York's ancient origins The City of York ORIGIN OF YORK The Roman name for York was Eboracum, based on a native British name for the ancient site. It is thought that the root of the early name was Eburos, an Ancient British personal name, which suggests that the site was founded by someone called Eburos. An alternative view is that the name is based on the Ancient British word Eburos meaning Yew, a sacred Celtic tree from which the personal name Eburos derives. In Roman times there was a tribe in Gaul called the Eburorovices, who were the 'Warriors of the Yew Tree'. When the Anglo-Saxons arrived in the north from Germany and Denmark in the sixth century they made Eboracum the capital of Deira, a Northumbrian sub-kingdom. Eboracum was corrupted by Anglo-Saxon speech into Eoforwic meaning 'wild boar settlement'. The Anglo-Saxons confused the Celtic word 'Ebor' meaning yew tree with their own word 'Eofor' meaning 'wild boar'.

In 865 AD the Danes captured the North and in 876 Halfdene the Dane made Eoforwic the capital of the Viking Kingdom of York . Later in 918 AD a mixed race of Norwegian-Irish Vikings settled at York and for many years York was subordinated to the Viking stronghold at Dublin. Viking influence can still be detected in the street names of York, where the suffix 'gate' as in Stonegate or Goodramgate derives from the Old Norse 'gata' meaning road or way. Stonegate follows the course of a Roman road through the city and Goodramgate is named after Guthrum, a Viking leader. Above: Bootham Bar and York Minster from an old postcard The Vikings interpreted Eoforwic, the Anglo-Saxon name for York as Jorvik. The change of the Saxon f to a Viking V occured in other words in the English language such as the Anglo Saxon word 'Seofan' which was changed by the Vikings into its modern form 'Seven'.

In the late Viking period it is thought that the name Jorvik was shortened to something resembling its present form, York and in the medieval age the name York was generally used, although an independent form 'Yerk' is known to have existed at this time. One of the problems of studying York's name is that many early records are written in Latin and thus use the Roman name Eboracum in periods when Eoforwic or Jorvik were used in every day speech. Today the early forms of York's name are still well known and although the Viking Kingdom of York no longer exists, its natural successor Yorkshire - 'the county of York' still takes its name from this ancient city. Search the site York History - Roman York Roman York Victorian Before the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD, the area that is now northern England was controlled by a confederation of tribes known as the Brigantes. In 71 AD the governor of Britain, Quintus Petillius Cerialis, sent the 9th Roman legion to invade Brigantes territory. The Romans quickly realized the strategic value of this place at the confluence of the Foss and the Ouse rivers. The legion established a fort on the banks of the Ouse.

The fort, and the town that grew up about it was called Eboracum, or "place of the yew trees". An alternative translation of Eboracum is "estate of Eboros", which might lend support to Geoffrey of Monmouth's claim that the founding king of York was Ebracus, in the 10th century BCE. Helmet, Roman Bath Museum At its largest the fort enclosed some 50 acres and supported a garrison of 6000 legionaries. The fort of Eboracum followed the usual Roman system of a grid-like pattern of streets, and public buildings such as the forum and baths. The legionary baths were uncovered during construction work in the 1920s beneath the pub now known as The Roman Bath . The pub now features an interactive audio-visual display called "Life at the Baths", which allows visitors to "question" Roman characters about the bath and its place in Romano-British life. So important did York become in Roman Britain that a royal palace was built in the city, and the emperor Septimus Severus stayed here with his imperial court in the years 209-211.

By the 4th century Eboracum was the capitol of southern Britannia. The Emperor Constantius I visited here in 306 - and promptly died. His son, Constantine the Great, founder of Constantinople and the first Christian Emperor of Rome, was proclaimed emperor in York. The traditional site of his crowning is preserved under York Minster. Replica Roman shield The headquarters of the legions was on the site of the Minster. Roman remains were uncovered beneath the church during restoration work, including a 31 ft. high column, which has been re-erected near the south entrance to the Minster. The most enduring legacy of the Romans, though, are the city walls of York . Little remains of the original Roman walls, the most intact section includes the Multiangular Tower, which stands in the Museum Gardens. The tower was built during the reign of Emperor Severus. It has 10 sides, and stands almost 30 ft. high. There were once 8 towers, including three on each side of the main entrance to the fort.

The Romans left Eboracum some time around 410 AD, and the city, like much of Roman Britain, fell into a period of decay and decline. A new invader fell upon the city; the Anglo-Saxons. BBC - North Yorkshire - I love Romans - What the Eboracum's it all about? What the Eboracum's it all about? York Roman Festival &copy Keith Meadley Eboracum is the Roman name for York, but just how did we get from Eboracum to York? The answer involves boars, mistranslation and the oddities of the Nordic tongue! BBC History - Romans LINKS Yorkshire Museum The Roman Bath, York The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites As you might expect for a city with such a rich Roman legacy, traces of York's Roman past are abundant. The Minster's Undercroft, the Multiangular Tower, the statue of Constantine and even the layout of several of the city's streets. One aspect of the Roman legacy which is not as obvious is the city's name, York.

Eboracum, the Roman name for York, sounds exotic and Latinised to our ears, and on initial consideration, appears to have little in common with the city's modern-day name. But in fact, the name York is a direct descendent of the name Eboracum. Early settlement In c71AD, the legendary Legio IX Hispana identified the natural advantage of the land in between the junction of the rivers Foss and Ouse. The area was selected by the invading army because of its elevated ground and the natural protection afforded by the proximity of two rivers. Little is known of a settlement before the Legio IX Hispana settled there, although the area did have a Celtic name: Eburacon. According to Herman Ramm in his book Roman York from AD71, the native Britons' name translates as meaning 'the place where the yew trees grow' or 'the place belonging to Eburos'. FACTFILE There are two variations for the Roman spelling of Eboracum, the other being Eburacum. Both appear on Roman inscriptions discovered in York. For the sake of simplicity, only the Eboracum spelling is used in I Romans.

As was typical of the colonising Roman army, the existing place name was Latinised to become Eboracum. The Legio IX Hispana believed the name meant 'place of the boar'. Subsequently the boar appears on numerous inscriptions as a symbol of York. Viking tongue... Following the Romans' departure in c400AD, the Anglo-Saxon invaders substituted Eboracum for their own word for boar and town, Evorwic. However, the next set of invaders, the Vikings, couldn't quite get their tongue round Evorwic, so they settled for Jorvik. Pronounced 'Yorvik' the step to York is hardly surprising. So how should York's Roman name be pronounced? There are plenty of different variations, but by general consensus amongst the archaeologists and historians is as eeborarcum. A History of York, England A SHORT HISTORY OF YORK, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND By Tim Lambert ROMAN YORK The Romans founded the city of York. They invaded Yorkshire in 71 AD and built a fort between the rivers Ouse and Foss. By the mid 2nd century a small town grew up by the fort.

