York City Guide

United Kingdom>York
York is a well-preserved historical city. It is still encircled in its original 13th century walls and is full of interesting medieval sights. The York Minster, or Church, was built in 1220. The largest collection of medieval stained glass in Great Britain can be seen here.

York is also a good place to go shopping, it has a very centralised shopping area which means that you never have to go to far to find what you want. During the summer months some of the best street entertainers in England can be found in the many courtyards dotted throughout the city.

At the Friargate Wax Museum, see wax replicas of famous world leaders from the past. There is also a chamber of horrors here. To see more examples of medieval horror, go to the York Dungeon. This scary museum shows how people were punished in the past including the torturing of Guy Fawkes.

Recapture a moment of history in York Minster - the largest medieval church in Northern Europe, with a wealth of Stained Glass. The Minster is on a historic site that dates back to Roman times. Or, the Bar Walls - the finest remaining circuit of medieval walls in England, Treasurer's House, Clifford's Tower, and others that could add to this excitement.

York is well provided for in the way of museums and art galleries. York Castle Museum, housed in the city`s old prison buildings, the museum also gives intriguing glimpses of the prison life of 200 years ago. York City Art Gallery's internationally renowned collection spans seven centuries of painting in western Europe and has works representing the most important art movements of that time.

Whether you're shopping in anger or shopping for fun, York has plenty for you! York's city center is very compact, and increasingly, shopping for everyday needs has. Good tourist shopping streets are the Shambles, High and Low Petergate and Stonegate, York market, Coney Street area, Coppergate Center and others.

You can enjoy the off beaten track in Stump Cross Caverns. Lead mining was common around Pately Bridge, and there are many caves in the limestone. Stump Cross Caverns, near Greenhow Hill, are open to the public. You will surely be amazed by the beauty there.

You can also enjoy the nature at the Wharfedale, to the South of Nidderdale. The River Wharfe rises high in the limestone moors above Buckden and flows through the wide and beautiful Wharfedale through the villages of Kettlewell and Grassington before reaching the beautiful ruins of Bolton Abbey.

The main East Coast rail line provides an almost hourly service to London Kings Cross (fastest journey time 1hr 45m) and the northern route goes through Newcastle to Edinburgh. A day trip to York by rail from either London or Edinburgh is easy.

Buses in York run mainly by First Bus York Limited to many places within this city. The taxi and car rental services are also available for you to move around the city.

York is well served with rail, air and road transport links. This allows visitors to move around the city conveniently.