Packed inside York's magnificent stone walls, you'll find a treasure trove of a city. For York has withstood everything that history has thrown at it, and still emerged as a vibrant town where you can shop till you drop and dine till you pop, all amidst the most appealing surroundings.
| It's hard to miss the imposing outline of York Minster... |
It's hard to miss the imposing outline of York Minster which has watched over the city through Norman invasions, the Black Death, the birth of the Church of England and a royal wedding. It's had its fair share of troubles, with fire, invasion and collapsing towers, but this only serves to make it a more interesting place to visit. And the views from the tower across the gargoyles and pinnacles to the rooftops of the town are superb. If by now you are hooked on finding out more about the history of York, then you must visit JORVIK. Sited on an ancient Viking city, you can explore a recreation of a 10th century Viking street, and come face to face with a fearsome Viking. At the York Castle Museum, you can skip back to Victorian times, and walk down a Victorian street, popping into shops to chat to the shopkeepers as you go. Feeling really brave? Then your last stop on the history tour could be the York Dungeon, where spine-chilling exhibits bring to life times of torture, mass murderers and plague. Enter if you dare!
By now you'll be ready for a dose of the 21st century, and a weekend break in York can oblige with style. The newest attraction is the Yorkshire Wheel, a smaller version of the London Eye. However you may have shopping in mind and this is a dangerously easy place to shop, with original boutiques and high street stores lining the pretty, pedestrianised, cobbled streets. The mediaeval Shambles now house chic boutiques where butchers once displayed their slabs of meat, and when your feet are weary, there are snug cafés and contemporary bars where you can recharge. If you're here with children, then despatch them off to the free National Railway Museum where they can see the famous Mallard steam train, while you shop in peace. At the end of the day, there are many award-winning restaurants, historic pubs and family-friendly eateries serving tempting cuisine from Yorkshire, Europe and beyond.
The hotels in York tend to be found on Gillygate, Fulford, Holgate and Haxby Roads, as well as in Heworth Village, with Bootham being a good spot for those interested in shopping and sightseeing, and also providing many mid-range options. Low Petergate, one of York's mediaeval streets, has hotels that are as well placed as they are well priced. York's luxury hotels are placed mainly on The Mount and Tadcaster Road, very close to the racecourse, and also not far from the city centre, and an hotel along the edge of the River Foss will prove very pleasantly situated. There are some truly deluxe York hotels available too, with many offering business facilities and first class leisure facilities also.
Medieval architecture huddles around the magnificent cathedral within York’s ancient city walls. A still-visible Viking and Roman past awaits the visitor at every turn.
Magnificent York Minster dominates the skyline and virtually every view. Wander The Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in the UK, or take a stroll around the city walls dating from the 12th-14th centuries and surrounding York’s popular attractions.
Visitors can get a bird’s eye view of York from the top of the Yorkshire Wheel. Erected in 2006, the wheel is a modern attraction in a city that feels like a living museum.
Proof that you have visited York can be found on The Shambles with its wealth of souvenir shops. The York Designer Outlet on the edge of the city is a must for bargain hunters with top-end stores offering discounts of up to 50%. Visit York offers several shopping trails through the city centre which guide the visitor around the best of York’s specialist and high street shops.
Nestled on the north side of York Minster is Dean’s Park, where it is possible to appreciate the cathedral in peaceful, tree-shaded, quietude. The largest of York’s famous strays, Micklegate Stray, is home to the racecourse and landscapes like Hob Moor with its population of cows. York’s botanic garden at Museum Gardens, dotted with Roman and medieval buildings, is the loveliest of York’s open spaces.
York’s 18th Century Theatre Royal is bursting with history with medieval walls, archways and an old hospital well. The imposing Grand Opera House, converted from a Victorian warehouse and corn exchange, regularly hosts touring events and performances.
Head to Goodramgate for its huge variety of bars and restaurants or for something a little unusual why not try The Blue Bicycle, where great food is served in a former brothel!
Bachelor Hill (off Askham Lane) may be tricky to find but the effort is worth it for the views over the city and towards the North York Moors. The area is also a nature conservation site.
Great views lie around every corner in York so a camera is absolutely essential. Pose in front of Roman ruins and on the city walls or on the footplate of a steam train.
York is often referred to as the City of Festivals. Check out the Viking Festival in February, the York Literature Festival (among others) in March and York Carnival (May). Get wet at the Festival of the Rivers (Jul), feast on local grub at the Food and Drink Festival (Sep) and go back in time at the Roman Festival (Oct). See www.yorkfestivals.com for a calendar of annual festivals.
New Year's Day, Good Friday (Mar/Apr), Easter Monday (Mar/Apr), Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday (May), Summer Bank Holiday (May), Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec).
The warmest months in York are between May and October when the temperature averages 15°C. Rain is not unusual at any time of year but the winter (October-January) tends to be the wettest period. July is the driest month.
240V AC, 50 Hz, three-pin plugs are standard.
+44 (national), (0) 1904 + six-figure number (York).
Pound sterling (£) is the currency.
GMT precisely (+1 in British summertime)
Dress as you wish or don togas at the Roman Festival in October. Comfy shoes are essential for seeing as many of York’s sights as possible.
Discover Viking and Roman history, admire medieval stained-glass windows and enjoy modern café culture on the banks of the Ouse.
The presence of York Minster, a spectacular Gothic cathedral, is inescapable in York. It is especially famous for its stained glass, the Great East Window being the largest medieval stained glass window in the world. The cathedral contains an estimated two million separate pieces of stained glass.
Re-live the Age of Steam at the multi-award-winning National Railway Museum. It contains the Mallard, the fastest steam train in the world and the only bullet train outside Japan.
The Jorvik Viking Centre tells the story of the area’s ancient Viking inhabitants. Travel back to 945AD to see the settlement of Jorvik recreated in front of your eyes or visit the York Castle Museum and peer into the lives of the area’s other former inhabitants. Experience thrills and chills at The York Dungeon or venture further afield to magnificent Castle Howard.
Tour York by following strange-looking coloured discs in the shape of breadcrumbs. This free service guides visitors to York’s best sites. Visit www.breadcrumbstrails.co.uk for more details.
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