My mom, my college-age sisters, and I will be traveling to York for a weekend stay there. If anyone can provide info on nice/affordable places for 4 to stay, we'd really appreciate it. We've done some research on the city, but we still haven't narrowed down on exactly what we'll do there. Any suggestions for must sees would be appreciated also. Thanks!

Castle Howard is not to be missed.

Can't help you w/ places to stay since the last two times I've stayed in York I've rented a cottage for a week and the last time I stayed in a B&B was years ago . . . .

But for what to see/do in York - The City itself will take a FULL day an maybe a little more. The things not to be missed would include the Minster, the Castle Museum (one of my favorite museums in the world not, just in England), afternoon tea at Betty's, a walk around the city on the Wall, wandering around the Shambles, and if you are AT ALL interested in transportation the Rail museum.

If you will have a car take one day and visit Castle Howard, Byland Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey/Terrace, drive through Helmsley, Pikering and see the Moors (either by car or better - tak a ride on the North Yorkshire Steam Railway).

If you have another day definitely go to Fountains Abbey/Studley Royal, and into the Dales for a wonderful drive.

I can recommend the St Raphael Guest House in York. We stayed there last summer and it was very nice, affordable, and about a five minute walk to the center of town. Great breakfast. I found the York Minister to be the most impressive "church" I've ever seen (and I've been to London, Paris, Rome.....) It was just so huge and so beautiful. The entire town is great for wandering and you can walk quite a ways along the top of the city walls. Will you have a car? There is plenty to do in York for a weekend but for things in the area I second Riveaux Abbey. We also drove through the moors (in August when the lavender was blooming) to the sea side towns of Whitby and Robin Hood Bay and that was a nice day trip.

We stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel (small B&B about a 7 minute flat walk to York Minster). We stayed in the quad room (one double bed and two twins) and it was lovely. The B&B owners were the nicest we met in Great Britain. The breakfast was wonderful. Location was very quiet. Highly recommend as do others on this board. Do a search and you'll see enthusiastic recommendations.

Second the Four Seasons...a memorable experience! Also, please give York itself more than a day. We had 1.5 days and it wasn't enough.
We also visited Fountains Abbey and found that it was one of the most amazing places we'd ever been. Have a wonderful time-we can't WAIT to get back there someday!

Another vote for Four Seasons. We stayed there in the summer of 2001 for 4 days. It was our first B and B experience and it was wonderful!

The MUST SEE site in York for me is the Railroad museum behind the train station. However, for some reason, this may not seem a "must see" for you...

For a convenient place to stay you might want to consider the Royal York Hotel. This is an old railway hotel built right next to the train station. The rooms are quite large and could easily accomodate four persons. The railway museum is adjacent and it is only an easy 10 minute walk to the city centre.
As others have said, the highlights of York include the York Minster, Castle Museum, and the National Railway Museum. It is a great city just to walk around, with lots of interesting shops. The Shambles are particularly interesting.
One place I wouldn't waste time on is the Javik Viking Center, but others may disagree.

I very much enjoyed Evensong at the Minister which in 2001 was at 5 pm.

In addition to the places mentioned by others, there are a few statley homes nearby (other than Castle Howard--which is a must).

Near Castle Howard there is also a museum about the Second World War on the home front. I spent about 4 hours there when I was in the area on a home exchange in Scarborough. I cannot remember the name of the museum off hand, but, if you are driving, I think it is the same exit as Castle Howard but--unlike CH--adjacent to the exit.

The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough puts on first rate plays (some tryouts for the London stage as well) if you are interested in that sort of thing and want to drive over there. Scarborough Castle is also very interesting. It was pretty well destroyed in the English Civil War but the ruin is very well explained.

The second world war museum is Eden Camp

"The second world war museum is Eden Camp"

That's the place. Very interesting museum. There is a play area for kids if you have kids with you and--at least in the summer--there is a puppet show for the kiddies while you view the more serious exhibits.

I found the museum very rewarding.

If you like beer, the York brewery does a very good job. Just down the road in Tadcaster is the home of one of the finest beers in all the world: Samuel Smiths. Weeping and hoping to go back...

Bill

Hi, I'm "the mom" in the original message. I need to make our reservations for lodging in York today, so I thought I would top this to see if I could get any more information before I do.
Thanks !

We really liked the Hazlewood - sort of a cross betwen a B&B and a hotel and located just outside the city wall. We had a beautiful large room and bath. Full breakfast was included and was excellent.
website with pictures:
http://www.thehazelwoodyork.com

I had a relaxing stay at Queen Annes Guest House last week. Located just to the north of centre in an area called Bootham, it's less than 10 min to the Minster. It's well run, very clean and many rooms have a private bathroom. Around £20-23 per person B&B.
http://www.queen-annes-guesthouse.co.uk/

We stayed here and loved it. Lovely homey decor and charming hosts. There were only two of us and I don't know if they have quad rooms. Great Breakfast. You can view photos if you search on www.smoothhounds.co.uk:

Barbican House
20 Barbican Road
York, YO10 5AA
Tel: 44 (0) 1904 627617
Fax: 44 (0) 1904 647140
Email: [email protected]

Here's a better link:

http://www.barbicanhouse.com

We stayed in a lovely Guest House in York called Warrens. You are ony 300yds from the Ancient City Walls and the Castle Museum (Wow) is 5 minutes walk. We stayed in a fourposter room looking over the roof tops toward the Minster. The lounge is wood pannelled, there is internet access (free) and breakfast is served in a large conservatory. There is a private car park to the rear, vary rare in York. We were recommended to stay there and have stayed with Warrens many times since, they dont advertise much but always seem to be busy so dont try to just turn up.
Warrens
30-32 Scarcroft Road
York
YO23 1NF
Tel: 44 01904 643139
email: [email protected]
www.warrens-york.co.uk