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York is a great option when choosing your next holiday, it has lots to offer both the young and young at heart alike.
York is famous for its history of course; even from a distance the imposing York Minster dominates the skyline, however, cross through the ancient city walls and you will also discover a host of trendy bars, restaurants and new attractions to enjoy.
Read on for some great ideas on how you can make the most of your trip to the Yorkshire capital.
Epic History
Any trip to York is not complete without sampling a little bit of the history on offer. First founded by the ancient Romans in AD 71, York has since lived through many defining moments in British history – the Viking invasion, the Norman Conquest and the War of the Roses to name but a few. More recently it has become an important railway hub and, even more importantly, a major chocolate producer – yum, Yorkie anyone?
The good news is you can enjoy a fair chunk of this for free.
York’s centre is enclosed by the city’s medieval walls, which are the most complete in England. The entire circuit is a comfortable 2.5 miles in length and walking on the battlements makes for an interesting experience and affords some great views of the city.
There are plenty of historic buildings to admire, most impressive of all is York Minster. With its domineering Gothic architecture and 2000-year history, the sheer size and scale of it is simply jaw dropping. You can choose to pay to go inside where you can explore its vast spaces and medieval stained glass. If you are feeling fit, it is well worth climbing the 275 steps up the Central Tower for unrivalled views of York from the highest point in the city.
Museums
The National Railway Museum is the largest of its type in the country and what’s more it is absolutely free to get in! You don’t have to be a train spotter to appreciate the marvels on display such as the Mallard – the world’s fastest steam locomotive, the 200mph Japanese Bullet Train or the legendary Flying Scotsman. The museum is particularly popular with kids and they will love watching the turntable demonstrations and taking a ride on the miniature railway.
York is synonymous with Vikings, in fact during many visits you are likely to come across re-enactment enthusiasts parading around town in full beard and horned headwear, particularly during the Viking Festival in February. The world famous Jorvik Viking Centre is the best place to sample this historical connection. Hop on board state-of-the art capsules to be taken back in time to the Viking-Age city. You will experience all the sights, sounds and even smells of life 1,000 years ago – pong!
Did you know that roughly 1 in 10 people receive a Terry’s Chocolate Orange Egg in their Christmas stocking each year? And did you know that this chocolate wonder was invented at the Chocolate Works factory in York (it was actually proceeded by the lesser known Chocolate Apple)? Well you can find out all about this and more at the excellent York’s Chocolate Story museum. You may even get to sample a piece or two while you’re at it!
There are too many museums and attractions to list fully here but the Visit York website (visityork.org) provides some excellent information for you to plan your trip with the latest information.
Shopping
York has many options for even the most passionate of shopaholics. You will find designer shops such as Mulberry on the high street and a designer outlet village on the outskirts of town. But perhaps the best shopping can be found amongst the maze of cobbled streets, nooks and crannies in York’s historic centre.
The Shambles is the best known example of this. It is an ancient street with buildings seemingly so heavy with history they bow towards each other across opposite sides of the narrow street. This makes for a great place to take a stroll and peruse the many independent shops on offer, and, at the time of writing, not a McDonald’s or Starbucks’ in sight!
Bars/Restaurants
A place not to be missed is the famous Betty’s Tea Room located in St Helen’s Square in the heart of York. This offers a quintessential British experience, popular particularly with overseas visitors, where you can take afternoon tea and sample a handcrafted cake or two. Be sure to arrive early, as reservations are not taken, and it is not unusual to see queues out the door and around the corner at peak times.
There are so many other bars and restaurants to choose from you will be spoilt for choice. A good recommendation for great quality food at a good price is the Rattle Owl, located on Micklegate. It is independently owned and offers well plated seasonal food within a stylish interior. It is also great for kids, serving good quality, healthy options rather than the usual pizza and chips options.
More centrally located is the excellent Pavement Vaults Smokehouse on Piccadilly, newly opened in 2015. You can enjoy delicious food and high quality beers, liquor and cocktails in contemporary surroundings. And just around the corner is the popular Fossgate area, crammed with trendy bars and places to eat. It has a great vibe thanks to the mix of students and locals and is the ideal place to chill out and catch some live music.
For those after a more traditional experience there are a whole load of historic pubs in the city including the Golden Fleece, dating back to 1503. It is known as one of the most haunted pubs in the country and has even featured on TV’s Most Haunted.
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