23 Dec 2016
York Book of Ideas
Take a look at the city of York & its surroundings through new eyes with ideas and inspiration for journalists and travel writers
Introduction
Welcome to the York Book of Ideas, a press pack with a difference.
This pack has been put together to provide inspiration for journalists and travel writers who are looking for fresh ideas and reasons to write about York. You may already know York offers over 30 visitor attractions from the world famous JORVIK Viking Centre to the National Railway Museum (the largest railway museum in the world), as well as a vibrant year-round festival programme and superb shopping.
And of course, York is a historical gem, but it is much more than that – it is a vibrant, changing city which appeals to culture vultures and thrill seekers, to couples looking for a relaxed escape as well as those looking for fantastic nightlife within walking distance of their hotel. It is a small city with so much packed in, much of which has already been written about, but with a huge amount more remaining to be discovered. We hope this pack will help you explain to your readers and viewers why they should choose York for their next adventure. 2017 will be an exciting year with the re-opening of York Theatre Royal, the new Living Heritage Centre at the Bar Convent and the homecoming of the Flying Scotsman.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Britain's most beautiful city, and we'd be delighted to assist you with your accommodation arrangements and York Passes so that you can get a feel for the city and the full York experience.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Kay and Cassie
York – The Original City Adventure – Start planning your adventure today!
From making chocolate at York's Chocolate Story, mountain biking in Dalby Forest to exploring the city's heritage, there's an adventure for everyone in York and North Yorkshire…
New themes in York for 2017
The Year of the Viking
The JORVIK Viking Centre will reopen on Saturday 8th April 2017 (www.returnofthevikings.co.uk), after a multi-million pound re-imagining.
The annual JORVIK Viking Festival will also take place during February Half Term and will include living history encampments, author events and hands on fun for all the family. Discover the highlight events on the official website: www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
250 Years of Terry's
Celebrate 250 years of one of the world's most iconic confectioners. A new exhibition at York's Chocolate Story will feature historical and rare products, amazing factory photography and some of the most luxurious chocolate boxes to have ever been created. www.yorkschocolatestory.com
Year of Literary Heroes
Visit England has declared 2017 to be the “Year of Literary Heroes”, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death and 20 years since the first Harry Potter book, to name just two milestone events. Following on from 2016's Year of the Garden - which commemorated the tercentenary of landscape designer, Capability Brown - the Year of Literary Heroes will celebrate some of the publishing phenomena that have helped put England on the map.
Victoria
You've probably seen and you'll definitely have heard of ITV's drama series Victoria (2016), the first production to film at Church Fenton Yorkshire Studios, following the early life of Queen Victoria. The luxurious rooms of Buckingham Palace are filmed inside the large scale studio space between York and Leeds, a former RAF base. The Queen's residence is also played by the magnificent Castle Howard, a historic house which certainly isn't camera shy. The series airs in January 2017 on ITV.
New attractions, exhibitions & galleries to see in 2017
For a small city, it can be quite surprising how many new things there are to see and do in York. Below is a calendar of some of the most significant new attractions, exhibitions and shows opening this year.
At a Glance
DATE
WHAT?
1 April 2017 – 5 Jan 2018
Chocolate: York's Sweet Past
8 April 2017
Re-opening of JORVIK
17 April – Oct 1
Albert Moore: Of Beauty and Aesthetics
19 May – 5 November
Viking
Early Summer 2017
York Mansion House – Open for visitors
Launched Jun 2016
1914: When the World Changed Forever – a major exhibition at York Castle Museum
Launched June 2016
Chocolate and the people of York. A new exhibition at York Chocolate Story
Launched July 2016
Ambulance Trains – The forgotten First World War story
Chocolate: York's Sweet Past
Delve into the delicious history of some of the world's most iconic chocolates and sweets this Easter as York Castle Museum takes you on a chocolatey tour of sweets galore. Discover how the Georgians, Victorians and the Jacobeans satisfied their sweet tooth. Explore what it was like to work in York's famous factories. See original adverts, packaging and more alongside the stories of those who took York's life-long love of confectionary to the world in this family-friendly, interactive tour through York's history of chocolate and sweets.
Re-opening of JORVIK
Hop aboard the improved ride experience and you'll be transported back to the year AD960; Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking King in Jorvik, has been expelled and the city is transforming itself. You will discover the impact of international trade on Viking-Age York, including the evolution of a multicultural society in the city, as it's not just trade goods that flowed into Jorvik but people from across the globe!
The gallery experiences have been completely updated, with new display cases allowing you to get up close to these precious, Viking artefacts. You will have the chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York using the latest in cutting-edge technology located throughout the centre.
Key highlights include:
Multi-million pound re-imagining
Incorporates the latest research into Viking-age York
State-of-the-art animatronics and models on the ride
New immersive experiences
Interactive digital applications within the galleries
New bespoke displays for the Coppergate Collection; one of the most important Viking-age discoveries ever excavated.
New groups packages to be launched in the new year
www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk
Albert Moore: Of Beauty and Aesthetics
In spring 2017, York Art Gallery will present the first monographic exhibition of York born artist Albert Joseph Moore since the artist's death in 1893.
Featuring more than 20 paintings and watercolours, it will highlight the beautiful and classical women for which the artist is most famous and demonstrate the modernity of Moore's approach.
Viking – Rediscover the Legend: May 19 – November 5 2017
A major new exhibition by the Yorkshire Museum and the British Museum.
Two of the most significant and internationally recognised collections of Viking Age treasure in Britain will be brought together for the first time in a major new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum in 2017.
Featuring some of the most exciting Anglo-Saxon and Viking discoveries ever made, the exhibition will explore how the Vikings transformed life in Britain.
Star objects from the British Museum will feature alongside the Yorkshire Museum's world class collections and will be interpreted in new ways to give a fresh perspective on how Vikings shaped every aspect of life in Britain.
It will also feature ground-breaking research by archaeologists and new discoveries by metal-detectorists which will challenge our perceptions of what it means to be Viking.
York Mansion House – Open for visitors in summer 2017
The Mansion House in York is a hidden jewel in the wonderful historic city of York, and is getting some special attention at present. Undergoing the biggest restoration since it was finished in 1732, the Mansion House will be open in full splendour in 2017. Visitors will be guided through the historic Georgian Mansion, unique in being a home to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of York.
The previously 'hidden' civic collections will be on display – with items of huge interest and international importance. Gold, silver, paintings and furniture are just some of the jewels in the collection. With the finest collection of civic silver outside London, there really are some fascinating pieces to discover. The civic collections help tell the story of the mayoralty which dates back over 800 years.
The restoration will provide visitors a new and unique opportunity to see a fully working Georgian kitchen, with demonstrators re-creating 18th century recipes.
York Castle Museum - 1914: When the World Changed Forever
The terror of total war and its revolutionary impact on life around the world is explored in this major new exhibition marking the centenary of the First World War.
From the pre-war golden age of peace and prosperity visitors are sent to the recruitment office and travel via train to the horrors of the frontline – from rats to foot rot, shell shock to gas warfare. Back home, daily life in Britain was changing beyond recognition while around the world millions would die as Europe's empires clashed in the first truly global conflict.
The exhibition is the central part of a £1.7 million project at the museum, with the majority of the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The exhibition opened June 28 – 100 years to the day that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which then sparked a chain of events which led to the outbreak of war.
York Chocolate Story - Chocolate and the people of York
A brand new exhibition explores the contribution the people of York have made to the cities great chocolate industry.
From the thousands of factory workers who manned the production lines, to the founding fathers, whose inventiveness and dedication created world famous brands still produced in the city. Explore the social history and fascinating stories of the people who made York the UK's home of chocolate.
National Railway Museum - Ambulance Trains - The forgotten First World War story
This exhibition tells the forgotten story of the ambulance trains used to evacuate sick and injured troops on an unprecedented scale during the First World War.
Step on board a historic railway carriage and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a First World War ambulance train. Ambulance Trains brings this little-known story to life through digital projection, film and sound. Delve into moving stories of staff and passengers told in their own words, through rarely seen wartime letters, diaries, photographs and drawings.
www.nrm.org.uk
Key Festivals and Events in 2017…
York has a packed programme of events and festivals. See below for more details.
JAN 2017
All year 2017
Hull City of Culture
7 Jan
York Book Fair
28 – 29 Jan
York Residents Festival
FEB 2017
17 – 26 Feb
Stockeld Park - February Fun Half Term
20 – 26 Feb
33rd JORVIK Viking Festival
MARCH 2017
16 – 30 March
York Literature Festival
25 – 26, 28 – 30 March
Royal Scot
APRIL 2017
1 – 2 April
Royal Scot
6 – 9 April
Fashion City York
8 – 24 April
Stockeld Park - Easter Adventure
14 – 17 April
York Easter Festival
14 – 17 April
Food & Drink Festival (Chocolate Festival)
15 – 17 April
York Model Railway Show
21 – 23 April & 29 – 30 April 2017
York Open Studios
22 – 23 April
Festival of Vintage
28 – 30 April
Tour de Yorkshire
MAY 2017
1 – 31 May
York International Shakespeare Festival
17 – 19 & 27 May
York Races
20 – 21 May
Behind the Scenes Family Weekend NYMR
27 May-4 June
Stockeld Park - Spring Adventure
JUNE 2017
1 – 4 June
Eboracum Roman Festival
10 – 11 June
York Food and Drink Festival - Taster
6 – 18 June
York Festival of Ideas
16 – 17 June
York Races
29 June – 2 July
Castle Howard in Bloo
JULY 2017
7 – 15 July
York Early Music Festival
9 July
Proms – Museum Gardens
15 July – 4 Sept
York Maze
1 & 14 – 15 & 28 – 29 July
York Races
21 July – 13 Aug
Great Yorkshire Fringe Festival
22 – 23 July
60s Fest - NYMR
AUGUST 2017
11 – 13 Aug
York in the Blitz
23 – 26 Aug
York Races
SEPTEMBER 2017
10 Sept
York Races
16 – 17 Sept
National Book Fair
22 Sept-1 Oct
York Food & Drink Festival (Main Event)
29 – 30 Sept & 1 Oct
Annual Steam Gala
OCTOBER 2017
13 – 14 Oct
York Races
13 – 15 Oct
Railway in Wartime - NYMR
Dates to be confirmed
Illuminating York
NOVEMBER 2017
8 – 12 Nov
Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF)
12 Nov
Remembrance Sunday – National Air Museum
16 Nov – 22 Dec
York Christmas Festival
18 Nov – 23 Dec
Christmas at Castle Howard
DECEMBER 2017
2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 19-20 Dec
Santa Specials - NYMR
8 – 15 Dec
York Early Music Christmas Festival
Events in detail 2017
JANUARY
York Markets
York Markets host a full programme of events throughout the year, including farmers' and evening markets. For full details telephone 07983 956500.
Hull City of Culture – Throughout 2017
Hull was announced the winner of UK City of Culture 2017 in 2013. The award is given every four years to a city that demonstrates the belief in the transformational power of culture. To deliver on this promise, Hull City Council set up Hull UK City of Culture 2017 as an independent company and charitable trust. The team are working hard to plan and deliver 365 days of transformative cultural activity in 2017.
York Book Fair (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association) – 7 Jan
Over 100 booksellers from all over the UK gather to showcase over 40,000 antiquarian, rare and second hand books on every subject. This one day event also offers a wide selection of prints, maps and ephemera.
York Residents Festival - 28-29 January
York Residents' Festival is your chance to explore the city and be a tourist for the weekend – for free! Organised by Visit York in partnership with the City of York Council, this annual Festival is our way of saying a HUGE 'thank you' for the warm welcome you give to York's 7 million visitors. It's a great way to discover York's visitor attractions for free and wine and dine using our discounted offers.
