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St. Helen's Square

St. Helen's Square

St. Helen's Square
4
About
This is a great place to meet people, shop or to be entertained by street performers, all surrounded by charming and historic buildings including St. Helen's Church and The Mansion House.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles39 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
16
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
1

futtock21
London, UK17,274 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
Once the gated south-western entrance to Roman Eboracum the land now occupied by St. Helen’s Square was developed in the mid eighteenth century from a graveyard into the elegant space it is today. At one end is the York Mansion House directly opposite St. Helen’s Church. The other sides are occupied by businesses including Terry’s Tea Rooms and a branch of the Ivy restaurant. During the summer it is the setting for professional busking. During our visit a baritone sang excerpts from West Side Story.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andy-S60
London, UK1,893 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This isn’t really a square, more of a meeting of several roads with a wider pavements than normal! Betty’s Tea Rooms sit one one corner, and you’re never more than 50 yards from a bar, pub or eatery of some sort. It’s right in the centre, so wherever you wander, you will at some point stumble across it. The best thing about it is that, unusually for York, it’s free to access!!
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Neil K
Liverpool, UK828,151 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Friends
Heading into St Helens Square through one of the beautiful streets you are immediately struck by the great architecture ,you can feel the history all around you,one of the most historic spots in York is St Helens Square.
This was the south western gate to Eboracum in Roman times ,known as Porta Praetorian ,up until the mid 18th century this was an open space and graveyard area ,the square developed over the following centuries and nowadays is one of the busiest areas of York .
The architecture here is superb,St Helens Church,Mansion House plus the old former bank buildings ,a great mix of Georgian and Victorian era buildings ,in and around the square are nice pubs,cafés,restaurants and shopping outlets ,it's just a great square to check out if you're planning a trip to York.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anistazia
York, UK138 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
st.helens square,st.helens church as graves with roman numerals on(not often seen)world famous betty's tea rooms,york mansion house(residence of the lord mayor of york)a tsb bank and whats now an expensive tourist shop in the stone work old terry's sign(terry of york chocolate)lendal cellers and post office the square as plenty of seats.the square contains the city christmas tree at that time of year.enter from the square down coney street(one of the main shopping streets in york)or go down davygate in to parliament street yorks open foot street some days continental market on (very expensive)back to the square you can walk down stonegate to the minster(stonegate full of tourist shops some expensive ones)back to the square go down lendal visit museum gardens,take a boat ride or cross lendal bridge and go on to city wall(no good for disable,pushchairs,etc some parts of the city walls are quite high but not fenced in keep children close by great views.
Written June 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

IAN D
Wigan, UK26,568 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Solo
Stylish area of the city with grand buildings around the perimeter such as the mansion House. Betty's and the Ivy restaurants are in this place.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

davlorbrad
Cape Town, South Africa98 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018
The former grave-yard is now a popular meeting place with several restraints including world renowned Betty's Tea Room that has the ambiance of a bygone era. Afternoon tea is a special occasion
Written May 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JohnScarr70
Pontefract, UK1,773 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Family
The square is home to some well - known shops and places to eat and historic buildings. There are benches where you can sit and take in the buildings which make up the square. Really worth craning your neck. Failing that, a bit of people - watching? Street entertainers and buskers are almost always in attendance.
A number of the notable streets pass through or lead from the square.

Avoid the persuasive gentlemen selling "Gag - mags",
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jane l
York, UK35 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2012
Its a buy place this, its great to get parked on a bench anf people watch for a bit with a nice cuppa, pleny to see and do.
Written November 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joan R
York, UK27 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012
This is really central to York and has a few 'attractions' off it in terms of wine bars and pubs which you certainly shouldn't miss. Just a little way from City Screen Cinema too, which houses the Riverside Bar and Cafe - a good place to sit outside on a sunny day. A place to people watch, but beware of hawkers with joke books.
Written August 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gemma O
Llanelli81 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2012 • Family
Great buskers & entertainment, Betty's tea room & shop and a bank with cashpoint (difficult to find in York)
Written August 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St. Helen's Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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