York - Worth it?
 

Was going to drive from Snowdonia area to York (in November). Is there anything to see on the way? Is York worth visiting? What about Whitby?

Pete...seriously do a search for York-there have been soooo many comments about what an absolutely wonderful town it is (many made by me!)...please don't miss it. Aside from Snowdonia it was our favorite place in England.

I'm RUSHING to ammend my last post as it came out wrong...how about this... aside from Snowdonia it was our favorite place in Britain. much better!

York is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe,an architectural and historical gem . King George v1 said, and I Quote "The History of York is the history of England " indeed it was the capital of England for a while during one monarchs reign (I forget which).The whole of the city centre is surrounded by medaeival city walls which are still virtually intact you can walk around the whole of the city on the original battlements of these walls-an amazing experience !!! There are the original cobbled streets , world class museums, theatres, art galleries, wonderful shops, excellent restaurants cafe-society type cofee shops AND 365 pubs. The people are warm and friendlyandyou really SHOULD go there !!!!!!!! Apart from London it's our favourite place in the UK.

York is wonderful! The Shambles are great, the cathedral is interesting, and they have some great walks about various "ghosts." <BR><BR>Fun place! Most enjoyable--you'll love it!

The Cathedral is incredible, and makes visiting York a memorable experience. Except for the Cathedral, I did not think York had that much to offer. I spent two days there, but one day would have been adequate.

I lived for a while in Doncaster, which is 1/2 hour from York by train. I took daytrips to York on the weekends a lot. It's a great city. The walk on the walls is a good way to see the city, and I think the cathedral is the best in the UK. They give a good guided tour there. There is also fairly decent shopping there too.

The others have pretty much given you the story on York. Just want to add that the Castle museum and the railroad museum are two of the best of their types inn the world. The Jorvik Viking center is great but some are put off by the "disney" type of ride. But it is very interesting and does give a clear explanation of the Viking period in England and the archeology. Also, about 15 miles NE of York is Castle Howard which should NOT be missed.<BR><BR>Walking the city walls, walking along the river, the rail museum, the county museum, Jorvik, the Minster, the Shambles, Castle Howard, the Shopping, the pubs, the wonderful dining, the GREAT pastries, etc, etc -- York is WORTH as long as you can spare. <BR><BR>Yorkshire is huge byr relatively cloce to York there is Thirsk (where the real James Herriot lived and worked), the north Yorkshire Moors and the steam Railway, Fountains Abbey/Studley Royal, Robin Hoods Bay and a hundred other places makes York a great place to visit.<BR><BR>I don't usually slam posters - but I have no idea what Joyce had in mind. "I did not think York had that much to offer." is simply crazy.<BR><BR><BR>

Agree with everything Janis said (except about the Jovik Viking Center which I think is a big rip off and waste of time). York and the surrounding countryside are wonderful places to visit and well worth a couple of days to fully enjoy all that is offered.

No one has mentioned Betty's Tea Shop yet. It is worth the trip by itself!

Yorkminster is indeed a wonderful cathedral to visit on a rainy afternoon. However, I must say that I think many people in York are very standoffish, bordering on rude. I even remember a vicar screaming at the top of his lungs at a little girl for skipping up the aisle in Yorkminster. Maybe the horrible weather causes people to be so miserable??????

Interesting that you should mention that, John. York was the only town in England where I felt unsafe when I visited this past summer. There always seemed to be surly drunken young men spilling out of pubs. One evening my friend and I were walking into the city center. When we rounded a corner we saw ahead of us, walking towards us a man in a suit being trailed by two grubby looking men, who were obviously hassling him. We crossed the street to avoid having to walk by them and I noticed just as we did, the guy in the suit stopped and turned to confront them. Never did see the outcome...<BR><BR>Patti

I can't imagine going to Whitby in November! Not that it isn't great , in a sort of tacky seaside resort kind of way. But we were there a couple of years ago in August and just about froze. The wind was blowing so hard. We went to the Abbey, which really is very picturesque and spooky, and there was no place we could hide to get out of the wind. However, if you go as far as Whitby, then you MUST go to Robinhood Bay. We stayed at the Victoria Hotel, in a wonderful octagonal room at the top. Fabulous views. And yes, York is one of my favorites, too. Be sure to walk on the walls!

Please keep up the posts. Our next trip will include Feriby (close to the family name) with time in York, I'm anxious to hear the good and the bad. Is Castle Howard worth the side trip, with limited time? (have to get to Scotland for pints you know).. Thanks All

When you visit York-which I hope by now we've all convinced you of doing-make certain to visit Fountains Abbey. It is one of the most incredible experiences I've had -and I'm by no means religious. If you are interested, we have pics on a website... its<BR>www.panteravb.com<BR>has all of York etc on it.

York is fantastic, Evensong at 5pm at the Minister is worth the trip. Don't miss the National Railway Museum next to the train station.<BR><BR>If you are interested in Captain Cook then Whitby has to be a stop. The Abbey on the East bluff, the lighthouses on the ends of the breakwaters, the Capt. Cook memorial on the West bluff all make it worthwhile. We were there on a bank holiday so it was very crowded but we still enjoyed the stop.<BR><BR>I have to agree with the comment on Robin's Hood Bay as a stop, along with a walk to the bottom and climb back up.

Whitby may be a tacky resort in summer, but it is a very fascinating place out of season. <BR>Parts of Bram Stoker´s "Dracula" is set in Whitby. The English TV series "Heartbeat" has also made the area famous. <BR>Go to Staithes, where Cook also lived. I took a local bus there some years ago and walked along the coast back to Whitby.

I agree on what Janis and Rick has put up, York is the other places I love in Britain (the other one is Oban if U dare to know) and I have spent two night over there in early October.<BR><BR>The evening service really worth attending, even for me, someone without a religion, still absorbed whole heartily by the cathedral, I found myself more inclined to the Minster than to St. Paul..<BR><BR>Betty's tea room is another place I enjoy. Fat Rascal and brownie is something you shouldn't miss!<BR><BR>The people in York is very nice and oh, the National Railway Museum is good, I have spent a very happy morning over there.<BR><BR>Jovic is interesting but for 6 pounds something, I dare to spend on something else.<BR><BR>Also, it worth joining the free city walk held on 10:15 and 2:15 respectively, there is nothing better than having someone telling you the history of this place.. =)<BR><BR>One thing to note is, plan early on where to eat for supper, since I usually buy my dinner in supermarket but most of them is closed by 6pm... =)<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay in York..<BR><BR>ronnie

Anne where abouts in Doncaster did you live?<BR>Of course York is worth a visit it is a wonderful area with much to see and do.Joyce a whole two days there you must have seen everything and be an expert on the area(yes that is a joke).I wish more Americans would visit more places in the UK than London there is more to England than London.So Pete go to York stay a while and enjoy yourself