A Creative Weekend in York: From Linocut Workshops to Historic Explorations and Cosy Cafes
- Michelle Hughes
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Looking for something unique to do with friends? Whether you’re planning a mini break, searching for activities for small groups, or hunting for a thoughtful gift idea, York is the perfect destination for a creative and cultural weekend. Nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire, this historic city is easily accessible by train or car from many parts of the UK.
Here are my top tips for spending a creative weekend in York with friends – from hands-on workshops to independent cafes and art galleries.
Day One: Get Creative with a Linocut Workshop
Kick off your weekend with a craft workshop. I’m Michelle Hughes, a local printmaker, and I teach small group linocut workshops in my printmaking studio in the Holgate area of York.
Perfect for beginners or those with a creative streak, this local Yorkshire experience gives you the chance to design, carve, and print your own linocut artwork. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have something beautiful to take home – a personal reminder of your trip and a unique gift if you want to share your artwork with others.
Workshops start at 10am and finish at 4pm. We’ll have homemade tea and cake to round off the day. The use of tools and materials is included.
I teach small group workshops of just four people, allowing plenty of one-on-one teaching. Current availability is on my workshops page. Private bookings are also available for groups of four.
By train. My studio is a 20-25 minute walk from York train station. From York, there are good train links to London, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Scarborough.
On foot. My studio is a 30-minute walk from the city centre and York Minster.
By bus. Buses 5 and 10 from York Rail Station to the ‘Holgate Park’ bus stop. Bus 1 from York Rail Station to the ‘West Bank’ bus stop. See the iTravelYork website for details.
By car. There is free on-street parking. My studio is near Holgate Windmill, off Poppleton Road in the Holgate area of York. The full address will be emailed on booking.
Workshops like these are brilliant activities for small groups of friends and make a great gift experience for a friend’s birthday or special occasion! You’ll spend a relaxed day learning a new skill, having fun together, and creating something to take home.
Find out more about linocut workshops.
“A very relaxed and enjoyable way to learn new skills and techniques. Lots of help and advice are given at every stage. The studio is a lovely space and a relaxed place to learn in.”
Bernadette
“A brilliant day spent in Michelle’s workshop in York, learning how to design, cut and print a jigsaw linocut print. Her teaching style is very relaxed and supportive, and we all produced an amazing standard of print to take home.”
Kay
“Great pace, lovely relaxed day in a wonderful location. Great way to learn new skills to take home. Michelle is a lovely teacher.”
Sharon
Day Two: Explore York’s History and Cultural Side
On the second day of your creative weekend in York, immerse yourself in the city's rich history, stunning architecture and York's medieval past. As you wander through the cobbled streets, keep an eye out for independent galleries showcasing local artists.
Art Galleries in York
York Art Gallery
Permanent exhibitions include paintings, drawings, prints, decorative arts, and ceramics. A highlight is the Centre of Ceramic Art (COCA) and its wonderful collection of 20th-century studio pottery. Temporary exhibitions include ‘Making Waves - The Art of Japanese Woodblock Print’ (27 February to 30 August 2026), which I’m very much looking forward to seeing. Find out more on the York Art Gallery website.
Independent Galleries Exhibiting Local Artists' Artwork
Pyramid Gallery, York
No. 2 Blossom Street, York
Blue Tree Gallery, York
Printmaking Centre
Thin Ice Press. The York centre for print offers workshops, events and small exhibitions.
Art Galleries near York
Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk
Leaping Hare Gallery, Easingwold
York's History
Walking Tours
York Tour offers off the beaten track small group walking tours of York. It's a family business run by husband-and-wife team Sarah Jackson and Alfred Hickling.
York Minster
York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, dominating York’s skyline with its towering stonework and breathtaking stained glass. A visit inside, or a climb up the tower for panoramic city views, makes it an essential stop on any trip to York.
Walk the City Walls
York is home to the longest and best-preserved medieval town walls in England. Stretching over two miles, the walls offer a scenic and historic walk around the city, punctuated by ancient gatehouses (called "bars") and spectacular viewpoints over rooftops, gardens, and landmarks.
