Just a short 2-hour train ride away, York is the perfect place for a weekend escape from the busy, urban jungle that is London. Located in northeast England, this walled town has been beautifully preserved, with picturesque maze-like streets and a long history. Here’s my blog post of 8 things you must do when visiting York.
Related Post: The Ultimate London Food Guide
Walk the Walls of York
No visit to York would be complete without a walk around the medieval walls. The original walls were built by the Romans in 70 A.D., and to this day, much of the original foundation form part of the walls today. The entire walk is roughly 2-miles, and takes a few hours to complete. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, offering birds-eye views of the city.
Have afternoon tea at Betty’s
But don’t just have the standard afternoon tea, make sure to pre-book Betty’s ‘Lady Betty’ afternoon tea in the Belmont Room for a first-class high tea experience. With lemon and rose-scented scones, and a variety of miniature cakes…it’s the perfect place to soak up the sophisticated and stylish atmosphere. It’s by no means cheap (32.95 pounds per person), but is a bargain when compared to most high teas in London.
Have a marzipan frog at Betty’s
Yes, you heard right. Your sweet-tooth cravings may have already been satisfied from Betty’s delightful afternoon tea, but make sure to save some room and pick up a marzipan frog from their shop below. These cleverly decorated cakes may look resemble frogs, but the Genoese sponge and chantilly cream inside are absolutely divine. They were so good, my husband and I bought them twice during our trip!
Visit the York Minster
The Minster, also known as St. Peter’s Cathedral, is Northern Europe’s largest medieval cathedral. It’s also one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world. It’s worth spending time admiring the stained-glass windows and magnificent vaulted ceilings.
Tour York’s ‘A Chocolate Story‘
A bit cheesy and touristy – nonetheless, this 90-minute tour of the history of chocolate in York (chocolate happens to be York’s most profitable export) was actually pretty interesting! Who knew that Kit Kats and Chocolate Oranges originated from York? If anything, the tour is worth going for the samples they provide in each room, and the chocolate lolly (which you make yourself).
Go to a pub
Grab a pint at the House of Trembling Madness. A York institution, this no-frills medieval drinking hall offers hearty butcher boards of charcuterie, yorkshire pies, and cheese.
Roam the Shambles
A crooked, storybook street featuring timber-framed shops and buildings that date back to the 14th century. The alley was previously known as the Great Flesh Shambles, famous for the many butchers’ shops located on the street. In the old days, there were no hygiene laws or sanitation processes put in place so the innards and offals that resulted from animal butchering were thrown in the middle of the street. Several of the shops have left the hooks on the buildings, where butchers used to hang their meat. Many say the Shambles is actually the best-preserved street in the world.
Enjoy Indian Food
Dine at York’s first original South Indian restaurant, the Coconut Lagoon. The restaurant was opened up by 3 taxi drivers who were originally from South India, and were craving their hometown food of Kerala. We over-ordered of course (sharing a mixed dosa, saag paneer, and the thali), but everything was fabulous.
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