Have perused a bit, but welcome comments on York--to do's and not to do's. We lean towards the historical, small city museums vs. tourist/kid attracting creations. We are of modest means, but like good food, so any recommendations for eating would be helpful.
We're not party animals, so night life is not of urgent importance--a good place for a lovely, restorative tea and scones would be more our speed.

We'll be going in May--and spending a week. A couple of day trips would be good--Durham? Beverley? Edinburgh?

Anyone stayed at Hedley House Hotel? Or York Alternative B&B?

The York cathedral was a treasure! We stayed for evensong and thought it was lovely.

Unfortunately, the date was Sept. 11, 2001, and we learned about the attack on the twin towers when the priest asked the congregation to pray for America in its ongoing tragedy.

If you would care to read part of my trip report, Chapter 2 is about York and the surrounding area:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34638020

Hi, CJS.

I think you'll love York in May. Should be gorgeous!

I, too, have a trip report (from July of 2005) that includes info about the area near York. Feel free to check it out.

I highly recommend "The Granary" in Stearsby as a place to stay. I think it took us about 30 minutes (or less) to drive into York and find a great parking spot - and that was in July, so I think you'd do really well in May. The hosts at "The Granary" can't be beat - they're friendly, helpful, and "go the extra mile" on a regular basis. And the home itself is lovely, the food (breakfast) is great, and it's peaceful and quiet.

Allow yourself time to just walk around York - visit the Shambles (for shopping, people-watching, and admiring the buildings) and give yourself plenty of time for it.

Evensong at York Minster is beautiful, so plan around it. Go early enough that you get to sit in the Choir, where you can see (as well as hear) everything that goes on - I'm guessing that being in the queue 15-20 minutes early should be fine.

Fountains Abbey isn't too far away, and makes a wonderful trip from the York area.

Castle Howard (which I haven't actually visited yet) sounds great.

A day to drive through the Dales, and another one to drive through the Moors are really terrific, too.

We loved our tour of Ripley Castle, as well, and I hope to go there again in June myself.

Whitby and the coast are interesting destinations as well.

I'm sure that you could do trips to places like Edinburgh and Durham. (We loved Edinburgh on an earlier trip, I've never been to Durham.)

Good luck with your planning!

Gayle

Hi
I live near York so hopefully can help you. But before I plunge in with loads of info, can you tell me if you will be renting a car? This would mean you could easily stay in the countryside somewhere. A previous poster mentions easy parking in York - believe me this is often NOT the case! So there might also be merits on a cityc entre location. Also are there children in your party?
Whatever you do, don't mis the Railway Museum, situated a few minutes away from the Station (free entry). www.nrm.org.uk
Betty's is your place for tea and scones.
The Itchy websites are great for planning visits to areas. Have a look at www.itchyyork.co.uk
M

Also the Cafe Concerto restaurant is excellent -
www.cafeconcerto.biz

I knew there were likely prior postings re: York, so thanks for the references to those. I will read them.

I also realized after I thought about my initial posting that I did not give details--like, for example, we do not drive in England. (This is best for everyone!!!) There will be three of us, no kids. We are part of a network of friends forever called "the good old girls"--and the three coming love art, music (classical, folk/acoustic more our styles), history, and are not shoppers or people who can only thrive in a world of "retail opportunities."

The Minster has tremendous appeal--our previous trips have revolved essentially around churches like this: Ely, Canterbury, Salisbury . . . so that will be a central experience.

We prefer stay in York, close to city centre and spend as much time as possible in York and just absorbing as much as possible. The day trips would be things that can be done via public or other sorts of 'buy-able' transportation. I read last night about Ripon (to add to Beverley, Durham as possible outings)--and about Fountains Abbey. Comments on all or any appreciated.

I will now go read the suggested prior postings!! Thanks.

Assuming you have a car, one of the things to look for is called the Beverley Round. In is a signposted tour of the countryside around Beverley and it is very interesting. My wife and I did it several years ago and found it brilliant. At one stage, you have to get out of your car to open a gate to continue your journey, so it does involve rarely used routes.
Another thing to look for is Eden Camp, which is a former German P.O.W. camp that has been converted into a WW2 museum. A truly fascinating place.
A day trip to Edinburgh might be a waste of time as you can really see very little in the short time you would have available

I went to Yorkshire in May 2005, and though I only spent 2 days in York itself (and rented a car) I do have a couple of suggestions. First, in addition to the minster and other things you've mentioned, I would suggest the Merchant Adventurers Hall (built in the 15th century, I think), Fairfax House (a Georgian? townhouse; very beautiful), and the Treasurer's House (which had a lovely garden). I missed seeing York's churches, which I greatly regret. As for day trips, since I rented a car, I don't know how to arrange such things, but I would suggest Castle Howard (fantastic, but heartbreaking; they lost a whole room of Canaletto's during WWII), Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Gardens, and a trip into the Dales, if possible - I think the Yorkshire Dales one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. I drove through Ripon several times and didn't think I missed anything by not stopping, though I did see Ripley Castle, which another poster mentioned - it was really interesting. I also really liked Newby Hall, which, if I remember correctly, is near Ripon and Fountains Abbey - the house itself was quite nice and interesting (they have a chamber pot collection!), but the gardens were some of the most wonderful I have ever seen. Finally, for another day trip, I very much enjoyed Coxwold: Shandy Hall, where Laurence Sterne lived, and Newburgh Priory, a country house with Oliver Cromwell's bones in the attic! And one more thing: the York City Walls at twilight.

I suggest you add Durham to your collection of cathedrals. Because it was completed in such a short time (1095 to 1133), it is arguably the best example of Norman architecture on a massive scale. The location on the bluffs above the River Wear is awesome.

Durham also has the third oldest university after Cambridge and Oxford and I suspect will still have students around in May. Durham Castle is part of the university.

We stayed at Hedley House a few years ago and loved it. Room was comfortable and well-maintained, breakfast excellent and the home-cooked evening meals were so good we never bothered to eat anywhere else.
It was a pleasant walk to the minster and other York attractions.

Thanks to one and all for a "tidy little post" with helpful information.

Durham Cathedral is definitely on the A-list. Thanks for the reinforcement about it. The cautionary note re: Edinburgh is also helpful. I wonder over everyone's posts that involved driving once I said that I would not take the wheel on the proper side of the road in England. But believe me, you don't want me driving in England. I recognize that there is a loss of flexibility in not being willing to do it, but it beats the loss of lives, English and our own, that well might be the result!

Next post will be about the Manchester Airport--we've only done Gatwick in prior trips--and getting to York. But I guess I have til early spring to wait to ask that!!

CJS:
I should have included this in my peon to Hedley House. Beverly is absolutely wonderful. The two principal churches, Beverly Minster and St. Mary's Beverly are among the most beautiful we have visited in 30+ years of exploring British churches. Don't miss the White Rabbit in St. Mary's.

vcl--

I was thrilled to read your great review of Hedley House, since we had just finished our reserving rooms there. Wonderful to be able to heave a sigh about a week's worth of accommodations that one can only guess about via on-line perusal! Thanks!

Your enthusiastic thumbs up for Beverley will help me make a more spirited campaign to my travelling companions. Personally, I never tire of seeing churches!