Craftsmen and merchants came to live there because the soldiers in the fort provided a market for their goods and ships could sail up the River Ouse. The Roman name for York was Eboracum, which may be derived from Celtic words meaning the place with yew trees. By the early 3rd century Roman York was protected by a stone wall. In the town there were public buildings such as a baths. Rich people lived in very comfortable houses with mosaic floors. However in the 4th century Roman civilisation began to break down. The last Roman soldiers left Britain in 407 AD and afterwards Roman towns were abandoned and they fell into ruins. Life in Roman Britain YORK IN THE MIDDLE AGES After the Romans departed York was probably abandoned or nearly abandoned and the old Roman buildings fell into ruins. There may have been a few people living inside the walls farming the land outside but York ceased to be a town. In 627 a bishop of York was appointed. A cathedral was built inside the walls of the Roman town and a bishop's palace was probably built there as well. It is possible the local Anglo Saxon king built a royal palace inside the Roman walls.

Then in the 8th and 9th centuries the town of York revived. Its position made it an ideal place for trade and so craftsmen came to live there. They probably started weekly markets and goods such as pottery were brought by ship from Europe. By the middle of the 9th century York was a flourishing town once again. However it was probably much smaller than the Roman town with a population of only about 2,000. It is believed that the town was called Eofer's wic (wic meant trading place). The Danes changed its name to Jorvik. Then in 866 the Vikings conquered northern England and York became the capital of a new Viking kingdom. Viking York boomed and it grew much larger. In the town wool was woven. There were blacksmiths and potters. Other craftsmen made combs from bone and antler. The Danish word for street was gata, which in time became corrupted to 'gate'. Coppergate was cooper gata. More about the Vikings By the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066 York was booming and it probably had a population of 9,000 or 10,000.

William the Conqueror built a wooden castle in York. However in 1069 the north of England rebelled. The Normans in the castle were massacred. However William captured York and sacked it. He also built a second wooden castle to control the town. In 1190 a horrific massacre took place in York. Jews took refuge in the main castle. Some committed suicide. The townspeople set fire to the castle and the rest were persuaded to surrender but they were murdered anyway. Cliffords Tower was built in the mid-13th century to replace the keep of the main castle which had been burned in 1190. Then in 1212 King John gave York a charter, which allowed the city self-government. Medieval York was a flourishing port. Wine was imported from Europe. York was also a busy manufacturing center. Wool was woven in York. It was then fulled. That means the wool was cleaned and thickened by pounding it in a mixture of water and clay. The wool was pounded by wooden hammers worked by watermills. Afterwards the wool was dyed. There was also an important leather industry in York.

First leather was tanned (in Tanners Row). Then it was used to make goods such as gloves, shoes and saddles. There were many other craftsmen in Medieval York such as butchers, bakers, blacksmiths, coopers, goldsmiths, barber-surgeons (who cut your hair, pulled your teeth and performed operations like setting bones) and many others. By the 13th century York had 2 annual fairs. In the Middle Ages fairs were like markets but were held only once a year. People would come from all over Yorkshire for a York fair. In the Middle Ages the church ran the only hospitals. In York there were several hospitals where the monks cared for the sick and poor as best they could. There was also an abbey dedicated to St Mary outside the town walls. There were also several priories (small monasteries) in York or immediately outside the walls. In the 13th century friars came to York. The friars were like monks but instead of withdrawing from the world they went out to preach.

In York there were several orders of friars, Franciscans (called grey friars because of their grey costumes), Dominicans (called black friars), Carmelites (called white friars) and Augustinians. In 1349 the Black Death reached York and it may have killed half the population of the town. In the mid 14th century he population of York was around 13,000 but it fell to about 10,000 by 1500. However in the late Middle Ages several great buildings were built in York. The Merchant Adventurers Hall was built in 1368. The Guildhall followed in 1453. York Minster was built in stages between 1220 and 1472. St Williams College was built in 1461 as a home for the priests of the Minister. (St William was William Fitzherbert who was made Archbishop of York in 1153).

Life in the Middle Ages YORK IN THE 16th CENTURY AND 17th CENTURY In the 16th century and 17th century York was still the most important town in the north of England. The population of York was probably about 10,000 in 1500 but it rose to around 12,000 in 1600. This was despite the plague. It struck York in 1550-51, 1604, 1631 and 1645. Each time the plague struck it killed hundreds of people. Yet each time the population recovered. In 1538 Henry VIII closed the friaries in York and the priories. In 1539 he closed St Marys Abbey, which stood immediately north of the town walls. Furthermore the number of parish churches in York was cut from 40 to 25. However a grammar school was founded in York in 1557. The textile trade in York declined during the 16th century and 17th century because of competition from towns in the West Riding.

In the 16th century York was still an international port but in the late 17th century it declined. This was largely due to the new colonies in North America and the West Indies. York was on the wrong side of the country to trade with them. York also faced growing competition from Hull. However although international shipping to and from York declined there was still an important coastal trade. Ships carried goods to and from other ports in Britain. In 1642 civil war between king and parliament began. Most of the people of York supported the king. However in April 1644 York was besieged by the parliamentarians. However the parliamentary soldiers left at the end of June when a royalist army came to relieve the town. Yet on 2 July 1644 the royalists were defeated at Marston Moor. The parliamentarians then laid siege to York again. The town surrendered on 16 July 1644. In the late 17th century York gained a piped water supply (for those who could afford it). Water flowed along wooden pipes to houses. By the end of the 17th century York probably had a population of around 13,000.

YORK IN THE 18th CENTURY In the 18th century York became less important as other northern towns grew rapidly. Nevertheless York was still quite large. It was a market town rather than an industrial town but it had many types of craftsmen like butchers, brewers, bakers, tailors, shoemakers, coopers, comb makers, jewelers and pipe makers. There were also book sellers and wine merchants. Meanwhile the port prospered. There were also some improvements in Georgian York. The first newspaper in York was printed in 1719. In 1732 Assembly Rooms were built where the wealthy could attend balls and play cards and the first theater in York opened in 1736. New Street was built in 1746. Meanwhile York County Hospital was built in 1740 and a lunatic asylum followed in 1777. Then in 1788 a dispensary was opened where the poor could obtain free medicines. Furthermore from 1786 a man called a scavenger cleaned the streets of animal dung and other rubbish.