This year you'll have the chance to explore behind the scenes at places not usually open to the public and take advantage of some great dining offers. We hope you enjoy the weekend.
www.visityork.org/residents-festival
FEBRUARY
Stockeld Park – February Fun Half Term – 17-26 February
Stockeld Park is a seasonal attraction open for all of the main school holidays and closed between seasons.
Get active in the great outdoors in the February half term at Stockeld Park in the beautiful surroundings of their Yorkshire estate. With a fabulous outdoor ice skating rink as well as The Enchanted Forest and the Maze to be explored, there is plenty to keep you busy in the February half term.
33rd JORVIK Viking Festival: 20-26 February
Recognised as the largest event of its kind anywhere in Europe, the annual JORVIK Viking Festival is a city-wide celebration of York's rich Viking heritage. Join us in 2017 as we prepare to celebrate the return of the world famous JORVIK Viking Centre with a programme of events inspired by the last Viking King of York, Eric Bloodaxe. Expect living history encampments, walks, talks, lectures and of course, dramatic combat performances! Be sure to sign up to our regular eNews on our website to be the first to explore the full programme and keep up to date with the latest action from the festival via Social Media using #JVF16.
www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk
Public contact: Call JORVIK Group Reservations on 01904 615505 or visit the website at www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk.
Press contacts: Jay Commins, email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk Samantha Orange, email: sam@pyperyork.co.uk Pyper York Limited Tel: 01904 500698, Mob: 07810 546567
Website: www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/press
MARCH
York Literature Festival – 16-30 March
The festival promotes the arts in York, with an emphasis on literature, spoken word and poetry. We also feature music, comedy, cinema and theatre in our programme.
York Literature Festival began in 2007, and has grown steadily since then. Each year the festival features a range of diverse events for adults and children at venues all over the city. The programme includes author and speaker events, performances, workshops, poetry, theatre, cinema, reading groups, and any relevant literature-related artistic activity. The event contributes to the cultural life of York and the surrounding area, and thrives on the goodwill and participation of many local groups, organisations and individuals, and showcases the work of many local up and coming writers.
www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
Royal Scot – North Yorkshire Moors Railway – 25-26, 28-30 March, and 1-2 April
In 2017 the railway celebrates 50 years since the formation of the charitable Trust (1967 - 2017) and to set the wheels in motion for this anniversary year, popular locomotive, Royal Scot, will steam in to the attraction and set off the new season in style.
Royal Scot will be at the railway for all ages to enjoy from 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 March and 1 & 2 April, and fares will include a return journey from Grosmont to Pickering. Departure times will be 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30 lasting approximately 2 hours 45 minutes fixed round trip.
APRIL
Fashion City York – 6-9 April
Fashion City York takes place on Parliament Street, a marquee full of local designers and fashionistas plus demonstrations and a catwalk area that will see events over the three days including fashion workshops, beauty demos and catwalks.
This packed weekend is full of offers, events, competitions, workshops and demonstrations celebrating fashion in York. Fashion City York is here to tell the world how great York is for fashion shopping & to support local talent in the industry. From big brands to independent retailers, international designers to home-grown labels, York has something to offer every fashion-savvy shopper out there.
You'll find this fascinating diversity along cobbled streets simply bursting with historic beauty – not to mention a relaxed café culture when you need a reviving break.
Stockeld Park – Easter Adventure – 8-24 April
Explore the Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park during the Easter season and search for the hidden eggs. Follow clues, work out riddles and be in with the chance of winning a giant easter egg!
A great day out for all the family.
York Easter Festival – 14-17 April
York has so many activities for all over the Easter Holiday, from egg hunts, special exhibitions and workshops to outdoor activities. York Minster is the perfect backdrop to experience the spiritual side of Easter. With a list of concerts and choral music as well as Easter services you will have a truly inspiring Easter experience.
Food & Drink Festival (Chocolate Festival) – 14-17 April
This Easter themed weekend will give visitors a chocolatey experience in preparation for the main Food and Drink Festival taking place on 22 September-1 October.
York Model Railway Show – 15-17 April
York Easter Show has expanded to become the North's premier event and, at three days, one of the longer running Model Railway Shows in the Country. The exact total and blend of exhibitors varies from year to year but they aim for a total of between 110 and 130 stands including around 40 working layouts. There is a range of trade displays, together with stands for specialist societies.
York Open Studios – 21-23, 29-30 April
York Open Studios is an annual community arts event which represents the best of artists and makers living or working within a ten-mile radius of the city, each year York Open Studios provides an opportunity for the public to visit artists' studios and exhibitions.
The event takes place in York and its surrounding areas. Many artists open their doors to invite the public into their workspaces, some artists will share venues or exhibit their work in other spaces available to them if their workshops are not. Artists who are not in their own workspace may display a selection of tools and materials or even demonstrate their craft to give you a more 'Open Studio' experience when you visit.
Festival of Vintage – 22-23 April
The ultimate Vintage Festival Celebrating Vintage Music, Vintage Fashion & Vintage Life in the 1930's-1960's - 10am-5pm Both Days.
Tour de Yorkshire: 30 April 2017
Flagship Cycling Event
Tour de Yorkshire is a flagship cycling event in the UK and an outstanding cycle race in the international calendar, including the participation of top international teams. It will be broadcast live on national TV and throughout Europe. Each year the race's start and finish towns will change, spreading the excitement and international spotlight - not to mention economic benefits – to all corners of Yorkshire. www.letour.yorkshire.com
MAY
York International Shakespeare Festival – 1-31 May
The York International Shakespeare Festival is a major cultural venture for York and for the North of England. It emerges from a new partnership between the York Theatre Royal, the University of York and Parrabbola.
The festival includes productions by major established companies delivering Shakespeare in recognisable and affecting ways alongside experimental new work challenging received ideas about specific plays and, in some cases, about the business of theatre itself.
With banners throughout the city, performances on the streets, in the theatres, in churches and simply popping up where you least expect them, and with an influx of Shakespeareans from around the world, for the ten days of the Festival – York will be the city of Shakespeare.
Stockeld Park – Spring Adventure – 27 May-4 June
Look out for our outdoor Roller Rink, Maze, Go Karts and Buccaneer Bumper Boats and much more!
JUNE
Eboracum Roman Festival – 1-4 June
The armies of ancient Rome are marching on York again this summer for the second time as part of this new festival complete with military parades, siege weapon demonstrations, guided walks and expert speakers.
The Eboracum Roman Festival will be based in the York Museum Gardens where there will be fighting displays and children's army drills from members of six Roman Legions, a Roman camp showing domestic Roman life and stalls selling themed goods.
More than 50 of the Romans will march through the streets of York on the Saturday and Sunday mornings. A series of guided walks and talks by leading experts will take place at various venues around the city, including leading Egyptologist Jo Fletcher on discovering Ancient Egypt in Roman Yorkshire.
The Yorkshire Museum, home some of Britain's most treasured Roman artefacts, will also be running various activities and workshops.
www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/eboracum-roman-festival
York Food and Drink Festival Taster – 10-11 June
This 'Taster Day' will give visitors a tasty sample of what to expect from the main Food and Drink Festival taking place on 22 September-1 October.
York Festival of Ideas: 6 – 18 June
York Festival of Ideas will return with a wide range of talks and events on various topics from 6-18 June 2017, with the theme 'The Story of Things'. The Festival is now the largest free festival in the UK. Further programme details available early 2017.
Public contact: Visit www.yorkfestivalofideas.com
JULY
York Early Music Festival: 7-15 July
The internationally acclaimed York Early Music Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary in July 2017. Mixing together music from 12th - 18th centuries with the myriad historic churches, guildhalls and houses of medieval City of York, the festival brings together music-lovers from across the world. www.ncem.co.uk/yemf
Proms – Museum Gardens – 9 July
York Museum Gardens will be the stunning backdrop to the inaugural York Proms, an open air picnic concert celebrating the most popular classical music ever written with a rousing proms finale, champagne, strawberries and much more.
The new event will also raise money for the York Museums Trust, which operates York Museum Gardens along with York Castle Museum, the Yorkshire Museum, York Art Gallery and York St Mary's in York.
York Maze – 15 July-4 Sept
Created from over one million living, growing maize plants, York Maze is not just the largest maze in the UK it's an award winning fun filled, day out in the country.
With over 20 different rides, attractions and shows to enjoy York Maze offers an amazing fun-filled full family day out.
Great Yorkshire Fringe: 21 July – 12 Aug
Great Yorkshire Fringe Festival is a weird, wise and wonderful ten day comedy festival with top notch comedians and fantastic family entertainment in York's city centre. The aim for the Great Yorkshire Fringe is to become a key summer event in York's entertainment calendar, bringing the best in comedy, cabaret, theatre and music to Yorkshire. www.greatyorkshirefringe.com
60's Fest – North Yorkshire Moors Railway – 22-23 July
Step back to the swinging 60's with live music at all stations along the railway and a mix of period locomotives and vehicles. Come and enjoy a family day out.
AUGUST
York in the Blitz – 11-13 Aug
There will be a myriad of different activities during this 3 day city wide event, including an open air cinema, various tea and evening dances. 1940s food. Living history displays, story & image boards, trade stands, civilian & military vehicle displays, 1940s dancers & music, a parade, a memorial tree plus much much more.
As the event is aimed at all generations, anyone can get involved. From knitters, wanting to knit for England to allotment owners wanting to show their home grown veg.
SEPTEMBER
York National Book Fair – 16-17 Sept
Biggest Annual Rare and Collectable Book Fair in Britain
York National Book Fair is the biggest rare and collectable book fair in Britain. Held over two days, over 220 of this country's leading booksellers but also many dealers from overseas offer for sale a breath-taking diversity of books, as well as posters, ephemera, manuscripts, maps & prints, ranging in price from just a few pounds up to tens of thousands of pounds. Over half a million pounds worth of books are sold over the two days. There will also be bookbinders, paper restorers, calligraphers and others in the associated trades' area. www.yorkbookfair.com
York Food and Drink Festival: 22 Sept-1 Oct
York Food and Drink Festival is the biggest food and drink festival in Britain offering day and evening events from wine tastings, talks and food tastings to cookery demonstrations and hands on workshops in some of the city's iconic historic buildings, from the medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall to the 18th century Mansion House; home of the Lord Mayor of York. www.yorkfoodfestival.com
Annual Steam Gala – 29-30 Sept and 1 Oct
OCTOBER
Railway in Wartime – North Yorkshire Moors Railway – 13-15 Oct
Relive the amazing spirit and camaraderie of World War II and enjoy the various re-enactments, entertainment and vehicle displays along the line at Pickering, Le Visham, Goathland and Grosmont Stations.
Illuminating York – Dates to be confirmed October 2017
Illuminating York is one of York's most colourful annual events, attracting more than 50,000 visitors. Over the past years the festival has presented specially commissioned digital artworks on several of the city's historic buildings including York Minster, the Yorkshire Museum and the City Walls, celebrating York's unique architecture and bringing internationally renowned artists to the city centre for thousands of people to enjoy. The festival was recently named among The Guardian's Top Ten European Light Festivals. This celebration of light will transform York after dark and attractions around the city will be joining in with a Festival Fringe.
NOVEMBER
BAFTA qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF): 8-12 Nov
An established and dynamic player on the UK film festival circuit and BAFTA qualifying, the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) is a celebration of independent film from across the world, and an outlet for championing and supporting short filmmaking. Spanning all genres including drama, documentary, animation, comedy, music video, thriller, experimental and artists' works, the festival showcases its films across 15 distinct and historic locations in the city of York. Moving between medieval halls, ancient city walls, boutique cinemas, quirky stores, lively café bars, art spaces and museums, the festival invites visitors to create their own unique viewing experience. Alongside screenings, ASFF also presents a series of masterclasses and workshops with leading industry figures, working with such organisations as BAFTA, Channel 4, Warp Films, Raindance, Sheffield Doc/Fest and many more. There are also networking opportunities and social events across the weekend.
