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York is often referred to as the capital city of the north of England. Until the industrial revolution, York was second in size of population and importance to London. Largely bypassed by the industrial revolution it has retained the links with its medieval past more than most places in England. You will find yourself captivated by this magical city with its unique atmosphere. As one of Britain's most historic places, including 2000 years of history, it unfolds for you in its streets, buildings and museums. York is a city where sight seeing is made easy; the area is compact and easily accessible, yet contains so much history, architecture and heritage sites.
The Medieval City Walls of York are almost three miles long and beautifully preserved. They have four gates or bars, the original gates to the city, today two of the gates house interesting museums. You can walk the entire length of the walls, which are open to the public daily.
York has many wonderful attractions for you to discover, and for most visitors to the City the first and most important is the 800 years old York Minster - York Minster is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe. Climb the central tower for excellent views of the city. The Foundations Museum shows how the Minster was constructed on the site of a Norman Church. Clifford's Tower is another landmark in the city, originally the central keep of the medieval castle built by Henry III. The Castle Museum features Victorian and Edwardian streets full of shops, the prison cell of highwayman Dick Turpin and a new exhibition entitled "From Cradle to Grave", which looks at the rites and ceremonies of all aspects of life in York.
York also features several other world renowned attractions. Fairfax House is one of the most distinguished Georgian town houses in the country. Famous for its set piece displays showing life in the eighteenth century. Jorvik Viking Centre brings you face to face with real characters from York's Viking past. Beneath the pavements of Coppergate you can journey back 1000 years and discover how the Vikings lived, worked and traded. The Treasurer's House is an elegant town house, originally the home of the Treasurers of York Minster, from the impressive medieval Hall to the newly restored period kitchen, there is something to interest everyone. The National Railway Museum - the worlds largest, where you can see Stephenson's Rocket, giant steam engines, Eurostar and computer interactives, hands on displays and lavish exhibitions. York Dungeon you can take a step back into York's darker past and see the ghostly ranks of the "Lost Roman Legion" and witness the fate of local villains Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin.
York City Art Gallery is home to six hundred years of European painting, from early Italian to the art of the twentieth century. The collection includes work by Bellotto, Reynolds, Lowry and Nash. Yorkshire Museum shows 1000 years of Yorkshire heritage. There are collections from Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Medieval times, also exciting temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Shopping in York is a pleasure, with so many shops set in Medieval and Georgian streets, as well as modern shopping complexes, which also offer restaurants, cafes and street entertainment. Evenings in York can be spent by taking a ghost walk from Clifford Tower, an opportunity to discover the hidden magic of the ancient City. A visit to the theatre may be more to your taste, the Theatre Royal or The Grand Opera House will be sure to have something to entertain you with their wide variety of entertainment, everything from Comedy to Classics. The Jack Lyons Concert Hall, the University of York and York Minster all feature regular concerts.
