A Day in York

I think York is my son's favourite city. If you come to visit us, he will probably want to take you to York. He is already planning the next trip with Aunt Becki.

We had houseguests and decided that we would go to York for the day. There is a park & ride outside of the city but since we were only planning to be there for a few hours and since it was not summer we decided to park at Castle Parking Lot. It is called that because it is next to the Castle.

Last time we took a walking tour. J did say that this time we didn't see as much as we did on the walking tour. I think he wants to go on the walking tour again and see the city gates, walk along the wall, and see more of the city.

Our first stop was the Jorvik Museum. We had walked past this and did learn that the museum began when they were digging to build the shops they excavated and discovered the remains of a Viking house so they turned it into a museum.

There is glass on the floor so you can walk around and look at the old floor of the Viking house. The Viking house will make any house look big. There is a ride that takes you through what it would be like in the Viking village of Jorvik. It was realistic with sights, sounds, and even smells.

We met a Viking in the gift shop. No, it was just Miss K.

The museum took about an hour and was a fun experience. I had packed some sandwiches and so we found a place and ate those before heading to the Minster. We did walk through the Shambles. The Minster is an amazing sight as you walk through the city.

Last time the kids and I just went for Evensong but this time we took a tour. I have found that tours give you so much information and you learn so much more of course it does depend on the tour guide. J was burnt out on tour guides after our experience with Chinese tour groups. Thankfully our tour group was just the six of us.

We learned some about the building of the Minster which began in the 1200's. We saw the St. Nicholas Chapel with a painting of St. Nicholas on the wall. The cushions on the chairs were needlepoint of the 12 days of Christmas.

Miss K got a Little Explorer backpack or is it a rucksack? There was a simple form to fill out, no ID, no deposit necessary. Fill out the form and then return it on the way out.

I was impressed with the things inside - a magnifying glass, binoculars, pencils and paper, a map, and a few other things.

I am impressed with the way that places like this make it children friendly.

Our tour guide had a been a headmaster for a number of years. He told us that Americans always ask so many questions but they don't walk. I think we were too busy trying to look at everything and get photos.

We finished our tour and then went to the undercroft which sounds so much better than saying basement. Here there was more information about the building as well as some interactive things for the kids. J is building an arch.

I have learned from a friend that most places have dress-up things as well. Even here at the Minster there was a section of dress-up.

We did spent quite a bit of time in the Minster. Our tickets are good for a year so we might go back again.

We came out and found the statue of Constantine. J wanted to use his sword. The end of the sword is broken and laying on the statue. It was made that way. I wonder if there is some meaning to that. Could it be that Constantine was the one to end the persecution of Christians? I don't know.

The day was overcast and it rained but thankfully when we were in a building and stopped by the time we came out.

We enjoyed dinner at the same Italian restaurant that we did in June. We did plan that though as we were trying to find that restaurant again but we couldn't remember the name. When we were inside, we realised it was the same one. I did try something different this time.

York is full of history and so many things to do. I think it is a city we will visit often which will make my son happy. Come visit us and we will take you there.

Beth