With a history that goes back 2,000 years.
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Introduction
York has been an important outpost of the Roman Empire, who knew the city as Eboracum and became capital of the proud Viking kingdom. The Vikings came as invaders but stayed on in settlements and became known as Jorvik and later to the Anglo-Saxons as Eoforwick. The Medieval legacy is everywhere to be seen, in the streets, buildings and the maze of snickets.
This prominant period saw the building of both the Minster, one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Christendom, and the wall fortifications and bars, which are intact.
York's many historical buildings and attractions are conveniently shoe-horned into the relatively small area inside the Medieval walls and bars. The city centre streets are pedestrianised enabling visitors and residents to explore the city more easily,
York is the seat of the Anglican church's northern power and, until the Industrial Revolution, by far the most important city in the north of England - as well as county town of the largest of all shires. York today is a mix of past, present and future.
Its role as a major railway centre is reflected by the presence in the city of the National Railway Museum; its role in the arts and culture is marked by the annual Early Music Festival, York mystery plays, York Musical Society, Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House, Barbican Centre and much more.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy a free guided tour around historic York in the company of a trained voluntary guide, starting from Exhibition Square each day (April-Oct). A private tour company also provides a number of daily walking tours starting from the West End of York Minster. There is also the opportunity to hire a personal stereo and headphone set; the tape gives a commentary on two walking routes around the city. Tours by open-top bus take about an hour and include a commentary on all the main sites of interest. A pleasing tour at an easy pace is available from the seat of a horse-drawn carriage. Seeing the city from a different perspective can be enjoyed by a river cruise along the Ouse.
Surely no-one would want to miss the jewel in the crown - York Minster. That apart, the short walk along the city walls between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar will be memorable, as are the views from the tops of York Minster's tower and Clifford's Tower. Some experiences are unavoidable and the delights of an ancient city pervade York's narrow streets and even narrower 'snickelways'.
Medieval stained glass
City of Glass York has been called the 'City of Glass' for it has one of the finest collections of medieval stained glass in the world. There are almost 200 such windows among the city's parish churches, historic buildings and the Minster. These magnificent windows have survived throughout the centuries; only the thin channelled lead strips need replacing every 100-1 50 years. The traditional skills required for the maintenance and repair of stained glass are still practised by the York Glaziers' Trust. A pair of binoculars provides the best means of appreciating the intricate work involved in creating these transparent treasures.
Streets, Snickleways & Bridges
More than one stranger to York has noted that this is a city where the streets are called 'gates' (eg. Micklegate); the gateways are called 'bars' (eg. Bootham Bar); and the bars are called pubs. The name of a street can sometimes be traced to an earlier age and may be a personal name (Goodramgate comes from Gutherum, a Danish chief) or a trade (Coppergate was Danish for the street of the coopers or barre) makers and woodworkers). The suffix 'gate' is used in many city street names, reflecting the Danish influence. The word 'gate' comes from the Danish word 'gata' or 'gatan' for street or way. York has a profusion of narrow alleyways, ginnels, passageways and snickets threading their way through the city, many of which date from medieval times. The word coined by the author Mark Jones in his best-selling book on these many footways in York is 'snickelways'. For over a thousand years (850-1863) there was but a single road bridge, the Ouse Bridge, across the river. Lendal (1863) and Skeldergate (1882) Bridges alleviated the situation and eased the flow of traffic in and out of the heart of the city. Taking a leisurely stroll around the city streets and snickelways can provide an absorbing interest for resident and visitor alike.
Festivals and Events
York has a full programme of festivals and events, details of which are published each year and available from the Tourist Information Centres. The York Early Music Festival in June has gained international acclaim and the Viking Festival braves the February weather with a longships regatta, torchlit procession, boat burning and fireworks finale. York's Cycle of Mystery Plays are performed every four years.
Evening entertainment
Evening entertainments are provided at York's theatres, cinemas, night clubs. There are night-time cruises on the river and the boats are equipped with powerful on-board floodlights which illuminate many of York's famous buildings and landmarks. York is one of the most densely haunted cities in England and there are chilling tales of disembodied spirits which are recounted on the many ghosts walks which take place each evening throughout the year. At night, street lighting adds drama to a stroll through familiar street scenes and many of the city's notable buildings are floodlit.
The River Ouse
The River Ouse is something of an exception - it does not have its own headwaters or source. Instead, it is born some 10 miles (16 km) north-west of York at a point where the River Ouse is joined by a small stream called Ouse Gill Beck. The combined waters are then re-named the River Ouse.All of the Yorkshire rivers which flow into the Vale of York are collected by the Ouse which takes a meadering 57 miles (92 km) to join the Humber, east of Goole, and then continues to the North Sea.
In terms of the development of a city, the River Ouse is one of England's most important rivers. From AD 71 when the Romans chose to build their fortress at Eboracum (York) between the confluence of the Ouse and the Foss, the River Ouse has been a central feature in the story of the city. Invading armies sailed up the river, including the Vikings and the Danes. Stone to build the city's magnificent medieval cathedral, York Minster, was brought from Tadcaster during the 11 th century via the Wharfe and the Ouse. And it was the river which provided the vital ingredient in the development of a thriving and prosperous inland city throughout the medieval period.
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