Month guide · York · United Kingdom
York in October
What October is really like in York: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: webbedduck, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 10.4 hours of daylight. Autumn colour in the Museum Gardens and on the walls' banks; ghost walks feel especially atmospheric around Halloween.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in York: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with September (18°C (64°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:32
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:08
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
Autumn (September–November). Mild September with the food festival, autumn colour in October and the Christmas market from mid-November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in York, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Religious site · Minster Quarter
York Minster
Built over about 250 years from the 13th century, the Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the tower
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
Museum · Coppergate
JORVIK Viking Centre
Book a timed ticket online; walk-up queues can be long, especially in school holidays.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Leeman Road
National Railway Museum
Behind York station, the free national museum fills vast halls with locomotives and carriages, including Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive in the world, royal carriages used by Queen Victoria, and a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Iconic
Museum · Castle Area
York Castle Museum
Start with Kirkgate, then visit the prison cells; children enjoy both.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 7°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit York?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
York in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit York?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour in the Museum Gardens and on the walls' banks; ghost walks feel especially atmospheric around Halloween.
+How warm is York in October?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in York in October?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.