A different side to York…

11 May 2021 by Nitya
2 minute read

There are plenty of ways to make amazing memories during your time at university! Of course, there is a huge range of pubs, bars and clubs (before Covid) in York, but there is also so much to do if you’re looking to have a quieter day out or explore the city! If you aren’t particularly big on drinking or nightlife, the city of York still has heaps to offer. From walks to escape rooms, there’s a lot you can get up to!

Walks in York

One of the best things about York is the variety of walking routes in and outside the city, which have been particularly appreciated during the pandemic! The greenery is simply stunning and makes for a great day out when the weather is nice. Whenever I need to clear my head or just need some fresh air, I love to put on a podcast and get outside. My favourite routes this year have been along the two rivers in the city, the River Ouse and the River Foss. You can walk long stretches along both rivers, and I would definitely recommend taking a picnic and lots of pictures!

The River Ouse in York — Walk along the River Ouse

The River Foss in York — Walk along the River Ouse

Something a Bit Different

Five students stood after completely an Escape Room — We made our way out of the escape room!

If you’re looking for something different to do outside the usual cycle of uni work, cooking and cleaning, a great option for a day out is a visit to Locked In Games escape rooms.

Whether you’ve done an escape room before or not, it’s a great chance to spend some time with your friends, solving puzzles and cracking codes. And with three different rooms to choose from you can always make it a yearly tradition!

Three female students dressed in halloween costumes with golf clubs at a minigolf course — Halloween mini golfing

Another fun activity to shake up the regular routine is mini-golfing at Puttstars. Whilst this is in Vanguard, a little further afield than the city centre, there are regular buses from the city that make it easy to get to. With three different courses to choose from you can ‘putt’ your golfing skills to the test (please forgive the pun)!

Unwind

It’s a well-known fact that uni work can sometimes be stressful, so it’s important to make some time for yourself to relax.

A plate I painted at Bish Bash Pot

Whilst there are lots of places in York where you can do just that, one of my favourite discoveries in second year was a little shop on Walmgate called Bish Bash Pot. Once you’ve chosen from the sizeable collection of pottery items, you can sit down for a therapeutic painting session and forget all about deadlines. What’s more, you’ll end up with your very own piece of pottery at the end!

With so much going on, York really does have something for everyone! I’ve really loved my three years here and hope you will too!

I’m Nitya, and I am a third year Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) student at York. I really like York as a city because it is the perfect blend of a bigger city and a small town. There is always so much to do and yet the city still has a really nice homely feel to it!