YORK IN THE 19th CENTURY In 1801, at the time of the first census, York had a population of 16,846. By the standards of the time it was quite a large town but it became less important during the 19th century. Many other towns in Yorkshire boomed with the industrial revolution. However in the early 19th century York stayed a market town with many craftsmen but no factories. Nevertheless a railway was built from Leeds to York in 1839. Another railway was built from York to Scarborough in 1845. From 1865 York was connected to Hull by railway. Meanwhile in 1842 a repair workshop opened. Soon afterwards York became famous for making railway carriages. In the late 19th century confectionery and making cocoa also became major industries in York. So did flour milling. Also in the late 19th century making optical instruments was an important industry. In the 19th century the population of York grew rapidly and houses spread across the fields outside the walls. In the 1840s many Irish immigrants arrived in York escaping a potato famine.

Many of the new houses in York were overcrowded and like all 19th century towns York was dirty and unsanitary. In 1832 and 1849 York was struck by epidemics of cholera. Meanwhile there was also an epidemic of typhus (a disease spread by lice) in 1847. It killed 403 people. However conditions in York did improve in the 19th century. From 1824 York had gas street lights. Then in 1825 an Act of Parliament formed a body of men called the Improvement Commissioners who were responsible for paving, lighting and cleaning the streets. They were replaced by a Board of Health in 1850. Meanwhile the first modern police force in York was formed in 1836 and from 1880 horse drawn trams ran in the streets of York. York Art Gallery opened in 1892 and the first public library in York opened in 1893. YORK IN THE 20th CENTURY By 1901 the population of York was 77,914 and it continued to grow rapidly.

In 1951 it reached 105,000. Meanwhile in 1909 the trams in York began running on electricity. However they were eventually replaced by motor buses. The last trams ran in 1935. In the early 20th century the confectionery industry in York expanded as rising living standards meant people had more money to spend on sweets. By the mid 20th century confectionery was the main industry in York. Other industries in York were sugar, making railway coaches, and optical instruments. In the 1920s and 1930s York council cleared slums and built many council houses. During the Second World War York was bombed and some 87 people were killed in bombing raids. The worst bombing raid on York was on 29 April 1942. The church of St Martin le-Grand was badly damaged by fire. However York soon recovered. After 1945 many more council houses were built in York and the city flourished. The first York Festival was held in 1951.

York university was founded in 1963 and a ring road around the city was built in 1987. Today tourism is a flourishing industry in York. The National Railway Museum opened in 1975. The Jorvik Viking Centre opened in 1984. ARC (Archaeological Resource Centre) opened in 1990. York now has several modern shopping centers. Monks Cross Shopping Park opened in 1998. The Romans Arrive: History of York The Romans Arrive York ’s history truly begins with the Romans. The city was founded in about AD 71 when the 5,000 men of the Ninth Legion marched from Lincoln Eboracum, as the Romans called York , was born. More than a quarter of a century had passed from the Romans establishing a province in southern Britain . So what prompted the move north? It seems a royal love triangle may be the unlikely answer. Northern England at the time was largely populated by the Brigantes, a loose confederation of Celtic tribal groups. Their Queen, Cartimandua, favoured working with the Romans, unlike her estranged husband Venutius.

According to the first-century historian Tacitus, when they separated Venutius first took up arms against the Queen and then against her Roman protectors. These skirmishes led to the Romans building fortifications on the frontier between their province and Brigantes, including a fort near Rotherham . When Cartimandua took her husband’s former armour bearer as her lover, the conflicts escalated. The queen was captured by Venutius’s forces and only rescued after fierce fighting in AD69. It was time for the invaders to impose their authority on the troublesome northerners, and in around AD71, the Roman Governor of Britain Quintus Petilius Cerealis led his troops northwards from Lincoln to invade the lands of the Brigantes. Why If anywhere exemplifies the Romans’ skill at identifying the perfect site for a fortress, York is it. When the Ninth Legion arrived in what was to become Eboracum there wasn’t much to see. No evidence has been found for a permanent native settlement in the heart of York prior to the Romans, so they would most likely have found before them little more than meadowland. Within a few generations they would have transformed unromantic countryside into the capital of the north.

York had undoubted advantages for the task in hand. It was the ideal spot to launch attacks against Brigantian resistance in the North York Moors and the Pennine valleys. The site might also have lain on the boundary between the Brigantes and the Parisi, another tribe who lived to the East – making it a sort of neutral territory from which to supervise the natives. Being the spot where the river Foss joins the river Ouse gives York an obvious strategic appeal. Men and supplies could be transported from the North Sea to the settlement via the Ouse. York also offered ease of land transport. It sits on a ridge which the Romans used it as their main approach to the city. This route is still largely followed by the main road, the A64, today. The Romans chose to site their fortress not on the higher land but down between the two rivers. What they lost in height they gained by the defensive advantage of having the rivers on both sides. Besides, it stood on a slightly raised plateau which would have been more prominent in Roman times when rivers were as much as three metres lower than they are today.

York travel guide - Wikitravel 14 Get out For other places with the same name, see York (disambiguation) . York is an ancient cathedral city with a history that dates back to before Roman times. A county in its own right for hundreds of years, York is now in North Yorkshire , England with some of the best preserved historical buildings and structures in Europe . As of the 2001 census, the population of York was 181,000. York is frequently ranked with Manchester as the second most visited city in England after London and is, of course famous, for giving its name to the city and state of New York in the United States . York is a fairly small city - four days is enough to see the major sights although York is a city that reveals its charms to explorers with curiosity and patience. York is known as England's "City of Festivals" as there are regular cultural festivals every year. The official festivals are the Viking Festival, the Festival of Angels, Early Music, Late Music, Horse Racing (the "Ebor Race Meeting"), Multicultural Food and Arts, Chinese New Year, Mystery Plays, Christmas St Nicholas' Fair, and the Food and Drink Festival.

It's a romantic city for a weekend break. York is full of magic and a wonderful place to bring children! Understand[ edit ] York Minster York was known as Eboracum by the Romans, who founded the fortress city on the River Ouse in the year 71. York was home first to the Ninth Legion and later the Sixth. York quickly became one of the most important cities in Roman Britain, and after 211 became the capital of the province Britannia Inferior. Constantine the Great—later responsible for making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire—was first proclaimed Emperor in the city. After the Romans York was taken by the Angles and was renamed Eoforwic c. 400AD. Captured by the Vikings 866, the city quickly took on a new identity as Jorvik (pronounced "Yor-vik") and experienced a major urban revival as a centre of Viking trade and settlement in northern England. The Coppergate excavations of the 1970s revealed much of this Viking past. After the Norman Conquest, York became the second city of England, and kings often moved their court here while campaigning against Scotland.

King Richard III had a special connection with the city and although portrayed as a villain by Shakespeare, many locals will tell you that it's all Tudor Propaganda. During the Georgian era, York's racecourse attracted the rich and influential from around the country, which meant in turn that the city was saved from the worst ravages of the industrial revolution - the factory and mill owners didn't want to pollute their "playground". Industry finally came to York with the arrival of the railways in the 1830s, and owing to its strategic position approximately halfway between London and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line, the city became a major headquarters, junction and works for the railways, a role which it continues to this day. The other major industry of the city was confectionery; the Rowntree's works, now owned by Nestlé, is the only one still producing but a delicious chocolatey smell still wafts through the city when the wind is in the right direction. By car[ edit ] Although York is not directly on any of the main north-south motorways, the connections are reasonably good.

