread out beneath you. More importantly, you should be able to spy a teashop in one of the narrow passages near the cathedral – ideal for a post-cathedral cuppa…