History of York

With so much preserved history, attractions like the Castle Museum and fine shops, York emerged as a modern mass tourist destination from early in the 20th century. 

It was a place where you could combine culture and retail therapy, said Councillor AG Wilson in 1934.  ‘Visitors, primarily attracted by its medieval treasures, cannot fail to notice the keen, progressive business life to which the handsome modern shops and business premises adorning its narrow streets bear eloquent witness’ he wrote.

Seventy years later, tourism was big business.  More than four million people were visiting York each year, the industry was worth £330 million annually and had created nearly 10,000 jobs.