York-Class Cruisers were built for the Royal Navy during the years of 1927 to 1929. Built with limited defence budgets, they were a reduced version of the preceding County class. Of the 7 originally planned, only 2 were built.

York-Class Cruisers served between the years of 1930 to 1942.

Preceded by:  County class

Succeeded by: None

York-Class Cruisers HMS York & HMS Exeter served extensively in the first few years of  World War II. HMS Exeter took part in the Battle of the River Plate against the German raider Admiral Graf Spee, and was badly damaged. She was damaged in the Battle of the Java Sea, then caught and overwhelmed a few days later by four Japanese heavy cruisers on 1 March 1942.. HMS York was sunk in Suda Bay, Crete, by Italian MT boats in 1941.