York, England - A Winter Wonderland

I wasn't sure what to expect as I got off the train in York, England. I immediately went to the information booth to ask if I needed a cab to get to the city center (which looked a bit far on the map I'd picked up). The teller looked up and smiled as she pointed right outside and told me to look up and I'd see the top of the York Minster which was only a short walk down the road. This quaint, fully walled, quintessential English city has preserved so much of its old world charm, complete with pedestrian-only cobblestone streets, medieval relics, extremely narrow shopping lanes, and traditional fare.

Quick Tips:

Even though the town feels like a smaller, compact city, it is packed with historical sights, shops, tea houses, and activities. Definitely plan to spend several days to get a taste of all that York has to offer. Of course, a must-see is York Minster, a stunning example of Gothic architecture. Be sure not to miss a visit to the basement where you can see excavated ruins of 4 periods of buildings underneath the current structure. The Shambles is a must, which is commonly referred to as the most "medieval " street in Europe, a narrow lane of shops and tea rooms. For a proper English Tea stop in at world-famous Betty's Tea Room for a treat!

Best Way To Get Around:

We took a train into the main station which is just outside the city walls, and an easy walk into town. Bring good walking shoes and you should be able to see most all the sights by foot. Many of the popular sights can't be reached by auto, including the streets that are now closed around the Minster and many of the cobblestone shopping streets in the heart of town. There are many sights in the York area that are contained in the walled city, which are easily reached by cabs.

A visit to Old York town is not complete without a stop at the famous Betty's Tea Room. We didn't want to leave England without getting to enjoy a "proper" English afternoon tea, and that's exactly what we got at Betty's. Designed after the elegant art-deco beauty of sealiner, Queen Mary, this upscale cafe is complete with curved windows from floor to ceiling overlooking the bustling St. Helen's square. Mirrored columns and gold accents add to the ambiance, as do fresh flowers and a grand piano. There is limited seating and each time we walked by, there was a line out the door, but both times we visited it was well worth the wait.

The prices during lunch ran us about 17-20euros per person which included a beautiful presentation of individual tea pots with cream, tea sandwiches, veggies, tea cakes, fruit, and one of Betty's famous pastries for dessert. We tried a handful of the tea flavors, including a spiced holiday tea and China Rose Petal. There are other full-meal dishes such as pasta, fish, rarebit, and I enjoyed a fabulous Egg & Cress sandwich.

If you can't find the time to eat in the restaurant, then definitely stop in at the bakery attached to the cafe, where you can buy famous Betty's chocolates, pastries, coffees, and teas for gifts or a great take-home souvenir.

During a stroll down the famous medieval street in York, The Shambles, we stopped in for a light bite to eat and an afternoon tea at the Earl Grey Tea Room. The restaurant is quite small, but very cozy and private. The old-world charm of the tapestries and warm atmosphere make this a pleasant stop to sip away on the long list of tea selections. Of course, the most famous tea in this cafe is the Earl Grey, which the room is named after, but you can get teas from mint to spice, and fruit blends to the common English Breakfast. We also ordered a pastry and sandwiches which were priced right (about 6euro) and delightfully prepared.

If tea is not your "cup of tea" than try some other drinks to warm your insides, from homemade hot chocolate or coffee treats. There are dessert selections that looked tasty, although we held out for later!

This famous cathedral is a splendid example of Gothic architecture and is often described as one of the finest cathedrals in the world. Open 9am to 5pm Monday thru Saturday and afternoons on Sunday, York Minster is a must-see while visiting Northern England. For only 5euro for adults, admission is granted to the main interior and an additional €4 will get you a tour of the undercroft, treasury & crypt with audio guide. Discounts are available for children, seniors, students, and combination tickets. Personal photography is also allowed, which is a treat to take home a piece of the beautiful stone details and stained glass. The team of volunteers that work in the Minster were extremely friendly and helpful with any questions we had. They also offer free guided tours throughout the day.

Construction on the Minster as it stands today began in the early 1200s, but as we learned from the self-guided tour of the undercroft, there were several building at the site of which ruins have been uncovered from Roman, Norman, and Medieval times. The tour leads through a museum-type path with artifacts of ancient times and many facts about the site.

Of course, a visit isn't complete without a stop in the nave of the church with the famous (and enormous) heart-shaped stained glass. Listen out for centuries-old wooden statues high on the walls near the choir room of soldiers that move to clang a cymbal every quarter hour. Step into the Chapter house to see the creepy animal, people, and demon-type heads that adorn the circular ceiling. As you leave, enjoy the peaceful grounds outside of the church where auto traffic has recently been banned.

For a most-accurate depiction of what an 18th century home looked like, visit the well-preserved Fairfax House in Castlegate, downtown York. Decorated in the ornate rococo style with details unmatched in our time, the home was fully restored in the mid 1980s after being neglected for decades. Georgian furniture adorns each themed room and friendly, knowledgeable volunteers are accessible throughout the home for any questions you may have.

We explored the colorful rooms including the kitchen, dining room, sitting areas, and bedrooms. Be sure to notice the details such as the music on the piano and intricate ceilings. The house was also beautifully decorated for Christmas during our visit. Admission is 5euro for adults and it is open from 11am to 4:30pm throughout the week with self-guided tours. Staff guided tours are available at 11am and 2pm on Fridays. Photography is not allowed inside the house.