city guide: christmas in york |
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York is a city combining modern life with the architecture and history of the past. It's full of history, stories and beautiful things to see. It is a city for everyone- shoppers, diners, photographers and historians just to name a few.
I am lucky enough to live a stones throw away from such a beautiful city and I visit quite often for shopping and eating out. In the past I have visited a few of Yorks more well known attractions like The Dungeons and National Railway Museum, but never really anything more than that. To be honest, I didn't really know what else there was to do in York!
Then came along the team at Visit York who offered me a VIP pass to lots of York's top attractions (most I had never heard of) and information on all of these attractions. There was no way I was going to turn down such a great opportunity to really discover York, and at Christmas too!
I am lucky enough to live a stones throw away from such a beautiful city and I visit quite often for shopping and eating out. In the past I have visited a few of Yorks more well known attractions like The Dungeons and National Railway Museum, but never really anything more than that. To be honest, I didn't really know what else there was to do in York!
Then came along the team at Visit York who offered me a VIP pass to lots of York's top attractions (most I had never heard of) and information on all of these attractions. There was no way I was going to turn down such a great opportunity to really discover York, and at Christmas too!
tAKE IN HISTORY
york's CHOCOLAte story
It will come to no surprise to anyone that when it comes to chocolate, count me in! I am definitely one with a humongous sweet tooth so visiting York's Chocolate Story was a no brainer. When I first arrived I wasn't convinced it was going to be amazing, I thought it would be one of those sit and watch the telly kind of tours which to me are just plain boring. But I wanted to give it a chance so I did it.
Let me just tell you that I am SO glad I gave it a chance! It was nothing like I imagined- we had a guided tour. Our group guide was Steven and he was awesome! He took us through the whole history of chocolate in York, how you make chocolate and the origins of chocolate. Steven knew his chocolate shizzle! Oh and did I mention that you get to try chocolate all the way through the hour long tour?! And make your own chocolate lolly at the end? Literally one of the highlights of my day!
York's Chocolate Story is situated in King's Square and is open year-round. You can book or just turn up as tours are every 15 minutes, it's completely up to you.
Let me just tell you that I am SO glad I gave it a chance! It was nothing like I imagined- we had a guided tour. Our group guide was Steven and he was awesome! He took us through the whole history of chocolate in York, how you make chocolate and the origins of chocolate. Steven knew his chocolate shizzle! Oh and did I mention that you get to try chocolate all the way through the hour long tour?! And make your own chocolate lolly at the end? Literally one of the highlights of my day!
York's Chocolate Story is situated in King's Square and is open year-round. You can book or just turn up as tours are every 15 minutes, it's completely up to you.
Merchant adventurer's hall
Merchant Adventurer's Hall is a 656 year old medieval hall. It's not the biggest of places but my goodness it really is quite beautiful, especially when decorated for Christmas and a wedding! The hall has a few rooms for you to explore and discover the amazing collections of silver, furniture and paintings. Each piece provides a little snippet of the history of the hall, what it was used for and by who. If the history doesn't interest you then you still need to visit just for the beauty of the place at Christmas, it's a truly beautiful hall.
Merchant Adventurer's Hall is situated on Fossgate.
Merchant Adventurer's Hall is situated on Fossgate.
York cASTLE mUSEUM
York Castle Museum is a serious treasure trove of history, quirkiness and actually quite a bit of fun! Not only does it have both military and social history, it has loads of genuine and authentic everyday items that are from past. My favourite part of the museum is the 'Victorian Street' which is a reconstructed Victorian 'street' where you can wander in and out of the shops and buildings and chat to people about what it was like in that time. It's really is like going back in time, it feels very real.
The museum has also opened up it's cells of the former prison building so you can go in and explore there too. Its a little creepy but a cool experience.
York Castle Museum is situated in the Eye of York, Castle Area and is open year-round.
Other great places to visit for some history are-
-Fairfax House
-York Army Museum
-Jorvik Viking Centre
The museum has also opened up it's cells of the former prison building so you can go in and explore there too. Its a little creepy but a cool experience.
York Castle Museum is situated in the Eye of York, Castle Area and is open year-round.
Other great places to visit for some history are-
-Fairfax House
-York Army Museum
-Jorvik Viking Centre
feel the christmas vibes
christmas market: st. nicholas fair
If there is one thing you need to do in York when it's Christmas, that is to the visit St. Nicholas Fair.
Held every year on Parliament Street this fair is absolutely full of all things Christmas. Mulled wine, Christmas decorations, gifts and my personal favourite, hot wintery nuts (lol) are just a few of the things you can find here. One word of warning- it gets very busy at the weekends, especially in December, so I would highly recommend trying to get there during the week if you can.
Once you've had a good old look around the market and bought all of your wonderful things then your next stop needs to be Thor's Tipi (also on Parliament Street) for a nice mulled wine by the fire.
Open from 16th November to 22nd December.
Held every year on Parliament Street this fair is absolutely full of all things Christmas. Mulled wine, Christmas decorations, gifts and my personal favourite, hot wintery nuts (lol) are just a few of the things you can find here. One word of warning- it gets very busy at the weekends, especially in December, so I would highly recommend trying to get there during the week if you can.
Once you've had a good old look around the market and bought all of your wonderful things then your next stop needs to be Thor's Tipi (also on Parliament Street) for a nice mulled wine by the fire.
