Editor’s Note: This post is brought to you by Lodging World.
When taking a trip to the UK, the majority of travellers will probably plan to visit larger, well-known cities, with London, Manchester and Liverpool being some of the most popular tourist locations. The city of York, however, is perhaps less obvious, but still an ideal destination that boasts a vibrant array of historical buildings, restaurants and shops. Whether you want to spend a relaxing couple of days strolling through the cobbled streets enjoying the sights, or are more interested in visiting local attractions and learning about the history of this ancient city, York offers something for everyone!
Enjoy afternoon tea at Betty's Cafe
Fun for Foodies
A visit to England would not be complete without a traditional afternoon tea and tourists wishing to sample these delights in York should look no further than the legendary Betty’s Tea Rooms located in St Helen’s Square. This elegant café has been a popular York landmark for more than 70 years and boasts an impressive menu. Betty’s Traditional Afternoon Tea features a selection of dainty sandwiches, scones and miniature cakes, served alongside a steaming pot of Betty’s own blend of tea.
Looking for fine dining? The Tanglewood Restaurant is the perfect location for Sunday lunch, complete with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire Pudding! For something more exotic, Thida Thai offers a fantastic range of traditional Thai dishes, as well as an extensive list of Thai beers and wines. Fans of European cooking with a twist will love The Olive Tree, which sources the majority of its ingredients from within Yorkshire to create English interpretations of French and Italian classics.
See the Sights
Visit York Minster.
York’s impressive variety of historic buildings and museums serve to emphasize that this city is absolutely steeped in history. For a truly awe-inspiring sight, York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe is definitely worth a visit. Climbing the 275 steps of the central tower may be a tiring experience, but the stunning view of the city when you reach the top is completely worth it.
York’s Viking background can be explored in great detail with a visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre, which is an especially popular attraction for children. The Centre is located on the site where the excavations of the original Viking city of Jorvik took place, so there is an incredible selection of thousand-year-old Viking houses and objects to be explored.
Shop ‘til you Drop!
Shopaholics will be pleased to find that when it comes to shopping, York has it all. For typical British high street labels, independent boutiques and vintage stores, York’s main high street is the perfect place to fuel a spending habit. Label lovers may want to visit the Designer Outlet to get their hands on designer goodies at low prices, while thrifty folk will enjoy the daily open air market, which, with over 100 stalls, is bursting with unique handmade clothes, crafts and gifts.
No matter how you’d choose to spend your time, it’s safe to say that a trip to York will keep you extremely busy and desperate for a return visit!
About the Author: This is a guest post by Francesca, an aspiring writer who enjoys blogging about a range of subjects including travel and fashion. She currently writes on behalf of Lodging World, a company which specialises in York hotels.
