OT - hotels in York

[Feltwell]

Can anyone recommend any particularly nice hotels in York? It must be one of the few places in the UK that we've never been to - and I hope to rectify that for Mrs F's birthday, leaving Les Enfants Terribles with the grandparents for a weekend.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LadyArowana]

I stayed in Marmadukes a while ago and remember it being rather nice http://marmadukesyork.com/ Also recommend the antiques emporium that has lots of different dealers, I bought 2 lovely pieces of Indian silver jewellery that had been badly neglected and they polished up to be quite special.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Not sure I would recommend the pace we stayed a couple of years ago. I can recommend Betty's for breakfast though.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I haven't stayed there personally, but have just been drooling over "The Grange Hotel" in my Alistair Sawday "Special Places to stay" book. It looks like a lovely Regency building, with fab food - hope that wasn't the one where Nigel stayed.

Edit - Marmadukes looks like my kind of place too!

 

[philpjuk100]

You would indeed like Bettys, however the prices tend to induce the full Yorkshire war cry: 'How much!? I'm not paying that for that! I only wanted a bun and a cup o'tea, not t'buy whole bludy shop!' ... and so on. The full performace of the Yorkshire war cry can take some time.

 

[wobs]

Don't stay in the Travel Lodge!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1347839/Travelodge-killers-3-female-convicted-murderers-jobs-hotel.html

Seriously though, Stonegate is the place we usually go to first when we go for a day in York. Good place for tea (there's a couple of good places including upstairs in Mulberry Hall shop:
http://www.mulberryhall.co.uk/About/CoffeeShop.html

Nearby (still on Stonegate) for something a bit different, we have often gone to Evil Eye. This is rather more "alternative". great Thai food, cocktails, internet access, and interesting decor, it has a great atmosphere over multiple floors. And still has original features in there as well.

The front of Evil Eye also has a good ale shop, which sells some fairly obscure tipples. (There's a few ale shops on Stonegate).

A walk on at least some of the city wall is a must, as you see aspects of York you wouldn't other wise see.

We love York though, as it has plenty of good specialist shops (no that isn't anything euphemistic) that you don't get elsewhere, great places for drinking, or just for tea and toast. The historic buildings are fab, the musuems are good (we generally visit the Railway Museum if we have the time). I could spend an hour in just the tool section of Barnitts!- A sad reflection of my life.

Never been in Betty's, as its for tourists who wish to pay over the odds, and don't mind queueing for a cup of tea in a cafe.

 

[Penners]

I can recommend Betty's for breakfast

Or any other meal! Betty's is a great experience - best known for its teas, of course. Don't miss it!

 

[Feltwell]

Thanks everyone - I have now booked Marmadukes, after a good hunt round online it looks to be a nice compromise between very close to the city, but relatively quiet and with character. I just hope the hotel is better than the booking service they use - it was clearly a central service used for many hotels, the girl I spoke to was so frustratingly dim (5 attempts to get my surname right - it's unusual but it's only 5 letters long!!) that I ended up telling her not to worry and I'd book online.

I'm not quite sure how we've managed to spend so many years in the UK and not visit York before!

 

[Penners]

Well just don't miss the Minster. It's glorious! There's also a modest castle, called Clifford's Tower, on top of a lump.

But for me the most enjoyable thing to do in York is simply to wander around the little city-centre lanes, enjoying the vernacular architecture.

The Jorvik Viking Centre was a bit tacky when I went - many years ago. I'm told that it's a great deal better now. They certainly have a lively website!

http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/

And remember, the suffix "-gate" (which is apparent on many of the street names) doesn't actually indicate a gate. It's the Scandinavian word "gate" (pronounced like garter) which means "street".

Have a great time!

 

[biffvernon]

York Glaziers Trust http://www.york-glaziers.org/
King's Manor http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/presspr/kmanor/
Both within a stone's throw of the Minster.

I know someone who runs a B&B in York but I guess that's not what you're after.

 

[Feltwell]

I know someone who runs a B&B in York but I guess that's not what you're after.

Normally Biff it would be, in fact most of our trips away are camping trips. This is for Mrs F's 40th though, so is a bit of a special treat. It will be the first time in 7 years we've been away together without the kids, so even though it's only a long weekend we're both rather looking forward to a bit of time off from being Mum & Dad.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, much appreciated.

 

[Merlin]

Being from that "neck o't' woods" and knowing York quite well (although not the hotels because we never stay there) then I can recommend the Castle Museum for a visit. It has a Victorian Street which throws you back to life in the Victorian times, with the bank, gaol, sweet shops etc etc....

You should also visit The Shambles, which is a short street of old shops, where things are more "Diagon Alley" in Harry Potter than 21st Century living.

At the end of The Shambles, you should hunt out "Whip-ma Whop-ma Gate". No particular reason, other than it has a most bizarre name!

Everyone has mentioned the other main sites:
The Minster is a must (Go up the tower - but it is a good climb)
Bettys for the tourists (remortgage the house first - note - go to the side door and up the stairs to miss the queue!)
Jorvik is either take it or leave it (some are impressed, while others are disappointed)
Walking the walls is great if the weather is good, as you can look into the Minster Gardens, and see many other hidden gems.
Hunt out Guy Fawkes birthplace

I have never had a trip on the river, but it is supposed to be quite interesting. (Only when not in flood though!)

Have fun and wander about. There a oodles of street artists, buskers etc, many old buildings to look at, and notices not to sit on the window sills, as they are hundreds of years old.....

Merlin

 

[Gareth Hughes]

It's a very long time since I've been to York, but I remember the Abbey Gardens (if that's what they're called - by the river) being very pleasant and filled with interesting archaeological bits n bobs.

 

[Merlin]

Gareth - St Mary's Abbey and the Museum Gardens, just to the North West of the Lendal Bridge by the river.

 

[biffvernon]

The best beer comes from the York Brewery http://www.york-brewery.co.uk/
The brewery is near the station and has a very interesting bar, The Tap Room, upstairs, where you can also have a tour of the brewery. They have their own pubs, which are amongst the best in town; The Yorkshire Terrier, in Stonegate, the Three Legged Mare, in High Petergate and the Last Drop Inn in Colliergate.

You have to get your priorities right.

 

[robgil]

The shambles is well worth a visit, had lots of family from up them parts and used to visit a lot. I can remember a busker playing a piano which was nice. There is a stupid amount of pubs as well, quite shocked to see loads of people in the middle of winter walking around in shirts at night time though,

 

[Penners]

I can remember a busker playing a piano

I wouldn't fancy his journey to work and homeward, each day.

 

[LadyArowana]

I can remember a busker playing a piano

I wouldn't fancy his journey to work and homeward, each day.

I'm surprised, thought you and Mrs P would be perfect as a double act on one of these!

*as long as you were careful not to strain your back of course

 

[Penners]

That's ridiculous! With the breakneck speed of Mrs P's driving, the candles would never stay alight.