"The history of York is the history of England", so King George VI. said. Indeed, the city (123 000 pop.) has seen it all in its 2000-year: roman emperors, warlike viking, norman knights, kings and nobles. And all have left their mark: In the streets, the Shambles, and the magnificent Minster. Take a stroll on the 5-km-long wall, you will find the best insight into the medieval city center of York.

York Minster
Surely the ideal starting point to explore the city. York Minster is both - cathedral and Minster. It is the mother church in the northern provinces of the Church of England, established by the Archbishop of York and the largest Gothic church in England. Its greatest treasure is the stained glass. Everything about the history of the cathedral you will learn in the Crypt. entrance Minster £ 5

food
Betty's Café Tea Rooms
A good cake and afternoon tea in a cafe's famous Art Deco house. Try the satisfying fruit cake Fat Rascal 6-8 St. Helen's Square

where to stay
Bar Convent
Right in York today, the nuns of the Order of St.. Virgin Mary, the oldest monastery in the country manage it as Bed & Breakfast. The word bar does not mean the gin and tonic, but refers to the gates of the house. 15 rooms 17 Blossom Street
Travelodge York Central
The chain has opened 200 budget hotels in England, one of them directly in the center of York. 90 rooms 90 Piccadilly

Fountains Abbey
The ensemble (35 km) was declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage. It includes the fabulous ruins of the Cistercian monastery from the 12th century and a landscaped garden of the 18th century. (March-Oct. daily 10am-5pm, Nov.-Feb. Sat-Sun daily. 10am-4pm, entrance: £ 5,50)