York Minster is one of England’s architectutral gems... and as it’s only an hour or so’s drive away from Bradford, it’s an ideal destination for a day out.

There’s something for young and old alike in and around the Minster, located in the heart of York, and while it often attracts large numbers of visitors it can also be a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city’s crowded streets.

We try to drop in at the Minster whenever we are in York, as there’s always something different to see or do, or indeed listen to if you are fortunate enough to visit when there is a service running and the choir is in full voice.

If you gift-aid your entry ticket, you can revisit the Minster as many times as you want over the following 12 months, making the £9 entrance fee for adults amazing value.

York Minster is a spectacular backdrop in new TV drama Eternal Law, which started this week.

The ITV series, about angels sent to earth as lawyers, stars Samuel West and Ukweli Roach, who team up to defend the seemingly indefensible. The series is set and filmed in York, with many of its scenes shot on the city’s historic streets and in the Minster.

Whether you are a keen student of history, an admirer of amazing architecture or simply want to lose yourself in your thoughts in peaceful and spiritual surroundings, York Minster has something for you.

The history of the Minster dates back to Anglo Saxon times and a small wooden church built in the seventh century for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria, who ordered that it be rebuilt in stone. The stone building was enlarged over time, and survived the pillaging of the Vikings but was badly damaged by fire in 1069 when the Normans took control of the city.

The Normans decided to build a new Minster, and around 1080 Thomas of Bayeux became Archbishop and started building a cathedral that grew into the Minster we see today. The huge edifice was completed around 1100 (the base of some of its columns can still be seen in the Undercroft) and enlarged in the mid-12th century.

The final additions to the Minster were inspired by Walter Gray, who became archbishop in 1215. He had the South and North transepts built, and after his death work continued on the Nave, Lady Chapel and Quire. The stunning central tower was completed in 1433 after the original one collapsed, with the Western towers completed by 1472.

Over the centuries there have been several major fires which damaged the Minster, the most recent being in July 1984 when it was hit by lightning. The huge blaze caused damage which took four years to fully repair.

Work to maintain and restore the Minster is ongoing. The York Minster Revealed project aims to improve access to the Minster, reveal more of its story and history for visitors and restore the Great East Window, the world's largest single expanse of medieval stained glass.

The intricacy and detail of the stained glass can only be marvelled at – particularly the Rose Window, Great West Window and Five Sisters Window – and there are dozens of tombs and memorials to the great and the good of York and the surrounding area over the centuries.

As you stroll around the Minster there are constant reminders of the history of the building. What always particularly catches my eye are the life-size statues of all the kings of England from William the Conqueror to Henry VI at the entrance to the Quire under the central tower. Each has its own character and seem so life-like that you expect their eyes to follow you.

Those interested in history will also want to see the military chapels, All Saints, St John’s and St George’s, the former being the chapel for the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and the other two for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and West Yorkshire Regiment. All contain memorials to campaigns and battles the Yorkshire regiments were involved in, and poignantly include names of many of those who fell fighting for their country.

A great way to make the most of your visit to the Minster is a free guided tour, during which you will hear the story of the Minster, with qualified guides telling you about its history and life. Tours last about an hour and are held Monday to Saturday, between 9am and 3pm.

One part of the Minster not to be missed is the octagonal Chapter House, built in the Decorated Gothic style and completed in 1286. Its walls contain some of the Minster’s finest carvings, and the Chapter House is still used as a meeting place by the Dean and Chapter today. Each wall contains six seats, emphasising the equality of all members as no-one can sit centrally.

No visit is complete without witnessing the stunning views over York and beyond when you climb the 275 steps to the top of the central tower. You have the best view of the city’s ancient streets, and on a clear day can see as far as the White Horse at Kilburn and the Yorkshire Wolds.

Be aware, though, that the climb takes quite some doing and should not be attempted by those who are not confident of their fitness or are suffering from any debilitating medical condition.

Once you have scaled the heights, you can voyage down into the bowels of the Minster as you descend into the Undercroft. When work was undertaken to shore up the foundations of the central tower in the Sixties, workers found the remains of buildings that once existed on the site.

You can now see the ancient remains discovered when archaeologists worked on the historically-important site.