If you can tear yourself away from the house for an afternoon, you’ll be glad you did. York is a scenic 4o-minute drive from the house or a little over an hour by train from the local station. Before you know it, you’ll be rolling into York station. But where to from there? Coffee, surely!
The perfect start
Whether or not you’re a coffee lover, cosying up inside with a fresh cup of your favourite and a pastry as you watch the morning unfold through the windows is the best start to anyone’s day. So make for Spring Espresso, one of the city’s favourite cafes. This is the sort of place that takes its coffee seriously (and so it should!). Reasonable prices, comfortable and stylish interiors, a friendly atmosphere and, most importantly, good coffee! Okay, okay, that’s not all… How about these treats to fuel you for an afternoon of exploration: posh bacon sandwiches, ‘proper’ porridge, toasted paninis, pancake stacks, cheese platters and more. Mmmm…
Spring Espresso even hosts exhibitions for various local photographers and other artists. It’s easy to find. Just make your way to the bottom of the famous Shambles street and look left, where you’ll see the top of Fossgate. Spring Espresso is then half way down on the right.
Cultural stops
York Minster
Let’s start with an impressive fact. This is the largest medieval cathedral in all of Northern Europe! That basically means it’s second in importance only to Canterbury. Now you start to see where York gets its reputation for being a cultural hotspot. See the Choir, Chapter House and Nave; the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt; and the Tower.- City Walls
Walking the 4.5-mile circuit of the City Walls is a must. Even if you’re pressed for time you can take the short stretch from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar, which will provide great views of the minster. See medieval gates, a working portcullis and England’s only city gate with an intact Barbican. - Shambles
This is the most-visited street in Europe, famous for its cobblestone and 15th-century Tudor buildings, iconically hanging overhead; a lane oozing an atmosphere of ye olde England. Any Harry Potter fans? Be sure to check out The Shop That Must Not Be Named! - York Castle Museum
Two-time winner of the York for Kids award, York Castle Museum is where to go for a real taste of York in the old days. You’ll find some excellent exhibitions, including ‘The Victorian Street’, ‘1914: When the World Changed Forever’ and ‘York Castle Prison’.
Why not grab a York Pass? This will give you free access to more than 30 pay-to-visit sights around York, including York Minster, Jorvik and Castle Howard.
www.yorkpass.com | 1/2/3 days: adult £40/55/65; child £26/30/35
A debrief and a drink
Exploring can be thirsty work. When you’re satisfied with what you’ve learnt, your legs are aching a little and you could really do with that first drink, make your way to one of the many great pubs and bars in the area. Top of the list has to be York’s oldest pub, the famous Ye Olde Starre Inne. First licensed in 1644. It’s probably not surprising that this pub is considered the most haunted in York… the 10th-century cellar is believed to have been used as a hospital and mortuary.
If your style is a little more 21st-century, get to BrewDog. This is a company owned by two regular (and rather daring) guys who have gone from hand bottling their own beers and selling them at markets from the back of their van to making a huge name for themselves in the UK, USA, Australia and beyond. These are craft beers made with passion for people who are passionate about beer. Their beers are as unique as their ad campaigns…