Quezi

Half-timbered upper storeys overhang some narrow York streets. (Photo by di_the_huntress - CC-BY)

Arriving in York by train is more fun than driving in by car, grappling first with ring roads and then with parking. As soon as you come out of the station you’ll see the medieval city wall just across the road. If you aren’t going direct to the nearby Railway Museum, you can follow the wall the short distance to the river, over the bridge near the pier where city boat trips begin, and right into the historic town centre. Double back later for a river cruise.

The magnificent York Minster – the cathedral – rises above the flat city and draws you towards it. You could go in, or walk round the Minster Gardens, a green space fringed by ancient buildings. Get a different view by walking on the nearby section of city wall. (The full circuit is about 2.5 miles.)

On the other side of the cathedral there’s a tangle of charming, pedestrians-only, historic streets. Small shops have window displays of interesting crafts, clothing, books and more, to tempt you inside. The narrow street called the Shambles is specially famous for its Tudor half-timbered buildings where the upper storeys stick out over the pavement and shelter window-shoppers from any rain.

From the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall – a medieval Guildhall mostly built by 1368 – to the fine city gates (called Bars) with coats of arms set in the stonework above them, York is full of historic character.

It also has a modern shopping centre, alongside the Jorvik Viking Centre which attracts a lot of visitors. There, you can travel in a “time capsule” to the year 975 and get a sense of life in a Viking settlement. Not only does a sound-track enhance the reconstruction, but there are smells too – realistic and not very attractive!

Ask for Yorkshire Terrier in one of the many old pubs if you’d like to try some locally brewed ale – or visit the brewery. Even if you don’t want the beer, pubs are good places to find a meal in comfortable surroundings. You will never go hungry in York. As well as the pubs there are plenty of cafés in the compact city centre. Try Mr. Sandwich’s £1 take-away if you’re on a budget. Or if you can spare money and calories for a traditional afternoon tea, visit Betty’s Tea Room with its wonderful scones, stained glass, and relaxing ambiance.

There’s a lot, lot more besides. Visit the Castle Museum where streets of 19th century shops have been stocked with authentic period products, or see Roman remains in the Yorkshire Museum. We haven’t even begun to describe the Minster, its tower, its crypt, and its gargoyles old and new. Whatever you choose, you’ll find most things are close together so it’s a great place for a day out as well as for a longer visit.