As I am studying English in CES language school in Leeds York was the first in the list of the towns I started to explore. It took me only 45 minutes to get there by bus.
The best way to get a bus or a train ticket in UK is to use the websitewww.GoEuro.com
What
to see in York?
What comes first when you start to describe British towns is the architecture in its cultural, historical and global aspects, and York is an excellent example.
The city of York itself can be considered as an architectural monument with the plenty of interesting places and corners that should be in your “must-have” list once you are there.
The way from Leeds takes only an hour and the way from Manchester it is a 3-4 hrs trip.
In case you are arriving to York by bus or by train the first spot that you will see is the Railway Station - it can be also considered as one of the landmarks of this city.
It is also worth to look inside the station building since at its opposite entrance you will find the National Railway Museum of York. It has over 50 locomotives including those dating from the beginning of 19th century. Which of your friends has a photograph with a very old locomotive? I do!
You can enter inside and look at the antique furniture, dishes and bags and also to have some snack in the restaurant there. I was really impressed by this museum which has a free entrance on top of that!
Then, you can start you walk towards Downtown, which is only 10 minutes away from the Railway Station by foot. It is a net of small and cozy streets with numerous museums, theatres, restaurants and shops. Almost each corner there is a worthy backdrop for a photograph that you will not hold from taking as a memory!
I had a feeling that the city itself is an animated picture from a fairy tale book! This town is the most interesting example of the architectural and medieval historical heritage. Besides that, it features the most beautiful natural landscapes stretching along the Ouse river-side.
The iconic landmark of York, among the other “must-haves”, is the Cathedral - York Minster. Its construction took 400 years and involved 7 generations of designers and architects.
On the way to the Cathedral you can also look inside the church St. Wilfrid’s.
In 5 minutes walk from the Cathedral, there is the York Art Gallery which has the works of the famous English painters and it will definitely be interesting not only for the art lovers.
Right in front of it, you can come across the remains of a fortress wall and those very gates of the York Castle that used to protect the city from unexpected enemies and served as the main entrance for the kings and consuls.
You can also have an affordable snack at “Bar Hasheri” on the str. Bootham,3 located right here.
On the way to the most famous street of the city I came across an interesting place that I really recommend to visit. It is a chocolate store York’s Chocolate Story where you will be offered to cook your own chocolate and try samples. They also sell a variety of chocolate souvenirs and the most original chocolatebars.
The entrance fee is 12 pounds.
Directly from there you will get to the main pedestrian street, Shambles, full of confectionary and souvenir stores, and pubs and restaurants. It is the narrowest shopping street in England, well-preserved since 900 years before now.
You also, by all means, must visit Barley Hall, a14th century construction built by monks. Right beside, there is the monastery Nostell Priory. This side of the city has really mesmerizing architecture.
Another remarkable place is the Clifford’s Castle where you can go on top of the tower. This spot offers a panoramic city view that stretches far to the horizon.
The entrance fee is around 5 pounds, the visit hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
