Back Roads Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

188

1 York

Yorkshire; YO1 7JN

A walled city on the River Ouse and spiritual capital of the North

of England for 2,000 years, York is best explored on foot. Its rich

architectural tapestry mixes the medieval with half-timbered Tudor

and elegant Georgian. Amid the high culture of churches, galleries

and museums, cool bars, smart restaurants and open spaces abound.

Above Example of Georgian architecture at

the heart of the city of York

BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

A three-hour walking tour

Start at the Minster 1 (open daily),

York’s most striking landmark. Built of

magnesian limestone between 1220

and 1470, this is the largest Gothic

cathedral in Northern Europe, with

awe-inspiring stained-glass windows.

Climb the tower’s 275 steps to take in

the views. In Minster Yard nearby lie

the Treasurer’s House and Garden 2

(closed Fri) with interiors

covering 400 years of

design. From the

Minster go left up

Deangate. Carry on

along Goodramgate, by

Lady Row, the oldest

houses in York, dating

back to 1316. These are fine

examples of jettied houses,

where the upper storey overhangs the

lower. Ahead, in the tallest of York’s four

medieval gatehouses, is the Richard III

Museum 3 (open daily), stripping away

the myths around the last Plantagenet

king. Next, turn left along Lord Mayor’s

Walk, then left again down Gillygate.

Cross to Exhibition Square and York Art

Gallery 4 (open daily), with an

impressive collection of paintings and

ceramics. Cross back to the gateway

into the old shopping street of High

Petergate. Stop in Café Concerto for

possibly the best cappuccino in town.

Carry on down Low Petergate, and

after Church St bear

right for the higgledy-

piggledy Shambles 5.

This is one of the best-

preserved medieval

streets in Europe, lined

with timber-framed

buildings dating from

1350. Once home to York’s
      butchers, it is named for the
      “shammels” or shelves used to display
      the meat. From here, turn right down
      The Pavement and onto Coppergate,
      then left into Castlegate. At its end
      stands a fine Georgian townhouse,

Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

VISITING YORK

Parking

York can be difficult to navigate for

drivers, so take advantage of one of

the park-and-ride sites, clearly marked

on the major routes into the city.

Tourist Information

Buy a York Pass from the Tourist Office if

visiting a number of attractions.

The De Grey Rooms, Exhibition

Square, YO1 7HB; 01904 550 099;

http://www.visityork.org

0 metres

0 yards

300

300

Sign for Betty’s Café

Tea Rooms

WHERE TO STAY IN YORK

The Bloomsbury inexpensive

Lovely Victorian house in a leafy area,

close to the centre. Very friendly service

with a small car park and street parking.

127 Clifton, YO30 6BL; 01904 634 031;

http://www.bloomsburyhotel.co.uk

Galtres Lodge inexpensive

Welcoming and smart, this small,

central hotel is a Georgian red brick

building with thirteen rooms, not all

ensuite, and a brasserie.

54 Low Petergate, YO1 7HZ; 01904 622

478; http://www.galtreslodgehotel.co.uk

Deancourt moderate–expensive

Centrally-situated right on the Minster,

this attractive hotel is run by Best

Western and has nice, smart rooms.

Duncombe Place, YO1 7EF; 01904 625

082; http://www.deancourt-york.co.uk

The Grange moderate–expensive

Upmarket hotel in substantial Regency

town house, offers 30 lovely tasteful

rooms, some furnished with antiques.

1 Clifton, YO30 6AA; 01904 644 744;

http://www.grangehotel.co.uk

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