York
Friday, January 19, 2018This travel had to be done only by me since Charlie could not join me at this time. My journey started in York quite late on the first day with a 21h00 train arrival. Took a cab to my hotel not to lose time. After the refreshment process i went down to the hotel's bar to see if i can try some British beers but unfortunately they only couple of tap beers which is neither British nor interesting.(like stout which it feels like water with alcohol not beer)
After a disappointing bar experience i decided to take my first walk in York streets at 22h00. I know it is very late to give you some foodie tips or maybe places to see but hey it was still very nice walk and i got some tips for you.
My hotel was just next to Monkbar. (one of the gates of old roman walls) As i started to walk through it, i have seen the gate covered by Christmas lights all they way and honestly it did not look good. I would definitely prefer seeing it without Christmas lights. (maybe another time for that) Yes, York is covered by old Roman walls throughout the city and have 4 main gates(bar) around the city. Bootham, Monk, Walmgate and Micklegate. These walls are the most important example of medieval walls in whole England because they are standing since 13th century. Unfortunately you can only take a walk on the walls by the day light. It is only open between 8 am until dusk. And if you would like to read more about this here is a nice official source for you.
I took the way from Goodramgate all the way down to Church Street until i end up in St Sampson Square. This square looked like a gathering point to my eyes although by the time i was there it was literally empty. I have found signs that says attraction points and i decided to check Shambles since it was the closest one. (just next block)
I think many of you know what Shambles represents. For all who might not know(just like i haven't) it is the place that represents Diagon Alley from Harry Potter movies. They have study Shambles to create Diagon Alley and now actually there is a shop named `The Shop That Must Not Be Named` in Shambles. So i have to say you really feel like you are in Harry Potter movie. (Another interesting reason to be here.) I took the liberty of having the whole street to myself and enjoyed it.
After my magical journey in Shambles i went to the riverside following Coppergate and arrived on Bridge Street. Took the road through south by the river and ended in up Clifford Tower. Another important historical monument of York. It is a place represents The 1190 Massacre (anti-semitic riots against Jews) where all Jewish community took refugee in the royal palace back then where this tower is now. This is one of the stops of York Jewish Trail(where you can put audio informations and walk through the points) More info for The Clifford Tower and for The Jewish Trail.
Just next to Clifford Tower you will find York Crown Court and Castle Museum which looks amazing at night with the lights. I really loved the architecture of these buildings. When i checked my watch it was already 23:30 and i still did not find any good beer to drink yet. Walking back from Clifford Tower to my hotel i have found a place called Jorvik Viking Center. Since it was night it did not look anything special more like shopping point. But York does have a history with a Viking invasion so i believe during the day it might be interesting. I personally did not have any interest for that. I was really focused on finding a good old English pub and try out some beers. Took my way back to Castlegate and saw the beautiful St Mary Church at night. As i turned to Coppergate there it was. A pub called The Three Tuns. The sign was saying it is established in 1782 and i was like `ok they might know one or two things about beer.` and turned out they are actually an award winning cask ale pub. Enjoyed my late night ale and went back to my hotel with a smile on my face.
Next day which was also my last day in York before i go down to Cambridge. I took the walk on the Roman Walls this time before it gets too late and it was quite nice walk with a lot of nice city views. It was planned for me to go to National Railway Museum which is one of the best railway museum in the country. But unfortunately my small business in the town turned a little bit late and i ended up at the museum just the time they closed the gates. It is free entry and you definitely must see it. It is a whole lot of history and they also have a spaceship along with a VR experience. I was so sad not to be able to see it. You can find out more in this source.
So with the sadness in my face i head back to town and had already found a restaurant for my dinner. It was a French restaurant called Cote Brasserie and menu was really had a lot options along with a great taste. Enjoyed the nice meal and relatively ok prices. (around 25 euro/person for a great steak and drinks). For the ones that prefer to take it easier and cheaper there was a really good carved sandwich place called The York Roast Co. one block away from Cote Brasserie through the Goodramgate. I did have my afternoon snacks there. I was lovely taste.
After all this nice time and food and drinks in York i took one last walk alongside of the canal to digest before i make my way back to the station.
