York Area Guide

For nearly 2000 years York has been the North's capital. The city's position, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss was central to York's development and position in the British history. The city was founded in AD 71, and has a rich Roman, Saxon and Viking history. York is the traditional county town of Yorkshire, to which it lends its name. York is a great city with a spectacular Gothic cathedral, medieval city wall, and a network of intriguing, historic streets full of interesting shops and a colourful variety of restaurants, bars and caf£s. York has one of Britain's best race courses making it a day to remember. If shopping is more your thing, York is definitely the place to be.

York is great for street entertainers. With York University having an excellent Music Department, it's not unknown for classical string trios to join the usual collection of buskers. King's Square is a popular place for street entertainers.

York boasts the brightest and arguably best daily open market in the North. Newgate market has 120 stalls in a market square within Europe's largest single pedestrianised area. Prominent since the Middle Ages, Newgate market is the heart and soul of the city lying between The Shambles and Parliament Street.

Rail

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Bus

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/yorkhumber/york/home/

Location

York lies right in the centre of the United Kingdom, equidistant from London and Edinburgh, and handily positioned on the main east-coast rail-line. It is an ideal for a day trip destination, except that you will really need to stay for a few days to really discover this fascinating city.

Places to visit in York

York Minster

York Minster, York's major church uses the old word Minster, meaning a centre of Christian teaching or ministering. It is also a cathedral, containing the Archbishop's 'cathedra' or throne. The first Minster was 7th century. The present one is the fourth on the site.

Among the Minster's many treasures are its 128 windows of stained glass, dating from the 12th to the present century.

It is the largest medieval structure in the United Kingdom. Its grandeur and its surpassing beauty attract visitors from all over the world. Archbishop de Grey began the great building about 1220. Stage by stage the work proceeded until finally, in 1472, the Minster was complete.

The City Walls

York City Walls, York's first walls were Roman. Substantial fragments of these still remain but it is the medieval walls, carefully maintained and restored, which now encircle the old city, almost three miles round.

The earth ramparts on which they stand were raised by the Romans and the Anglo-Danish kings of York. The Normans strengthened them. They are now planted extensively with daffodils. Open daily till dusk.

The Bars

Micklegate Bar Gateways let you in but they, can also 'bar' your way and often, in York's turbulent past, that was the thing which counted most.

Bootham Bar is the defensive bastion for the north road. On the road south is Micklegate Bar, traditionally the monarch's entrance, where traitors' heads were displayed.

Monk Bar has kept a portcullis in working order, while Walmgate Bar is the only town gate in England to have preserved its barbican, a funnel-like approach, forcing attackers to bunch together.

Gates and Streets

Stonegate, a number of York's streets have names ending in 'gate', the Vikings' word for 'street' but Stonegate existed long before the Vikings came - it was the 'Via Praetoria' to the main gate of the old Roman fortress.

The pedestrianised Stonegate and the narrow medieval Shambles are York highlights.

York Museums

York is noted for its excellent museums covering Yorkshire, heritage, and events. The National Railway Museum offers a fascinating insight into the development of railways. The award winning York Castle Museum covers 600 years of everyday life, the Yorkshire Museum takes you back in time, and the York Art Gallery spans from the Wars of the Roses to the present day.

Historic Buildings

Fairfax House is one of the finest 18th century townhouses in England and home of the famous Noel Terry collection of English furniture and clocks. Barley Hall is a unique survival in York, a city of wonderful buildings. It is a medieval building in the centre of the city, concealed until a few years ago under a jumble of run down derelict offices and workshops.

Guildhall and River

Guildhall, two rivers meet at York; the Ouse and the Foss. The Ouse, at one time tidal here, enabled the city to become a great port and trading centre.

The 15th century Guildhall was virtually destroyed in an air raid in 1942. It has been expertly restored and the interior contains some splendid carving. The adjoining Inner Chamber escaped destruction and may also be viewed.

The River Ouse is navigable upstream to Ripon, and south of York is the riverside Bishopthorpe Palace, home to the Archbishop of York

Events/ Festivals

January: York Chinese New Year (21-29 January)
February: Jorvik Viking Festival (16-26 February)
March: Constantine the Great (31March-29October)
May- October: York Horse Racing
May: York Music Live incorporating International Jazz Festival (26-29 May)
June: York Late Music Festival (2-11 June)
Dance Week (17-24 June)
July: York Early Music Festival (6-15 July)
York Mystery Plays (9-16 July)
York Roman Festival (21-30 July)
August: Yorkshire Air Show (York)
September: York Festival of Food & Drink (22 September -1October)
National Book Fair (22-23 September)
October: SightSonic- York's International Festival of Digital Arts (13-16 October)
Illuminating York (29 October)
York Ghost Festival (29-31 October)
November: St Nicholas Fayre (24-27 November)
December: York Early Music Christmas Festival (8-11 December)
Festival of Angels (10-11December)