I had wanted to visit the Christmas tree festival in York Minster for several weeks now and although it started on Saturday 30^th November today was my first opportunity to do so.

We arrived in York around 9.45am on a bitterly cold and bright morning, it was -3c earlier whilst I was out walking the dogs. The cars thermometer was showing 2c by the time we arrived in York. It was nice to get out and away from the confines of your own home all be it for a few hours after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period. York was busy with visitors even at this time in the morning, people were queuing up to enter the Jorvik visitors centre in the Coppergate centre, the cafes looked very busy with people enjoying a mid-morning coffee and as we passed Betty’s café on St Helen’s Square people were queueing around the corner towards the Mansion House. Stonegate and Minster Gates were relatively quiet whilst Deangate and Minster Yard was busy with groups of bystanders admiring the beauty of the Minster whilst other visitors were busily organising themselves for a photo in front of the minster, unfortunately scaffolding is currently covering some of the South side along with a huge white scaffolding screen which shrouded much of the beautiful architecture.

I continued around the corner and onto Duncombe Place to take a photo of the West end of the church, unfortunately I was thwarted by the white van man parking in front of the building. Duncombe Place like Minster Yard was bustling with visitors all going about their daily business. I headed in to the Minster after showing my pass to the reception staff, I was quite taken aback by the large number of visitors already inside. It was pleasantly warm inside the building which was quite comforting after being battered by the cold northerly wind outside.

This year’s Christmas Tree festival opened on the 30^th November and runs through till the 6^th January 2026, it features some seventy beautifully decorated trees by local businesses, schools and charities, admission to the event is included with your admission ticket. After sitting for a few moments in the Naïve to unwind from all the hustle and bustle outside, I made my way to the huge doors on the West End, two large Christmas trees were situated at either side of the door like two sentries guarding the main doors. Between the doors was the statue of St Peter holding the key to heaven in his arms looking down on his flock. Either side of the huge doors on the west wall are the headless statues of the ‘Semaphore Saints,’ which symbolise the Protestant Reformation and the historical purging of Catholicism from the Minster. The ‘Semaphore Saints’ spell out the message "Christ is here" in semaphore.

Leaving the Saint’s behind me I made my way along the Nave, admiring the beautiful floral decorations against the huge pillars, till I reached the Quire Screen decorated with the kings who were on the throne during the time the Minster was built. There was a ‘turning the page’ ceremony taking place in the North Transept in front of the Astronomical clock, a memorial to the Allied aircrews who flew from airbases in Yorkshire and the northeast and lost their lives in the Second World War which was very moving. Over in the South Transept the South wall is currently shrouded in scaffolding and white dust sheets whilst extensive restoration work is being carried out on the huge Rose window which was badly damaged in the 1984 fire.   I continued my walk along the North Chancel admiring the Christmas trees richly decorated in themes denoting their business or charity, passing the entry to the Crypt on my right I continued to the East Wall and made my way round to the Great East Window and Lady Chapel. The Chapel was lined with decorated Christmas trees. I always take a five-minute sit down here to admire the Great East Window, which was created in the year 1405 and took three years to complete. As well as the window the Chapel also contains the minsters memorial to Queen Victoria namely the colourful reredos of the Nativity. Around the Lady Chapel are several tombs to the cathedral’s dignitaries and previous Archbishops.

Leaving the Lady Chapel and Great East Window I headed back to the Central Tower and after admiring the huge Advent wreath suspended from the tower, made my way over to the Chapter House. The passageway leading into the Chapter House was lined with beautiful decorated Christmas trees, the trees continued into and around the Chapter House, it really was a picture. The Chapter House is always worth a visit any time of year, but at Christmas it is quite special.

After several minutes looking at all the decorations on the trees I made my way back to the Nave to look for the dragon’s head that lives there, high up in the Nave. After a closer look along the triforium you cannot really miss it. Its purpose is not really known, though it is believed to be some form of lifting mechanism. Ironically enough on the opposite side of the Nave is a stone carving of a knight which could well be St George?

Before I left the Minster, I headed back to the North Transept to look at the Hindley clock along with Gog and Magog. The clock was made by Henry Hindley the renowned clockmaker in the 18^th century. The clocks movements date back to 1749, whilst the clock face was designed by George Frederick Bodley in 1883. As well as its intricate design it features two oak men at arms named Gog and Magog who always catch my attention as I walk past them heading towards the Chapter House.

I retraced my steps back to the Nave and into the Minster shop for a browse before I headed back outside to find somewhere suitable for brunch.