From the south, the quickest route is probably to take the M1 northbound to junction 32, the M18 eastbound to junction 2, the A1(M) northbound to junction 44 and then the A64 eastbound to the York Outer Ring Road (A1237). Alternatively, you can take the M1 all the way to the A64, but the upper reaches of the M1 around Sheffield and Leeds can get very congested, especially at rush hour. From the west, the A59 and the M62 provide connections from Liverpool and Manchester. From the north, the A1 and the A19 link York with Tyneside, Northumberland and southeastern Scotland. Driving into the city centre itself is something to avoid. Traffic congestion on the main arterial roads serving the city (especially the A19 on Bootham and the Inner Ring Road) can get very bad, especially during the rush hours and on Saturday mornings. The remodeling of some roads near bottleneck junctions to accommodate bicycle lanes has made traffic jams even worse still in recent years, and parking in the city centre is very expensive.

If you are just visiting York for the day, using a Park and Ride costs a lot less than trying to park in or near the city centre, and there are six sites dotted around the Outer Ring Road. However, the last buses from the city centre leave at around 20:00 in the evenings, and you are not allowed to leave your car in a Park and Ride overnight. Therefore, if you are staying overnight in York and arriving by car, make sure that your hotel offers parking before you book your room. If you are visiting only for the day but will be staying until late evening, you will need to use a city centre car park. Wikitravel has a guide to rail travel in the United Kingdom . York is one of the main hubs of the UK rail network , with a large range of services and destinations to choose from. The station itself is an attraction and was voted the 'nicest' station in the UK in 2007. Because of the number of lines that pass through the city, services tend to be frequent. Indeed, it was the largest train station in the world when it was first built. While intercity trains can be expensive, regional services are relatively affordable.

Buying tickets online a few weeks in advance can provide substantial savings on long distance tickets. National Rail [1] operates several services from York. York is situated halfway between Edinburgh and London on the East Coast Main Line. East Coast Trains run services along this route approximately every half hour between King's Cross station in London and Edinburgh Waverley. The journey time from London is typically about 2 hours and 15 minutes, while Edinburgh is 2 hours and 30 minutes away. Grand Central Rail [2] operates 4 trains per day in each direction between York and London . Arriva Cross Country [3] operates trains between York and Scotland , and across the country to Birmingham , Oxford , Reading , Bristol and the South-West. First Transpennine Express [4] operates service to and from Liverpool , Manchester , Manchester Airport, Leeds , and Huddersfield . The service runs 24 h, making it possible to have a late night out elsewhere in North England while still being able to get back to York. It runs every 30 minutes during the daytime and early evening but has a fewer trains in the evenings and even after midnight.

Other regional trains run to Sheffield , Doncaster , Hull , Harrogate and Scarborough , Durham and Newcastle . Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner [5] or by calling 0845 748 49 50 from anywhere in the UK. By bus[ edit ] National Express [6] operates coach service to/from York. Tickets can be purchased online, at the station, or from the Tourist Information Centre at 1 Museum Street in the city centre. The coach stops near the railway station. They is a bus every 20 minutes from Leeds and Malton and every 1-2 hours from Whitby and Scarborough run by Transdev Yorkshire Coasltiner and frequent buses from Hull, Market Weighton, Pocklington, Driffield and Bridlington run by East Yorkshire. They is also buses to Harrogate at every 2 hours and frequent buses to Easingwold, Thirsk and Helmsley. For all of York's bus routes Click Here . Overview Visitors to York arriving by air have a number of options: Enter the UK at one of the London airports and travel onwards to York overland, either by road or by rail .

If your itinerary includes other parts of the UK besides the northeast, this may be the best option, as the five London airports have a wider range of flight options and usually lower prices than are available for direct routings into an airport closer to York. Enter the UK at Manchester Airport and travel onwards to York overland either by road or by rail . Manchester Airport has a train station within easy walking distance of all terminals that has regular direct trains to York with a journey time of less than 2 hours. If Yorkshire and/or the northeast is the main destination of your visit to the UK, fly directly into the northeast using an airport with good road connections to York if you will be renting a car and/or are being picked up from the airport. If Yorkshire and/or the northeast is the main destination of your visit to the UK, fly directly into the north-east using an airport with good public transport connections to York if you will not have access to a car.

If you are arriving in the UK at one of the London airports (Heathrow ( IATA : LHR), Gatwick ( IATA : LGW), London City ( IATA : LCY), Luton ( IATA : LTN) or Stansted ( IATA : STN)), your best bet is to travel to York either by road in a rental car or by train . If you take into account the time it takes to get from a London airport to King's Cross station, either way will normally take you 4-5 h from the arrivals hall to York city centre. The airports within a significantly shorter overland travelling time to York are as follows. Leeds-Bradford International Airport ( IATA : LBA) is the geographically closest airport to York, located 31 mi from the city by road, but it is also arguably the least convenient and most expensive for visitors to the city. The low-cost carriers (LCCs) Jet2 [7] and Ryanair [8] operate extensive services throughout Europe. KLM is currently the only legacy airline offering hub-and-spoke connections worldwide via its three daily flights to and from Amsterdam.

In light traffic, it takes about 1 h by road to York using the A658 and the A59, but often the journey takes 2 h. This route can get very congested around the outskirts of Harrogate during the rush hours, and there are several villages with 30mph speed limits along the way. York residents collecting arriving passengers should note that it costs £12/h if you need to park and go into the terminal building (for example, if the flight is delayed): you are allowed to wait at the pick-up and drop-off area for only 10min. There is no direct public transport to York. The best way is to take the 757 bus outside the airport to Leeds City Bus Station, the last stop, and then any bus at stand 25 to York. Manchester Airport ( IATA : MAN), 84 mi by road from York, is the UK's largest airport outside London and offers a wider choice of LCC and legacy airline services worldwide. These include direct flights from the USA operated by American, Continental and Delta.

By road, the journey using the M62 and the A64 takes about an hour and a half in average traffic, but if you get caught in the rush hours around Leeds and Bradford it can take a lot longer. The train station in the airport provides direct connections to York throughout the day and night (see by train above), with a typical journey time of 2 h. It is worth booking tickets for rail connections online in advance, because tickets bought on the day are often a lot more expensive, and, if you are travelling at peak times without a reserved seat, you may have to stand for most, if not all, of the journey (these trains also serve commuters to Manchester and Leeds, getting very crowded). Doncaster-Sheffield ( IATA : DSA), 41 mi by road from York - mainly serving European holiday destinations. This airport is not easily accessible by public transport. You have to take a bus to the Doncaster station. Humberside ( IATA : HUY, 48 mi) - KLM from Amsterdam and thence worldwide. Using the A1079 and the A15, the journey time to and from York is around an hour in typical traffic.

