2025 visitor numbers for York attractions released

But one attraction in the city saw its visitor numbers rise by over a quarter.

For months, there was little or no rain in York and North Yorkshire last Spring and Summer.

The continuous sun was welcomed by visitors at Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate where visitors were up to 8 per cent to 527,724; Dalby Forest, also up 8 per cent to 440,298, and Fountains Abbey, up 4 per cent to 436,630, according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).

In York, Cliffords Tower saw a drop of 7 per cent to 150,673, the National Railway Museum saw a drop of 5 per cent to 656,205 and York Minster 4 per cent to 437,204.

Jorvik Viking Centre is not included in the figures, which only features attractions run by ALVA members.

Figures for York Museums Trust were mixed. Yorkshire Museum saw the biggest rise in the city of 29 per cent to 79,260, thanks to a major exhibition. The Trust’s most popular attraction, Castle Museum, saw its numbers rise by 5 per cent to 221,170. But York Art Gallery had a drop of 53 per cent to 52,560.

All figures are compared to the visitor numbers in 2024.