York Christmas Festival – 16 Nov-23 Dec
York St Nicholas Christmas Festival takes place annually, now extended to run from mid-November to 23rd December. The popular St Nicholas Fair in Parliament Street, will run for the full 35 days too, with extended opening times. Snug wooden chalets, dressed with pretty garlands and twinkling lights will line Parliament Street and extend into St Sampson's Square. Adding to the festive atmosphere, stallholders will be selling a range of gifts including jewellery such as Whitby jet, ceramics, homewares, crafts and Yorkshire produce such as locally made wines and cheeses. www.visityork.org/christmas
Christmas at Castle Howard – 18 Nov-23 Dec
The grand interiors of Castle Howard are festooned with a mix of traditional decorations and more modern installations at Christmas time. Glittering baubles, twinkling lights and flickering candles combine with foliage, fruits, trees and twigs for an unforgettable start to the festive season. With various events and activities on offer each Christmas, be sure to check out this quintessentially English Christmas experience.
DECEMBER
Santa Specials – North Yorkshire Moors Railway – 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 19-20 Dec
Various events and activities take place at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway during the Christmas season. The Santa Specials bring Christmas to life and give children the chance to meet the legendary man himself in his grotto on board the train. They will be able to tell him what they would like to open on Christmas morning - providing they've managed to keep themselves off the naughty list this year!
York Early Music Christmas Festival: 8-15 Dec 2017
York Early Music Christmas Festival showcases beautiful festive music from different parts of the world every December. More details to follow in 2017. Public contact: Call 01904 632220 or 01904 658338 or visit the website for full programme and tickets at www.ncem.co.uk/xmas Press contact: Shona Galletly, email: shona@shonagalletlypr.co.uk Tel: 07813 796 733.
York Races – Various dates
Visit one of the finest racecourses in the country:
Provisional dates for 2017 fixtures:
17-19 & 27 May
16-17 June
NEW FOR 2017 - 1 July (Summer Music with Olly Murs)
14-15 & 28 (Music Showcase with Jess Glynn) - 29 July
23-26 August
10 September
13-14 October
yorkracecourse.co.uk
Infrastructural News for 2017
Cliffords Tower to close for redevelopment early 2017 (Closed Feb 2017 onwards)
Plans have been revealed by English Heritage that show the planned development of Clifford's Tower, including a visitor centre and viewing platform.
The Visitor centre will provide access to a currently hidden 19th century wall that has been inaccessible since 1935. The proposals include the construction of a timber structure that will enclose much of the tower's interior and act as a viewing platform and activity space. The designs were created by Hugh Broughton Architects in collaboration with conservation specialists, Martin Ashley Architects, after having won a design competition in January 2015. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york
The Deep, Hull – Lagoon Refurbishment – Re-opens mid-February 2017
World class exhibit designer David Lazenby will be working alongside The Deep team to create a stunning new display based on the granite island of Pulau Ubin, between Singapore and Malaysia. Featuring £300,000 of new coral, mangrove trees and real foliage this new display is sure to be a show stopper. New lighting systems will also bring in some optical illusions for the public. www.thedeep.co.uk
York Community Stadium
York Community Stadium project involves the creation of a unique combination of sporting, health, educational facilities. The 'core' facility will be an 8,000 all seater stadium which will be shared by York City Football Club and York City Knights Rugby League Club. The Community Stadium will provide a high quality new home for York City Football Club and York City Knights Rugby League Club and build on links to the new leisure facilities provided at the site, which will include newly improved swimming facilities, gym, dance studio and a sports hall with spectator seating. www.yorkcommunitystadium.co.uk
New British Airways routes from Leeds to London
New British Airways routes from Leeds Bradford Airport now operate throughout the day to London Heathrow (LHR). With a flight time of around an hour, there's no quicker way to reach Yorkshire from London. The M62 is also nearby, making onward travel to other important regional destinations easy. www.britishairways.co
In Other News
Growing new audiences for England's Heritage Product with the Discover England Fund
Using new technology to bring heritage to life this project will develop new content to increase the appeal of England's heritage with the under 35s in the US. Twelve iconic heritage sites and experiences, one in each of England's Heritage Cities (www.heritagecities.com), will be interpreted using techniques such as augmented reality. This new content will be turned into a set of tools for the travel trade helping them to sell and showcase the breadth and quality of England's heritage.
By combining human story telling with augmented/virtual reality products we'll be able to tell stories through a selection of digital products before, during and post booking process. These new digital products will then be available for multi-channel usage, including tour operator websites, travel agents' desktops and i-phone.
York Minster will spearhead the project for York in Year one, with a brand new APP created for the Minster, making the most of many untold and hidden stories that really bring the Minster to life using AR and video footage.
Due to launch in February 2017.
TEN THINGS THAT MAKE YORK SPECIAL
York is home to the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe: York Minster. This massive structure took 250 years to build, from 1220 until its consecration in 1472.
York is home to the largest railway museum in the world, where visitors can book rail trips on the iconic Flying Scotsman and view the only Japanese Bullet train outside of Japan.
The best racecourse in Great Britain is right here in York. York Races run from May to October and attract thousands of visitors each year. Did you know the Romans started racing in York in 208 AD?
The biggest Festival of Food and Drink in Great Britain takes place for ten days here in September.
You can visit JORVIK Viking Centre – the only attraction of its kind that is based on a real archaeological dig. York was the trading hub of the Viking world and the authenticity of JORVIK makes it unique. It attracts millions of tourists and has become one of Britain's top visitor attractions.
Britain's Home of Chocolate has a long history of chocolate making since 1725. Both Rowntree's (now Nestlé) and Terry's (now owned by Mondelēz International) started here, and Kit Kat is the biggest seller, with around 5 million Kit Kats being produced in York every day. Visit York's Chocolate Story to find out more!
We have two of the country's most beautiful national parks right on our doorstep – the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. The North York Moors Steam Railway at Goathland was the location for the first Harry Potter film.
The Treasurer's House in York was in the Guinness Book of Records for having the 'Ghosts of Greatest Longevity'. Built over the main Roman thoroughfare leading into York, the house was the site of a remarkable apparition in the 1950s when ghostly centurions wandered through the cellar along the Roman road. This is just one of the sightings in York and it's been named Europe's most haunted city. There are a number of ghost walks to choose from.
York has the longest and best preserved city walls in England.
Finally don't forget there are a lot of new things in the city. If you haven't visited for a year or two you will find a multitude of new bars, cafés and award-winning restaurants.
The Culture Vulture's Adventure
Marvel at astonishing artwork and ceramics at York Art Gallery
Strut the catwalk with York Castle Museum's 'Shaping the Body' exhibition
See York in a different light at the Illuminating York festival
Immerse yourself in York's past at the Yorkshire Museum
See the famous Flying Scotsman at the National Railway Museum
Live in Viking age York with JORVIK On Tour
Envisage life in the air force at the Yorkshire Air Museum
Imagine yourself in “Brideshead Revisited” at Castle Howard
Discover the York Guilds at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Seek out the cat statues located on York's historic buildings
Walk the entire length of the medieval city walls
Spoil yourself with designer goods at York Designer Outlet
Roar with laughter at the Great Yorkshire Fringe Festival (July)
Relax in York's Botanical Museum Gardens
Place your bets on a world class winner at York Racecourse
The Foodie's Adventure
Cook up a feast at the York Cookery School
Indulge in champagne afternoon tea
Decorate a chocolate lollipop at York's Chocolate Story
Learn how real ale is made on a tour of York Brewery
Tickle your taste buds at the York Food and Drink Festival
Experience fine dining at the National Railway Museum's Countess of York
Discover shops full of delicious treats on the Shambles
Treat yourself to fresh Yorkshire produce at Shambles Market
Try fine real ale and Yorkshire puds at the Walmgate Ale House
Head to the Star Inn the City for a menu of renowned local dishes
Conspire with fellow plotters as you dine at the Guy Fawkes Inn
Enjoy fine fodder at the Hairy Fig deli & café, Fossgate
Book a workshop at Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens & learn to grow your own
Master the art of making delicious chocolates from scratch at York Cocoa House
Take in views of the city walls in the Lamb & Lion beer garden
The History Lover's Adventure
Get lost in the city's ginnels and snickelways
Be enthralled at York Minster's Evensong
Solve some clues with Sherlock at the York Theatre Royal
Steal a kiss under the Heart of Yorkshire window at York Minster
Experience the steam era at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
See world heritage at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Join the quest to find the missing diamond jewels at Fairfax House
Dress up as a vicious Viking at the Jorvik Viking Festival (in February)
Be an explorer at Whitby's Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Journey into over 2000 years of horrible history at York Dungeon
Check out all things Roman at the Roman Bath House
Peek through York Cold War Bunker's blast-proof doors
Hide inside a priest hole at England's oldest living convent
Explore Byland Abbey, once one of the great northern monasteries
Immerse yourself in the story of York Minster on a guided tour
The Thrill Seeker's Adventure
Place your bets at York Racecourse and watch your winning horse come in
Discover the darker side of York on the Ghost Bus Tour
Explore York from the river in your own motorboat at York Boat
Meander across bridleways and tracks on a rural cycling tour
Lose your way in Europe's biggest maize maze
Scare yourself on a ghost walk in Europe's most haunted city
Roam through hidden streets with York Cycling Tours
Fly through the trees at Dalby Forest on a zip-wire at Go Ape
Come face to face with sharks at The Deep in Hull
See falcons fly overhead at the National Centre for Birds of Prey
Challenge yourself on the high ropes at the Web Adventure Park
Get your bounce on at Energi York trampoline park
Beat the clock in a live room escape game at Gr8 Escape
Enter the cockpit of an F1 car at York Motorsports Village
Board a YorkBoat Ghost Cruise if you dare….
Boost your adrenaline on a day out with Lost Earth Adventures
19 ideas for your stay in York...
In this section, we look at different travellers and their motivations for looking for a different holiday destination, and then explain why York is perfect for each of them. This is just to whet your appetite! We're currently working up more detailed itinerary ideas for each of these themes – do let us know if you'd like more information or if you'd like to arrange a press trip to experience one of the themed ideas.
1)…York's English Gardens
Outdoor inspiration, from window box to stately home
York and its surroundings have so many gardens from fields of lavender to banks of daffodils, cottage gardens to vegetable plots, and bluebell woods to wide open parklands. To combine green fingered delights with some of the best views of Yorkshire – all within an hour's drive of the centre of York visit…
…the UK's biggest National Collection of hardy Waterlilies at Burnby Hall Gardens.
…the UK's longest and one of Europe's longest double herbaceous borders at Newby Hall and Gardens.
…one of England's most comprehensive collections of modern roses (over 2,000 varieties), plus an Arboretum linked to Kew Gardens at Castle Howard.
…RHS Harlow Carr, the most northern of the RHS' four gardens. Visit the 'Gardens Through Time', the Alpine House or the Kitchen Garden.
…York's own Botanical Gardens and Goddard's garden – at the former home of chocolate entrepreneur, Noel Terry.
…the multi Award-Winning Yorkshire Lavender Farm. The farm awaits for everyone to relax in the spectacular hillside plot of nearly 60 acres, within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
…Rowntree Park designed by Frederick Rowntree which occupies 30 acres on the south bank of the River Ouse, designed around a large lake, with grassland, trees and colourful flowerbeds. The park also includes a memorial to the workers of the Rowntree factory who fought in the First World War.
…Bishopthorpe Palace gardens, which were established in the 11th century beside the River Ouse. The historical features include an almost 800 year old fishpond, a folly, rare trees and spectacular displays of spring flowers and rhododendrons. There's also a Garden of Remembrance for Diana, Princess of Wales. The Palace Gardens are not open to the public, but can be hired for private functions.