This route takes you across the Humber Bridge, which is a spectacular sight in itself, but it can get congested in the rush hours. This airport is not easily accessible by public transport. You can take a bus to Hull or Grimsby stations. If KLM is offering a particularly attractive deal to Humberside, you will have access to a car and you are staying in a southern part of York, Humberside is worth considering. Durham-Tees Valley IATA : MME, 47 mi from York - LCCs to UK and European destinations, plus KLM to Amsterdam and thence worldwide. The airport was formally called Teesside International until it was renamed in 2004, and the name "Teesside", "Tees-side" or "Teesside Airport" still appears on many local road signs and on tickets and boarding passes issued outside the UK. Although air fares to Durham-Tees Valley can cost a lot, it is well worth considering as a starting point for visiting northeastern England; as an underused regional airport, waiting and queuing times are very short.

However, to recoup the lost revenue from falling passenger numbers in recent years, the airport introduced a facility fee of £6 per departing passenger (which must be paid before you are allowed through the security check). If you take the A67 eastbound from the airport through Yarm and Kirklevington and join the A19 southbound to York, this route is hardly ever congested, even during weekday rush hours. Using public transport, you can take a bus to Darlington. From there, York is a 30 min train ride on the East Coast Main Line, with frequent services throughout the day. Newcastle ( IATA : NCL, 79 mi), offers a wider range of legacy services than LBA, HUY or MME, with British Airways and Emirates providing long-haul connections as well as KLM. Air Transat also operate direct flights from Toronto during the summer months. The journey to York by road using the A1 and the A59 takes just under two hours. Using public transport, a Newcastle Metro [9] train takes about 45 mi from NCL to Central Station, from which York is a 70 mi ride on the East Coast Main Line.

The major car rental chains are available at all of these airports except Doncaster-Sheffield. By foot[ edit ] The roads within the old city (i.e. within the city walls and to the north of the river ouse) are pedestrian precincts, closed to all cars except disabled drivers and emergency vehicles between 8:00 and 16:00, and most of the sights are only a short walk between one another. Take care walking around the city centre when the roads open to car traffic at 16:00, as the roads fill up quickly with delivery vehicles servicing local shops and businesses. The city centre is small enough to walk from one side to the other in 20 minutes. By car[ edit ] The best advice for driving in York is don't. The roads were designed for carts pulled by oxen, and the city council is actively discouraging car use through a combination of high parking charges and traffic-calming measures. If you are bringing a car to York, your best bet is to leave it in a Park and Ride, at your hotel, or if absolutely necessary, a city centre car park.

The "Park and Ride" car parks are signposted as you approach the city on the A64(S), A59, A19(N) A64(N) A1079 and A19(S), and provide free parking. Each has a colour coded "bus-line" with a fixed price shuttle bus service that operates every 8-12 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00 weekdays and Saturdays. Children travel free (2 per fare paying adult). Maps and timetables can be found here: [10] The Park and ride is very popular during the week with commuters who work in York, but live outside the city. By bus[ edit ] Bus services [11] connect all the points of interest in the city but they are not cheap. If more than one person is traveling and the distance is relatively short, a taxi may well be cheaper. However, a one-day bus pass costs £3.70/£4.00 (£2.00 Child) per person, which is worth considering if you're going to make several journeys in a day.

Although if you are planning to travel on more than one Bus operator the All York Ticket is worth a buy it costs £4.50 or Family is £9 and Young Person is £2.30 and Week is £18, it offers unlimited travel on buses in York all day (excluding the City Tours & Race-day shuttle) See Bus routes in York, England By bike[ edit ] York is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the UK - there's an extensive network of cycle routes in and around the city, and most of the traffic controls have been set up to give cyclists priority. There are no significant hills in or around the city centre, which is a big help. The river path along the Ouse contains some wonderful bike routes out of the city. Also beware that police and CCTV operators take a very dim view of cycling without lights after dusk, or cycling in the city centre pedestrianised area before 16:00, and will happily hand out an on-the-spot £30 fine for doing so. You should be able to pick up a copy of the York Cycle Route Map for free from cycle shops, or alternatively you can find PDFs here: [12] .

Bikes are available to rent from a number of locations around the city, including the railway station. Events & festivals[ edit ] There is a very full series of events in York. The most important are: York Races. [32] Held 6 to 8 times in the year with the key meetings in May and August. Mystery Plays. [33] Medieval Passion plays, revived after the Second World War and the forum which first brought Dame Judi Dench to critical attention. Don't run every year and vary between the traditional plays acted on floats carried around the city and more formal renditions which change venues - the 2012 edition was the first since 2000, and was held in the Museum Gardens. York Festival of Food and Drink. [34] Late September every year. The food element majors on Yorkshire food, while the drinks program has a world wide and wine orientated theme. The range of events is very wide with demonstrations, tastings, markets and dinners everyday for 10 days. Big 'Slow Food'/Fairtrade and other 'worthy' food element allied with lots of hands on cooking for kids. Viking Festival, [35] February.

A big event with a lots of appeal for children - lots of dressing up and mock fighting but backed with the serious educational purpose of the Viking Centre. York Early Music Festival. Early July. World class event with very serious intent . York Beer & Cider Festival [36] The Knavesmire (Tadcaster Road end) is the new venue for an expanded York Beer & Cider Festival held in September. The increased capacity means they will be able to offer up to 200 beers, 30 ciders and perries and a foreign beer bar, with wine and soft drinks also available. This is an exciting expansion for the branch which they hope will be enjoyed by people from York and beyond. There’ll be live music on the Friday and Saturday evenings as well as a good range of food from mainly local caterers and other stalls. There’ll be a large amount of seating – inside the tent if it’s wet, with some outside if the weather’s good. Children are welcome during the afternoon sessions.

The festival site is less than 15 minutes from York Station and is served by regular buses (12 Woodthorpe, 4 FTR Acomb, 13/13A Copmanthorpe and the Coastliner). York Festival of Traditional Dance September 2015 York’s own Ebor Morris, in conjunction with City of York Council and other local teams, invite a rich variety of traditional dance sides from all over the country to join in a non-competitive celebration of the diversity of ritual dancing. The Festival occupies the first weekend of September. The Saturday begins with a colourful dance procession from the Guildhall to Parliament Square, before the teams separate to dance on site, in King’s Square and St Sampson’s Square throughout the day before a final grand show in front of dignitaries. The Sunday dancing is less formal, taking place in St Sampson’s and King’s Square on the Sunday morning.

