Something well worth doing in York is staying at a BandB (there is no other accomodation like it) and going on a ghost tour. They are not scary but really funny. Ask your landlord at the BandB for advice on the best one and they will book one for you. You won't regret it

The Ascot House
Great BB. Beautiful 1869 Victorian villa. Ask for a four-poster or canopy bed rooms. Perfect location. Brilliant breakfast!

The Best Western Hotel Monkbar is ideally located just outside the ancient city walls. The rooms are clean, the staff friendly. When I was there, there was a wedding going on, but at midnight sharp the music stopped, so the noise wasn't really a problem

The Park Inn with river views was reasonably priced and very close to the centre and attractions (speaking of which the dungeon was overpriced) - man i should be on commission!

well, york was one of my most exciting places. first, for york, the cathedral is at the center of life!! yet for me it was personal too. the current archbishop of york, whos the number two in the church of england is from uganda. so i was very excited to see this place. also, importantly i was excited to have an experience of english history cuase york was an all important town in english history cuase of the church and yorkshire as a whole. yorkshire is sort of like the heart of england, tons of history!! the city didn't disappoint, to put it mildly! awesome place, with everything for everyone! history for the history buff, and the trendiest joints for the trendy ones! totally awesome to cut a long story short.

If hotels and hostels are full, just inquire at a local pub. They almost always have rooms to let by the night above the business. The rooms are just as good as your average hotel, and the prices are reasonable.