...the penguins at Harewood House! There aren't many gardens in the UK where you can see penguins walking around, but there is one near York – Harewood Gardens have penguins, owls, flamingos and even parrots! It truly is a sanctuary to exotic species.
…Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens. Stillingfleet offers a variety of workshops and talks on how to manage and create beautiful gardens.
For a different take on gardening you could visit the Rose Window at York Minster.
2) …York for culture vultures
York has been the cultural heart of England for over 2000 years. With a year round programme of festivals and events, there's something for everyone around every corner…
The streets surrounding York Minster, King's Manor and St William's College are steeped in an unmistakeably intellectual, academic atmosphere. This has been a place of historians, of archaeological and religious study, of choristers, of book publishing, of scholarly endeavour - for hundreds of years.
York's museums (Yorkshire Museum and York Castle Museum) display the city's wealth of historical and artistic treasures, from Roman times to York's genteel Georgian days.
York Art Gallery is remarkable for its collection of important European paintings spanning seven centuries, with works by Bellotto, Reynolds, Lowry and York-born William Etty.
The Centre of Ceramic Arts (CoCA) is the new gallery home to a collection of more than 5,000 examples of British Studio Ceramics from throughout the twentieth century right up to the present day.
Cultural offerings range from medieval music in the Minster to challenging drama, world music and innovative venues and showcases for new artists of all kinds.
The packed programmes at the Grand Opera House and York Theatre Royal range from grand opera and classical ballet to Stomp and Soul Explosion.
Concerts at the National Centre for Early Music feature folk, jazz, 20th century and world music as well as Britain's premier festival of early music every year.
Events and festivals reflect the cultural nature of any city and York is no exception. The Festival of Ideas features more than enough talks and discussions on various topics from science and human nature to literature and history. York Minster services and concerts, the annual York Early Music Festival and even the many buskers on York's streets all make York a perfect place for music lovers.
City Screen York is one of Britain's Picture House cinemas. As well as screening arthouse, independent and quality mainstream films, the Basement Bar hosts diverse music, poetry and comedy events plus a regular film quiz night.
3) …City of UNESCO Media Arts
The city of York received one of the world's most sought-after accolades in 2014…and for good reason!
With an emphasis on ensuring everybody in the city benefits from the 'UNESCO City of Media Arts' designation, York is currently putting into action an ambitious and inclusive plan to encourage even more participation and enjoyment of the arts in many different forms. Major projects include an international programme of cultural festivals showcasing Media Arts and advancement of plans to build a new Digital & Media Arts Centre in the city's historic Guildhall, blending creative invention, participation and industry. York is already a leading destination for creative and digital businesses: it is the largest growth area of the city's economy, benefiting from significant investment in supporting infrastructure in recent years, including the £20 million Ron Cooke Hub for creative enterprise and the new £30 million Heslington Studios at the University of York. This attracts both extraordinary entrepreneurs and outstanding talent, helping to create the thriving cultural scene for which it is famed.
If you fancy using your iPad or smartphone instead of old maps, there are more than enough apps to use in York:
York Museums Trust has three free history trails apps for your mobile.
CityConnect Wi-Fi in York is a free public Wi-Fi service that is available 24/7, 365 days a year and has been designed and managed by Pinnacl Solutions.
'Cycle Yorkshire Ride the Routes' is an innovative mobile app designed around the Yorkshire stages of the Tour de France Grand Départ in Yorkshire. It encompasses information on the routes, hints and tips on how to cycle specific sections and general rural cycling road safety advice. Available to download from ly/cycleyorkshire.
The York Churches app shows the whereabouts of all York's churches on a GPS-enabled map, plus a quick intro to them, their history and crucially their current life.
'What's On' York App shows all of the events happening around the city in the easiest way possible. It's so easy to use that it's worth downloading on your phone even if you're staying in York for only a couple of days! At the time being this is only accessible for iPhone owners but we are working on creating an Android version.
4) …York for history buffs
'The history of York is the history of England'– King George VI
It's true; little things really do say a lot as York's collection of curious objects demonstrates. The fascinating facts they reveal speak volumes about the ancient city, which is home to many of the country's rarest treasures.
Captain Scott of the Antarctic's tin of cocoa - This treasured home comfort was found beside the frozen explorer's remains. It survived one of the world's most famed and daring expeditions and is now back in the city it was made in. See it at York's Chocolate Story.
Unusual artefacts made by German and Turkish prisoners of war - Including a glass bead snake from WWI, a ship in a bottle, a cigarette case made of aluminium and a duck toy. See them at Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum which is housed within an original prisoner of war camp.
The York Helmet - the most outstanding object of the Anglo-Saxon period to survive in Europe. Dated to approximately 750 to 775AD, this iron and brass helmet was discovered when struck by the claw of a mechanical digger – luckily the operator stopped to check what had been hit. See it at the Yorkshire Museum.
The Horn of Ulf - The Chapter of York, which remains the guardian of York Minster, was given the land on which York Minster and its precincts stand by a Viking nobleman called Ulf, who owned a significant estate around York. As a symbolic deed of trust, he presented the Chapter with a large and ornate ivory horn, the Horn of Ulf. See it in the Minster's new Undercroft exhibition.
A lock of steam locomotive designer Robert Stephenson's hair believed to have been taken at the time of his death in 1859. See it at the National Railway Museum.
A Roman hairpiece from the late 3rd to early 4th century – this exceptionally rare hairpiece was discovered in York and probably belonged to a girl who was in her mid-teens when she died. The bun of auburn hair was found with two jet hairpins in a stone coffin.
One of the finest pieces of Gothic jewellery found in Britain – the Middleham jewel and ring. A member of the powerful Neville family whose home was based at Middleham Castle may possibly have had this fantastic jewellery made by one of London's famous goldsmiths. See it at the Yorkshire Museum.
5) …York and famous historical characters
Septimius Severus, the African-born Roman emperor, died in Eboracum in 211. Septimius was an intimate friend of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Some say he may have even had a part in Commodus' murder!
Guy Fawkes, the famous Gunpowder Plotter was born and baptised in York. He was baptised at St Michael le Belfrey church in 1570, which still stands there, right across the road from York Minster.
Margaret Clitherow, wife of a Shambles butcher, was crushed to death for harbouring Catholic priests in 1586. Today her house is a shrine (located in the Shambles) and Margaret is revered as a martyr. Her hand, which was cut off after her death, is kept in the Bar Convent Museum.
Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor was declared emperor in York 306AD.
George Hudson, the Railway King was born near York in 1800 and was a Councillor, Alderman, Member of Parliament and Lord Mayor of York.
Dick Turpin, the famous dashing highwayman, was imprisoned and stayed at the Castle Museum until being hanged at York Racecourse in 1739.
Alcuin, the famous Anglo-Saxon scholar, was educated at York's cathedral school around 750, he was a major figure of York's 'Dark Ages'.
Eric Bloodaxe, a Viking warrior and the King of York, ruled over York for 14 years until being expelled in 954 and later murdered. He was most certainly representative of the bloodiest characters in York's bloody history.
6) …York has over 48 medieval churches
A treasure-trove of medieval churches and their stories
'York has England's finest set of medieval town churches. It has also been successful in bringing them back to life … and … they remain a wonderful complement to York Minster, evoking some sense of an English city in the late Middle Ages, each neighbourhood owing allegiance to an often tiny place of worship, enclosed by lanes and alleys.'
From England's Thousand Best Churches, by Simon Jenkins.
Yes, throughout times York has had more than 48 churches, some of them long gone. Today, 19 medieval churches are still standing and regular services continue to be held in the majority of them.
The following gives a flavour of what you can see:
York Minster: second in importance only to Canterbury Cathedral in the Church of England, its spires dominate York's skyline. The largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, taking 250 years to build, and nearly 200 feet high, it has more original medieval stained glass than any other church in England (the East Window is the size of a tennis court), and endless examples of master craftsmanship.
Holy Trinity, Goodramgate: truly a hidden gem, the second oldest of York's medieval churches with original box pews and rare 15th century stained glass.
Holy Trinity, Micklegate: once a substantial priory. The city's stocks remain in the churchyard today.
All Saints, Pavement: outstanding features include a 13th century knocker on the door, a 15th century lectern and a 17th century pulpit from which John Wesley preached.
All Saints, North Street: has the finest medieval stained glass of all York's churches, in particular the window from 1425 which depicts the 15 signs of the end of the world, which was at that time expected to occur in 1500.
St Michael-le-Belfrey, High Petergate: home to the baptismal record of Guy Fawkes.
The Spurriergate Centre is the only café with a full peel of bells.
…And some you can't see anymore:
All Saints, Fishergate was built in or before the 11th century and fell into disuse after the dissolution of the Monasteries. By 1549 the church had disappeared.
Holy Trinity on King's Square was rebuilt in the 19th century, but closed in 1886. It housed a small flock of sheep in 1896 and was then demolished in 1937. You can still see some of the gravestones from its churchyard near the top of the Shambles.
St Benet was built on the corner of Swinegate and back Swinegate in 1154 and was demolished around 1300.
St George on Fishergate was in a ruinous state by 1644. Its churchyard along with Dick Turpin's gravestone has survived.
St Wilfrid church used to be on Blake Street. The church was suppressed in 1585, but the name was revived in 1760 for a Roman Catholic chapel on a different site and in 1802 it was rebuilt in Duncombe Place where the present St Wilfrid replaced it in 1864.
7) …Taste York
Visit great restaurants… with plenty to fill in the time between meals, too!
Yorkshire folk take their food and drink seriously which is probably why Yorkshire now boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county in England outside of London.
So it's no surprise that as Yorkshire's ancient capital, York flies the flag for good food and drink in the region:
York's 'Foodie Street' is Fossgate (voted third best foodie street in the UK in the annual 'Google Street View Awards'.
York was crowned the best gastro destination in the UK and fifth best in Europe by TripAdvisor (2011).
York Food and Drink Festival, held every September is the largest event of its kind in the UK, and a massive showcase for the restaurants, hotels, shops and food manufacturing companies.
The Yorkshire pudding has been voted the top Yorkshire icon (above the Minster and the Yorkshire Dales: Dalesman Survey 2014) – you can learn how to make one on a cookery course in York.
York's world-renowned tea rooms Bettys Café Tea Rooms – are simply the place to sample a Yorkshire Fat Rascal and a 'proper' cup of tea.
York has around 40 Fair Trade cafés and restaurants.
York's award-winning food and drink suppliers include The Balloon Tree and Demijohn.
York's award-winning chefs include Roux-trained Michael Hjort at Melton's and Andrew Pern at Star Inn The City.
Spring Espresso on Fossgate is one of only a handful of shops to achieve a Five Cup standard from the Beverage Standards Association, as well as winning Best Latte in the UK 2012 and Best Tea 2013. Their coffee is overseen by a UK Barista Championship Semi Finalist.
If you can't go to Italy, Italy will come to you... at Roberto Italian Gelato café near Monkgate Bar on Goodramgate.
Anyone who fancies a true gourmet pint should visit one of the many beer houses including the House of Trembling Madness (a medieval drinking hall) and Stein Bier Keller (German beer keller).
Find the exotic looking black cheddar at the independent cheese shop on Gillygate – Love Cheese. If black cheddar is not really your thing there is a core selection of around 65 cheeses which are kept in stock all the time. This covers the classics such a Keen's Mature Cheddar, Brie De Meaux, Cropwell Bishop Stilton and around 25 delicious Yorkshire cheeses!
For more information about food and drinks in York please see our Taste York media pack or www.visityork.org/food
8) …York for chocoholics
York - Britain's Home of Chocolate is the perfect place for chocoholics
When it comes to chocolate, there really is no place like York. You can literally eat, breathe and sleep it. York's reputation as the city of chocolate dates back to the 20th century when two of the most famous names in chocolate set up shop: Joseph Rowntree went on to create Kit Kat, Smarties and Aero, and Joseph Terry the Chocolate Orange and All Gold collection. Today York's love of chocolate is as strong as ever and can be experienced in numerous attractions, restaurants and shops around the city. If you're seeking extra helpings of cocoa there's even an annual spring chocolate festival complete with a 'chocolate market' showcasing local chocolate makers' creations, and also chocolate tastings and workshops.
