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Friday 10 August 2012

A Day Trip to York

Continuing with our wee break from the Olympics to do a bit of local sightseeing, today I'm taking you on a trip out of London. We're going to York. Catch a train from Kings Cross station and within two and a half hours you will be in the ancient and beautiful city of York.

York's history began with the Romans who arrived in 71AD and formed the city of Eboracum. The city was very desirable even back then, as testified by the various invasions over the following centuries. The Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and the Normans, each of the invaders bringing their own traditions and cultures, making York the unique city it is today.

The city is dominated by the Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Built between 1291 and 1350 it replaced the original Norman Cathedral that burnt down. The Archbishop of York holds the second highest position in the Church f England (since the time of Henry VIII when C of E was established the order has always been the ruling Monarch, Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York).


There are simply loads of important people buried here, plus there is a resident ghost, supposedly an organist who fell to his death while cleaning the organ valves.

Eating and shopping are always high on my list wherever I visit. Last year York was voted the 5th best place in Europe for gourmet food and wine - a foodies paradise. As for shopping, these are the kind of stores you get lost in for hours. I loved the street called "the Shambles". Back in medieval times it was a street of butcher shops. The narrowness of the street and the medieval houses that get larger as they get higher (in a bid to avoid 'ground' taxes) meant that these streets were rather shady and thus popular with the butchers. Imagine though all those carcasses hanging in the outdoors. Yes, flies and rats come to mind. Stay with that image. The locals of the time did. Hence why when they saw anything unpleasant they'd say "yuk, its a shambles".

You can always rely on me to find you a gem that is not in the brochure. Eight hundred years ago York elected their first Lord Mayor. So it's party time now to commemorate. One of the celebrations is the festival of the rivers which was to take place in July, however due to the unusually wet weather this festival was postponed. But as we now have a good summer again the festival will now take place on 26 August. I've already given you enough good reasons to go. Now is the perfect time.

If you need any help with your stay in York just go to the national trust Visit England site.

17 comments:

Adullamite said...

Excellent post! A real good tour of York, a place I would love to visit.

Adullamite said...

Your pic of the dead bloke is a super capture Mo!

supergirlhero said...

Thanks for this! I'm planning to visit during early October and would be coming from Fife/Edinburgh. By any chance, would you know how long it would take to get from Fife/Edinburgh to York via bus or train? Thanks!

Stefan Jansson said...

Nice post.

Jenny Woolf said...

I can't think of York without thinking of the National Railway Museum. It's wonderful - and free!

Oh by the way, re national houses, the Africa house in Kensington has now closed :( and I went to the Brazilian one at Somerset house but couldn't find much worth doing except a paragliding virtual ride over rio. It might have been fun but not for people like me who get motion sickness. Have you managed visit them all?

Adullamite said...

Suoergirlhero, the train from Edinburgh is your best bet. Ask at Waverley, or it must be online somewhere. It takes about three hour depending on which train. Excellent journey if you get seats on the left side of the coach as you head south. Lindisfarne, Durham and other things to see from the train.

Adullamite said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angie said...

Another great history lesson! Thanks Mo.

Emm in London said...

What a fabulous post and super photos! I just loved the time that I spent in York and it looks like you had fabulous weather! My mum-in-law and I both liked the Shambles best. I want to return one day to explore more of the Viking history.

Brianna said...

I have quite a few pics of me in The Shambles. York is probably my second favorite city in England!

LONDONLULU said...

Something I love about London life, you just hop on a train and are in a completely different area soon after. (Here, everything's so spread out you could go for hours and still be in the same valley/national park). York is gorgeous - lovely post!

Gunn said...

Interesting and nice posting.
I would like to go there again.
Years since last time.

Happy weekend!

Lowell said...

What a great post. I think I shall print it out. Fascinating story you tell about this beautiful place. I've been to New York, but probably won't make it to York. Darn!

Nice to hear from you again!

Jack said...

I have been to York twice and found it a fascinating city. Your photos are excellent. I hope your viewers click on them to see them at a much larger size.

red dirt girl said...

Oh York is simply lovely. I fell in love with my sweetheart, right there in the Minster, kneeling together in a small side chapel dedicated to War Veterans... I will never tire of York. (Highly recommend the Railway Museum and a walk atop the walls of the city...)

thank you for reminding me!
xxx

Sharon said...

I this should be on my list of places to visit. Sounds like a great place to see.

RedPat said...

York is on my bucket list! Great post.

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