Of course, we love London, but most of us have spent time there already and there is just so much more of the UK to see. York is not only a beautiful city to visit, it’s also one of the most historic in the country. With strong Viking roots, a stunning fortified city wall, and perhaps more museums than you’ll find just about anywhere else, those with a passion for the past will love this bustling town. Not only that, but York is a haven for culture vultures too. The Shambles Market is a prime shopping spot for those who love quirky independent vendors, and those who enjoy a little pub culture will find some charming places to enjoy a tipple or two. So, if you’re after a cultural weekend in some truly beautiful surroundings, then you’ll enjoy our guide to a weekend in York.
Stay at the Guy Fawkes Inn
Choosing somewhere to stay in York can be tricky, but as we’ve already featured the simply stunning Middlethorpe Hall Hotel, we thought we’d give a shout-out this time to a super affordable and historical alternative. The Guy Fawkes Inn is the actual birthplace of Guy Fawkes himself, the man who threatened to blow up parliament and who now has a whole evening dedicated to him: Bonfire Night. Interestingly enough, being the home of Guy Fawkes, the Guy Fawkes Inn is one of a small handful of buildings that aren’t allowed to celebrate Bonfire Night on the 5th of November. There’s a historic law that prevents any building that Guy Fawkes lived in from celebrating on that day. So, if you’re after fireworks then this probably isn’t the place for you.
However, if you’re looking for a charming pub with a delicious food menu full of British classics, then you’ve come to the right location. As well as being a cosy 16th-century building, the rooms here are clean and comfortable, and all have both en-suite bathrooms and flat-screen televisions too. Plus, if you’d like to kick off your weekend with a bit of knowledge about the area then you can arrange a free two-hour walking tour with the pub as part of your stay. We think that’s a bit of a bargain!
Discover York’s History
If you don’t decide to head out on the free tour then our suggestion is to take yourself on one. York was a fully fortified city and has the longest preserved city walls in the UK. You can circumnavigate a large section of the town from the top of the walls, meaning that you can see all of the buildings within the old city from above. There are helpful plaques around the walls that give information on some of the key events in York’s history, with a particular focus on its colonization by the Vikings.
If you find this part of history especially interesting, then the next bit of the itinerary will blow you away. As we know already, York is a hugely historic city, with artefacts dating back to Viking times and even further back to the Romans. Some of these artefacts can be seen around the city walls, but others can be seen at the fascinating Jorvik Viking Museum, which is where we recommend starting an afternoon. The museum is home to more than 250,000 pieces of pottery, tonnes of animal bones, and more than 40,000 objects which were used in the everyday life of Vikings. It’s strongly advised to book in advance because this is a museum experience that you do not want to miss out on.
Stroll Through the Shambles Market
After a busy first day, the second should be all about retail therapy. The Shambles Market in York has been voted the best outdoor market this year, so there’s no excuse not to make a beeline for it. The market is entirely made up of independent traders, totalling more than 70 individual stalls. Whilst shopping there you’ll be able to find plenty of unique gifts, which is super handy with Christmas just around the corner, but not only that – you’ll also find handmade fashion and lots of food too. So, if you’re feeling a little peckish then you know exactly where to go.
