From the remains of a Viking settlement discovered deep beneath
Coppergate Street, to the medieval wall surrounding the old city
and the splendour of Castle Howard (the setting for TV's
Brideshead Revisited), York is a city steeped in
history.
Founded in 71 AD, York is located at the convergence of the Ouse
and Foss rivers and was thus a strategic Northern hub, passing
through the hands of the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans
respectively. The varied history of the city is evident in its
magnificent architecture - from Viking ruins and the walled city to
York's most imposing building, the Minster. Northern Europe's
largest Gothic Cathedral, the Minster took more than 250 years to
complete, and is an impressive structure surrounded by beautiful
gardens.
Other popular attractions in the city include the fascinating
Jorvik Viking Centre, the York Maze, the York Dungeons and the
Shambles, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cobbled streets.
The Shambles area is well worth an afternoon stroll, with its
winding narrow lanes, picturesque buildings and quaint shops.
Alternatively, a more 'other worldly' way to experience this
historic area is on the York Ghost Hunt - a fun and fascinating
tour that operates rain or shine through the city streets, in
search of York's more illusive residents.
This is not just a city of history, however, and the presence of
York University means that it is a lively mix of the old and the
new. There are plenty of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants and
weary travellers can spend their afternoon in one of the city's
excellent tea rooms or coffee shops, while the evenings offer West
End shows at North England prices, or some good English pub
grub.
