A Massive Cathedral and other York, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

York Minster

York Minster is one of the most impressive cathedrals I've seen in Europe, it overwhelms the town of York. It's difficult to take a picture of all the Minster because it is so large and because the town surrounds it.

A good way to view the Cathedral together with its buildings and grounds is to walk the city walls between Bootham Bar and Monkgate Bar. This should be followed by a tour inside the Minster, including the Choir Screen which has fifteen statues of the kings of England from William I to Henry VI. For the more energetic there is a climb up the 275 stone steps of the spiral stairway to the top of the Central Tower, which provides splendid views over York. On clear days you can see more than 35 miles of the surrounding countryside

The large Rose Window shown in the pictures was originally built in 1500 but due to a 1984 fire it was rebuilt in 1987.

Opening Times:
Summer 07.00-20.30
Winter 07.00-18.00
Admission: no charge, but a donation is requested

I see now they charge to visit the Minster:
Entry into the Minster
Adult: �4.50
Children (under 16s): Free

Entry to the Undercroft, Treasury & Crypt
Adults: �3.00 Children: �1.50
Entry to the Tower : Adults: �2.50
Children: �1.00

Leave a Comment

Phone: +44 (0)1904 624426
Directions: Just look up from anywhere in town and you'll see it.
Website: http://www.york.gov.uk/visiting/index.html

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting York?

Read reviews about York Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

York Minster: See the 5 Sisters

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 8, 2004

The 5 Sisters

The Five Sisters Window dominated the north transept. It�s glazed with a glass called �grisaille� and is the largest type to survive in the whole world. It was completed in 1250 before the glass was made in England, so must have been very expensive. The Window contains over 100,000 pieces of glass. The window has been dedicated to the women who lost their lives in the two world wars.

PS: Grisaille is a French term for painting in monochrome in various shades of grey, particularly used in decoration to represent objects in relief. The term is also applied to monochrome painting in stained glass.

Leave a Comment

Directions: York Minster

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

York Minster: The Nave

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 9, 2004

York Minster Nave

York Minster has the widest Gothic nave in England. It was built in 1291 and the builders were concerned about the weight of the stone vaulting and spanned the space with wood which gave it such a beautiful architectural feature. When you enter it�s awesome, such an immense space. Check the statue to the right of the west door it�s of the Minster's patron saint, St Peter holding his symbol, a key.

The nave also contains several examples of Norman stained glass on both the north and south sides, the finest example being a panel depicting St Nicholas riding over a cheat who had stolen from a money lender.
If you look directly above, you see scenes from the life of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation, Nativity, Adoration of the Kings, Resurrection, Ascention, Pentecost, Assumption of the Virgin and Coronation of the Virgin.

Behind you is the magnificient West Window built between 1338-39.

I borrowed the photo from the Minster site, as I couldn't have taken a picture that would capture it's enormous size.

Leave a Comment

Directions: York Minster

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

York Minster: The Undercroft

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 11, 2004

York Minster Crypt

This is the part of the Minster we didn't see due to the "Barristers & Clergy procession". Here is where you will see the artifacts found during the excavation under the Minster. "They say that descending into the Undercroft is like going back into time. When the Central Tower threatened to collapse, work was done to shore up its foundations from 1967 to 1972. While securing the foundations that hold up the 16,000 ton Tower, workers found the remains of buildings that once existed on this site.

These ancient remains can be seen with an audio tour allowing you to visit the site at your own speed."

Admission:
Adult: �2.50
Concessions: �1.50
Children: �1.00

This photo also came from the Minster site.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 01904 557216
Directions: Under York Minster

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

City Walls - General: Walk the City Walls

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 9, 2004

Roman Wall

York has more miles of intact city walls than anywhere else in England (approximately 2 1/2 miles) and some sections of the walls date back to Roman times.

When the Romans first came here in the first century AD, they built a military fort on the banks of the River Ouse. The town of Eboracum grew up around the fort, and strong walls were built to enclose both the fort and town. These walls form the basis of the city walls that remain today.

Much of the city within the walls has been converted to pedestrian malls, closed to traffic most of the day. If you choose to walk the walls of York you'll be sure to meet the locals; a recent survey revealed that walking along the city walls is the favorite leisure activity of fully 39% of York residents. I wouldn't walk it in the dark however. It was dusk when we were still on the wall and with very few handrails it's rather percarious.

Guided walks begin at the Museum Garden gates off Museum Street. Walks focus on the history of York, with Roman, Viking, and Medieval themed walks, plus guided walks along the city walls.

Leave a Comment

Phone: Tel + 44 (0) 1904 622303
Address: 3 Fairway, Clifton, York, YO3 6QA

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting York?

Read reviews about York Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

Shambles: The Shambles

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 28, 2004

The Shambles

Walking through The Shambles takes you back in time. It?s often called Europe's best preserved medieval street, of course that includes the surrounding maze of narrow, twisting lanes and alleys. The street itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, so we know that it has been in continuous existence for over 900 years.

The name "Shambles" comes from the Saxon "Fleshammels", which means, "the street of the butchers". Look up and you'll see the wide window sills of the houses that were used for displaying meat for sale. The butcher's shops have now been replaced with shops catering to visitors, including jewelry and antiques - the favorite shopping area in York.

The Association of Voluntary Guides to the City of York offer two hour free walking tours every day (except Christmas Day). Walks start at 10:15 am and gather at the Art Gallery in Exhibition Square. Additional walks in the summer months start at 2:15 and 7:00 pm. No booking required.

Leave a Comment

Directions: The Shambles is situated within the city walls just off King?s Square.

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

City Gates - General: The Gates

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on Apr 7, 2004

Bootham Bar

The four main gateways into the old city stand at Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar. The name "bar" refers to the simple bars which were leveled across the gates to restrict traffic in and out of the city. The bars also acted as toll booths during the medieval period.

Bootham Bar contains some of the earliest medieval stonework in the walls, with the oldest sections dating to the 11th century, though much of what can be seen today is from the 14th and 19th centuries

Leave a Comment

Directions: The City Wall

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

The Bars of York: Micklebar

Tip Rating:

Updated by Goner

on May 4, 2004

Mickelbar

Micklegate (the name derives from the Viking "myla gata" or "great street") marks the main entrance to the city. It is also the traditional entry point for kings and queen's visiting York. The gatehouse is four stories high, and contains living quarters on its upper floors. A simple gatehouse was constructed here in the 12th century, but elaborate defenses were added in the 14th century. There is a small museum inside now which traces the history of the Bar and the city itself. Micklegate Bar was also the place where traitor's heads were displayed to deter rebellion - some heads were left there for years.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: If you like horror....

Tip Rating:

Written by Goner

on Apr 9, 2004

York Dungeon