Early morning is the best time to walk without crowds, taking in views over rooftops, gardens, and towers along the way. One of my views looks over Grays Court Hotel towards the North side of York Minster and Treasurer’s House. This can be found on the Bootham Bar to Monk Bar section of the bar Walls.
The Shambles
Wander through York’s most famous medieval street—The Shambles. With its overhanging timber-framed buildings, this narrow alley feels like stepping back in time. Top tip: go early or late, as it gets extremely crowded.
Explore York Snickelways
York is famous for its winding alleyways known as "Snickelways". These crooked passages are shortcuts through medieval streets, walls, and back lanes and often lead to unexpected courtyards, hidden pubs, or artisan shops.
Holgate Windmill
I’m fortunate to live on the next street to the oldest five-sailed windmill in the country. It’s a fully working mill, and I buy my bread flour from it! When I moved here, it was at the beginning of the restoration process. It’s run entirely by volunteers and brings a wonderful sense of community to the area. In August, Holgate Windmill was featured on an episode of BBC Country File.
It’s definitely worth visiting to learn more about its history and how it works, and to buy some flour. And if you’d like to buy a hand-printed linocut print of Holgate Windmill, I have a couple in my online shop.
York's Gardens and Nature
Wander through York Museum Gardens
York Museum Gardens is home to the striking ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and The Hospitium. It’s the perfect picnic spot and a quiet place to relax with a coffee while soaking up some of the city’s ancient history. Walk in from beside the River Ouse, from Museum Street or Marygate. I always enjoy walking through the botanical garden behind York Art Gallery.
St Antony’s Hall Gardens
St Antony’s Hall Gardens is a small, peaceful garden overlooking York City Walls and next to Thin Ice Press and York Ghost Merchants Dispensary.
Walk along the River Ouse
From Clifford’s Tower, walk through Tower Gardens, under Skeldergate Bridge.
Follow the river south along the Ouse riverside walk, towards the Millennium Bridge. Look out for Tansy Beatles on Tansy plants to the left of the bridge. Cross the bridge, then, after a few meters, go through the Millennium gates into Rowntrees Park. From there, either leave by the Rowtrees cafe entrance, to explore Bishy Road (Bishopthorpe Road) or leave via the riverside entrance and continue along the banks of the River Ouse back to Skeldergate Bridge and the City Walls.
There are several favourite places to stop along the way, Cosgriff and Sons Bakery, Cycle Heaven cafe, Two Hoots ice cream boat in summer and Rowntrees Park Reading Cafe.
Best independent Cafes and Coffee Shops in York
After a morning of historical exploration, it's time to refuel at one of York's many independent cafes.
Bluebird Bakery and Cafe. Bread, pastries, sandwiches and coffee. Near my studio in Holgate.
Partisan. Coffee and lunch.
Robinsons Cafe. Brunch and lunch.
The Bar Convent Cafe. A peaceful place with a garden café and great scones.
Merchant Venturers Hall. Coffee and cake in a medieval guildhall.
York City Screen. Great for coffee with a sundeck and view overlooking the River Ouse.
Gogi Cafe. Vege cafe.
Crosgriff and Sons Bakery. Bread, sandwiches and amazing croissants.
Best Restaurants in York
Hands up, I don’t eat out often. For a special treat, I’d highly recommend Cafe No. 8. They’ve always been very helpful when I’ve booked for specific dietary requirements.
Friends have recommended Skosh, Kalpakavadi, Ambiente Tapas, Nola New Orleans tapas and 22 Yards.
Places to Stay
Please email me for recommendations on places to stay from previous workshop participants.
More recommendations
For more York recommendations, see the Visit York website and read my friend Helen Reynolds' blog, ‘Hidden Gems of York by a Local’.
If you need any more help with ideas, please get in touch.
Michelle
About the author
Michelle Hughes is a North Yorkshire landscape artist. Much of her work depicts the Yorkshire landscape, including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, as well as the Yorkshire coast.
Michelle loves exploring the British countryside by bike or on foot, camera in hand, capturing ideas for her next prints. Back in her garden studio, Michelle creates simple yet stylised silhouettes from her photographs and carves them into lino. She handprints with an etching press, using oil-based inks to create tonal blocks of colour.
Michelle’s original linocut prints are limited editions.
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