Over the years we have had representatives of all the leading traditional team styles: the stick and hanky Morris of the Cotswolds, the large clog-stepping sides of the North West, the intricate weaving Yorkshire Longsword, the country-dance like East Anglian Molly, the bizarre costumes and disguises of Welsh border Morris and the swift interlacing of Northumbrian Rapper sword. This year’s Festival details are to be confirmed. We'll be inviting teams from all round England to join in this celebration of English Traditional dance, hosted by local team Ebor Morris. The two other local sides Acorn Morris & Minster strays should be in attendance, together hopefully with old favourites such as Brackley Morris from Northamptonshire. Illuminating York 2009 Discover York in a New Light.23 October - 1 November The event is now in its fourth year and continues to showcase York as a vibrant, contemporary and creative city. The event breathes light and innovation into York's historic and urban environment, attracting visitors from far and wide. 2009 will see three exciting new commissioned art works each of which invites you to join-in and become part of the action.

At the end of the day, when the park gates are locked, life continues into the night. Bright White present 'Vespertine', a captivating instillation that exposes the magnificence and brutality of nocturnal wildlife. The specially created sound track uses animal samples that are acoustically tuned to the space, creating a unique visitor experience. The latest technology allows you to explore pools of sound, which are linked to fascinating video effects. Tucked away in the grounds of King's Manor, this promises to be a real treat. KMA and Pilot Theatre present the world premier of '5Circles' a radical, imaginative, and beautiful global project. You can modify and manipulate the sound, light and content online and then visit St Sampsons Square to see your ideas projected on to the paving. Watch people and dancers playing in the space and triggering unique patterns of light - you can even join in yourself. GaiaNova provide an exciting opportunity to draw with light onto the multangular tower in Museum Gardens. Using 'Tagtools', a simple interactive drawing board, which allows you to see your drawings and doodles projected onto the walls and brought to life. International artists will also be using the tagtools at designated times to create colourful and inspiring works of art.

Illuminating York is fantastic for people of all ages. Events are free. Cinemas[ edit ] Vue Cinemas - [37] - The city's largest multiplex, located on Clifton Moor Retail Park on the north-west outskirts of York. Access by car, or take the no.6 bus to Tesco or the no.20 bus from Acomb or University. City Screen Ltd - [38] - A new, modern cinema located just off Coney Street in the centre of York. Has a bar/cafe with a fantastic balcony overlooking the River Ouse. No private parking available. 0870 758 3219 Reel Cinema York - [39] - Located inside a distinctive art deco building and known for decades under its Odeon ownership, the cinema is held close to the hearts of the residents of York. Despite protests, it shut down a few years ago due to increasing competition. It has recently been bought and reopened by Reel, although many people still refer to it as the Odeon. It is located just a 10 minute walk south of the city centre on Blossom Street.

It is on the bus routes 1, 4, 10, 12, 13/13A first weekday 840, 843, 844, 845, X40, X43, X45, 743, 24, 37, 21, 823, 800, 812, 883, 412, 413, 142, 143, 13A Transdev Sunday 16A and the Askham Bar Park & Ride no.3. Very limited parking is available but not recommended. +44 1904 733633 Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] York comes highly recommended for its unique shops & boutiques. There's the usual range of high-street stores, but York is also a great place if you're looking for tourist tat of the highest order. Tat-central is The Shambles - the narrowest (and most crowded) street in York, with a full range of a present from York - emblazoned merchandise manufactured in the Far East.

Shops in York change from year to year but the beautiful old fashioned wooden shop fronts and buildings have not changed much since they were first built. Gillygate and Low Petergate. There is a good range of stores apart from the standard high street, try these for some nice small shops and galleries. edit Browns, Parliament Street. A local good quality department store. edit Walmgate and Fossgate contain some interesting shops, including several small independent book shops and retro clothes shops. York Designer Outlet, an indoor shopping centre on the southern outskirts of York containing 120 clothes stores from many top-name brands such as Hugo Boss, Fred Perry and Ted Baker. Located on the A64 dual carriageway and frequently served by bus services from the city centre. Budget[ edit ] For budget eating, try any traditional pub (though food quality may be variable). A cafeteria in an old church facing away from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate sells cheap good food - eat on the grass outside. Hungary Horaces - Authentic working men's cafe. Greasy and tatty but the food is of a very high standard. The staff at the cafe are very friendly and may refer to you as love or flower.

Meltons Too - 5 minutes walk from the center in an area called Walmgate - good food in pleasant olde worlde environment. Miller's - Delicious fish and chip shop in Fulford, which also works as a restaurant. Reasonable prices and as good a plate's worth as you'll get in York. Pizza Express, Lendal. Needs no introduction, but worth a look for the setting - a spectacular Victorian brick edifice perched on the bank of the River Ouse. Summer evenings on the terraces are pleasant, and their toilets are marble temples of Victorian excess - it's worth eating there just for the chance to use a solid brass-and-marble urinal. edit The Spurriergate Centre on Spurriergate - a great little cafe in an old church, well worth a visit just for the architecture but the food is good and there are vegetarian options - the staff have a "godly" feel but are friendly enough. Mid-range[ edit ] ASK, The Assembly Rooms. Like Pizza Express, come for the setting rather than the food (which is fine, just nothing special, standard chain food). A marble-pillared Georgian assembly rooms with 40-foot ceilings and plaster cherubs.

Extremely busy at weekends and tourist periods. edit Bari's, The Shambles. Cheerfully unpretentious Italian bistro serving pizza and pasta in an authentically Italian style (overly-phallic pepper grinders and waiters adopting cod accents.) Food's not bad, it's reasonably priced, and it's pretty lively of an evening. edit El Piano, Grape Lane, [40] . Mexican influenced vegetarian food. Very relaxed atmosphere, you can carve your name in a table for a £1 donation to Amnesty (they lend you the tools). Has toys and games lying around. If you have children, ask nicely and they'll give you a room upstairs to yourselves. Old Grey Mare, [41] . A good curry place about halfway between the city walls and the YHA hostel. edit The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace, Station Road, ☎ 01904 688 688, [42] . Situated next to York train station, The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace is an all-day restaurant serving the finest local, seasonal produce. edit The Lime House, Goodramgate, [43] .

This restaurant has won many awards but still doesn't seem to be on the tourist radar. This is a shame, because it serves some of the most inventive, lovingly-prepared food in the city. Starters from £5, mains from £13. Viceroy of India, Monkgate, ☎ +44 1904 622370. Always busy even in early evening, this long established Indian Restaurant is a favourite of York residents who keep returning time after time for its excellent food and friendly atmosphere. As they say - when in Rome... edit Splurge[ edit ] For upmarket eating, try York's 'restaurant district' on Fossgate and Walmgate. Betty's Tea Rooms, 6-8 St Helen's Square, ☎ +44 1904 659142, [44] . Open 9AM-9PM every day.. World-famous for its nostalgic atmosphere and spectacular Swiss-Yorkshire patisserie-style catering. It is a twenties-style tea rooms complete with palm trees, aproned waitresses and piano player, and serves the kind of food that comes with the crusts cut off.

