In a new series for a new year we'll be taking a trip to some of Yorkshire's best loved towns and cities to get an insider's guide and see what the buzz is about
Sarah Loftus, the managing director of Make It York describes her ideal day in the city.
Morning
The perfect way to start any day in York is to visit one of the many independent cafes within the city. A current favourite is Plush Café, serving a great selection of vegetarian and vegan breakfasts including pancakes, berry granola bowls and their famous rainbow bagels.
Exploring the city’s side streets and snickelways is a great way to uncover York’s incredible history and architecture, and burn off that breakfast! You can find Barley Hall just off Stonegate, or Merchant Adventurers' Hall on Fossgate, both of which are a must visit! Follow this closely with a mooch around the stalls in the Shambles Market. The food market is a great choice for some lunch, with a wide range of street food including Millers Fish & Chips or Los Moros.
Afternoon
Another must try is York Gin. They offer tasting sessions at their shop on Pavement, where there’s lots of learning and lots of laughs thanks to the amazing team of York Gin experts. Follow this by the Afternoon Tea in the Garden Room at the Principal York, inspired by York’s well renowned history with chocolate, absolutely delicious! There’s then still time to visit the York Minster, regularly named as one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals and it’s not hard to see why. You can discover York Minster’s hidden spaces with one of their tours, explore the Chapter House roof and Mason's Loft where you can really admire the city’s architecture and design.
Evening
As the sun begins to set, discover York’s darker history with one of the infamous walking tours. The Bloody Tour of York with Mad Alice, or The Dealthy Dark Tours with Dorian Deathly, are always a lot of fun, followed closely with drinks and food at one of the many pubs across York. We’d recommend The Market Cat for amazing craft beer and freshly baked pizzas, all whilst looking out across the Shambles Market. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, Middletons Hotel is a favourite for a night of calm, comfort and relaxation.
Sense of place:
Dine at Brancusi, the new restaurant from Florencia Clifford and Hugo Hildyard, of much-loved Partisan café. Their new outpost is in Micklegate just a few doors away and will offer an evening dining experience. Menu highlights include: a plate of charcuterie with Jim's pickles (£10); small duck rillette on toast (£6); seasonal gratin with gruyere and house gherkin (£9); Porchetta, pear, fennel, salsa verde (£21), and hake with smoked almond and aioli (£21). For something sweet, choose from steamed marmalade sponge pudding and bay custard (£8.50); chocolate cake, steeped prunes, creme fraiche (£9). A cheese plate is £14. Thebrancusi.com
The Snooks Trail, is a new sculpture trail coming to York from late February to April 2024. Organized by Make It York in collaboration with charity partner St Leonard's Hospice this trail will take you on a captivating journey through York's historic cobbled streets and hidden gardens.
Follow the trail to encounter 23 Snooks scattered throughout the city. These unique sculptures, sponsored by local businesses, will be brought to life by talented artists who will craft bespoke designs inspired by the world of literature.
DON'T MISS IN 2024
York Ice Trail
York brings a bit of sparkle to February with the magical ice trail that appeals to kids and grown-ups alike. Spectacular ice-sculpture masterpieces will turn York into ‘The City of Dreams’ with live carving and interactive experiences over a weekend. Follow the trail and be immersed in the skills of the ice-sculptors as they work their magic.
February 3&4. Visityork.org
Explore
The Visit York Chocolate Trail takes you on a journey across York to uncover how the city was built on chocolate, and highlights the sweeter side of York’s history. Visityork.org
The Snooks Trail, is a new sculpture trail coming to York from late February to April 2024. Organized by Make It York in collaboration with charity partner St Leonard's Hospice this trail will take you on a captivating journey through York's historic cobbled streets and hidden gardens.
Follow the trail to encounter 23 Snooks scattered throughout the city. These unique sculptures, sponsored by local businesses, will be brought to life by talented artists who will craft bespoke designs inspired by the world of literature.
Middletons Hotel will be sponsoring the trail.
Ellers Farm Distillery, based just north of Stamford Bridge, York has earned some starry credibility after ‘a major investment by and partnership with Ricky Gervais.’ The deal with Gervais sees him become Co-Owner of Ellers Farm and initially focuses on the Company’s leading brand, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka but also covers Ellers Farm’s gins, liqueurs, and English single malt whisky. The distillery says Gervais has been looking for an opportunity to partner with a sustainable and ethical spirits business and agreed to become a major part of Dutch Barn after learning about the ethos and workings of the company. And of course testing the product. Book a tour ad see why Gervais was smitten. ellersfarmdistillery.com
Fancy a move to York? According to The Telegraph’s ‘best 50 streets to live on in Britain’, Bootham in York is where you should be heading with your house-hunting search. Research conducted with Knight Frank showed a neighbourhood average price of £548,125 in 2023. The Telegraph says: ‘Bootham leads right up to York Minster and York Art Gallery with St Peter’s School (a prep school), York Cricket Academy and Bootham Park along the road.’ Savills’ Ed Stoyle adds: ‘It is one of the most popular roads in York with a mixture of historic and elegant Georgian and Victorian homes and residents can easily walk into the city for its shops, restaurants and bars.’
