Visiting York

[FamilyWiggs]

I'm off to York for the weekend later this month - haven't been since I was a kid (prob 25 yrs ago)

As well as the Minster, what would you suggest visiting architecturally (bearing in mind I'll have a 6 and 8 year old in tow, as well as SWMBO)?

Cheers

Robin

 

[caliwag]

Walk the walls for a good overview of the compactness of the city.
If you don't arrive by train, you must take a look at the station...there is a relatively new footbridge to the West side to take you to the railway museum...definitely worth a visit. Far better than taking the Leeman road route.
To my mind the station roof is the most elegant in the land...big sweeping curve, with no tie rods...seriously war damaged, just South of the fairly indifferent ticket office...hence the redundant red star parcels "shed" soon to be a set of retail outlets, I understand.
Even if you don't like old trains, the early goods shed in the museum (I think it's aclled the Peter allen building) to the left of the shop, has delightful lightweight iron trusses (oh and some interesting exhibits as well).
The main museum building sadly does not reflect railways at all (though retains the old turntable with great exhibits), and could be a Tesco from the outside...however the whole lot is free and there's quite a lot of interactive stuff, if that's to your taste.
You'll need your trusty Pevsner for all the churches, but you must see the earliest ecclesiastical structure in York...the tower of St Mary Bishophill Junior (senior was demolished decades ago). The tower has Roman stones in it, including a Roman arch recovered from the palace, previously on the site. (apparently)...the tower of StM dates from 1080ish, although dubbed pre-conquest it has strong Saxon detailing (think it's illustarted in Banister-Fletcher)
All Saints North st has exceptional stained glass 15Cent.

I like a mooch around King's Manor collection of University buildings (if it's open at the weekend) through the week it has a public cafe too, but very interesting for the architectural historian.

Just before there, in museum gardens are the ruins of St Mary's abbey...constructed around the same time as the minster, though founded earlier...the foundations, of which, are incorporated, very boldly to my mind, in the early twentith century Tempest Anderson hall, and Yorkshire museum...well worth a visit. Check the fact that the neo-classical hall is an interesting exercise in in-situ concrete...that's right...with all the cladssical details...can't imagine that today, especially on top of 13th c remains...marvellous.

Another interesting church is Holy Trinity in Goodramgate...across the centuries, and not a staright line in the place.

Back in the very elegent Micklegate, you might be able to buy a Pevsner in Ken Spellman's excellent and friendly secondhand bookshop...cannot visit without buying something.

Further out (in Micklegate) towards the "bar walls" and the "bar" (gate...in which there is a mini military museum) there is a fine, child friendly bistro called " Brigantes" though that theme does not carry further than the front door...good range of local ales and in-house (honestly) cooked food...phone for hours...but SAt is probably 12.00-21.00 0n Sat...12.00-16.00 on Sun.

Enjoy...a lovely little city for easy, relatively traffic free maenderings...sadly the greedy landlords are steadily killing individual shops, but still a lot to absorb.

Let us know what you find...Caliwag

 

[chuckey]

Its a bit obvious :- The Shamble and the castle museum? The repro stuff might suit the kids. Like wise the Jorvic centre, just remind me, how many weeks are you going for?
Frank

 

[caliwag]

Er, he said a weekend with kids...any more constructive thoughts?

 

[Schoolmarm]

Er, he said a weekend with kids...any more constructive thoughts?

Your reply has made me want to go and visit immediately. Good one.

 

[caliwag]

Well...I've lived here for a few years. Very happy to meet up with enthusiasts...buildings, railways, ale houses, race course, even the footy...sadly no interesting new architecture that I'm aware of.

York is so accessible by train...just check the map...and times...forget Sunday travel as ever though!

 

[piper]

While we're at it, the Unitarian Church is a beautiful but very simple building, and looks to have been sensitively restored inside. I've been to concerts in it as part of the York Early Music Festival, but for "tourism" I don't think it's widely known compared with other York churches.

 

[Craig]

The Assembly Rooms (now an Ask pizza restaurant) are pretty special but often overlooked.

 

[middi]

skiing holiday is it?

 

[Pford75]

I would certainly recommend Fairfax House (one of the finest Georgian townhouses in the country)



The Minster is quite good for children (we went during Autumn half term and there was plenty to keep them interested, with the usual quiz/trail)

Not strictly architecture, but Brimham Rocks (not far from York) is truly stunning and loved by all kids (think it's listed on the NT site)

 

[Moo]

What happened to that famous Yorkshire hospitality, Calliwag?
If the same question had been asked about Naarch the information would have included an invitation to tea and cakes.

xx M

 

[caliwag]

LOL. I'm originally from Scotland, if that answers your question! (you'll have had yer tea!)
However, I think I extend a warm welcome in my second post...not been there, but am told Betty's is the finest for all that sort of stuff...personally prefer the Ackhorne pub in St Martin's Lane...child friendly too.
Wholefoody cafes...Blake head (excellent), behind good bookshop on Micklegate and new , unpromisingly named "Pig and Pastry" (very popular) on Bishopthorpe road...10 mins from centre, but 5mins from Victoria Bar, (a city gateway, not another pub :roll: )

 

[Nigel Watts]

We had a long weekend in York this time last year.

Breakfast at Betty's is a must. My 8 year old remembers this more than anything else.

The ruined monastic church to the west of the minster and just outside the city walls - I forget its name, it's in the garden of the museum - is a really beautiful example of EE gothic, and a nice place for a picnic, if the weather is suitable.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/408066
It's a long time since I last went to York but I remember somewhere near the abbey ruind there was a long and spooky tunnel full of Roman sarcophagi too

 

[mollymoo]

And you just have to to take the children to Pickering Station, and take the old steam train ride up to Goathland, (Where Heart Beat was filmed).
Fabulous!

 

[Moo]

Is the Mallyan Spout Hotel still there?

 

[middi]

Is the Mallyan Spout Hotel still there?

Dirty weekend was it ? ( :wink: )

 

[Craig]

Ah, sithee' York, ah'm glad 'a' thees all fans o' god's girt county! Gerr up therr 'n stay - best place int' world.

Ah York, its a lovely place. I grew up there (and in a small village called Riccall, famous as thats where the vikings who fought at Stamford Bridge and Fulford landed). Beats London :-(

 

[Moo]

Dirty weekend was it ? ( :wink: )

Oh, Middi - I wish !!!

But we were fairly newly wed, if that counts. I remember squashy armchairs and open fires, and walking out of the front door, past the sheep and straight on to the moors. It was wonderful (and the food was pretty good, too).

 

[middi]

What ??. and left the the newly married husband with the sheep, ( shame on you :wink: )