York's unique chocolate experiences include:
York's Chocolate Story - one of York's biggest visitor attractions celebrates the mouth-watering story of chocolate and confectionery in York. Discover chocolate's origins, how to make it and how to taste it like an expert.
York Chocolate Trail - a chocolate-themed walking trail with sweet treats at every turn.
Following the footsteps of Joseph Rowntree on the Rowntree Trail.
Chocolate-making workshop – York offers a range of practical courses from the city's experts including chocolatier Sophie Jewett at York Cocoa House. Learn how to make your own chocolate to show off and share.
Goddard's – home to the Terry family - visit this former arts and crafts-style family home built in the 1920s with a perfect view from the beautifully secluded gardens across the Knavesmire to the former iconic Terry's chocolate factory.
Book your hotel stay with one of the hotels offering a Chocolate Break, you can choose from Hotel Indigo or The Limes.
You can often breathe in the scent of chocolate as you walk through the streets – York's chocoriffic experience that has absolutely no calories! If you'd like to track the delicious chocolate smell follow @YorkChocAroma on Twitter and see maps highlighting the likely coverage based on wind speed and direction.
For more information on chocolate please see our Chocolate York media kit or www.visityork.org/chocolate
9) …York for music lovers
York's thriving music scene includes big name acts and local artists
York has many strings to its bow when it comes to music and can play along to anyone's favourite tune. As well as musical events such as the annual York Early Music Festival and York Minster's services and concerts all mentioned in the cultural ideas section of this pack, a big part of York's music scene belongs to its diverse range of street performers and bands who make music free and accessible across the city and its pubs, clubs and restaurants. These include:
The red piano playing busker who has had more than 230,000 hits on YouTube seen playing one of his original tunes, 'Chokin' Boogie'
'Encouraging the Loony' plays at the Victoria Vaults on the first Tuesday of every month. This 'loud and proud' band performs a mix of comedy and 'going for it' music, playing everything from boogie-woogie to Rachmaninov, Tom Jones to The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin to Herbie Hancock and Scot Joplin.
Ed Alleyne-Johnson is a British electric violinist and prolific busker. He has been busking since he was a Fine Art student at Oxford University in the early 1980s and uses an electric violin that he carved with a kitchen knife, a custom pedal-board, and an amplifier which he modified to run off rechargeable batteries. This setup has enabled him to perform on the street in almost every major city in Europe, and across the United States and Canada.
The Voice contestant Beth McCarthy is one of York's popular buskers.
Music at the National Centre for Early Music ranges from folk, jazz, 20th century and world music, plus Britain's premier festival of early music every year.
The Nook is a small cosy café that changes into a bohemian bar with great cocktails (and good prices!) with open-mic evenings every Friday, where young Yorkies share their talent with everyone in the café.
Ryedale Jazz Festival takes place in venues across Pickering and is run by Ryedale Jazz Society, which was founded with the aim of introducing traditional jazz to younger audiences as well as ensuring that enthusiasts have opportunities to enjoy performers from all over the country.
On a final musical note, Yorkshire's favourite spring sound is birds singing. In a poll of over 2,000 people, of those living in Yorkshire, the National Trust found that 70% declared that birdsong was their favourite sound of spring.
10) …York for film lovers
Choose one of York's cinemas for a memorable film experience:
City Screen York is one of Britain's Picture House cinemas. As well as screening arthouse, independent and quality mainstream films, the Basement Bar also hosts a regular film quiz night.
The old Odeon Cinema on Blossom Street dates from 1937 and is the original Art Deco cinema with its blocky style with rounded corners, a broad tower and some interrupted window bands. Its 800-seat screen and four other halls are a bit old-fashioned but exactly what vintage lovers could fancy.
Brandy Brown's Cinema at 1331 is a luxurious attic cinema full of atmosphere with all of the mod cons. There are 18 fully reclining leather armchairs and several comfy beanbags. The cinema can also be hired out for private screenings!
Famous actors from York:
Dame Judi Dench, one of the finest, best-known and best-loved English actresses, was born in York in 1934. She attended the Mount School.
David Bradley, the cadaverous caretaker Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films, is from York. David has also had a glittering theatre career and played God in the 1976 York Mystery Plays.
Mark Addy, the insecure security guard Dave in The Full Monty, Fred Flintstone in 'Flintstones in Las Vegas', and more recently the King of the Iron Throne in Game of Thrones was born and bred in York.
Ian Kelsey, best known as Dave Glover in the popular English soap television programme Emmerdale or as Dr Patrick Spiller in Casualty was born in York in 1972.
Filmed in York:
The Water Babies (1978) – City of York
Brideshead Revisited (1981, 2008) – Castle Howard
Elizabeth (1998) – York Minster
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) – York Railway Station
Mansfield Park (2007) – Newby Hall
Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) – Castle Howard, York Minster, St William's College, Treasurer's House, York Castle Museum, County Court House, Harewood House
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2015) – York Minster, St William's College
11)…York and Crafts
York has many hidden crafty shops, cafés and even a trail to follow!
At Shambles Market you can find something to use to be crafty yourself, or get wonderful and original hand-made presents.
The Viking Loom stocks an eclectic mix of products embracing quality, colour, shape, texture and variety. Our favourites are the top quality beads from all over Europe in all sorts of colours and shapes. They also have a wide selection of different fabrics delivered regularly.
Grace & Jacobs is a small business offering beautiful textiles and materials, wool, jelly rolls and much more.
Did you just love Jack Sparrow's jacket buttons in the Pirates of the Caribbean? Look no further than Coppergate in York. Duttons for Buttons equipped the whole Pirates of the Caribbean with buttons!
Ramshambles offers a variety of York wool for knitters.
The Arts Shop has craft and art material for the professional, serious amateurs and for leisure painters.
York Art Gallery is remarkable for its collection of important European paintings spanning seven centuries, with works by Bellotto, Reynolds, Lowry and York-born William Etty.
The Centre of Ceramic Arts (CoCA) is the new gallery home to a collection of more than 5,000 examples of British Studio Ceramics from throughout the twentieth century right up to the present day.
York is brilliant for inspiration, nestled in the streets around the city are so many crafty shops offering everything from knitting to stitching and from papercrafts to beading. To find all the shops download the York Crafters Trail on visityork.org or pick one up from the Visitor Information Centre on 1 Museum Street.
12) …York for bookworms
York is like a literary classic – a page turner you just can't put down
You can't judge a book by its cover but a novel way of learning about York is through its rich literary connections.
Walk the walls and hear the Minster Bells in the footsteps of Grace Trewe in 'Times Echo' by Pamela Hartshorne.
Stay a night at the Bloomsbury Guesthouse which is named after The Bloomsbury Literary Group who met in York between 1904 up to 1939/the Second World War.
2017 - Celebrate 110 years since the birth of W.H. Auden, who was born in York
See the real-life Museum which inspired Ruby Lennox's character in Kate Atkinson's 'Behind the Scenes at the Museum' and stop for a coffee in Bettys which won the praise of fictional detective Jackson Brodie in another of Kate Atkinson's books 'Started Early, Took My Dog'.
Immerse yourself in the stories of 'The Sweethearts, York's Chocolate Girls' at York's Chocolate Story, by Lynn Russell and Neil Hanson.
Look for the perfect dress in the vintage shops of York and fulfil the dream of Ella Moreno in Sophie's Nicholls' novel 'The Dress', perhaps the dress you choose will have its own story!
Soak up the riverside views from Skeldergate Bridge, an area of the city described in great detail by Wilkie Collins, a friend of Charles Dickens, in his novel 'No Name'.
Stroll down Stonegate, one of York's prettiest streets, where the first two volumes of Sterne's landmark 'Tristram Shandy' were printed, and look out for the printer's Red Devil which sits on number 33, a former printers, and serves as a lasting reminder of when Stonegate was famous as a centre of books and publishing in the 16th
See the building on Piccadilly where Neville Shute, who wrote a number of famous novels including 'On The Beach' and 'A Town Like Alice', worked as an aeroplane designer.
Follow in the footsteps of the Henry VIII royal progress to York, and see the sights that remain a reminder of the turbulent history at what is left of St Mary's Abbey in York Museum Gardens, as depicted in C J Sansom's historical mystery 'Sovereign', the third novel in his 'Matthew Shardlake Series'.
Explore the birthplace of Daniel Defoe's world-famous character Robinson Crusoe who was born in York in 1632.
Books can also be used in York like an archaeological tool to peel away layer upon layer of the city's history and reveal hidden literary treasures such as:
One of the highest concentrations of rare, second-hand, and antiquarian booksellers in the country
Europe's largest annual National Book Fair, held each September at York Racecourse
York Literature Festival (19–29 March 2015)
The mystery of the Great Lost Library of Alcuin
York Minster's library, one of the oldest in the country, which includes the York Gospels, over 1000 years old and still used today. Stained-glass windows were also the medieval equivalent of a book, making stories from the Bible accessible for their congregations – and York Minster has more than most, with 65% of the UK's medieval stained-glass and some of the world's most important examples of stained-glass artistry
Did you know? York's literary connections:
Famous literary visitors to York include Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Daniel Defoe, Virginia Woolf, and the Brontë sisters.
Authors born or educated in York include Kate Atkinson, Margaret Drabble, AS Byatt and WH Auden.
Authors who have made York their home include John Baker, Fiona Shaw, Matt Haig, Pamela Hartshorne and Kate Lock. Numerous poets currently inhabit the city, including Oz Hardwick, Carole Bromley, Anneliese Emmans-Dean, Henry Raby, Steve Nash and Abi Curtis.
Current York authors of note include: Matt Haig, who has found commercial success with 'The Radleys', a book about a family of vampires who live in Bishopthorpe and was commended by Stephen Fry on Twitter in 2014 for his book 'The Humans'; John Baker, who has written various novels set in York, usually of a crime nature; Nuala Casey, who has had two crime novels published recently; Sophie Coulombeau, whose debut novel 'Rites' came out in 2012; and Jack Mapanje, who hails from Malawi but now lives in New Earswick. His autobiography 'And Crocodiles Are Hungry At Night' was published in 2011. His poetry has been published by Bloodaxe books, one of the UK's leading poetry publishers.
Jack Sheffield has written a nostalgic humorous story Silent Night about a headmaster Jack returning for an eighth year to the village primary school in Ragley-on-the-Forest (an amalgamation of Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest) in 1984. It is the era of the miner's strike, Trivial Pursuit, Band Aid and Cabbage Patch Dolls. Their school choir is to sing a carol in a church in York, and is going to be on television. Helping to keep his excited children, not to mention their parents, under control during these momentous events taxes Jack and his staff to the limit. And at the same time, Jack has his own problems to deal with.
13) …York for shopaholics
A centre of trade since Roman times, York still excels at providing retail therapy for shopaholics of every type
With more than 2,000 shops, shopping is one of York's main attractions. The fantastic range of unique independent and designer shops so perfectly intertwined with magnificent attractions, pedestrianised streets and peaceful havens make shopping in York an experience in itself. The city centre has a vast array of shops – many of them unique to York – selling everything from fine china and heraldic art to handcrafted souvenirs, unusual books, antiques and designer clothes. And, of course, they sit alongside York's magnificent historical buildings, so shopping and sightseeing are easily combined. Just outside the city is York Designer Outlet (over 120 stores with up to 50% off all the labels you love, including Armani Collections, Coast, LK Bennett, Hobbs and Jaeger) and Monks Cross shopping for a huge TX Maxx, Outfit and Laura Ashley.
