- York
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United Kingdom
York is a beautiful city, brimming full of history. A different and fun way of experiencing the impact of all the history and blood shed, from the Vikings, through the Romans to Dick Turpin and the the more domestic murders in the pubs and riversides, is to go on one of the many guided ghost walks. You get to hear facts, and more imaginative telling of all the gory history, with all the thrills and jumps from the aspiring actors and story tellers. Great for all ages, but not the over imaginative or feint hearted.
www.ghostwalkyork.co.uk/
Through out the city you can see meeting points and tour start times.
+44(0)7809 442282
Be a child again! Return ruddy cheeked after a damn good play! Take your life into your own hands at Go Ape! Or failing that it' great date opportunity - is he/she fearless/fit/ look good on a trip wire?
If you like customising everything under the sun with quirky buttons, buckles, ribbons and trim, then this is the place for you. The first shop opened in Harrogate in 1956, and there is another in Ilkley, and a third in a wonderful medieval building in York. Drusilla White, the daughter of Duttons founder, travels the world in search of fabulous buttons, and offers the largest selection in the UK - over 12,000 to be precise. They range from sparkly diamante to vintage glass, shell, wood and ceramic. Unusual designs include buttons in the shape of hats, lighthouses, owls and fish. They sell a great hessian bag for you to customise, and every other haberdashery item you could ever need. Buttons from Duttons can even be spotted in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Evita!
www.duttonsforbuttons.co.uk
Oxford Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, HG1 1QE
+44(0)1423 502 092
Google map: bit.ly/rtptkh
The front of York Minster is always busy with tourists and groups alike but behind this is the Minster Gardens and it’s hard to believe that these gardens are in the centre of a busy town. It’s quiet and peaceful and a perfect place to look at the cherry blossoms in spring, have a picnic (no ball games, or cycling allowed) or to just sit and admire the grandeur of the Minster. On Tuesday evenings the bell ringers practice in the Minster and sitting in the gardens listening to this is magic.
www.yorkminster.org
1 Chapter House Street, York YO1 7HH
+44(0)844 939 0011
Google map: bit.ly/mgvsnn
Castle Howard is set in thousands of acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, and the gardens have just won the Historic House Association/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award.
As you explore, surprise vistas keep unfolding - a wonderful example of architecture and nature in perfect harmony.
Close to the house you’ll find the enchanting 18th century walled rose garden, and a stroll along the grass terraces will bring you to Ray Wood, which is particularly impressive at this time of year with a plethora of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias in bloom. There are lakes and fountains, statues, temples and architectural follies galore, as well as the impressive mausoleum which is still used as the Howard family resting place.
There is even an ornamental vegetable garden, and an adventure trail for families. If you - or your offspring - get inspired, then you can call at the garden centre on your way out.
www.castlehoward.co.uk
+44(0)1653 648333
Castle Howard Estate, Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
Google map: bit.ly/ij3Eh5
Uneven floors, narrow creaking stairs and walls covered in bookshelves groaning with antiquitarian tomes, second hand paperbacks and discount bookends.
The Minster Gates Bookshop is on a narrow medieval street overshadowed by the bulk of gothic York Minster. Tourists hurry by, and miss this five-storey gem. Every inch of space is taken up with stock, there are even books outside in summer. It is easy to lose an hour or two in here.
And once you have dragged yourself away, purse lighter, bag heavier, in summer you can head to Deans Park, York's cathedral green. Or in winter hurry down the street to Little Betty's tearoom to read in front of an open fire enjoying a Yorkshire tea and Fat Rascal teacake.
8 Minster Gates, York, North Yorkshire YO1 7HL
+44(0)1904 621 812
www.minstergatebooks.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/bV5Oc9
Little Betty's, Stonegate, YO1 8AS
Two fantastic traditional pubs only 100 yards apart on the edge of the city centre.
Both serve a great range of real ales, have unspoilt interiors, friendly staff and packed with locals and visitors.
