From the moment the helicopter lifts, York begins to take shape beneath you. The patchwork of fields slips away, and in its place appears a compact city cradled by centuries of history. The line of the old walls is easy to follow from up here, circling around a jumble of streets that have barely changed in hundreds of years.

The City Tour takes you right to the heart of it. York Minster rises above the rooftops, its gothic towers looming imposingly, unmistakable even from a distance. The River Ouse winds through the centre, crossed by graceful bridges and edged with old quays. Below, the lanes of The Shambles twist their way through the medieval core, leading towards the market square. Then it’s eyes ready for the sight of the historic Clifford’s Tower, the sweeping glass and steel of the railway station roof catching the light, or the green sweep of York Racecourse just beyond the walls.

Opt for the Emmerdale & York Tour, and the view expands far beyond the city. After circling York’s skyline, your route takes you out over the Yorkshire countryside. You may pass over the grand Harewood House, set within its landscaped grounds, before arriving at one of Britain’s best-known television locations — the Emmerdale village set. From above, the familiar cluster of buildings is instantly recognisable, yet set against a backdrop of rolling hills and fields that rarely make it onto the screen.

Throughout the flight, your pilot will point out landmarks and share a little about each one, while the ever-changing scenery offers new angles and photo opportunities. Whether it’s the sweep of the city, the stately calm of country estates, or a TV village brought to life in miniature, every turn of the blades adds something to the story. And when you land, you’ll have seen a side of York and its surroundings that few ever get to enjoy.