Five things to do during your next York reunion in 2022

York was your home for years, but things are always changing! We know that some of our alumni travel for hours to visit York and will often organise a holiday to remember the good times, see how much York has changed and catch-up with old friends as part of a reunion.

Whilst some alumni regularly revisit York, we know some of you only visit sporadically, or make a once in a lifetime trip back. So, whether you return every month, every decade or you’re planning a big reunion trip back, here are five things you should definitely try do if you have time!

1. Organise a reunion campus tour

No matter when you graduated, our campus will look a little different! Students might no longer live on campus and our fantastic new Creative Centre has just opened, but the Quad is still as pretty as ever. Find out some of the hidden history of York St John, revisit some of your old haunts and see what’s there now and learn what our current students get to call home.

Plus, we’re working on a new self-guided tour, so there’ll be plenty of ways to enjoy our campus, no matter the time you visit for your reunion.

To organise a tour, please email alumni@yorksj.ac.uk for our availability and options.

2. Walk the walls, if you can

York’s walls surround the oldest part of the city, providing an intimate and interesting look at York. Including fantastic views of the Minster, a look at Victorian streets and a glance into modernity, the walls are free to walk and are open until ‘dusk’. Please note that the walls do close during poor weather, so might not always be open in winter!

Plus, you get a great view of our campus, York Minster and the railway station from various parts of the wall, so it’s definitely worth checking out at least one section during your visit. It’s also a great way of escaping some of the crowds to get around the city.

Unfortunately, due to the age of York Walls and their structure, they are not accessible for all, although sections of the wall do vary. Find out more about the York Walls on the Friends of York Walls website and on the City of York council website.

3. Relive your graduation by visiting York Minster

Most of our alumni have been lucky enough to graduate in York Minster, but all of our York based alumni lived in its awe inspiring shadow. See the recently restored medieval stained glass, marvel at the Undercroft museum and brave the stairs to see the best view in York. Plus, the Minster is great all year round: inside and out of the wind in winter, but also a cool reprieve from the heat in summer.

York residents can book a free ticket, otherwise, make sure to book a ticket if you’ve got time!  Since the tickets are valid for a full year, you can always pop back next time you’re in York, or if you time it right, during your next reunion.

4. Visit Betty’s for a taste of Yorkshire hospitality

A visit to Betty’s is a must for any visit to York. You might not have been seen dead in there as a student (was it the price, the ‘uncoolness’ of afternoon tea or just the queue?) but it’s always worth a look in. Plus, it’ll definitely add a fancy element to your reunion!

An iconic Yorkshire brand, the Betty’s tearoom brings together traditional service with an unforgettable experience. Although their Afternoon Tea is a fantastic experience, light bites or a hot drink with a cake are a more reasonably priced alternative. But Betty’s is renowned for its queues. If you’re happy to wait, it’s well worth it. Otherwise, try visiting at off-peak times like early morning or tea-time where opening hours allow. If sitting down for tea and cake isn’t your thing, browsing the shop for tasty treats is another, quicker, option.

5. Enjoy Museum Gardens and St Mary’s Abbey

One of the most picturesque gardens in York, enjoy a wintery walk or grab a picnic blanket in summer for a day outside. St Mary’s Abbey provides a fantastic backdrop for curious family members to explore, or for a reunion group picture. Plus, with plenty of seating options if you don’t mind benches and grass, Museum Gardens is a great place to rest after a busy day exploring York again.

Plus the fantastic Yorkshire Museum sits within the grounds if the weather isn’t on your side. With a wide range of exhibits, it’s well worth a look if you have time. You can find out more about York Museums Trust who run the gardens and museum on their website.

+ so much more

York is a fantastic city with so many places to visit. There are museums covering wide periods of history, heritage properties including a cold war bunker and a great art gallery, not to mention all of York’s fantastic hospitality venues! Use the VisitYork website to find out what’s on during your visit and to make the most of your time in York next time you visit. It’s also a great way of seeing what sort of family friendly activities are on, either so you can attend with younger family members or so you know what to avoid during your reunion!