Open from 16th November to 22nd December.
ice trail
The Ice Trail is a fun way to make your way around York, seeing the centre of the city and having a fun game of 'find the ice sculptures' all at the same time! It's an awesome challenge to be able to find all the sculptures (this year there were 45). Pick up a leaflet with a map and list of all sculptures from the Visit York information centre on 1 Museum Street and see if you can find them all. Be prepared for lost of people around the sculptures though, hundreds of people flock to York just for the Ice Trail.
Christmas at york museum gardens
Christmas at York Museum Gardens is a brand new attraction in 2017. After dark the gardens are closed off to the public and re-opened as an illuminated wonderland! Having been to and walked through the Museum Gardens a gazillion times, seeing it after dark and all lit up with Christmassy magic was something pretty amazing! Following the arrows you make your way around the whole gardens seeing some pretty spectacular light shows! The air is filled with Christmas music and the smell of mulled wine and fresh doughnuts, can you get any more Christmassy than that?!
Open from 16th November to 1st January this is something you don't want to miss! You can buy tickets online or alternatively there is a ticket office in Exhibition Square, just in front of York City Art Gallery.
Open from 16th November to 1st January this is something you don't want to miss! You can buy tickets online or alternatively there is a ticket office in Exhibition Square, just in front of York City Art Gallery.
Other fabulous Christmas activities include-
- Shambles Market
- York's Living Advent Calendar
- Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet
eat, drink and be merry!
There are no shortages of places to eat, drink and be merry in York. Every other doorway is either a bar, restaurant or cafe in the centre of York so really you are spoilt for choice. Here are just a few places I would highly recommend-
healthy options
filmore and union
Anyone who knows me will know that this place is THE place for healthy food. Whether you want breakfast, cakes, smoothies or simply just a coffee then you will find it at Filmore and Union. You can read my review of the restaurant here.
Note: It has recently undergone a transformation and I do believe it now has a cocktail bar and they have introduced a 'next-level' evening menu which I haven't managed to try yet.
Note: It has recently undergone a transformation and I do believe it now has a cocktail bar and they have introduced a 'next-level' evening menu which I haven't managed to try yet.
gulp and graze
This place is truly next level when it comes to brunch!! Think avocado toast, nutty smoothies and awesome salads!
You will find Gulp and Graze on Micklegate.
You will find Gulp and Graze on Micklegate.
Other healthy places include-
- Source Restaurant
- Burr Cafe
- Source Restaurant
- Burr Cafe
treat yourself
ask italian
ASK Italian is the most beautiful place to eat! Set in the Assembly Rooms it really is a spectacular place to eat. As with any ASK restaurant you can expect beautiful pizza and pasta and great prosecco and wine! You can read my review of the York restaurant here.
double dutch pancake house
All I need to say here- pancakes bigger than your face! This place is awesome for some serious pancake indulgence. Savoury, sweet or just whatever you like, they will do it for you. They also have vegan options too and I can safely say that the vegan 'Nutella' is absolutely delicious!!
Other delicious and indulgent places include-
- Jamie's Italian
- Bill's
- Missoula
- Jamie's Italian
- Bill's
- Missoula
aim high to see the sights
city walls
The city walls is another great way to walk your way around the city from a higher point than the ground. They are the longest preserved medieval town walls in England and are 3.4 kilometres long.
This walk is perfect for sightseeing and taking in some pretty awesome views. It will take a couple of hours to walk around the walls but there are numerous places where you can get on and off if you don't want to walk the whole way round.
This walk is perfect for sightseeing and taking in some pretty awesome views. It will take a couple of hours to walk around the walls but there are numerous places where you can get on and off if you don't want to walk the whole way round.
york minster
York Minster is on another level of wow to many other churches and cathedrals. It is the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and my goodness can you tell! The beautiful cathedral towers above York and the views of the city and beyond are not to be missed from the top of the tower. Get there early though as it can get quite busy with tourists as the day goes on!
clifford's tower
Clifford's Tower is situated near the Castle Museum and is a nice place to go and see the rooftops of York. It's only a small tower so don't expect a huge big tower with hundreds of steps to climb or a long walk around it. It's a nice place to come to get some piece and quiet and enjoy the views. You get a pretty good view of the Minster from here so it's certainly worth a go.
Convinced you that York is the place to visit? There are a few options to save money and make the most of your time in York-
- Get a York Pass to get free entry to over 30 attractions and get restaurant and shopping offers. If you want to see everything then I would highly recommend this. You can get 1, 2 and 3 day passes.
- Pre-book some attractions in advance. This will ensure you get a good time or even a space on the day you want. Click here for more information.
- Make a weekend of it and stay over! There is so much to do in York that one day simply isn't enough to get through everything so why not stay over? If you head to my homepage there is a link to booking.com where you can get some amazing deals!
Amie xx
- Get a York Pass to get free entry to over 30 attractions and get restaurant and shopping offers. If you want to see everything then I would highly recommend this. You can get 1, 2 and 3 day passes.
- Pre-book some attractions in advance. This will ensure you get a good time or even a space on the day you want. Click here for more information.
- Make a weekend of it and stay over! There is so much to do in York that one day simply isn't enough to get through everything so why not stay over? If you head to my homepage there is a link to booking.com where you can get some amazing deals!
Amie xx