St Olave's Church

A thousand-year-old church tucked beside Museum Gardens, St Olave's offers a peaceful spot to explore medieval architecture, stained glass and a tranquil churchyard.

St Olave's Church | Historic Church in York

• Opening Hours:

  • Open daily during daylight hours for visitors and private prayer

  • Sunday Said Eucharist: 8.30am

  • Sunday Sung Eucharist: 10.30am (also streamed online)

  • Friday Eucharist: 11.30am

• Location: St Olave's Church, Marygate, York, YO30 7DR

• Suitable for: All ages - a calm, family-friendly visit, especially outside service times

• Booking: No booking needed to visit the church; some evening concerts require tickets via Eventbrite

• Cost: Free entry, donations welcome

• Website: St Olave's Church York

• Contact: admin@stolaveschurch.org.uk

Highlights

• A magnificent five-light medieval east window dating from the 15th century

• Historic bells cast in 1789, the last complete peal made by York's own bell foundry

• A secluded churchyard bordered by the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, right next to Museum Gardens

• A regular programme of concerts throughout the year, some with free entry

St Olave's Church was founded before 1055 by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, and is the first church in the world dedicated to St Olaf of Norway. Rebuilt in the 15th century and restored over the centuries since, it's a beautifully preserved slice of York's history, set against the backdrop of the ruined St Mary's Abbey.

Inside, families can spot carved stone corbels inspired by the Book of Revelation, a Victorian font with an ornate cover, and stained glass windows spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. The church remains an active parish, with a warm welcome for visitors and worshippers of all ages.

Beyond the church itself, the adjoining churchyard is a lovely, quiet spot to pause, and it pairs naturally with a visit to Museum Gardens next door, making it an easy and free addition to a day out in York.

Good to Know

• Marygate car park (postcode YO30 7DT) is close by and easy to find off Bootham

• About a 10 minute walk from York railway station via the Scarborough Bridge walkway

• Wheelchair accessible via a permanent stone ramp, with an accessible toilet inside

• Sits right next to Museum Gardens, easy to combine into a wider visit

Photo credit: https://www.stolaveschurch.org.uk