Tetleys in the Swan is magnificent and the Fred Trueman in the Slip a fantastic bitter.
Just beer (and wine) - no food
The Swan: 16 Bishopgate St, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 1JH
Google map: bit.ly/an5zjc
The Slip: Clementhorpe, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 1AN
Google map: bit.ly/dpfvzE
York is reputed to be Britain's most haunted city with over 140 ghosts and lots going on this weekend. It's a lovely city to start with but it also has some great ghost stories. I met a man (honest) who was working in the cellar of the Mansion House and saw a troupe of Roman soldiers coming towards him through the wall - they went straight past him and out the other side! A great way to do it is to join one of the many ghost walks.
York also celebrates one of its famous sons, Guy Fawkes this week, but there's never a bonfire where he went to school at St Peter's - they don't burn old boys!
www.visityork.org., www.theoriginalghostwalkofyork.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/c61KFL
The House of Avalon is a vintage clothing store full of quirky little surprises in York. After picking through a stunning array of vintage gear - from gorgeous tea dresses to sparkling handbags and headgear - you can enjoy a cup of tea and a cupcake or large slice of victoria sponge in the Avalon's cafe. While you browse or eat, enjoy the classic films which are projected onto a screen in the cafe. To add to Avalon's many charms, you can also get your hair styled into a retro do by a talented stylist before you leave. The shop is a project of the Avalon Group aimed at providing work opportunities to people with different abilities. A delightful shop with a social conscience. You will leave smiling.
5 High Petergate, York, YO17EN
www.thehouseofavalon.org.uk
+44(0)1904 622055
Google map: bit.ly/aadnLB
I've been using this shop for years now, the standard of food and service has never faltered. Always great portions, always fresh and always crisp. I highly recommended
Heworth Road York North Yorkshire YO31 0AA
Tel: 01904 424459
Google map: tinyurl.com/36h84cc
Lovely bed and breakfast run by friendly people. Top bacon and eggs Ricky! Situated right near the city centre so v handy. We also had a lovely day walking around the city walls.
4 Gladstone St, York, YO31 8RF
www.bowenhouseyork.com/
Google map: tinyurl.com/ygjaery
Betty's on St Helen's square is a Yorkshire institution and rightly so. Sitting in the Art Deco glazed dining room watching the world go by is a rare treat. Rare because the outdoor queues can be most off putting.
If it is windy and raining I recommend a trip round the corner to Little Betty's, located on York's prettiest medieval street - Stonegate.
The food, service and quaint ambience remain in Little Betty's but the queues are shorter and indoors. The upstairs rooms even have one extra special treat - open fires.
Sandwiches and cakes are available to takeaway from shops in both tearooms.
Betty's, St Helen's Square
Little Betty's, Stonegate
A lovely park by the river, essentially the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum. If the sun is shining you can't beat grabbing a sandwich or salad (nearby Deli De Clare recommended) and joining the office workers, students, young families, couples and parties of (mainly French) school kids on the manicured lawns. Choose to sit in the shadows of medieval ruins, by a timbered tudor lodge or in the shadow of mature trees.
An awful lot cheaper and more enjoyable than being ripped off in a tourist trap.
Entrances on Museum St and Marygate.
Deli de Clare on Lendal by the Museum St entrance.
Tips by utterinertia all seem to recommend establishments owned by one company. By no means am I suggesting that they are poor examples of what is available in York, but I have my suspicions about how impartial the reviewer may be.
I would highly recommend the Guy Fawkes Inn in York. Being right beside the Minster, this hotel surely has to have the best location of any in the city. Following recent renovations, the hotel is also now very stylish and, probably more importantly, I found the staff to be friendly.
On the downside, it is not cheap and the hotel does not have its own car park. However, the Guy Fawkes Inn is certainly not the only York hotel to suffer from these problems.
25 High Petergate
York, YO1 7HP
0845 4 60 90 20
www.guyfawkesinn.co.uk
Accommodation directory for anyone wanting to book their hotel or B&B before they get to York. Also some local information on travel and attractions in York.
