Visitor numbers grow as York Minster enjoys a bumper summer

As the city braces itself for the busiest bank holiday weekend of the year, York Minster has revealed that its leisure visitor numbers during July were up by nearly a third, continuing the very strong performance it has enjoyed during the first seven months of the year.

“We’re absolutely delighted by how well visitors are responding to all the new developments here, not only in terms of tourists making York Minster an essential part of a visit to the city, but also with many local people taking time to rediscover the cathedral,” comments Kathryn Blacker, Chapter Steward at York Minster. “The new attraction, Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft, is proving exceptionally popular - shining new light on the site’s colourful 2000 year history and also adding an extra hour or two to people’s visits.”

Throughout the summer holidays, children’s craft activities running every Wednesday at York Minster have proved popular with family visitors. The final workshop takes place on 28 August and gives children a chance to discover a little more about the last Yorkist king, Richard III, with a special look at the stained glass window dedicated to him, and a chance to recreate their own version to take home. 

York Minster’s younger visitors can also pick-up a discovery backpack filled with new gadgets to help them explore the cathedral, including binoculars, a magnifying glass and torch.  A fun trail with York Minster’s resident monkey Monty helps youngsters hunt for dragons and spot the wild animals that feature in the masonry and windows.  In addition, children can enjoy dressing up in costumes in the Undercroft and Treasury, or relaxing with the books and puppets available in the Story Chest.

York Minster’s Box Office is also bracing itself for the busiest day of the year, with tickets due to go on sale for its Christmas Carol Concerts and Handel’s Messiah in early September.  Tickets in the Nave for the two Christmas Carol Concerts of 2012 sold out within a week, with hundreds of tickets snapped up in the first hour after their release.

For more information, visit www.yorkminster.org.

ENDS

For further media information or images, please contact:

Leanne Woodhurst / Pamela Anthony

Tel: 0844 939 0014 ext 2480

Email: leannew@yorkminster.org or pamelas@yorkminster.org

Jay Commins

Tel: 01904 500698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk