Located about halfway between London and Edinburgh, York is a city rich in history in atmosphere. First Roman ("Eboracum"), then Saxon ("Eoforwic"), then Viking ("Jorvik"), modern York has been an important part of history across 2000 years and several cultures. Among other things, the Roman emperor Constantine was crowned there. As its only 20 miles from where I currently live, I've made many trips into the town- what follows are the highlights, in recommended order of viewing (refer to map above as reference).
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| Recommended Walking Route |
An amazing cathedral built and re-built (the present version was finished around 1472), York Minster can occupy you for hours if you wish to explore it in detail. Both the museum under it and view from on top of it are worth a look. If you're local, keep your tickets- they're valid for 12 months.
The Shambles
From the Minster, take a stroll southeast and enjoy the Medieval streets, the most notable of which is the Shambles.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Learn about York's Viking heritage (the Norsemen made York their capital after colonizing part of England in the 800s) at the Jorvik Viking Centre. You'll take a short ride through a recreated Viking village and get to enjoy several displays of mutilated skeletons and, naturally, fossilized human feces. As with the Minster, save your tickets- they're valid for 12 months.
Clifford's Tower
South of the Viking Centre is Clifford's Tower, part of what remains of York Castle (first built in the Norman era) and scene of a tragic Jewish mass death in the 1190s (they killed themselves to avoid a worse death at the hands of the crazed populace).
York Castle Museum
Across the street from Clifford's Tower is the York Castle Museum, which is, without question, the oddest museum I've ever seen. After several rooms and streets modeled after different eras (from the 1700s-1960s), you also get to see the remains of the jail. I'd avoid this one unless you're bored.
Medieval Town Wall Walk/Gates
Much of the Medieval town wall remains- and you can (and should) walk on it, stopping at several surviving gates. Looking at the map above, climb up the wall at 4 Cromwell Road, following it clockwise to Wellington Row.
Train Museum
At this point, you'll be right at the River Ouse. If you have time, depart the walking loop drawn above and head west to the Train Museum. If not, continue on across the river.
Yorkshire Museum
The Yorkshire Museum is a much more traditional- and interesting- museum. You'll see a myriad of artifacts, from Roman to late Medieval.
St. Mary's Abbey
Not much is left of this, though the ruins are idyllic.
Other Things
If you have young children and disposable income, no visit to York is complete without a visit to the Disney store. York offers a host of other shopping options, not to mention quite a few secondhand and antiquarian bookstores. On the food front, pubs and eateries dot the street, and Nando's- a Portuguese Chicken restaurant- is worth a visit.
Parting Thoughts
York can be done in a long day, or two short ones. Either way, it's well worth it.
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