As far as I know, this is a new York hotel (at least I've not seen it previously). It's rather small with around 10 rooms, but is extremely comfortable and luxurious. It has the feel of a guest house, rather than a hotel, and also benefits from being right in the centre of town.
2-4 High Petergate
York
North Yorkshire
Y01 7EH
08454602020
www.fourhighpetergate.co.uk
York is a must-see. There's something for everyone.
All the family will love a trip on your very own time-capsule at the Jorvik Centre - a thousand years of sights, smells and sounds of English history. Don't forget to have your camera at the ready for that must-have souvenir pic.
For those who like a bit more blood and guts, thrills and spills, the York Dungeons is an absolute must-see. The team there will educate and, above all, thrill you with an altogether more personal view to two thousand years of York's gory past with all its gruesome hands-on detail. This tour is first class, although only suitable for horror loving teens and parents brought up on Boris Carloff or Peter Cushing! The York Dungeon is pretty expensive so my tip is get the York Pass, which allows entry to a huge number of attractions in York at a modest cost.
The pass is also valid for the York Riverboat Cruise, where the adults can enjoy the captain's commentary while the youngsters can check out the river wildlife and take in the many interesting things to see along the river bank.
To make the most of York it's best to go mid-week, unless you enjoy milling your way through large crowds with plenty of hustle and bustle. A four day trip is probably ideal. Buy a two day York Pass, check out the Minster and few other attractions of your choice, and still have plenty of time to visit the character shops in all the old streets in the city walls.
There are plenty of things to buy for all depths of pocket and interest. For those who like a bargain
(and help others too), the city is well endowed with every conceivable charity shop under the sun. Eating out can be budget or haute cuisine. A good place to feed a hungry family at a modest price is Jumbo in Hudson St. This is a buffet-style Chinese, eat as much as you like of the very wide selection of good quality oriental dishes for every palate, at difficult to beat prices.
Why not try a stay at a B&B? I have no hesitation in recommending The Apple House (74-76 Holgate Rd) where Pamela will make sure you have a very comfortable room with all mod cons and supply you with a full English breakfast (or continental), all at a very reasonable price.
Finally, don't take the car. You'll see more and feel all the better by walking everywhere in the city. Great access and views can be had by walking the ancient city wall. Be warned, many areas along the wall are open at one side. Children and elderly, not to mention those who value life and limb will find it a bit daunting - take care and keep an eye on the children at all times.
If traveling in the UK, then the best way to get to York is by rail. York Station is convenient for the whole city. A first search on the internet will throw up some frightening prices but don't give up. Try National Express East Coast. Book a little in advance and you’ll think there is a mistake in the price you are offered. With a family you can book a seat with a table and have a little more comfort for reading and eating. These trains also serve hot food and drinks at reasonable cost and even have power points at the seats where the kids can hook up their DVD players or game consoles. Don't forget to take earphones or you'll have a lot of angry passengers for your trip.
Take a camera, get the York Pass and don’t over-crowd your time with too many museum and attraction visits. Leave time to enjoy the city, have a carefree coffee and find those serendipitous places that make your trip so special.
www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/
www.yorkpass.com/discountattractions.html
www.visityork.org/
Small, intimate venue, with superb atmosphere: you could almost be on stage with the band. Close to the heart of York, but worth a visit from anywhere in the UK just to catch a special set in a unique venue.
While we're at it: catch the Tivoli in Utrecht, NL, before it disappears! (Zeche, Bochum, D, is probably Europe's finest: it's got everything.)
www.fibbers.co.uk/
Fibbers is situated in The Stonebow on the Minster side of the River Ouse
Another place I'd recommend in York is Monty's Grill. I also mainly does steak and seafood, but it's not as up-market as Harvilles. I haven't been at the weekend, but apparently their Sunday lunch is particularly good.
St Peter's Grove, York.
www.montysgrill.co.uk
Is this your business?Search Been there
