A weekend in York
York makes for a great day or weekend trip destination from London. It's lovely, has a great history dating back to Roman times, and has plenty to do. If you plan to spend a day there, you are in luck. The LNER train service from London to York can get you there in under 2 hours.
Every good trip starts with a hearty breakfast. Suppose you have skipped breakfast and need some sustenance, head to Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms. Getting there as early as possible means you'll beat the queues and have enough time to explore the town.
Once you have had your fill, it's time to explore. Start with a walk around town. Find yourself immersed in this bustling city full of medieval gems, such as Shambles, famous not only for being one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets but also for being the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, a renowned street in Harry Potter.
Don't miss England's shortest street, aptly named Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate, meaning 'what a street!"
Before we head to the city walls, take in York Minister. Its grandeur will undoubtedly leave you wanting more. However, you might wonder why it's referred to as the York Minister rather than York Cathedral. It all comes down to timing. The word 'cathedral' was introduced during the Norman Conquest (1066 – 1071), whilst the Anglo-Saxons between 410-1066AD referred to their most important churches as ministers; hence the name remained York Minister.
Now it's time to walk the 3.4km / 2-mile route on the city walls. The city walls of York are the longest medieval town walls which are exceptionally well preserved. A volunteer group called The Friends of York Walls provides a detailed map and a guide to the walk. On specific dates, they also open the Fishgate Tower, built in 1504, and you can walk in and explore the three floors that the watchmen would have used at the time. Remember to check out the Tudor toilet and see what they would have used as toilet paper. Make sure to check out the opening dates here.
When you get to Bootham Bar, it's time for a lunch break, and the Fat Badger is an excellent place to stop. The food is great, and there is seating outside should you explore on a nice day.
Now, it's time to make your way to your last stop, the National Railway Museum. I always tease J about his love for trains, but I get very excited when I see old engines and carriages. It often feels like we experience historic feats in the innovation of transport. However, a trip to the National Railway Museum is not just for train fanatics; it's a place for everyone to learn something. You will see record-breaking engines such as Stephenson's Rocket, the earliest successful steam locomotive, and the Mallard, the fastest steam engine still holding that record.
They also have royal carriages and restored Pullman coaches, providing a luxurious travel experience for the royals and the wealthy.
Be careful not to let the engines monopolise all your time, as the North Hall also has some treasures worth exploring. Here you'll find items such as the crockery used on first-class trains and chairs they would have had on some of their carriages. They have even added a sanitisation station keeping in representing the recent pandemic. Here you will also find the oldest working model railway, built in 1925 and was used as an educational tool to train staff on the safe running of trains. Nowadays, for one day a month, volunteers provide live demonstrations of how this works.
If you are only spending a day here, it's time to head home. The train station is 5 min away from the Railway Museum. Alternatively, grab dinner at the Forage if you decide to spend the night. It has all the ingredients for a great night - good food, drinks and a great atmosphere.