Here are some tips for you
My hotel was just next to Monkbar. (one of the gates of old roman walls) As i started to walk through it, i have seen the gate covered by Christmas lights all they way and honestly it did not look good. I would definitely prefer seeing it without Christmas lights. (maybe another time for that) Yes, York is covered by old Roman walls throughout the city and have 4 main gates(bar) around the city. Bootham, Monk, Walmgate and Micklegate. These walls are the most important example of medieval walls in whole England because they are standing since 13th century. Unfortunately you can only take a walk on the walls by the day light. It is only open between 8 am until dusk. And if you would like to read more about this here is a nice official source for you.
I took the way from Goodramgate all the way down to Church Street until i end up in St Sampson Square. This square looked like a gathering point to my eyes although by the time i was there it was literally empty. I have found signs that says attraction points and i decided to check Shambles since it was the closest one. (just next block)
I think many of you know what Shambles represents. For all who might not know(just like i haven't) it is the place that represents Diagon Alley from Harry Potter movies. They have study Shambles to create Diagon Alley and now actually there is a shop named `The Shop That Must Not Be Named` in Shambles. So i have to say you really feel like you are in Harry Potter movie. (Another interesting reason to be here.) I took the liberty of having the whole street to myself and enjoyed it.
After my magical journey in Shambles i went to the riverside following Coppergate and arrived on Bridge Street. Took the road through south by the river and ended in up Clifford Tower. Another important historical monument of York. It is a place represents The 1190 Massacre (anti-semitic riots against Jews) where all Jewish community took refugee in the royal palace back then where this tower is now. This is one of the stops of York Jewish Trail(where you can put audio informations and walk through the points) More info for The Clifford Tower and for The Jewish Trail.
Just next to Clifford Tower you will find York Crown Court and Castle Museum which looks amazing at night with the lights. I really loved the architecture of these buildings. When i checked my watch it was already 23:30 and i still did not find any good beer to drink yet. Walking back from Clifford Tower to my hotel i have found a place called Jorvik Viking Center. Since it was night it did not look anything special more like shopping point. But York does have a history with a Viking invasion so i believe during the day it might be interesting. I personally did not have any interest for that. I was really focused on finding a good old English pub and try out some beers. Took my way back to Castlegate and saw the beautiful St Mary Church at night. As i turned to Coppergate there it was. A pub called The Three Tuns. The sign was saying it is established in 1782 and i was like `ok they might know one or two things about beer.` and turned out they are actually an award winning cask ale pub. Enjoyed my late night ale and went back to my hotel with a smile on my face.
Next day which was also my last day in York before i go down to Cambridge. I took the walk on the Roman Walls this time before it gets too late and it was quite nice walk with a lot of nice city views. It was planned for me to go to National Railway Museum which is one of the best railway museum in the country. But unfortunately my small business in the town turned a little bit late and i ended up at the museum just the time they closed the gates. It is free entry and you definitely must see it. It is a whole lot of history and they also have a spaceship along with a VR experience. I was so sad not to be able to see it. You can find out more in this source.
So with the sadness in my face i head back to town and had already found a restaurant for my dinner. It was a French restaurant called Cote Brasserie and menu was really had a lot options along with a great taste. Enjoyed the nice meal and relatively ok prices. (around 25 euro/person for a great steak and drinks). For the ones that prefer to take it easier and cheaper there was a really good carved sandwich place called The York Roast Co. one block away from Cote Brasserie through the Goodramgate. I did have my afternoon snacks there. I was lovely taste.
After all this nice time and food and drinks in York i took one last walk alongside of the canal to digest before i make my way back to the station.
Here are some tips for you
- Very cosy and definitely classic English town
- For people who are not native with English(like me) Northern accent is quite hard to understand but don't worry you will end up just fine
- Prices in pubs, cafes and restaurants are little bit over the European standards because of the currency difference.
- If you love medieval times you will love York.
- If you are a Harry Potter fan , you will definitely love Shambles.
- York Train Station was also very nice and of course the Railway Museum is a must to see.
- There are Roman Walls walk maps around the city you can follow but only day light.
- Town is not too big to walk so people who love to discover, this is also for you
I hope you get couple of inspiration out of this because this was relatively short and limited visit. I loved York because it was my first time in UK so it will always be special for me.
Next blog will be for Cambridge.
Until then...
Serdar
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