Hello, friends! As we were putting this website together, I felt that something important wasn’t coming through adequately. Namely, the enormous appeal of York as a travel destination, as seen through the eyes of a recent convert.
I’ve visited three times, in the summers of 2016, 2017, and 2018. Each trip: amazing! Let me get into it.
York is beautiful
All of my visits have involved a lot of walking around the city and I urge you to do the same. It’s surrounded by a Roman wall, which you can walk on. Try it! And walk along the banks of the Ouse, a river I maintain is missing a consonant. Ramble along the Shambles, an old street in downtown. Check out the Minster, the beautiful cathedral that I think must be based on Washington’s National Cathedral. Or maybe it’s the other way around.
York is delicious
American “pubs” are for the most part sorry replicas of the real ones you can find throughout York, from the atmosphere to the beer selection to the food. Take some time to try a few of the ones on our list. And don’t just stop in for a cheeky pint. Eat a full meal! I’d recommend fish and chips with mushy peas. Good beer and chocolate are also highlights of York. The Peckitts have taken me to a couple of outstanding local breweries including Black Sheep and Sam Smith in Tadcaster. Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale is high on my list of sentimental favorites, going back to college. Dream come true to visit in person!
York Races
I grew up next to a horse racecourse in Charles Town, WV but I never went to the races. Dunno why, but I can say this: they would not have compared to the York Races. What a cultural experience! We’ve gone twice so far and it’s always a highlight to hang out on “cheap side” with the other commoners and place bets while people-watching. In 2018 we came out ahead with a last bet on “Ee-Bah-Gum,” which I learned is an English expression for “Bet on this horse!”
Side trips!
If you’ll be in town for a few days (recommended!) and you’re brave enough to rent a car and drive on the wrong side of both the car and the road, you have some expanded options. Driving through the Yorkshire Dales is a breathtaking experience. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road and avoid the charming stone fences that sometimes seem to lean into the driving lane. And you might even venture as far as the Lake District! We borrowed K’s car and drove out to Lake Windermere in 2016, and it was stunning. True story: I ran up $100 worth of data roaming fees streaming various Smiths songs on the drive just so I could keep calm enough to navigate the charming roads and driving rules. Worth it!
Castle Howard
The are some wonderful stately homes in Yorkshire, including Castle Howard, where they host the proms every year. We made the trip with some of Kathleen’s mates in 2016 and had a grand time sitting on the lawn, chatting and listening to the orchestra play God Save the Queen and other contemporary pop hits.