If you are anywhere in the UK and looking for a quick getaway then York could be your next weekend destination! It is a historically famous town situated in the Northern mainland very close to Scotland.
The Farmers Market
You will find this market after your long walk through the cobbled streets of York once you make your way out of the train station. We had not expected the farmers market to be the most exciting place here. From fresh food to cheese, flowers, home decor, candles, handmade jewellery, knitted baby clothes, mulled wine, churros..this market has it all and sure to keep you entertained for more than you decided to be. Ensure you are carrying enough loose change since some of them do not have a card machine. This place is also surrounded by cute little bakeries and cafes so if you get tired of walking around, you could grab a quick bite at the Sandwitch, our favorite here.
York Castle Museum & Clifford’s Tower
This one is a must visit whether you are a history enthusiast or not. For its sheer architectural beauty and an old world charm, the museum has memoirs from both the world wars, a fashion museum tracing the history of fashion from the 1700’s and gallows which shut down at 1700 hours. You must experience the World War era train bogeys specially made for soldiers, it almost transports you to those times, all with background voiceover and lights. They have preserved the objects, learnings, information so well for the future generations, you will understand how the wars changed humanity forever.
Once you are done with the museum inside, you can climb up the Clifford’s tower which is like a mini-fortress and a great location to click pictures. This fort was built to keep an eye out on any invasions on the palace. The entire area is so peaceful , completely opposite of the farmers market bustling crowd. There is a souvenir shop near the ticket booth and a cafe where you can grab coffee once you are exhausted from the tour of the huge castle.
York Art Gallery
The gallery is situated right before the Castle museum so if you are in York for more than a day then you will be able to cover this spot too. There is a Harry Potter light and sound show for which you may need to pre-book the tickets. This show usually opens at 1600 hours so you can finish your lunch and plan for it in advance. If you are travelling with children then its an attraction you must not miss. The York gallery is curated by the students and faculties of University of York. The artefacts are researched well and they are still being added to the collection.
Castle Howard
We felt like we had been transported to the Versailles when we visited this castle. The gardens and the architecture is very similar to Mary Antoinette’s Versailles in Paris. We recommend this beautiful attraction for its unreal picturesque spots. You would want to click a hundred pictures here as the light is incredible and the backdrop of the Corinthian architecture makes you feel like living amongst the royalties of 1800’s. Imagine the times these structures have seen and still standing strong.
Riverside Restaurants
Some parts of York feel like Amsterdam because of the boats and the river passing right through the city. The bridges and canals come to life as the evening dawns. The riverside restaurants are equally enjoyable in evenings as they are in the day time. More bars and pubs open up as it gets dark. There are some restaurants which you will see while walking down the bridge in the main York townsquare. You can stop by any of these places and get yourself a pint of beer to enjoy the vibe around. This is a popular weekend destination for the locals so if you want to experience authentic British culture and food, York should make it to your itinerary.
York is accessible by train and road from London or anywhere in UK. It is approximately 2 hours train ride from London and about 30 minutes from Leeds. Book your tickets in advance for cheaper fares and check the availability to avoid last minute cancellations due to the unpredictable workers strike. We hope you have a memorable York weekend!

Nasir
January 10, 2023 at 11:03 am
Hey! Good trip it was and some good pictures of you looking pretty!!