Sightseeing OverviewAlthough York has far-reaching suburbs, its city center is
compact, partitioned by the River Ouse and its tributary, Foss, and circumscribed by the longest
medieval city walls in England. Indeed, York is replete with so much
history that just to explore it is a
sightseeing treat. Within those walls is
York Minster, and the tininess of much-photographed nearby streets, like The
Shambles and
Stonegate, emphasise the enormity of this religious edifice, which stands at the
literal and
emotional center of
York. It also overlooks
an abundance of
greenery, including the
Museum Gardens with their dramatic backdrop of the St Mary’s Abbey ruins.
In these gardens is the interesting
Yorkshire Museum, just one of scores of galleries and museums in York. Some are clustered in the south, around Tower Street, overlooked by the remains of Clifford’s Tower. Not far from here is also
JORVIK, a perennially popular attraction that draws attention to York’s
Viking heritage.
After a hard day’s sightseeing, a trip to
Betty’s Tea Rooms for a cup of tea and a
’fat rascal’ (a domed teacake that dates back to 19th-century Yorkshire) is compulsory: the place is practically a
national institution.
Tourist InformationTourist Information Center De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square
Tel: (01904) 550 099.
Website:
www.visityork.org A tourist information center can also be found at York Railway Station.
PassesThe
York Pass (website:
www.yorkpass.com) permits free entry into 29 of York’s attractions for one, two or three days, also granting discounts on selected restaurants and cafes, walks and bus tours, car and cycle hire.
Key Attractions:York Minster The largest medieval gothic cathedral in Northern Europe,
York Minster is over 500ft (152m) long and 100ft (30m) wide, containing some of the oldest and finest stained glass in the country. A campaign to raise £30m over 10 years was launched in 2005 to finance essential restoration work, particularly on the East Front and the Great East Window, the largest piece of medieval art in the world.
College Street
Tel: (01904) 557 216.
Website:
www.yorkminster.org The Shambles Hordes of people flock to
The Shambles, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets, to peer into its original shop-fronts. Now filled with whimsical cafes, restaurants and boutiques, it was once a busy street full of butchers. It is also the home of the
Shrine of Margaret Clitherow, a 16th-century Catholic who is York’s very own saint.
The Shambles
Tel: (01904) 676 167.
Website:
www.yorkshambles.com York Castle Museum York Castle Museum is famed for its huge array of displayed costumes and social and military documents, spanning over 400 years of history. There is even a recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, to explore. The street reopened, much improved and with many exciting new features, in April 2006 after a major makeover.
Castle Area, Eye of York
Tel: (01904) 687 687.
Website:
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk City Walls Stone walls coil around York for 3.5km (2 miles) and are the longest intact medieval town walls in England. The stretch from Monkbar to Petergate is particularly picturesque. New interpretive panels were put up at 16 key points along the route recently, in order to give visitors more information about the walls and their surroundings. On the actual walls are the
Micklegate Bar Museum, which documents the history of Micklegate’s sentinel, and the
Richard III Museum, which examines the character of the House of York’s last king.
Website:
www.york.gov.uk/walls Micklegate Bar Museum Micklegate
Tel: (01904) 634 436.
Website:
www.jnmedia.net/micklegatebar Richard III Museum Monk Bar
Tel: (01904) 634 191.
Website:
www.richardiiimuseum.co.uk National Railway Museum This is the largest railway museum in the world and it has a broad range of railway icons and artifacts, from
Mallard, the world’s fastest steam engine, to the legendary steam locomotive
Flying Scotsman. The museum is also home to the
Yorkshire Wheel, which opened in April 2006. The 54m (177ft) wheel has 42 enclosed capsules carrying up to eight people each, and offers great vistas over the historic city. Built at a cost of £3.6 million, the wheel is expected to attract large numbers of visitors to York in the years ahead.
Leeman Road
Tel: 0870 421 4001.
Website:
www.nrm.org.uk JORVIK Created by
York Archaeological Trust on the site of a famous Viking Dig,
JORVIK demonstrates what life was like when York’s name was indeed ‘Jorvik’. State-of-the-art flying capsules whiz visitors back in time to the sights, sounds and (horrible) smells of a 10th-century Viking city. The magnificent gallery of some 400 authentic Viking artifacts has been enhanced by interactive multimedia installations to increase visitors’ enjoyment and comprehension of the exhibits.
Coppergate
Tel: (01904) 543 400.
Website:
www.jorvik-viking-center.co.uk Further Distractions:Clifford’s Tower Positioned on a high mound,
Clifford’s Tower was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and later rebuilt by Henry III after burning down, following the mass suicide of Jews inside it. Today, the tower is a more tranquil spot, affording fantastic panoramic views.
Tower Street
Tel: (01904) 646 940.
Website:
www.cliffordstower.com Dig
Dig, the newest addition to York’s visitor attractions, opened in March 2006, offering participants to take part in excavations in order to learn more about archaeology and York. Real and simulated artifacts from Roman to Victorian times are used to turn visitors into archaeologists for the day.
St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate
Tel: (01904) 543 403.
Website:
www.yorkarchaeology.co.ukYork City Art Gallery York Art Gallery houses a number of works by York-born artists, as well as more than 600 paintings of European heritage. It re-opened in 2005 following a £445,000 refurbishment project that created a new café and learning room called
The Studio.
Exhibition Square
Tel: (01904) 687 687.
Website:
www.yorkartgallery.org.uk Tomlinson’s Antiques This enormous warehouse between York and Wetherby houses Europe’s largest antiques company, with thousands of fascinating items displayed in a stunning environment. Antiques are brought to life through room sets allowing visitors to walk through a Georgian bedroom, Edwardian parlour or art deco living room.
Moorside, Tockwith
Tel: (01423) 359 052
or 358 833.
Website:
www.antique-furniture.co.uk
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