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 York
Minster, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, is one of the finest
Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its East Window is about the size of a
tennis court and is one of the largest areas of medieval stained glass in
the world. The Minster dominates the rest of the city because local laws
forbid the construction of buildings taller than the Tower of the Minster
(195 feet). This has helped York retain its charm and architectural
integrity.
There are several other ancient churches which can be
visited in York, as well as the evocative ruins of St. Mary's Abbey in the
Museum gardens.
A walk around the medieval walls, which are open to the
public, is about 2 miles. The fortified stone gates in the walls are known
as "bars", but for refreshment you'll have to stop off in one of the city's
plentiful and varied cafes. York's most famous teahouse is Betty's, a must
if you want an elegant and relaxed tea or light meal.
York is very easy to explore on foot, because the city is
relatively small and the area around the Minster is pedestrianised.
One good way of seeing the historic city centre is on a free
walking tour conducted by the city's voluntary guide association. Or you can
take a guided bus tour
 or a
trip on a river boat, or even a tour
on a horse drawn open carriage. There are more specialized guided walks
which explore York's winding old streets, or "Snickleways" and the evening
GHOST HUNT OF YORK
will fill you in on the city's less visible inhabitants. Perhaps the most
famous of York's streets is the
Shambles,
originally where the butcher's shops were located, now its leaning wooden
houses are graced with shops and restaurants.
When it comes to museums, you are really spoilt for choice
in York. You can learn what life was like during the Viking period in the
famous Jorvik Viking Centre.
In February, York hosts an annual Viking festival, when authentically
dressed Vikings prowl the streets with their blood axes once more.
The Yorkshire
Museum in the lovely Museum Gardens has displays on York's Roman,
Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Mediaeval periods, as well as special exhibitions.
The York Castle
Museum will fill you in on 400 years of more recent history. Next to the
Castle Museum is the remainder of the Castle, the keep known as
Clifford's Tower,
which you can climb up for a good view of the city.
Art lovers will appreciate the
York City Art Gallery,
with fine European paintings from the last 600 years.
Another famous museum is the
National Railway Museum, a must for anyone interested in trains and
locomotives, and popular with children.
Outlying Areas
York makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding
region which boasts stately homes, cathedrals, villages and stunning
countryside.
Just 20 minutes drive away is
Castle Howard, the 17th century
stately home, surrounded by parkland; the TV adaptation of Waugh's
Brideshead Revisited was filmed here.
Other stately homes include
Newby Hall near Ripon, with its
Adam interiors and extensive gardens. In the Leeds Direction,
Harewood House
also boasts Adam interiors and extensive gardens as well as a bird garden.
The majestic ruins of
Fountains Abbey near Ripon is
a world heritage site. To the north of York, near Helmsley, you can also
visit
Rievaulx Abbey, a ruined Cistercian Abbey founded in 1132.
A day trip from York can be made to two National Parks, the
Yorkshire Dales to the
North-West and the North
York Moors to the North.
You can take a steam train on the
North Yorkshire Moors
Railway from the pretty town of Pickering into the heart of the North
York Moors National Park, and alight for a country stroll at
Goathland
Station, which will look familiar if you have seen the film of Harry
Potter.
Readers of the James Herriot novels can visit
the house in Thirsk where the author lived and worked. On
the literary trail, admirers of the Bronte
Sisters can visit the parsonage where they lived, in the preserved
village of Howarth, south of the Dales |
