Spring is definitely my favorite season, and I’m lucky enough to be on my third spring here in York! York is a serious Instagrammers dream in the first place, but in my honest opinion there’s no better time to visit York than spring. The city really comes alive during the springtime, with flowers and blossoms everywhere – and you miss out on the busy summer tourist crowds! There are so many places to visit throughout the city in spring, but I’ve narrowed it down to some of the best. So here you are: the best Instagram spots to visit in York in spring!

City Walls

York’s City Walls are one of the main tourist attractions in York, and for good reason. The walls stretch all around the city – walking all of them is roughly a 2-mile loop. Spring is the best time to walk the walls, as there are daffodils that turn the walls so colorful with yellows, whites, and oranges! The city walls make a great Instagram shot any time of the year, but spring is really something special.

Best Time: late February through March

Clifford’s Tower

Of course, another of the most famous attractions in York is Clifford’s Tower, all that’s left of York’s old castle. Clifford’s Tower sits on a mound overlooking the city, and come springtime it will be covered in daffodils! The flowers (with the six points on each daffodil) are meant to memorialize the members of York’s Jewish population, many of whom lost their lives in a massacre the tower in 1290. Note that they daffodils have a very short lifespan here. A lot of people walk up the hill and trample them (even though there are signs saying not to!), and a lot of people will also pick and rip up the daffodils. Your best chance of getting that perfect Instagram shot that screams “spring” is at the beginning of March.

Best Time: late February to mid-March

Interested in a FREE 10-page York Mini Guide? Included in this York Mini Guide are: The top experiences and things to do in the city Where to eat & drink (cafes, restaurants, pubs) The best daytrips outside the city An itinerary for how to spend 3 days in York Click here to get your free copy!

York Minster

Of course, no trip to York would be complete without a mention of the Minster. And no Instagram photo post would be either! York Minster is stunning in its own right, but come spring you must pay it a visit in order to see the crocuses that bloom in Dean Park. Normally, there are purple, white, and orange crocus flowers that bloom early in springtime and make for fantastic photography opportunities.

Best Time: late February to mid-March

York Minster (again)

Am I cheating by putting the Minster on here twice? Maybe, but then again it is my blog post and I can do whatever I like! The second mention is for the blossoms that bloom from the tree near the South African War Memorial, right next to the Minster. It can be really difficult framing the photo, but the blossoms are Instagram heaven!

Best Time: late April to early May

Merchant Adventurer’s Hall

I don’t think I’ve made any secret that the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall is one of my favorite places in the city, and definitely a hidden gem to see in York. While the gardens are beautiful year-round (the roses are gorgeous in summer!), it is easily one of the top spots to visit in York in spring. There are two gorgeous magnolias that might just make you feel like you’re in your very own secret garden. They’re perfect for framing that Instagram shot!

Best Time: March

St. Denys Church

One of York’s lesser-known churches is St. Denys Church, located off Walmgate with the present-day church dating back to the 14th-century. While there’s plenty of history to explore here, the cemetery and garden are dotted with gorgeous daffodils in springtime. Snowdrops bloom a few weeks before the daffodils, but it really is the bright daffodils that steal the show.

Best Time: March

Museum Gardens

York’s Museum Gardens are an Instagrammers delight any time of the year. Hosting the Yorkshire Museum, the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, an Observatory, and Roman coffins, it should not be missed on a visit to York. It’s again one of my absolute favorite places in the entire city! But it is by far the best place to photograph York during the springtime. The gardens seem to come alive with flowers everywhere!

I could easily have just done an entire photoessay with my pictures from Museum Gardens last year. The best flowers to photograph are the daffodils, and the tulips and blossoms that come slightly later.

Best Time: March (daffodils), mid-April to early May (tulips)

Yorkshire Philosophical Society (Museum Gardens)

The entrance to Museum Gardens also gets its own shoutout on this post! This imposing tower-like building is home to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. It forms the entrance to the gardens, and come springtime sees gorgeous blossoms from the tree next to it. You’ll be lost in a sky of pink if you can visit at the right time! It’s right by Lendal Tower too, so there are lots of ways to get that Instagram shot.

Best Time: late April to early May

St. Olave’s Church

St. Olave’s Church is home to my favorite door in the entire city of York. Just outside Museum Gardens, you can find this gem tucked away on Marygate. Come springtime, you can see the most gorgeous blossoms next to the door. I’ll never get tired of photographing this door– there’s just something about it! Every spring, I always make a few visits to “check up” on my door and see how the blossoms are doing!

Best Time: late March to mid-April

Walmgate (Hope Street and Navigation Road)

Possibly my favorite blooms in all of York are on Walmgate. Blossoms pop out all along the street by the One Stop, and they tend to be a dark pink. But each spring you’ll first be treated to gorgeous blossoms near the intersection of Hope Street and Navigation Road. These do tend to be more white/light pink, as opposed to the darker shades. But if you’re wanting to do an Instagram photoshoot with yourself in the photo, these will definitely be your best bet. They’re one of the few big blooming trees that you can stand in and under without a bad backdrop or other stuff in the way!

Best Time: late March through April

York is just two hours away from London by train and well-connected with most big cities in the North of England, making it an easy daytrip or long weekend away. I always use Trainline to find the best deals for train tickets. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Planning on staying overnight in York? I’d recommend the following places:

• Budget: Safestay York or the Fort Boutique Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
• Luxury: The Grand

You can book hostels in York here, and check out hotels in York here!

So there you have it: the absolute best Instagram spots in York in spring! Whether you just want some nice flowers to frame a photo, or you want to do a full-on photoshoot, spring is a beautiful time to visit York.

Have you been to York during the spring? What are your favorite spots to visit?!

Check out my other posts on York here! You might also like:

18 Hidden Gems to See in York

Where to Take the Best Photos of York Minster in York

20 Things to Do in York That Are Absolutely FREE!

The Complete Guide to the Best Instagram Spots in York

The Best Restaurants in York, England

The Best Bars and Pubs in York, England

The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in York, England

The Best Walks in and Around York, England

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Interested in a FREE 10-page York Mini Guide? Included in this York Mini Guide are: The top experiences and things to do in the city Where to eat & drink (cafes, restaurants, pubs) The best daytrips outside the city An itinerary for how to spend 3 days in York Click here to get your free copy!