The London Guide: Features: February 2003

York is reputedly one of the most intriguing cities in England. Indeed, no other English city offers the layers of history, the beauty and the sheer diversity of York.

Populated by the great invaders throughout its 2,000-year history - Romans, Saxons and Vikings - and with the wealth of the medieval wool trade as well as the Victorians making their mark, the York of today presents visitors with a chance to experience a unique fusion of civilisations.

York rejoices in the richness of the past, and has evolved into an attractive, vibrant, progressive, modern city, with easy access to the glories of the rest of Yorkshire.

The superbly preserved walled city has witnessed over two centuries of vibrant history. Combine this with quaint teashops, bustling shopping streets, the brightest bars and cafés, and award-winning attractions, and you've got the perfect short break destination.

With over 30 museums, galleries and tours to choose from in its compact centre, England's finest historic city has something for everyone, whatever the time of year. The largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe is one of the many highlights, alongside the magnificent Minster, and the National Railway Museum - the largest railway museum in the world. One of the most popular stops includes the Castle Museum.
Venture into the prison cell of notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin, wander through the Victorian streets and shops of old York and experience 400 years of fascinating social history.
Legends tell of a web of undiscovered haunted tunnels, pits and passageways under the Streets of York. The York Dungeon has uncovered these terrible tunnels with the awesome Pit of Despair.

No visit to York would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Jorvik. Built on the very site where archaeologists uncovered a veritable Viking treasure trove in the late 1970's, Jorvik is the only place in England where you will see a reconstruction of a Viking Age city - sights, sounds, smells and all.
Set in 10 acres of beautiful botanic gardens in the heart of the historic city of York, the award-winning Yorkshire Museum houses some of the richest archaeological finds in Europe. Discover over 1,000 years of Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Medieval history.
Objects on display include Roman mosaics and beautiful jewellery such as the exquisite world-famous Middleham Jewel, a 15th-century gold pendant adorned with a magnificent sapphire and the beautiful 8th-century silver and gilt bronze Ormside bowl.

Discover 600 years of art on permanent display from York City Art Gallery's internationally important collection. See European paintings from early Italian gold-ground panels to the art of Reynolds, Frith and Boudin, Lowry and Nash, Gwen John and Hepworth, and nudes by York-born William Etty.
An outstanding collection of pioneer studio pottery includes ceramics by Staite Murray, Leach and Hamada.
York offers a first-class opportunity to browse in traditional gift shops and independent boutiques, or to investigate curios and antiques.

An exploration into Stonegate and Swinegate will reveal some hidden treasures, whilst the medieval Shambles shows a city steeped in history, with buildings leaning so far forward they almost meet!
Evening entertainment is equally varied and could include a cruise along the beautiful River Ouse, dotted with countless small boats. Alternatively, entertainment can come in the form of visit to the theatre, or simply relaxing and sitting back in one of the 14th-century traditional pubs or sleek 21st-century wine bars.

Those feeling brave could try one of the immensely popular ghost tours around what is allegedly one of the most haunted cities in Europe. Year-round events add an exciting dimension to the city - including the popular Jorvik Viking Festival in Feb, Britain's largest annual festival of Food & Drink in Sept, and the St Nicholas Festival in Nov and Dec. Why not buy the York Pass - your passport to York. The Pass gives you free entry to over 30 favourite attractions in and around the historic city, from stately homes to museums; sightseeing tours to historic buildings; art galleries to brass rubbing.

Visitor Information Centre
De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7HB
01904 621 756
www.york-tourism.co.uk

York Castle Museum
01904 653 611
Daily 0930-1700; £6/ £3.50 child

York Dungeon
01904 632599
Daily 1030-1630; £8.50/ £5.50 child