York
Medieval streets,
shopping, restaurants
& racecourse
Rich in medieval history, imagine a city with Roman roots and a Viking past, combined with exquisite architecture, where ancient Castle walls are blended with surrounding contemporary independent shops and vibrant eateries. York is a fabulous destination for a day out, exploring the many bars and restaurants along the river bank to the quaint shopping destination of The Shambles.
York
A city of contrasts and exciting discoveries, York is a place where the old encompasses the new and the commonplace meets with the unexpected. Broaden your mind with a visit to world class museums or a variety of festivals held throughout the year catering for all ages and interests.
Rich in ancient history, romantic ambience and fun activities, York is the perfect holiday destination for couples, families and groups. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets and the iconic York Minster, York is fast developing to be a flourishing, cutting-edge scene. Delve into the city’s vibrant cafe culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country’s most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river.
Known as the Ascot of the North, York Racecourse is set in one of Britain’s flagship heritage destinations and provides a truly memorable place to spend a day racing. Claiming its place in history, the Racecourse has been home to racing in York for 280 years, but York has hosted horse races since Roman times….2000 years ago!
Another must visit, is The Shambles – a maze of twisting, narrow lanes which make York so charming. At its heart is the lane actually called the Shambles, arguably the best preserved medieval street in the world. Mentioned in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror in 1086, many of the buildings date back to the late fourteenth and fifteenth century. In some sections of the Shambles, which was a street of butchers’ shops and houses, it is possible to touch both sides of the street. The architecture which now appears quaint had a very practical purpose; the overhanging timber-framed fronts of the buildings are deliberately close-set so as to give shelter to the ‘wattle and daub’ walls below. This would also have protected the meat from any direct sunshine.