York
 

We spent a night in York last month, at the Dean Court Hotel.
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/b...urt-hotel-york
We were wanting a hotel in the centre of York which had parking and this ticked all the boxes. It is an excellent position opposite the west end of the Minster. Rooms were spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Staff are excellent and nothing is too much for them. We enjoyed the three course menu in the restaurant and breakfast was ample. I couldn't manage any toast and didn't ned any lunch.

We started off by visiting the Treasurer’s House, next to the cathedral.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/statel...use/index.html
This is somewhere I’ve been wanting to go to for a long time. The present building is C17th and was restored from a near derelict state at the end of the C19th by Frank Green, a wealthy industrialist to show off his collection of furniture.

We skipped the underground tour into the cellars where the ghosts of a defeated Roman legion were seen. The Below Stairs restaurant isn’t very big and I think it could get very busy. We felt it was rather a scruffy place with low ceiling supported by cast iron pillars, bare stone walls and service pipes everywhere. Service was good but the meal was disappointing.

The cathedral is undergoing a massive restoration at the moment and all of the east end was covered with scaffolding. We admired this from the outside.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...ter/index.html

We visited several of the lovely old churches in the centre of York
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...hes/index.html
These included the delightful Holy Trinity Church tucked away behind Goodramgate with its unspoilt C17th interior with box pews gently subsiding into the nave.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...ity/index.html

St Martin’s Church on Coney Street was destroyed by German bombs in 1942 and left a smouldering ruin. The south aisle has been rebuilt and rehallowed. It is considered as one of the most successful post war reconstructions in the country, successfully combining C15th remains and modern architecture. Fortunately the glorious C15th stained glass west window was removed at the start of the war for safe keeping. It has now been restored and stands at the back of the north wall.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/church...tin/index.html

The Museum Gardens are a wonderful place to drop out on a warm sunny day, with grass, mature trees and flower beds. The ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, St Leonard’s Hospital as well as the multangular tower and section of Roman city wall add extra interest.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/garden...ork/index.html

Clifford’s Tower standing proud on its motte is probably best admired from the outside. There isn’t a lot left inside, although on a clear days the views from the top of the tower across York are magnificent.
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/castle...ork/index.html

In the time we had available we hardly scratched the surface of all there is to do and see in York. We will have to go back and start to fill in the gaps. We din’t have afternoon tea in Betty’s Tea Rooms, but did buy a fat rascal from their shop.

Should have found tea in St William's College which is just round the corner from the Treasurer's house. Of all of York I find Clifford's a waste of time and money, so much more to do

I'd agree with you about Clifford's Tower, but we got in free with English Heritage.

Sounds as if St Willam's College would have been a better bet for lunch than The Treasurer's House.

Your post reminds me of how difficult it is when I am asked 'How long do I need to see York?'. So much to see and do!

Sounds like fun - what is a 'fat rascal?'

like a giant scone/rock cake with half almonds or half cherries for the mouth parts of the rascal. They also sell some very good Alsation wine.

It also contains currants and is flavoured with I think cinnamon. They are very very good!
http://www.bettys.co.uk/cakes/fat-rascals

I was taught not to play with my food or make pictures with it... :-)

Betty's and a fat rascal giant scone (pronounced either way you like) are now on my list for our upcoming time in York! I clicked on the link above and they look delicious.

They are. They are huge and one will easily do two people.

Yes, they look great. We won't be in York, but will be in Yorkshire, so I assume we'll be available to find them in any local tea shop?

Unfortunately not Jennifer, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate own the registered trade mark for the Fat Rascal name.
There are 6 branches of Bettys in Yorkshire (2 in York, 1 in Harrogate, 1 just outside Harrogate, one in Ilkley and 1 in Northallerton) so you may find yourself near to a branch.
However, I wouldn't worry too much, you'll eat well up here whether you have a Fat Rascal or not. I much prefer a Yorkshire Curd Tart which you'll spot everywhere (Bettys will have these too).
Or there's Yorkshire Parkin, also delicious.

Another vote for a curd tart.

Plus a shout out for another long established, traditional, yet little mentioned bakers for anyone visiting Whitby www.botham.co.uk/

it's not all about Bettys!

"it's not all about Bettys!"

True, but I was writing specifically about Betty's and York... You will find good bakers all round Yorkshire.

I have also seen fat rascals on sale in a bakers in Howden, but they weren't a patch on Betty's. For those wanting to try them, there is a recipe here.
http://www.lavenderandlovage.com/201...ls-recipe.html

Thanks for all the info! The curd tart is now on my list.
Morgana, I had originally thought of going to Yorkshire for just a few days, but thanks to reading several of your posts, I've convinced my family to spend a week here. We're traveling up from Oxford, staying 4 nights in Grassington and then 2 in Helmsley.

Wonderful! I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time - I love living up here and can't imagine ever moving away.
Not sure if you are a reader, but this book is all about the area around Helmsley and you can actually visit 'The Plot'.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/b...ng-review.html

Yummmmmm - Betty's. It's been a long time.