York's shopping streets at a glance:
The Shambles - one of the best preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and awarded the title of most picturesque street in Britain in the Google Street View Awards. Some of the beautiful old buildings still have exterior wooden shelves, reminders of when cuts of meat were served from the open windows.
Stonegate - leads to the Minster from St Helen's Square, and was originally the 'Via Pretoria', or principal road of Roman York. One of York's prettiest streets, it boasts some fantastic medieval and Georgian architecture.
Swinegate Quarter - a stone's throw from the Minster, in the former medieval swine-market and red light district, this area is made up of Little Stonegate, Back Swinegate and Grape Lane (for obvious reasons once known as Grope Lane). Cobbled streets, snickleways, the city's oldest print works and the famous medieval Barley Hall add to its character.
Goodramgate – dates from the 14th century and is home to the oldest row of houses in York, and possibly the country.
Petergate - named after the Minster, which is dedicated to St Peter. It started life as one of the main streets through a massive fortress housing 5,600 Roman soldiers in AD71.
Coney Street - York's most modern shopping street runs along the course of a former Roman road, which lay just outside the Roman fortress and almost parallel to the eastern bank of the River Ouse.
Fossgate - home of the fish market in medieval times it was also known as Tricksters Lane after the unscrupulous traders who set up shops there. These days it is far more respectable, although it retains a certain bohemian charm. Mysterious tunnels in Fossgate, discovered when a pub was demolished in the early 1960s, are now thought to be the Roman Sewer System.
Shops to try:
NEW Northern Antiques - Northern Antiques of York specialises in quality antique pottery, porcelain, glass and silver and other antiques, dealing primarily in 17th, 18th and early 19th century stock, with a range of antiques to suit most tastes and budgets.
NEW Winstons of York - Winston's of York is an independent mens's clothing and footwear shop in the heart of York. We pride ourselves on offering the very best in styles and brands with a shopping experience that cannot be matched on the high street.
NEW Azendi - An award-winning British jewellery brand that creates contemporary classics, focusing on design and quality.
NEW Kathe Wohlfahrt - Käthe Wohlfahrt boasts an extensive range of products are candles, Christmas tree decorations, nativity scenes and nutcrackers. All products are made from hand and with only limited numbers available, stock sells out very quickly.
The shop is open all year long and boasts the world's largest selection of traditional German Christmas ornaments.
NEW Love Thy Interiors – A family run business offering beautiful furniture and stunning accessories for your home.
Hairy Fig – 'Purveyors of Fine Fodder' - quirky deli with lots of local produce to buy.
Palenque – independent jeweller occupying a beautifully restored and maintained Tudor building with a double fronted window and original interior features.
Monkbar Chocolatiers – Artisan chocolatiers - chocolates are made on the premises and customers can see the various stages of production.
York Antiques Centre, Stonegate
Red House Antiques Centre, Duncombe Place
Oliver Bonas opened in Stonegate, York in the summer 2015 in the old house that used to be Haunted attraction. The house has been preserved well and Oliver Bonas is not against letting people walk from one room to another to admire the 16th century interior details.
Minstergate Books – you can find anything in there from old country maps to the newest copy of number one crime thrillers.
Stonegate Teddy Bears - The finest Teddy Bears available, featuring the ever popular Charlie Bear collection and the stunning Steiff range, there are bears for every taste.
The Inkwell – a small shop specialising in vinyl records and pop culture oddities. A true hipster's must see.
Via Vecchia is a small Italian bakery on Shambles, offering delicious fresh bread and pastries.
SpaceNK – Haircare and beauty shop with a skilled team of makeup artists and skincare specialists on hand.
Burgins' Perfumery was founded in 1880 and still going with over 2,000 perfumes for men and women.
According to McGee is a quirky art gallery offering works by local artists.
Yorkshire Soap Company offers mouthwatering-looking soaps and bath bombs. With its magical and delicate interior Yorkshire Soap Company offers a true experience.
The Imaginarium is part of the Yorkshire Soap Company and full of the most interesting and bizarre trinkets and decorations one could imagine. Much like at the Yorkshire Soap Company, one can feel like Alice in Wonderland after entering to the shop and consider it being one of the best experiences in York.
Bowler Vintage is offering beautiful vintage clothing and accessories for men and women.
Rafi's Spicebox is a small family run business offering a wide selection of spices and mixes for curries. Rafi's has become so popular they've had to open another shop in Harrogate.
14) …York for intrepid explorers!
Underground York
There's more to York than meets the eye – there's the subterranean side. York has more underground experiences than any other heritage city of its size, so do more than scratch the surface and plunge yourself into York's hidden depths:
Descend to the Viking-Age city of Jorvik as it stood nearly 1,000 years ago at the JORVIK Viking Centre, which reopens after flooding on 8 April 2017.
Explore the Undercroft and Treasury beneath York Minster at Revealing York Minster – the biggest visitor attraction within a cathedral in the country and one of York's newest attractions.
Enter the blast-proof doors of the York Cold War Bunker and investigate the more unusual side of York's heritage and the secret history of Britain's Cold War. The Cold War Bunker is the most modern and spine-chilling of English Heritage's properties.
Enjoy afternoon tea at Bettys Café Tea Rooms in the basement Bettys Bar - a favourite war-time haunt of thousands of airmen stationed around York and marvel at the 'Bettys Mirror', on which many of them engraved their signatures with a diamond pen; a fitting tribute to their bravery.
The dungeon-like underground atmosphere of Lendal Cellars is cool and strangely comforting – it makes a great place for a pub lunch or quick drink with friends.
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens at the Merchant Adventurers' Hall – Dickens repeatedly visited the Undercroft drawn by the romanticism of the 'Gloomy Basement'!
Be entertained at the underground comedy club at The Basement at City Screen or on a tour of the underground cellar at the Treasurer's House.
15) …York for ghost hunters
A ghost around every corner in Europe's Most Haunted City...
With its history of conflict York boasts more than its fair share of ghoulies, ghosties and things that go bump in the night. In fact, sometimes it seems as though a ghostly figure with a score to settle is in residence in just about every street or ginnel in town.
York's unique ghostly experiences include:
The title of Europe's Most Haunted City: in 2006 the International Ghost Research Foundation declared York to be the most haunted city in Europe.
The Legendary Legionnaires, Mad Alice, The Grey Lady, The Funeral Guest, The Headless Earl and Marmaduke Buckle – these are just some of the creepy characters to look out for on your ghost tours through York.
The chance to see a ghost at The Treasurer's House – if you're lucky...or should that be unlucky?
Bleeding walls – the walls at Clifford's Tower are said to bleed. This is thought to be connected to the massacre of Jews who fled there for safety in the 12th
Ghost walks galore: there's a different ghost walk for every night of the week including the Original Ghost Walk of York, which has been running for more than 30 years and is believed to be the first exclusive ghost walk in the world!
Rest a while at the Golden Fleece – York's most haunted guest house and also a public house.
The Ghost Bus Tour has rolled into town with a fantastic show – a mixture of comedy, horror and history, giving visitors a new view of York's ghostly present.
16) …York for lovers
York on one knee – the ultimate city of romance
If you're looking for somewhere romantic, York spells it out:
R ailways are an important part of York's heritage. The city boasts a beautiful, Victorian railway station – could there be a more slushy setting for farewells or reunions? York is also home to the world's largest railway museum. Here you can marry on the platform, inside a historic carriage or alongside Queen Victoria's carriage in the Royal Gallery!
O' Tell Me The Truth About Love, wrote WH Auden in his famous poem of the same name. Auden was born in York on 21 February 1907.
M ajestic and imposing, York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps. Did any building in Britain ever inspire such feelings from the heart as this architectural masterpiece? The Duke of Kent married Miss Katherine Worsley here in June 1961; this was the first Royal wedding in York Minster since King Edward III married Philippa of Hainault there in 1328.
A lmost half of all wedding ceremonies that take place in York are for couples who do not live here. This could have something to do with the fact that York has previously appeared in The Independent newspaper's 50 Best Places in the World to be Married.
N ovelists, past and present, have taken York and its evocative surroundings as inspiration for their work. Within a short drive of the city lie the romantic Yorkshire Moors where Emily Brontë penned her novel Wuthering Heights, the story of unrivalled love between Cathy and Heathcliff.
T wo Love Lanes can be found in York, double the quota in most cities. One is behind The Mount, the other alongside the Ouse in Fulford.
I dyllic gardens provide the perfect setting for your wedding pictures and can be found close to the city centre or at many of our approved venues. Take a walk around Museum Gardens near the Yorkshire Museum or visit Dean's Park behind the Minster.
C ivil weddings and partnerships in York take place in arguably some of the most romantic venues in the country – medieval guildhalls, unique attractions and stately homes. Nearly 1,000 civil weddings take place in York every year
Y um! York is the home of chocolate – how better to say 'I love you' than with a handmade box of chocolates?
O ne of the biggest collections of Valentine cards in the UK can be found in the York Castle Museum. A thousand or more messages of love are in the archives – including possibly the oldest printed Valentine's card in the world. This was published on 12 January 1797 by John Fairburn of 146 Minories, London.
R ide through the city in a romantic horse and carriage. Tours leave from near the Minster.
K iss your partner below the West Window of York Minster and you'll remain together forever, according to local superstition. Look up at the window to see the heart-shape worked into the tracery, known as the 'Heart of Yorkshire'.
17) … York for family and wallet-friendly staycations
York's got everything for the whole family
Promise your children a trip to a city famed for Kit Kats, Viking warriors, spooky ghosts, highwaymen, Guy Fawkes and railways and you should have them eating out of your hand. Add some traditional Yorkshire thrift and you've got the perfect place for a family break.
What's good about York for you and your family?
Most of the historic streets in the city centre are traffic-free.
The city is so compact you can walk from one attraction to the next quite easily, even with younger children.
There is a wide range of accommodation, where family rooms are available, from luxury self-catering apartments offering great value without compromising on quality to the city centre YHA – ideal for school groups or families on a budget.
For pure family fun of the 'run off energy' type, you can't beat Creepy Crawlies, where you will find one of the biggest four lane Astra slides in the country, six different play zones, an outdoor adventure park, animal farm, plus an award-winning café!
Must-sees include:
JORVIK Viking Museum
National Railway Museum
York Minster
York's Chocolate Story
York Castle Museum
Yorkshire Museum
Lots of free must-see things to see and do too:
Visit Dick Turpin's grave or Guy Fawkes' birthplace, have a picnic in the botanical gardens – Museum Gardens – or take a riverside walk.
Visit the National Railway Museum: The largest railway museum in the world is home to a wide range of railway icons and millions of artefacts, from the Japanese bullet train to Thomas the Tank Engine.
Walk the City Walls: At 3.4 kilometres long they are the longest medieval city walls in England.
Play in the parks: Museum Gardens, Rowntrees' Park, York Designer Outlet's covered play area.
Go on a free city walking tour: You'll get fresh air, exercise, fun and history all in one go!
Save more:
...with a York Pass. Once purchased the York Pass offers you a choice of free entry into over 30 York attractions and tours, as well as restaurant and shopping offers. You can buy a one, two, three or six-day pass, making it a superb addition to your leisure break.
…by using the Park and Ride. If you're driving, it is easy and straightforward to leave your car at one of the several Park and Ride sites around the city and hop on a bus. Parking is free and the buses are frequent.
18) …becoming a Yorkie
Experience York like a local – forget the guidebook, this is an unconventional city…
York is one of those places that however many times you've been and however well you think you know it, there's always something new to discover that will surprise and delight you. Just think what new nuggets of information you've yet to find out…
For example:
Did you know … that the Merchant Adventurers' Hall has a coded letter from King Henry VIII about piracy in the North Sea? The code could not be broken until the 1960s!
