A visit to York, the ancient city in northern England, is like a trip back in time.
You may think that this is to give hyperbole slightly too free a rein since the gaudy, loud and flashy aspects of modern British culture are in evidence here too, but they don’t detract from the city’s old world charm and interest. The main reason for the city’s appeal is its long history, a history that has been either remarkably well preserved or lovingly restored. As such, the main sights are the Minster, the Jorvik centre, the city’s walls and its medieval streets themselves.
York Minster
York Minster, or cathedral, is one of the finest and largest examples of the Gothic style. The Minster is over 1,000 years old and is the second highest Bishopric in the Church of England (the highest being Canterbury). Visitors can marvel at the imposing stain glass windows before heading down into the undercroft, which contains examples of architectural styles from Viking times to the modern day. If the gloom of the undercroft gets too much, then finally climb up the tower for its fantastic view across the city and a chance to blow the cobwebs out of your hair.
The Jorvik centre
The Jorvik centre (pronounced Yor-vik), is a salute to the Viking occupation of England during the dark ages. The name is the Norse name for York. Since the Viking occupation was so long ago very little has survived from that time and so the Jorvik centre sets out to recreate York as it would have been. This is done through the use of ‘animatronic dioramas’ and live actors to manifest the appropriate sights, sounds and even smells (the squeamish should beware). This is an entertaining as well as informative approach to history which appeals to both young and old and so is an option for visitors with children unwilling to visit yet another museum.
York Medieval City
The medieval city walls have been well preserved in York (and a little re-built as well). This means they provide a relatively flat two and a half mile walk around the city from which you can see most of the major sights on one side and the modern city outside the wall on the other. Of course, the walls being outside and this being northern England the weather can play a large part in whether you enjoy the walk but it’s fun in any condition except sustained rain.
In a similar vein, many of the ancient streets inside the walls are worth spending some time to wander about. They are even called ‘the Shambles’ and this gives you some idea of what to expect. The cobbled alleyways, overhanging buildings and narrow lanes barely wide enough to drive a pig through, all combine with some Regency and Victorian twee to provide a multi-era historical experience not to be found elsewhere.
There are people who have gained all they know about history from costume dramas. These people do not realise that history is primarily about the mingling of high and low cultures, the meeting of the upper and lower classes and the ever-present seedy underbelly of life. People who do not realise this will also not realise quite how accurate the portrait of history painted in York really is.
Photo of York Minster by phill.d
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About the author
Will Joce is a recent graduate from the London School of Economics who has a morbid fear of working in an office. As well as travelling and writing he has worked in the UK Parliament and as a press monitor. Refusing to follow advice and get a real job he will soon be beginning a Masters degree at St Petersburg State University
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