The quality is superb, but it's not cheap - and be prepared for a queue at peak times, it's not unknown for potential customers to wait outside in the rain for a seat. edit Four High Petergate, 2 - 4 Petergate, ☎ 0845 460 2020, [45] . One of the city’s finest restaurants with rooms, offering guests a delightful culinary experience and a beautiful place to stay right in the heart of York's city centre. The new venue also has the capabilities to stage weddings, tea parties and business events. edit Little Betty's, 46 Stonegate, ☎ +44 1904 622865, [46] . Open Su-F 10AM-5:30PM; Sa 9AM-5:30PM. This is a smaller version of Betty's in Stonegate which doesn't get quite so busy, and serves exactly the same kind of food in a similar ambience. edit Monty's Grill, St Peter's Grove, ☎ 0845 460 2020, [47] .

An award-winning steak and seafood restaurant close to the centre of York. It is based on the concept of a Victorian chop house and specializes in serving high-quality, traditional British food. edit The Judge's Lodging, 9 Lendal, ☎ 01904 639312 ( relax@judgeslodgingyork.co.uk ), [48] . Has the largest outside dining area in York. Its upstairs restaurant, located inside the hotel, serves freshly prepared meals, a selection of fine wines, cask ales and homemade desserts. These are enjoyed amongst the splendour of beautiful architecture. edit Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] York has perhaps the most pubs per square mile of any city in the country (supposedly one for every day of the year). You shouldn't have any problem finding somewhere to get a drink. There are three key City Centre areas for Drinking depending on your taste: Micklegate area: which includes Rougier Street: Young, loud, brash, boozy, hen & stag nights abound. Wall to wall pubs in a very small area serving a younger clientele intent on getting well oiled and having a good time until 3 - 4AM.

Coney Street area: Goes from St Helens Square along Coney Street turning right to the edge of Ouse Bridge. Pubs & Bars are a lot more upmarket and it takes in 3 bars on Coney St overlooking the River Ouse. Goodramgate, Swinegate area: Probably the best area for those who like a mix of traditional pubs, nice continental bars and 2 good swanky modern bars for dressing to impress. The atmosphere is the most laid back in this area and has the widest age range appeal. The Quarter which includes Little Stonegate & Grape Lane, houses several nice bars such as Pivo, Stonegate Yard, Bobo Lobo, Slug and Lettuce (chain bar), 1331, Wilde's & Oscar's to name but a few. Tends to be slightly more chilled out but more expensive than other areas. Still rowdy on a weekend but more relaxed during the week where salsa lessons take place in a couple of the bars. The area is sometimes referred to as the 'latin quarter' due to the nature of some of the bars and restaurants.

An excellent map of York bars, complete with reviews, is available here: [49] Bars and pubs[ edit ] Budget[ edit ] Ace Hostel, [58] . 4 Star Hostel from 16£, all bedrooms en-suite and with various views of the walls of York, Micklegate or York Minster. In the city centre, 2 minute walk from York Minister. Situated in a grand Georgian 1752 townhouse. Features stone-flagged entrance hall, sweeping staircase, vaulted cellar, and well equipped with TV lounge, Game Room, Sauna, 24-Hour Bar, coffee and tea making facilities, and other services. Free continental breakfast is included in the price, including hot & cold drinks/cereal, croissants, toast, fresh fruit and jams. Barrington House, [59] . 4 Star Hotel from 30£. 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre, halfway between the railway station and York Racecourse. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, just off the main road, this Edwardian townhouse was built around 1906. Today, the house still retains many original features from that period.

All of the en suite rooms are well equipped, with TVs and tea/coffee making facilities with complimentary biscuits. Breakfast is included in the price and guests can choose a full cooked English breakfast or a continental-style breakfast featuring various cereals, yoghurt, grapefruit, fruit juice and fresh fruit. The Quality Hotel York, [60] . from 57£. Inexpensive compared to other hotels that are further away. Eye catching, modern design 6 story hotel, matched by stylish contemporary interiors. Very close to the city walls if you plan on walking around the city walls - a good way to see York. Also close to the shops, and if you've got heavy shopping bags, it will make a lot of difference to be close to the city center. York YHA Hostel, (from 19£ ) twenty minutes' walk away from the city walls, is clean and cheap with good showers. Good family rooms for 4. Adequate breakfast is included in the price (they'll pack you a breakfast if you're leaving especially early). Travelodge York Central located next to a popular Wetherspoons bar/restaurant next to the city wall and River on Piccadilly.

5-minute walk up Piccadilly to Parliament Sq in the Centre. Rooms are comfortable and private, and are pretty cheap (~£29-£60) if booked in advance online. Because of its prime location, walk-in fares are likely to exceed £80pn. Don't take the breakfast - instead go next door to the Weatherspoons, it's much better value! If you have a car, also try the Travelodge York-Tadcaster about 5miles from the city centre on the A64. Rooms will be significantly cheaper. Ibis York, [61] . Ibis York Centre hotel is a budget hotel, located at the gates of the city walls, within a short walking distance from the Train Station and the main city centre. Mid-range[ edit ] Knavesmire Manor - +44 1904 702941 [62] . Very good value hotel with indoor swimming pool with free parking, just ten minutes' walk of city centre. This hotel is the prefect venue for the York famous racecourse. All rooms are en suite with breakfast and evening meals available too. Bar available at the hotel too.

The Dean Court Hotel - they don't come much more central than this - it's right outside the front door of the Minster, and the city center is just streets away. An imposing Victorian pile, this Best Western hotel has recently been renovated downstairs, and now sports a contemporary 'wine bar' look that's in complete contrast to the red-brick exterior. Unfortunately the refit didn't make it past the ground floor, and the bedrooms are beginning to look somewhat tired. Food is over-the-top nouvelle cuisine style, and they've got prices to match the location. Great if you're looking for something at the heart of the city, but not particularly good value given the standard of accommodation at the moment. Hotel Noir - +44 1904 643711 [63] . Very good value hotel within ten minutes' walk of city centre. There are 28 comfortable rooms, all en suite. Free, small car park, good breakfast and free mini-bar. Good for a short break. The road outside can be noisy, so stay in one of the rear rooms if you're a light sleeper. Lively bar as well. The Monk Bar Hotel - just outside Monk Bar, on the inner ring road.

