York Minster
York Minster features on the Gingerguide audio walk through York. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- York York guide
About York Minster
The largest medieval cathedral in England, 250 years in the building, holding the Great East Window, the biggest single sheet of medieval stained glass in Britain, painting the world from Genesis to Revelation.
York Minster (the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter) is the largest medieval cathedral in England and one of the great Gothic churches of Northern Europe, the seat of the Archbishop of York. A church has stood here since 627, when a wooden chapel was built for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria; the present Gothic minster was built from about 1230 and consecrated in 1472, across three Gothic styles. It is about 160 metres long, with a central tower 72 metres high. Its Great East Window, glazed in 1405-08 by John Thornton, is the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, depicting the world from Genesis to Revelation; in all the Minster holds around 128 stained-glass windows. A fire in 1984 destroyed the south transept roof, since rebuilt. It stands within the historic city of York.
Did you know? The Great East Window, glazed by John Thornton in 1405-08, is the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, about the size of a tennis court, and paints the whole Christian story from Genesis to Revelation.
How long is a visit to York Minster?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for York Minster. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is York Minster worth your time?
York Minster is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for York, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in York
Hear the story of York Minster
Preview the York tour free in the Gingerguide app.