Did you know … one of the memorials in the Minster is dedicated to Jane Hodson, wife of a chancellor to the Minster, who died in 1636, aged 38, presumably of exhaustion, having given birth to 24 children…
Did you know … a little red devil sits outside No 33 Stonegate, not because the inhabitants were diabolical, but because the building was once a printer's ('Printer's devils' were errand-boys who had to carry hot metal type).
Did you know … about York's unusual walking tours: the Historic Toilet Tour, the Graveyard, Coffin and Plague tour, the Guy Fawkes Trail and the Bloody Execution Tour.
Did you know … a contributing factor to York's churchyards overflowing when the plague hit in 1604 was because the mayor foolishly ordered the killing of all the cats and dogs – therefore leaving no predators for the plague-carrying rats!
Did you know … The Black Swan at Peasholme Green - an inn and hostelry since the 18th century - still retains its original outer door complete with Black Death spy hole, used to check that whoever was knocking was not infected with plague.
Did you know … The Bar Convent, the oldest living convent in England, established in 1686, has a beautiful neo-classical chapel dating from 1769 which has a priest's hiding hole and eight separate exits to facilitate the escape of the congregation in the event of a raid during the time Catholicism was outlawed in Britain.
Did you know … The Yorkshire Air Museum is unique in being both a memorial and a museum? It is based on the site of what is now the largest original WWII Bomber Command Station open to the public, RAF Elvington. Its Memorial Gardens provide a peaceful place for visitors to reflect on the sacrifice of the 55,800 airmen of Bomber Command who lost their lives during WWII
19) …York for sports enthusiasts
A visit is sure to quicken your pulse
Sports enthusiasts of the armchair or participant variety will be cheered on by York's diverse range of amateur and professional sporting events and activities:
If golf is your passion, stay for a week and play at a different course each day. York has seven golf clubs, including the course at Fulford which is home to 23 international and European professional tour events and the only 27-hole golf complex in the York area. In addition, Heworth golf club has four-par three holes which are rated as the toughest par threes in the York Union of Golf Clubs
If you fancy golfing from a different angle, try Footgolf at York Golf Range! Footgolf is a combination of soccer and golf. There's a separate nine hole footgolf course with holes ranging from 39 yards to 91 yards. AND it's family-friendly, being suitable for everyone from the age of 5!
Push your physical and mental limits in a Rat Race Adventure Sports event. The team also sells a wide range of bikes, accessories and all things extreme sports-related.
One of sport's most important tournaments, Snooker's WilliamHill.com UK Championship, has been hosted at the York Barbican for several years.
Cheer on your winning horse at York Racecourse – one of the premier tracks in Europe having recently won Flat Racecourse of the Year Award.
Head for the heights at Web Adventure Park (high wire).
In 2014 York hosted the Tour de France Grand Départ Stage 2. The excitement peaked on 6th July with the cyclists rushing through the streets and even York Minster sported a yellow shirt on its roof to mark the occasion. In 2015 York hosted the Tour de Yorkshire, a flagship cycling event in the UK and an outstanding cycle race in the international calendar!
There are many reasons to cycle in York:
You can reach the parts of the city you can't get to on a bus tour, taking in popular sights as well as hidden gems. For example, Scoot Cycling Holidays' tour of York covers eight miles of the city in two hours.
The facilities for cyclists are unbeatable, such as the high quality cycle retailers for accessories and repairs, cycle parking at popular visitor destinations, combined cycling/pedestrian routes, signalled crossings, advanced stop lines at traffic signals and Bike and Ride – in conjunction with the Park and Ride scheme.
Affordable bike hire – you can collect a bike or have one delivered to you – from Cycle Heaven (York Railway Station) and Get Cycling.
The New Walk runs along the east bank of the River Ouse from Tower Gardens to Millennium Bridge, a distance of about 1.2km (3/4 mile).
York is linked to several regional, national and international cycle networks that reach from Scotland to Sweden.
York Bike Belles, York's NEW cycling community for women
Your Bike Shed, a café where cycling and café culture meet in one relaxed and friendly environment by Micklegate Bar. Get your bike fixed or serviced, pick up a spare part and enjoy fantastic coffee and nutritious locally sourced food.
Cycle York's Solar System, tour the planets by bike on York's Scale model of the solar system. The scale model of the solar system is spread out along 10.2km (6.4 miles) of the old East Coast main railway line. The scale of the model is 575,872,239:1, which means that a single stride will take the cyclists about 500,000 km. Parking is available at the Askham Bar Park and Ride, which has direct access onto the cycle path.
Beyond York
Beningbrough Hall & Gardens, York
Beningbrough Hall is a Georgian mansion, which was built in 1716. It contains one of the most impressive baroque interiors in England. Inside the house visitors can view some exceptional wood carvings, an unusual central corridor running the full length of the house and over 100 pictures on loan from the National Portrait Gallery. There is also a delightful garden, which is surrounded by water meadows. The gardens comprise an American garden, a Victorian conservatory, box-edged rose gardens, a lily pool and a walled garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-beningbroughhallandgardens
Brontë Parsonage Museum
The three Brontë sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne spent a large part of their lives in the West Yorkshire village of Haworth, where they lived with their father at the Parsonage. Their writings were heavily influenced by the surrounding Pennine moorlands, especially the area known as Top Withens, renamed by Emily as Wuthering Heights, in the book of the same name. The Parsonage is now an intimate museum cared for by the Brontë Society. Rooms are furnished as in the Brontë's day, with displays of their personal treasures, their pictures, books and manuscripts.
Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a spectacular 18th century palace, which has been home to the Howard family for 300 years. The construction of this magnificent palace took more than 100 years and spanned the lifetime of three earls and numerous architects and craftsmen. As the house was built and decorated, the grounds were filled with lakes, temples, monuments and a grand mausoleum. Indoors, furniture, paintings, sculptures and a host of other treasures were assembled by successive generations after their tours of the Continent. Castle Howard is today still home to the Howard family. www.castlehoward.co.uk
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
This award-winning museum is situated on the site of an original Prisoner of War Camp, built in 1942. It transports visitors back in time to wartime Britain with exhibits and reconstructed scenes. New areas of the museum include a Garden of Remembrance, War Newspaper Reading Room and an exhibition entitled Conflicts Since 1945 and WWI. www.edencamp.co.uk
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Estate
Fountains Abbey with Studley Royal Water Garden, four miles west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, is of outstanding historic and aesthetic importance. It is one of the best preserved and largest abbey remains in Britain and is set in the beautiful parkland of Studley Royal by the river Skell. The abbey was founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks seeking a simpler life. They later became Cistercian monks. The garden is a stunning panorama of elegant ornamental lakes, temples, follies and statues, ponds, cascades, bridges and tunnels. The visitor can explore over 10 historic buildings, including a superb Victorian church, the dramatic remains of a Cistercian Abbey and also a medieval deer park, home to 500 Red, Fallow and Sika deer. www.fountainsabbey.org.uk
Newby Hall
The family home of Mr and Mrs Richard Compton has featured in the BBC programme “Heirs and Graces”. This is one of England's renowned Adam houses, an exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration, recently restored to its original beauty. Newby Hall is famous for its collection of classical statuary, one of the most important private collections in Britain. One piece from the collection, the Jenkins Venus, hit the headlines when it was sold at Christie's for a staggering £7.9 million, setting a new world record for an antiquity sold at auction, and helping to provide the funds for Newby Hall's restoration. Newby Hall's contents also include the Gobelins Tapestry Room and an excellent Chippendale furniture collection. Award-winning gardens include England's longest double herbaceous borders and an adventure garden for children, sculpture park and miniature railway. www.newbyhall.com
Sutton Park
Situated in the heart of the immaculately well-kept village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, Sutton Park is a charming, early Georgian house built in 1730, overlooking beautiful parkland. This is the home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield and their family. The house contains beautiful 18th century furniture, paintings mostly from Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace, and an important collection of porcelain. Award-winning gardens contain a Georgian icehouse.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby
Captain Cook spent the first nine years of his seafaring career in Whitby, and is commemorated in the 17th century house where he lodged. The Museum, meticulously restored, houses an important collection of authentic material. Letters illustrate Cook's friendship with his master Captain Walker, the Admiralty's disputes with the botanists Banks and Forster, and the sorrow of King George at Cook's death. www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates steam trains along an 18-mile line between the market town of Pickering and the village of Grosmont. The line runs through the heart of the North York Moors National Park and passes through wide-ranging scenery, from wooded valleys to heather clad moorland. It also calls at villages along the way and offers access to unspoilt countryside for walkers and cyclists. Its most famous stop these days is undoubtedly Goathland station, which played the part of Hogwarts Station in the Harry Potter films, and is also best known as Heartbeat Country as the station and village provide the setting for the popular TV series. The NYMR is one of the earliest and most historic lines in the North of England. Its origins go back well over a century and a half, when it was an important trade link between Pickering and Whitby. www.nymr.co.uk
The International Centre for Birds of Prey
See the birds flying free at the wonderful Duncombe Park in Helmsley.
There is a large collection of exotic and spectacular birds of prey. There are three flying demonstrations every day (two in the winter) and very often, there will be opportunities to see the birds being trained on the flying field. It's possible to see a special bird or species if phoned in advance.
Taking photos is allowed and without restrictions, which gives everyone an opportunity to take wonderful pictures of all the birds in the park. In high winds there is a sheltered area of woodland for the flying demos and in wet weather there are demos inside Christmas Tree Cottage. Whatever the weather – visitors can always see birds flying! www.icbp-duncombe.org
Yorkshire Air Museum
Following on from the most successful year for attracting visitors that the Yorkshire Air Museum has witnessed in its 30-year history, the museum will expand its programme of live aircraft engine runs during their Thunder and Rolling Thunder Days. The Museum's international reputation continues to grow and the Memorial was very proud to secure the medals of 13 French pilots who served with the RAF during the Battle of Britain to be presented to their families in Paris in November in 2014. YAM is pleased to once again have been voted by readers of 'Going Places' tourism magazine as the 'Top Specialist Attraction in the UK' and TripAdvisor comments regularly rank the Museum in the top 3 of all York Museums. www.yorkshireairmuseum.org
Helmsley Walled Garden
Dating back to 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden nestles at the bottom of the North York Moors between the Grade One listed landscape of Duncombe Park and the scheduled ancient monument of Helmsley Castle. The garden was a major employer during most of its history, but following the First World War, it was leased as a commercial enterprise and was run as such until 1984. In 1984, it was abandoned and fell into dereliction. The restoration began in 1994 to restore the garden back to its original Victorian beauty and productivity. Local woman Alison Ticehurst wanted to create a beautiful garden for visitors to enjoy as well as provide horticultural therapy for local people in need. Today the aim of Helmsley Walled Garden is to conserve and restore the fabric of this historically important walled garden and return it to full productivity using environmentally sustainable techniques. Gardens and gardening carry with them a wide range of therapeutic benefits for people and so the garden provides a horticultural therapy service to local people with a range of disabilities. www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk
Go Ape: Activity Park in Dalby Forest
Enjoy Hill-to-Hill zip wires with Stunning Views of the Vale of Pickering. Go Ape: Activity Park has Tree Top Adventure and Forest Segways as an alternative way of enjoying a day in the Great Yorkshire Forest. The team at Go Ape: Activity Park will brief all of the guests for safety before flying down the zip-wires, leaping off the Tarzan Swing and tackling the crossings whilst enjoying some of Britain's most breath-taking scenery. As an alternative there is an option to try out the latest invention in green technology – a self-balancing electric Segway. From two legs to two wheels - for the ultimate forest Segway adventure on rugged all-terrain. www.goape.co.uk/days-out/dalby
The World of James Herriot
The famous museum attraction is located in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The museum exhibits the life and books of the 20th century veterinarian and author James Herriot (1916-1995). Visit the 1940s period house with veterinary science exhibits, which was the original practice of James Herriot, at 23 Kirkgate, known as "Skeldale House" in the books. When James Herriot died in 1995, Hambleton District Council bought the house and started a £1.4 million restoration programme. Go behind the scenes of the BBC series “All Creatures Great & Small” and experience what's involved in the making of a TV program. In the foldyard enjoy an exclusive short film featuring previously unseen footage and interviews with friends, family and cast members. There are plenty of fun activities in the Interactive Gallery, which is a great place to end the tour of the Centre. They also house the largest collection of Herriot memorabilia in the world – from books, posters and letters to ornaments and collectables. www.worldofjamesherriot.com
See more on www.visityork.org/beyond-york.aspx
Ryedale
Ryedale is nestled quietly along the tip of York's north eastern boundaries, within a 30-minute drive of York. It is a land of legend and mythology: where giants once ruled (Hole of Horcum), the River Rye runs backwards (Derwent at Howsham) and the land ends (at Sutton Bank cliff-face). A place of lost kingdoms (stronghold of the Brigantes, one of the largest and last free tribes in ancient England. It is also a place where you can see the footprints of people from across seven millennia from 5000BC, revealed in ancient excavations) – standing stones, castles and abbeys, mighty country houses, deserted medieval villages, ancient drovers' and miners' trails.
