Month guide · York · United Kingdom
York in May
What May is really like in York: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mramoeba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit York. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 15.9 hours of daylight. Mild and pleasant for the walls and riverside; the racing season is under way on the Knavesmire.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 15.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in York: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with April (13°C (55°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:01
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 21:00
- Daylight
- About 15.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Daffodils on the wall banks, mild days and the start of the racing season, with busy Easter weekends.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- York Races Dante Festival (usually mid-May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Street · Minster Quarter
The Shambles
Visit early in the morning or in the evening, when the street is quiet enough to see the buildings properly.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Museum · Coppergate
JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the site of excavations that uncovered Viking-age houses and workshops at Coppergate in the 1970s and 80s, JORVIK takes visitors on a ride through a reconstruction of the 10th-century street, complete with sounds and smells, followed by galleries of the finds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Leeman Road
National Railway Museum
Walk from the station via the footbridge in about 10 minutes, and check for turntable demonstrations on arrival.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Iconic
Museum · Castle Area
York Castle Museum
Housed in former 18th-century prisons, the museum is known for Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street with shops you can walk into, as well as period rooms, toys and the cells of the old debtors' prison where Dick Turpin was held before his execution.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 7°C and 9 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit York?
One of the best months to visit York, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June and September. Compare every month.
York in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit York?
It is one of the best months to visit York. Mild and pleasant for the walls and riverside; the racing season is under way on the Knavesmire.
+How warm is York in May?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in York in May?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.