York scavenger hunt for kids and families
York is one of the best walking cities in Britain for children, because everything is close together and most of it is very old. This is a free self-guided trail of eight finds, including the cat sculptures hidden high up on buildings around the city, which is the one families end up arguing about most.
How the hunt works
Each stop is a thing to find. When your child spots it, they take a photo, and the app checks two things at once: that you are actually at the location, and that the photo shows the right thing. Only then does the stop count.
That verification is the difference between a printed checklist and a game. Nobody can tick off the Münster from a café two streets away, which is exactly why children take it seriously.
What you'll find in York
8 verified stops listed below
York Walls and Snickelways
A Minster, a medieval street and the hidden cats. Almost all of it inside the city walls.
- 01York MinsterThe enormous gothic cathedral. Any tower or the great west front.
- 02The ShamblesThe narrow medieval street where the timber-framed upper floors lean towards each other.
- 03Clifford's TowerThe stone keep on a grassy mound by the Castle Museum.
- 04A bar in the city wallsOne of the medieval stone gateways: Bootham, Monk, Walmgate or Micklegate.
- 05The view from the city wallsTaken while standing on the walls. Walking a stretch of them is the best half hour in York.
- 06One of the York catsSmall cat sculptures fixed high on buildings all over the city. There are dozens and they are genuinely hard to spot.
- 07A snickelwayOne of the tiny alleys between buildings, narrow enough that two people cannot easily pass.
- 08A timber-framed buildingDark wooden beams showing in the walls. York has more than almost anywhere.
Questions parents ask
How much does the York scavenger hunt cost?
Nothing. The York trail is free in the Scavvi app, with no booking required.
How long does it take?
York is compact, so two hours is comfortable including a stretch of the walls. The cats can take considerably longer.
Can you walk the city walls with young children?
Much of the wall walk is manageable, though there are steep steps at the gateways and drops on one side in places. Judge it on the day and your child.
How many York cats are there?
Reported counts vary and new ones appear, which is part of the fun. The trail only asks you to find one.
What ages does it suit?
Four to fourteen. The Shambles and the Minster land immediately with young children, and the cats are a proper challenge for older ones.
Playing in York?
The app is free, the trail is free, and there is nothing to book. Download it before you go and it will be waiting when you arrive.
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