Ryedale has the best of British weather: sitting partly within the UK's driest/least rainy national park, there's a good chance you won't see your umbrella during your holiday (official MetOffice stats). This unique microclimate has created a vision of the English landscape you may have thought was lost in time - lush rolling farmland, big skies on the rolling chalk wolds, miles of purple heather, dramatic river gorges, woodland stretching to the horizon. This is a rare place: a place you can hear yourself breathe; a place you can see not just stars, but the Milky Way (the area has official Dark Skies status, Milky Way class); a place officially designated 'An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (Howardian Hills).
Ryedale's market towns all have something different to enjoy. Helmsley is one of North Yorkshire's most popular market towns housing some unique boutiques and acting as the starting point for the Cleveland Way National Trail. Kirkbymoorside - "Church dwellings beside the moor" - this small market town has a wide main street, cobbled on either side and flanked by fine Georgian houses and welcoming hostelries. Malton has long been regarded as the centre of Ryedale; it is a market town full of activity, with a street market on Saturdays and a livestock market twice a week. The market town of Pickering is the official gateway to the North York Moors National Park. From here you can explore the breathtaking scenery aboard England's longest steam railway, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
The picturesque villages of Ryedale are one of the district's best assets. Whether visiting the moorland in the north, the beck side villages in the middle of Ryedale or those nestling amongst the rolling hills in the south, you will be equally rewarded. Some of the country's best-known villages are in Ryedale, such as Thornton-le-Dale and Hutton-le-Hole, but many others have something special to offer. Distinctive landmarks of these villages include thatched cottages, sundials, village stocks, duck ponds and village greens.
See more on www.visityork.org/ryedale.aspx
Not been to York for a while? Just to show how much more York has to offer... here's a little flavour of what you've missed…
If you've not visited for a while (and by 'a while', we mean in the last 12 months!), we've put together a guide of what you've been missing. To keep up to date with all the various new shops, eateries and bars that open up every year you may also like to look at www.visityork.org/shopping and www.visityork.org/food
Not visited since 2012?
You've missed…
2016
Ambulance Trains exhibition launched (The forgotten First World War story) at the National Railway Museum
2016
York Theatre Royal reopened after £4.1 million renovation project
2016
The Flying Scotsman returned to its home in York
2015
Revamped York Art Gallery
2015
New Centre of Ceramic Arts (CoCA)
2015
Revamped Bar Convent
2015
Revamped York Army Museum
2015
New Shambles Market!
2015
York Croquet Club
2015
New tours – Musket and Muslin Tours, The Bloody Tour of York, The Original Viking Walk
2014
York is crowned the UK's first UNESCO City of Media Arts and a member of the international Creative Cities Network
2014
The Ghost Bus Tour – a new tour showing York's ghostly present in a new light to all visitors. The Ghost Bus Tour is a comedy theatre company, which combines comedy, horror and history.
2014
Gr8escapes York – new mystery and escape attraction. Groups from 2-5 people will have just an hour to escape the room they have been locked into. To escape the room, the group must solve a series of puzzles!
2014
Richard III Experience at Monk Bar and Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar
2013
Revealing York Minster – at York Minster opened. A network of interactive galleries, housed in the Undercroft and Treasury below the historic cathedral; 'Revealing York Minster', tells the colourful story of York Minster, from the lives of the Roman garrison to the work of the staff, clergy and volunteers in the 21st century. www.yorkminster.org
2013
New piazza at York Minster opened, creating an attractive open space outside York Minster's South entrance
2013
York Dungeon reopened after a £2 million remodel
Not visited since 2009?
You've missed all of the above, plus…
2012
York's Chocolate Story opened, exploring York's chocolate heritage in the heart of the city
2012
York Cocoa House opened, recreating the old cocoa houses of yesteryear, yet with chocolate delicacies and menus to tempt the discerning 21st century palate
2012
Goddards, the cherished Arts and Crafts style family home of Noel Goddard Terry, of the famous chocolate-making firm Terry's of York, opened to the public for the first time. A hidden gem with four acres of gardens, only a stone's throw away from York city centre
2012
The Orb at York Minster opened – a contemporary domed gallery of conserved medieval masterpieces in stained glass taken from the Great East Window. The Orb will only remain in place until 2015, when the project to return the glass to the original window begins
2012
York 800 – a year of celebrations to mark 800 years of York being granted city status
2012
The York Hologram Tour launched – virtual guides available for many of the city's tourist sites. These holographic guides are the hardest-working in York, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All you need is an iPad, iPhone or Android device …
2012
Holgate Windmill was restored and reopened and now sells freshly milled flour
2011
York was crowned best gastro destination in the UK and fifth best in Europe by TripAdvisor
2011
York was hailed as Britain's most beautiful city and the place that most people want to live in an independent survey by Bing
2011
York was voted Britain's Favourite Small City by the Rough Guide to Britain
2010
JORVIK Viking Centre reopened following a £1 million refurbishment
Not visited since 1999?
You've missed all of the above, plus…
2006
The Cold War Bunker opened. The most modern and spine-chilling of English Heritage's properties, the York Cold War Bunker uncovers the secret history of Britain's Cold War. In active service from the 1960s–1990s the bunker was designed as a nerve-centre to monitor fall-out in the event of a nuclear attack in York
2006
DIG opened, part of the JORVIK Group of Attractions which makes archaeology accessible to people of all ages
2005
The Knavesmire Racecourse hosted Royal Ascot
2004
Every year since 2004 Rowntree Park has been awarded a Green Flag Award. Sites with Green Flag Awards are considered to be the best in the country
2001
JORVIK Viking Centre underwent a complete redevelopment and opened to the public on 7 April
2001-2002 +
York has been hosting the UK Snooker Championship, the second biggest ranking tournament in snooker, at the York Barbican Centre since 2001-2002 to 2006-2007, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016
2000
The National Centre for Early Music was opened by the York Early Music Foundation. It houses the offices of the Foundation and those of the annual York Early Music Festival, and, during the Festival, it hosts concerts and talks of all kinds of musical genres
Not visited since 1980?
You've missed all of the above, plus…
1998
York Designer Outlet opened, and is now one of Yorkshire's top shopping destinations
1994
Yorkshire Lavender opened - Yorkshire's premier multi-award-winning Lavender farm, Lavender gardens and specialist plant nursery set in a spectacular hillside farm of nearly 60 acres, within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This panoramic view over the Vale of York is said to be one of the best in Yorkshire
1993
Barley Hall opened - Barley Hall is a stunning medieval house, once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York. Until the 1980s the house was hidden under the relatively modern facade of a derelict office block. Only when the building was going to be destroyed was the amazing medieval building discovered and its history uncovered
1992
Danelaw Centre for Living History was founded at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming site at Murton Park
1990
York Racecourse was awarded Northern Racecourse of the Year – the first of 17 years running. Established in 1731 this major horse racing venue is located on the Knavesmire and sees thousands flocking to the city every year for the 15 race meetings
1988
The Georgian Mansion House and home to the Lord Mayor of York, was restored by the York Civic Trust. It is now open for visits
1986
The Yorkshire Air Museum opened to the public
1984
The JORVIK Viking Centre opened, changing the way archaeology is presented and bringing the story of the Norse invaders to millions of visitors from around the world
1982
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming opened at Murton Park
Not visited since 1964?
You've missed all the above, plus…
1977
Geordie acting legend Berwick Kaler appeared in his first York pantomime, Cinderella, and he is still performing in the pantomime to this day
1975
The National Railway Museum - the largest railway museum in the world was opened at Leeman Road in York
1973
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway reopened as a Heritage railway
Not visited since 313AD?
We doubt that there will be many travel writers still around that predate Constantine's edict converting the Roman Empire to Christianity, but just in case, you've missed all the above, plus…
1952
Castle Howard opened to the public for the first time by the then owner, George Howard
1938
York Castle Museum opened in the prison buildings on the site of the castle
1935
The Joseph Rowntree Theatre was built
1920s
Bettys Café Tea Rooms opened in St Helen's Square
1912
Tempest Anderson Hall was built as an annex to the Yorkshire Museum
1902
The Grand Opera House, a conversion of a warehouse and a corn exchange, opened
1879
York Art Gallery opened
1878
The Royal Station Hotel (now the Royal York Hotel) opened
1877
York Railway Station opened in its current location
1833
York Observatory, in the grounds of the Yorkshire Museum, opened
1830
The Yorkshire Museum opened to the public
1769
The New Theatre was built, to be given a Royal Patent in 1769 and renamed York Theatre Royal
1732
York's Georgian Mansion House, the home of the Lord Mayor of York, was completed
1472
York Minster was declared complete and consecrated
1357
Merchant Adventurers' Hall was built, the largest timber-framed building in the UK which is still standing and used for its original purpose
There are also lots of things that left their mark on the city of York, but are sadly no longer around for visitors to meet and see…
Romans … been and gone - but the discovery of a rare and unusual Roman cemetery on the outskirts of York has created one of the greatest mysteries to surround the city's colourful past
Anglo-Saxons … been and gone – but they established York as possibly the most important seat of learning in Europe, including playing host to Alcuin's famous (and long lost) library
Vikings … been and gone - but part of their city remains to this day under Coppergate, and many of the shops in York's modern streets have stuck to the ground floor size determined by a Viking town planner who was probably a relation of Eric Bloodaxe!
Normans … been and gone – but the green hill under Clifford's Tower belongs to that period.
Medieval period … been and gone - but left defences by the mile, churches by the dozen and many, many houses and controversy surrounding Richard III
Georgians … been and gone – but the many fine Georgian buildings that still remain in York are reminders of an elegant era when York was seen by the wealthier classes as an alternative to London
Victorians … been and gone – however their chocolate and railway legacy lives on
York Factfile
The following information will provide useful reference points for your readers and we kindly request you to include our website address www.visityork.org and details about the York Pass in your article factfile:
The York Pass – Once purchased the York Pass offers you a choice of free entry into over thirty York attractions and tours as well as restaurant and shopping offers. You can buy a 1, 2, 3 or 6 day pass making it a superb addition to your leisure break. To buy a York Pass contact York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@yorkpass.com or visit: www.yorkpass.com
Press contacts:
Kay Hyde, Head of Communications. Email: kay.hyde@makeityork.com Tel: 01904 554451.
Cassie Meegan-Vickers, Senior Communications Executive. Email: cassie.meegan-vickers@makeityork.com Tel: 01904 554436.
Photo library
The Visit York team has a large library of photography available at www.visityorkimages.co.uk
We try to keep our information up to date but sometimes things change. Please check all details on the provided websites.
