Imagine that your parents/boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend is coming to visit you in York, but you have absolutely no idea what to show them or where to take them in the city. No need to panic though, York is overflowing with attractions that cater to even the fussiest visitor. Obviously it would be extremely difficult to fit everything into one blog post, so here are four of my favourite places to go in York.
THE SHAMBLES
Arguably one of the most iconic parts of York, if not the most, the Shambles is full of shops, restaurants and boutiques, including several chocolate and fudge shops. In the oldest street in York some of the buildings date from the fourteenth century, so there’s no shortage of history here! Among the shops is the shrine to St. Margaret Clitherow, who lived in the Shambles during the 1500s.
YORK MINSTER
Another extremely well-known attraction in York, the Minster is breathtakingly magnificent as soon as you start to get near it.
You can’t help but stand in awe of this truly enormous building that can be seen across the city. In addition to looking around the Minster, it is possible to go up the 230ft high tower and look across the city from the top.
THE CITY WALLS & CLIFFORD’S TOWER
The city walls (or bar walls) stretch for just over three kilometres round York, a fantastic way to see the edges of the city. The total circuit takes approximately two hours, and is a definite must when visiting! Access is available from 8:00am to dusk every day.
Clifford’s Tower is the keep of York Castle, which today is both a museum and York’s Crown Court. Dating from the thirteenth century, the Tower lets you see across the old city, and was once part of a prison!
MUSEUM GARDENS
Sat by the river Ouse, the Museum Gardens are great to go and relax in or wander round on a sunny day. In the gardens you’ll also find the Yorkshire Museum, and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. This is definitely one of the best places in York to spend the afternoon having a picnic or enjoying the sun. Once you leave the Gardens you can wander along the river for miles.
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