York England Travel Guide

Above photo - Whitby

York Minster - the widest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. York Minster was built between the 12th and the 15th Century and is the largest Gothic church in England. It is 524 feet (160m) long and 249 feet (76m) wide. The height from floor to vault is over 90 feet (27m).The twin west towers are about 184 feet (56m) high, and the lantern tower 234 feet (71m). A visit to the Central Tower offers excellent views over the city. The Foundations Museum under the Minster shows how the present building was constructed on the site of a Norman Cathedral, which was itself built on a Roman Fort. Voluntary guides are usually on duty from 09.30 (10.00 in winter) until approximately half an hour before evensong. Two million people visit York Minster every year, whether as tourists or pilgrims.

York Minister

Photo above: All Saints Church

All Saints North Street All Saints possesses a fine collection of original 14th century stained glass. Two windows of note depict "Corporal acts of Mercy", and the "Pricke of Conscience". Look for the stained glass figure depicted wearing eyeglasses. The church dates back as far as the 12th century, though much of what remains was added in the 14th and 15th centuries. The West tower, 120 feet high, is 15th century. The church was heavily restored after a 1997 fire. Admission: Free.

All Saints Pavement: High Ousegate. The second All Saints church in York is easily noticed due to its striking octagonal 15th century lantern tower. In the medieval period a lantern was hung from the tower to act as a beacon for travellers in the Forest of Galtres to the north. The church, first mentioned in the Domesday Book, is the burial place of 39 Lord Mayors. Look for the 12th century door knocker depicting the Mouth of Hell. Open: 8am-5.30pm for visitors. Admission: Free.

Bar Convent Chapel: This small convent of Cathoilc sisters was founded in 1686. The splendid neo-classical domed chapel was built in 1766 to designs by Thomas Atkinson. The dome is painted white, with accents in gold. Eight fluted columns support the dome. Joseph Hansom, inventor of the hansom cab, was baptised here in 1803.

Holy Trinity Church: Goodramgate. Tucked behind a row of houses said to be among the oldest in England is the 15th century Holy Trinity church. There was a church on this site at the time of the Domesday Book, but most of the present church exterior dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The red brick entrance was built in 1776. The interior is notable for its irregular box pews, also 17th century, and some fine medieval stained glass. Admission: Free

Barley Hall - small medieval "living history" museum. Barley Hall is a rambling complex of two medieval buildings, hidden away in the heart of York and only accessible by a honeycomb of ancient alleys and snickets. The whole complex has been taken back to precisely the way it would have been at the time of King Richard III (into the 1480's). Everything in Barley Hall is as authentic as possible, and all items of fixtures and fittings are made using ancient materials and techniques.

Clifford's Tower - medieval remains of York Castle, perched on its high mound asbove the river. For the sheer drama of its setting, and its chequered history, there is little in York to rival Clifford's Tower. The present stone building dates from the 13th century, when it was built by Henry III, and is believed to be named after John, Lord Clifford, a Lancastrian rebel against Edward II, whose body was hung there in chains after the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.

Clifford's Tower was the scene of what was perhaps one of the most terrible events in York's history. In 1190 the Jews of York sought refuge there after being attacked by a local mob. They were given the choice of being either baptised or killed, but they took a third option and committed mass suicide. At this time the tower was built of timber and so burned to the ground. It was rebuilt in stone.

Fairfax House - an elegantly restored Georgian townhouse. Fairfax House is one of the finest eighteenth-century townhouses in England, and is home of the famous Noel Terry collection of furniture. Fairfax House is perhaps the finest 18th century house in the North of England. It was designed by John Carr of York, and typifies the best of mid-18th-century rococo decoration. Sadly, successive owners had allowed the house to decay to a state of near collapse by the early 1980s, when it was acquired by York Civic Trust with a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Further grants enabled the Trust to restore the house to its former glory, and in October 1984 it was opened by the Duchess of Kent. Follow signs for city centre, castle area and Jorvick Centre.

Guildhall - the medieval hall of York's powerful trade guilds. The Guildhall is an integral part of York's history. It is built on the site of an earlier guildhall or 'common Hall' which is referred to in a charter of Henry III of 1256. Building work on the present Guildhall began in 1445 and the accounts still survive. The cost of a boatload of stone from Cawood (10 shillings and 3 pence) was given to the workmen for drink when the foundations were laid. A council meeting was recorded there in May 1459.
The building received a direct hit from an incendiary bomb on 29th April 1942. The stone shell of the building and the remains of the bomb remained standing as a grim reminder until 1956 when restoration work was started. The Guildhall was re-opened by Queen Elizabeth , the Queen Mother on 21st June 1960.

Other places to visit:
Jorvik Viking Centre - York's Viking past reconstructed and explained.
York City Wall - You can still walk the wall begun by the Romans.
National Railway Museum - The largest railway museum in the world.
Treasurers House - original home of the treasurer of York Minster, now a medieval museum.
Roman Bath Museum - Roman Baths discovered beneath a modern pub
The Shambles - a narrow, rambling medieval street.
York Castle Museum - superb museum with realistic historical street scenes from the past.

Guildhall