Perfectly adequate unspectacular Best Western-style hotel, but beware the bedrooms at the front - they overlook the inner ring road which is exceedingly noisy during the morning and evening rush hours. Not particularly good value for money, as the accommodation is unspectacular and food could best be described as adequate. Premier Travel Inn, tel 0870 990 6594, [64] . Five minutes walk from the train station. A recent conversion of older low rise buildings. Clean, with a king size double bed and excellent showers. Rooms cost £70 a night plus between £3 and £7.50 for each adult for breakfast. Good value for families as 2 kids can sleep in the same room on pull out beds, and they get breakfast for free with a paying adult. Queen Anne's Guest House, [65] . Approximately 7 mins walk from Bootham Bar (near the Minster), this is a small friendly guest house with a simple Full English Breakfast awaiting you in the morning, after a refreshing sleep in one of the clean, quiet rooms with en suite.

Good value for money, the key to the front door is issued on arrival ensuring you do not have to tote bags around all day. Ramada Fairfield Manor Hotel, [66] . The Ramada Fairfield Manor Hotel in York is set in a recently renovated Georgian mansion in six acres of grounds.This elegant York hotel mananges to combine the calm of an 18th-century country retreat with the vibrant cultural attractions of 2000-year-old York three miles away. Novotel York Hotel, Fishergate , tel +44 113 396 9004, , Novotel York Hotel is located on the banks of the River Foss. Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel, Shipton Road, York, YO30 1XW, ☎ 0844 815 9038 (fax: +44 1904 670311), [67] . The 4 star Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel is an 18th century Georgian manor house set in its own grounds. It is 6 km from York Castle and the Jorvik Viking Museum.

edit Splurge[ edit ] Marmadukes Hotel, tel 0870 243 0765. St Peters Grove, [68] . The Judge's Lodging, [69] , 01904 638733, relax@judgeslodgingyork.co.uk. Housed in a grade 1 listed Georgian townhouse, The Judge's Lodging has been extensively renovated and now offers travellers a luxurious and historical place to relax. It has a traditional cellar bar and restaurant (also open to non-residents) and is among the best located hotels in the city centre (within the main pedestrian area of York and overlooked by York Minster). The new Al-Fresco terrace is the largest beer garden inside the city walls. Also a venue for weddings and private dining. The Principal York, Station Rd, York, YO24 1AA, [70] The Principal York, steps from the train station, is the perfect base from which to discover the historic city of York. Blending the grandeur of late-Victorian architecture with the comforts of modern travel, The Principal York offers its guests the warmest welcome this side of the Pennines.

The Grange Hotel, tel +44 1904 644744, [71] . A few minutes walk from Bootham Bar, this is one of York's premier (and most expensive) hotels. A Georgian town house, it's gone for the country-house-chic look - all deep sofas, open fires and unobtrusive service. There are three restaurants ranging from a seafood bar, through contemporary cellar bar to the full-on French silver service. Not cheap, but deeply luxurious, and a real change from the standard pre-packaged international chain hotels. Hotel du Vin York, The Mount, tel +44 0844 748 9268, , Hotel du Vin York is housed in a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the early 19th century. Lendal Tower, [72] . This newly refurbished luxury establishment will surely be one of York's main landmarks within a couple of years. The 5 star ancient property offers a range of services including guest accommodation, private butler and chef, weddings and private dining.

Park Inn, North St, Y01 6JF [73] Tel +44 1904 459988. Located in the centre of York nearby to attractions including Jorvik Viking Centre, York Minster and the National Railway Museum. Minster Walk Accommodation, 22 Marygate (a short walk from the Minster), ☎ +44 01904 652780 ( accommodation@minsterwalk.co.uk ), [74] . A 300 years old building. It's a 6 bedroom guest house with also 2 self-catering apartments and one self-catering cottage. edit Learn[ edit ] The University of York [75] is constantly one of the UK's top 10 performing universities, and is one of the top 100 in the world. The departments of English and Related Literature, Chemistry, Computer Science and Psychology are particularly well regarded internationally as leading research centres. Phone[ edit ] York's std code (for landline numbers) is 01904 when dialed from within the British Islands or +44 1904 from abroad.

Internet[ edit ] There are also several places that offer web and other internet access. These include: City Screen Picturehouse , 13-17 Coney Street (tucked away behind Saint Martin's church - look for the iconic clock) ☎ 0871 704 2054 has computers, printing, and wireless in the Basement Cafe. If you bring your own laptop, wireless is £1 otherwise you pay by the amount of time spent online. Evil Eye Lounge , 42 Stonegate, ☎ +44 1904 640002. Just as with City Screen, if you bring your own laptop wireless access is just £1. Pay at the counter just as you walk in to get that day's access code. York Central Library, Museum Street (between the river and the Minster). Ask at the enquiry desk - you'll see plenty of locals using the computers, but the staff can arrange Web access for visitors too. Opens until 20:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Free City centre Wi-Fi is also available in Saint Helen's Square and Coney Street with a free wireless connection, open to laptops, smart phones or any other internet-enabled devices in the area. Stay safe[ edit ] Just like in every town and city York has its bad parts that are best avoided: areas that seem to keep appearing in newspaper reports! These are the outlying suburbs of Tang Hall, Bell Farm, and parts of Foxwood and Clifton but even these are relatively tame compared to similar areas in cities like Manchester or Leeds. Also try to avoid secluded cycle paths at night as it is not unknown (but still fairly rare) for robberies to take place in these parts, however this tends to be away from the main city centre. The centre of town, however, is as civilised as everywhere else in Britain. Take care on weekend evenings in York. Plenty of local youngsters overestimate their capacity for alcohol and the city centre can seem to be awash with lager louts, mainly over the river in the Micklegate area. If you are approached just keep on walking and they will find another victim to pester.

Aim for our recommended pubs, though, and you'll find that safe socialising in the company of affable locals is still possible! Get out[ edit ] York is centrally located for the Vale of York and East and North Yorkshire , making it a great base for days out in any direction: Aldborough Roman Villa [78] - it`s a bit of a push to the top of the county but well worth the trouble. Castle Howard [79] - one of the locations for the filming of Brideshead Revisited, this amazing stately home is a great day trip out of York. If you've got a car and go to Castle Howard its worth a look at Kirkham Priory too, just off the A64 at the top of the hill near Castle Howard. Additional local historic sites in the York area include Beningbrough Hall, Bolton Abbey, Nunnington Hall and Riveaux Abbey. Yorkshire Lavender [80] - Only 3 miles from Castle Howard, Yorkshire's Award-Winning Lavender Farm & Lavender Gardens is set in a spectacular hillside farm of nearly 60 acres, within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Leeds - biggest city in Yorkshire.

Fantastic for shopping, drinking, dining, and as a base for exploring Yorkshire. Northallerton - from here get a bus to the picturesque, authentic, village of Osmotherley with three great pubs and plenty of good walking.

Question: What was the Roman name for York ?
Answer: EBORACUM