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York

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What's on in York

Travel by train to York from London, Newcastle and Edinburgh with East Coast for cheaper train fares.

Jul/Aug/Sept

You’ll be a-mazed by the wealth of offerings in York this summer, starting with the annual York Maze (see what we did there?) at Elvington (17 Jul-5 Sept), which presents a different labyrinthine conundrum each year.

Anyone who yearns for the Golden Age of Travel will love the new Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa, York’s first five-star hotel, which has opened in the beautiful former North Eastern Railway Company building. Sweeping staircases, mosaic tiling, parquet floors and wood panelling take guests back to the opulent days of the Orient-Express and the Queen Mary.
The York Mystery Plays are a stalwart of the season (11 & 18 Jul). At different sites around the city, you can enjoy the colourful spectacle of medieval plays, including The Transfiguration and Massacre of the Innocents, being performed aboard a traditional pageant wagon.

Top that off with the activities at York Racecourse, from the glamorous Ebor Festival (17-20 Aug) to the Music Showcase with performances from recent X Factor finalists (23-24 Jul) and the York National Book Fair (10-11 Sept), and you have a cracking summer in store.

The Wind in the Willows

22 July-21 August

Kenneth Grahame’s classic takes over York Theatre Royal this summer, with the foyer transformed into a grassy woodland and the auditorium in the round configured as you’ve never seen it before. Join Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad for their action-packed adventures in an enchanting production directed by Damian Cruden and Katie Posner.

yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

York Food and Drink Festival

17-26 September

Enjoy chocolate tastings, cook-offs, foodie debates, children’s workshops, ale trails, a young chefs’ competition, cocktail demonstrations and much more at this year’s gastro event, for which the theme is Meet Yorkshire Food Heroes.

yorkfoodfestival.com

Stockwell’s Flood

Until 31 October

A new site-specific installation is flooding the ancient space of York St Mary’s this summer. Susan Stockwell’s tower of computer components pours from the roof of the medieval church, filling the nave with a brightly coloured pool of metal and wire in a thought-provoking comment on communication, consumerism and capitalism.

yorkstmarys.org.uk

5 things to see and do in York

Yorkshire Museum

The sparkling new museum reopens on 1 August following a £2 million refurbishment. Previously shrouded areas are now filled with light, following the removal of window coverings, and there are three new major exhibitions—Roman York, Medieval York and Extinct—a brand-new History of York audio-visual spectacular and a new learning centre.
The York Dungeon

A gruesome tour through 2,000 year’s of York’s darkest history is on offer at this grisly dungeon, which includes actor-led shows and special-effects displays relating to Dick Turpin, Bloody Vikings and, new for 2010, Witches: Burned Alive.
York Minster

The second largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, the Minster has many magnificent features, including the widest Gothic nave in England, the astronomical clock—a memorial to WWII airmen—and the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.
Breezy Knees Gardens

These lush gardens at Warthill are designed to be at their peak throughout the summer thanks to careful successional planting. Among the attractions are 250ft double borders, boasting profuse perennials, three lawned areas with wide herbaceous borders, a rock garden, fragrant rose garden, pretty pond—and a giant pair of wellies. Open until 15 Sept.
York Art Gallery

Two floors of artworks spanning more than 600 years range from 14th-century Italian panels and 17th-century Dutch masterpieces to contemporary works by LS Lowry and David Hockney. The Studio, close to the main entrance, hosts family activities and education sessions. Please note, the Burton Gallery will be closed from 1 August 2010 for refurbishment and reopens in January 2011.

Comprehensive guide and accommodation ideas for York.

Near the station

Banks Music Store - 18 Lendal YO1 8AU

Banks is a music shop for the genuine music lover. Founded in 1756, the store has a wide collection of sheet music as well as a variety of musical instruments, instructional DVDs, accessories and a superb piano showroom.

Corky's Children's Gift Store - 9 Museum Street, YO1 7DT

Corky's gift store is heaven sent for parents with Christmas stockings to fill. With an imaginative, exciting and diverse range of gifts, toys, puzzles and games for all ages, Corky's has something for absolutely everyone.

Cavendish Antiques - 44 Stonegate YO1 8AS

Cavendish Antiques is a family owned jewellery and antique store that specialises in period jewels, engagement rings, gold, silver and diamonds. In the centre of York, the store also has a collection of furniture, paintings, books and clocks and watches.

La Vecchia Scuola - 62 Low Petergate, YO1 7HZ

La Vecchia Scuola is an Italian restaurant that offers visitors a creative menu specialising in contemporary Italian cuisine. With a range of wines from its well-stocked cellar and a dessert menu, the restaurant makes for a wonderful dining experience.

Little Betty’s Tea Rooms - 6-8 St Helen’s Square, YO1 8QP

Little Betty’s Café and Tea Room offers a quiet haven in which to enjoy the finest home cooked treats, cakes, breads and teas. The interior of the store is quaint and cosy and you’re assured of a friendly welcome.

The Old Siam - 126 Micklegate, YO1 6JX

The Old Siam prides itself on the quality of its authentic Thai cuisine, with beautifully prepared dishes that burst with eastern flavour.

Old White Swan - 80 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF

A delightful pub housed in a 16th-century building with flower baskets decorating the entrance and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The pub features live music on Sundays as well as weekly quiz nights and sports events.

The Golden Slipper - 20 Goodramgate, YO1 7LG

A traditional English pub in the heart of York, The Golden Slipper is interesting and alluring. The pub boasts darts board and a variety of cask ales as well as beer and wines that can be enjoyed in the comfortable beer garden.

The Lighthorseman - 124 Fulford Road, YO10 4BE

The Lighthorseman is a handsome Victorian pub in a grade-II listed historical building. The bar itself is a beautiful wooden affair complete with hand-pulled casks and brass railings. There is also a beer garden available to visitors which is kept warm in the winter months by numerous umbrella heaters.

York Racecourse

York Racecourse is an historic site and is worth a quick visit to take in the track and explore the stables that have made this one of racing’s premier destinations.

National Centre for Early Music - Walmgate, YO1 9TL

The National Centre for Early Music is a treasure - the centre doubles as a conference venue, concert/live music venue as well as being a state-of-the-art recording venue which plays host to some of the biggest names in folk, jazz and contemporary world music.

Holy Trinity Church - 70 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF

Often overlooked due to the nearby York Minster, Holy Trinity Church is a little 15th-century gem tucked away. The church features lovely stained glass decoration.