Whatever time of year it is, there’s always something new to try in York…
Autumn
Autumn is probably when York feels the most ‘York’ – the leaves turn orange, you’ve just settled into your uni work, and every town trip feels like you’ve gone back in time to an old film. Whether you’ve just started your university journey or you’re in your final year, that feeling never goes away.
Freshers’ Week
Autumn kicks off with Freshers’ Week, which seems daunting at first but is really just a rite of passage for students. My personal highlight is the Viking Raid – something I look forward to every year – and I find that there’s a real sense of community among the students. It’s impossible to turn a corner on this night (or any, really) without running into someone you know – one of the many benefits of a smaller city!
After the chaos of Freshers’, things settle down, and you can appreciate the calmness of campus. Take a stroll by the Derwent Lake, try out the campus cafes, and meet like-minded people.
Halloweekend
Then it’s time for Freshers 2.0, or as it’s more commonly known, Halloweekend! But don’t worry if you’re not into the clubbing scene, there are plenty of events on campus and in town – walking tours, ghost hunts, and of course seasonal treats in York’s independent shops. It’s the perfect way to close a picturesque autumn.
Winter
Please, for your own sake, don’t repeat my mistake – take a coat when you leave the house. Winter in York is cold but definitely enjoyable if you wrap up warm.
Tis the season
The Christmas season starts with the Christmas Market popping up almost immediately as you’re putting the Halloween costumes away. Warning though, it gets busy – and understandably so. There’s fudge, handmade jewellery, gingerbread, wheels of cheese; everything really!
Another good Christmas option is the ice rink at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. Based on past events, I prefer to sit at the sidelines while my friends skate, but it’s always a good day out nonetheless.
And though it’s not specifically Christmassy, I like to visit York Minster around this time of year – it’s free entry, after all, and definitely worth a visit to see the stunning architecture and learn about the history of York. A bonus of going during the winter is the iconic Christmas Tree Festival, which has trees decorated by local groups and charities adorning the cathedral.
Get your glad rags on
Winter is also the time for formals – also known as formal dinners. These are run by your college and a lot of student societies. Formals are the perfect excuse to dress up and have a night off from work. They allow you to really bond with your friends and reward yourself for (nearly) finishing the semester before the break!
Spring
Spring feels like a reward after a long assessment period. You’re back in your element, studying new material as campus springs to life again (but please watch out for the geese).
While spring weather in York can be a bit unreliable – always carry an umbrella with you just in case – it’s undeniably gorgeous. Blossom and baby ducklings and cygnets are a daily sight on campus. Spring is the perfect time to grab brunch with friends in town, get stuck into society events or sports, and really enjoy all that York has to offer.
Time to explore
I definitely recommend walking the City Walls around this time of year. At around two miles, it’s a truly stunning walk and has some of the best views of the city. And if you want to see more of Yorkshire, places like Knaresborough and Harrogate aren’t far away and are also absolutely beautiful in the spring.
One thing you’ll find about York is there’s always an event or festival on in the city. A personal highlight for me is the York Chocolate Festival at Easter, it’s the perfect way to wrap things up before the semester break!
Summer
Summer is without a doubt my favourite season to be in York. Though the start of summer coincides with the assessment period, it’s better because you can study outside in the sun! And don’t worry, everyone’s in the same boat, and when you’re done, you have weeks and weeks of freedom to enjoy.
Carefree, summery vibes
One clear sign that summer has arrived is pretty much everyone on campus flocking to any fields or lawns they can find for an impromptu picnic. York Museum Gardens are fab for this, delivering those carefree, summery vibes. For an option closer to home, there’s always the big field on East Campus.
With teaching winding down and temperatures ramping up it’s also the perfect time to head to the beach, with Scarborough and Whitby only a train ride away! And in town, I’d recommend Spark or pretty much any pub garden to soak up the sun.
The year in York draws to a close with the YUSU Summer Ball, a night of music, fairground rides (and free candyfloss!). This is always a great night that brings everyone together to celebrate the end of another year and is worth every penny.
So, York…
It may be smaller than other university cities, but that means there is a real sense of community between students. There’s something about York that you simply can’t find in big cities, and one day you’ll look back on your years in York knowing that you enjoyed everything it has to offer.
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