York is an historic walled city in North Yorkshire England. Almost all of it's ancient history is Roman and it was from here that the entire Roman Empire was governed for two years. The city itself is nearly 2000 years old.
York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, stands at the city's centre. York's centre is enclosed by the city's medieval walls.
The Shambles is a narrow medieval street, lined with shops, boutiques and tea rooms. Most of these premises were once butchers' shops, and the hooks from which carcasses were hung and the shelves on which meat was laid out can still be seen outside some of them. The street also contains the Shrine of Margaret Clitherow, although it is not located in the house where she lived.
York is also noted for its wealth of churches and pubs. Many of the remaining churches in York are from the medieval period. It is said that York contains one church for every week of the year and one pub for every day of the year, and that there is no point within the city walls where one can stand and not be able to see at least one pub and at least one church.
York has two main theatres: The Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House. Music lovers will find that the National Centre for Early Music is contained in an old church,St Margaret's at Walmgate, and plays host to concerts, broadcasts and the annual York Early Music Festival.
When you are looking for somewhere to eat and drink in York you will be spoiled for choice by the sheer number of pubs, tea rooms, cafes and restaurants. Delicatessens will tempt you will a wide range of meats and cheeses and for thos ehoping to pick some fresh farm produce the farmers markets are an absolute must.
Getting to York by Air:
York is in easy travelling distance of 3 international airports - Leeds/Bradford, Humberside and Manchester. From Manchester International Airport, frequent Transpennine trains provide the city with a direct round the clock link.
By Rail:
Getting to York by train is easy and great value too. From London the Journey time is under two hours; Edinburgh is only two and a half hours from York and there are direct services from Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and the South West.
By Coach:
National Express offer an efficient, good value service to York, from most major UK destinations.
Photo courtesy of York Tourism
