With its fascinating local folklore and atmospheric Shambles, our city is undoubtedly one of the country’s most magical destinations and it’s home to a growing number of immersive attractions that celebrate this. Whether you’d like to try your hand at brewing potions or pick up a York Ghost, here’s where want-to-be witches and wizards can have an enchanting adventure this summer.
Make your own potions at The Potions Academy
The school year may have just ended but little sorcerers can now further their magical education at the Potions Academy. Tucked away off The Shambles, this new attraction from the Potions Cauldron Group offers a 30-minute-long Potions Class Family Experience. This is recommended for children aged five and up but is certain to be enjoyed by all! Under the expert guidance of their alchemists, you’ll learn how to craft your own potion in mystical surroundings. You’ll then leave with a potion drink and optional vial of jellybeans to take home.
Prices from £8.99 (adult)/£7.49 (child)
Enjoy cocktails or buy magical ingredients from The Potions Cauldron
Further up The Shambles, at number 9 3/4, you’ll find the Potions Cauldron itself. This unique shop is filled with the enchanting elixirs once concocted by the 14th century witch Agnes de Molay – from basilisk blood to unicorn essence. You can take these away to sample and savour, or mix them together to create your own potions. The shop also has a secret room where grown-ups can indulge in the highly-rated, boozy Potions Cauldron Experience. This lasts 50 minutes and includes a welcome tipple as well as two alcoholic potion cocktails, all of which are whipped up before your eyes by your enigmatic host.
£24.99 per person
Take a Wizard Walk around York
If you’d like to become better acquainted with the city while keeping youngsters entertained, the Wizard Walk of York is for you. This award-winning tour was created especially for families and its magical host will keep you mesmerised with astonishing acts and plenty of giggles as you walk through the city together. While the experience takes around 1 hour 15 minutes to complete, there are plenty of stops to make it easy on little legs and there’s nothing spooky or scary either. If you wish, you can make your walk even more memorable by purchasing wand kits, calling in at Loopy Scoops for wizard ice cream or adding a bird of prey photo experience.
Prices from £12 per person
Pick your own ghost from York Ghost Merchants
Whether you’re a fan of all things supernatural or just want a keepsake from your time in York, the Ghost Merchants is always a joy to browse. This now-iconic shop celebrates York’s reputation for being Europe’s most haunted city with an ever-changing range of ghost figurines. These are handcast in its own workshops with specialist craftspeople collaborating on limited editions. There are currently two locations where you can purchase a York Ghost – the quirky original shop on The Shambles, which stocks more than 600 ghosts in various colours and sizes, or The Dispensary in St Anthony’s Garden. This has a smaller selection but will allow ghost-hunters to spend less time queuing.
Ghosts from £9
Play a magical game of golf at The Hole in Wand
This indoor mini golf course offers wizard-themed competitive fun. The cleverly-named Hole in Wand on Coppergate Walk boasts a nine-hole course where you’ll encounter bubbling cauldrons, dragons’ eggs and enchanted paintings and portals. Just watch out for the mischievous gargoyle Grobblenook! As you play, you’ll need to solve riddles and puzzles and will hear stories of York’s wizarding lore. Once you’ve completed the course you can then pay a visit to the Wizard Tavern, which serves butterscotch beer and cauldron cake with ‘poisonous’ drink options for the grown-ups. You’ll also be given a free magic potion gift to take away.
Prices from £8.99 (adult)/£7.49 (child)
Images – @potionscauldron, @holeinwand, @wizardwalkofyork
