If there is a place in England where you will feel at home, it is Yorkshire. You will discover magnificent hills, astounding gardens, inspiring river banks and outskirts. Yorkshire is the place reach in beauty, history and adventures.
George VI once said that the history of York is the history of England. For 2000 years, York has been the northern metropolis. It played a central part in British history during the times of the Romans, Saxons and the Vikings. It is a stately city with a stunning gothic cathedral, medieval city walls, interlacing of historical streets and a great amount of pubs.
York is a traditional city in North Yorkshire, the name of which derives from the name of the county. It is famous for its history, perpetuated in its architecture. The city was founded in 71 AC. In the times of the Roman Empire, York (“Eboracum”) was a principal military base and in the beginning of the 7th century it became a Christian city. In 627, the first cathedral was built here and since then, York has been an important educational centre. “The great Viking army” conquered the city in 876, but in 954 the Viking’s king was ousted and his kingdom became a part of the Anglo-Saxon state. In the course of time York became an important Yorkshire administrative center, archbishop’s residence, and between the 13th and 14th centuries – the alternative residence for kings. Much has been acquired by York in medieval times, which is reflected in the constructions of the period. York Minster, the cathedral church is one of the hugest medieval cathedrals in England and is one of the biggest European gothic churches. As for the medieval walls, they are still standing there.
The Shambles is very popular with tourists nowadays. This is the old medieval street with pendent wooden shops once occupied by butcher's shops. Now one can find souvenirs there. Modern York is the center for communication, education and manufacture. This is a huge railway junction, located just two hours from London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Stunning views can be observed form the Clifford's Tower. In our days, there is a history museum found in the fortress, with exhibits from the Roman, Vikings and Anglo-Saxon epochs, the medieval times. There is also an art gallery located here, with works by artists from the Northern Europe, England and Italy.
Walk down the city wall will be an interesting pastime for you. You can observe four of the city’s gates here. There is a museum inside the Micklegate Bar which narrates about how the guards lived.
York is also famous for its chocolate mills (it’s the home to the KitKat), and its university. According to the Daily Telegraph, its university is the second among the best educational institutions in Britain. Local entertainment venues are varied and colourful, parties are similar to the ones that the Vikings had, plays – to those that the Tudors enjoyed. Moreover, York is renowned for its pubs. Each of the 365 days you can spend in a different pub, and still, you won’t manage to visit them all. They joke that there is no place in this city where you would stand without seeing at least one pub and one church.
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