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What's on in York

Jan/Feb/Mar

York is in for a sweet spring thanks to a new chocolate visitor attraction opening in King’s Square, which will celebrate the city’s 150-year confectionery history. Chocolate: York’s Sweet Story, the brainchild of leading attraction group Continuum, which also runs the Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh, will look at the lives of the men and women who concocted cocoa creations from the 19th to 21st centuries. Favourites expected to play a starring role include the Kit Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange. For updates on the attraction’s early spring opening, visit sweethistoryofyork.com

The attraction’s arrival should tie in nicely with York’s first ever Chocolate Festival (6-9 April), which will include a Chocolate Market, tastings, workshops and specialist insights into the city’s choccy history and current industry.

They’re still a way off, but book now to be in with a chance of seeing the York Mystery Plays (2-27 August), the largest and most elaborate outdoor theatre production the city’s ever staged. Yorkmysteryplays-2012.com

27th Annual Jorvik Viking Festival

11 - 19 February

Highlights of this year’s event include The Vikings’ Song: A Quest for Freedom, a musical featuring a dynamic young cast and reproductions of Viking instruments, and folk supremo Martin Simpson performing at the National Centre for Early Music. Also don’t miss the torchlit Festival of Fire finale.

jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

Gordon Baldwin: Objects for a Landscape

11 February - 10 June

The first major UK touring exhibition of the important British ceramic artist showcases over 100 works, with particular emphasis on his work from the 1980s onwards. It also includes a group of new pieces by Baldwin as he approaches his 80th birthday.

yorkartgallery.org.uk

York Open Studios

23, 24, 25 March; 31 March & 1 April

Held over two weekends, this highlight of the visual arts calendar enables you to see artists at work in their studios, and includes workshops in disciplines such as ceramics, linocut printing and painting at York Art Gallery.

yorkopenstudios.co.uk

5 things to see and do in York

Thorpe Hill Farm

This new visitor attraction, two miles outside the city centre, is designed to be a fun family day out that also educates people of all ages about traditional farming. So while you can meet shire horses and rare breed farm animals, learn about crop rotation and see farming in action, you can also ride the Barrel Run Quad Bike Rollercoaster and get lost in the Adventure Maze.
Treasurer’s House

This elegant medieval town house, a National Trust property, has a history spanning 2,000 years, with a Roman road in the cellar, Edwardian servants’ quarters and 13 period rooms housing one man’s remarkable collection of antique furniture, paintings and ceramics. An Open Cabinet Day (12 March) allows you to see what lies behind the doors of some of the most interesting furniture.
John Oxley podcast

Explore York’s historic walls with the help of an expert: York Council’s archaeologist John Oxley has recorded a new audio tour sharing fascinating information about the massive walls, which stretch for two miles and are considered the finest in England. Download the podcast for free at www.york.gov.uk/visiting.
Eco Skating Rink

The Web Adventure Park, just outside York, now has a synthetic, eco-ice-skating rink for year-round fun. Safer for children than ice, the surface delivers the same sensation as the real thing. Children up to 14 years can join a Skating Club, which takes place for two hours each Friday evening and offers the chance to throw some serious shapes to music.
York Walk

The company offers unusual tours that are bound to enthral all the family. The Choccy & Sweetie Tour takes you through the history of Terry's and Rowntree's and includes some tasty samples. The Bloody Execution Tour shows you turrets where heads were impaled on spikes. The Historic Toilet Tour guides you through some of the city's potty old sanitation methods.

Near the station

The Cat Gallery, 27 Stonegate, YO1 8AW

All manner of cat-themed gifts have been hunted down by owners Peter and Alison Hanson for this delightful shop, which includes pet accessories as well as top-quality artworks, jewellery, homewares, books and ornaments.

Demijohn, 11 Museum Street, YO1 7DT

Hailed as the world's first liquid deli, Demijohn borrows its concept from Italian wineries, where you take along a container, try the offerings and fill it up. At Demijohn, you can taste whiskies, wines, liqueurs, oils and vinegars, choose one of the shop’s handmade glass bottles and have it filled with the nectar of your choice. Genius.

Giftag Chocolate Box, 37 Fossgate, YO1 9TF

There's something for everyone at this mouthwatering shop, from heart-shaped champagne truffles to chocolate Killer Heels and fun characters such as Goofy Giraffe.

The Olive Tree, 10 Tower Street, YO1 9SA

The freshest local ingredients are used in Mediterranean-influenced dishes, including chicken breast wrapped in pancetta and served with wild mushroom risotto, a range of tasty pastas and pizzas, all nicely complemented by a sun-kissed wine list.

Lime House Restaurant, 55 Goodramgate, YO1 7LS

Two minutes' walk from York Minster, this award-winning restaurant has gained a reputation for outstanding food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Goose pate, savoury baklava and caramelised rice pudding are just some of the joys on the menu.

Ate o'clock, 13a High Ousegate, YO1 8RZ

“Mediterranean with a twist of scouse” is how the cuisine at Kenny Noble's cosy, 40-seat restaurant is described. The menus change regularly but might include sea bass fillet on seafood spaghetti or local venison steak, and for dessert Yorkshire parkin with hot toffee sauce.

The Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement, YO1 9UP

York's oldest and most haunted pub has a history dating from the 1500s. Its most famous ghost, Geoff Monroe, was a Canadian airman who either fell or threw himself out of Room 4 in 1945. Take your mind off the poor soul with a large selection of cask-conditioned ales, wines and spirits and a tastebud-tingling menu.

Stonegate Yard, 8-10 Little Stonegate, YO1 8AX

Situated in a Georgian townhouse on Little Stonegate, Stonegate Yard has a ground floor bar, first floor brasserie and stunning courtyard for outside dining all year round. Sunday and Monday Happy Hour from 4pm until closing time is particularly popular.

Kennedy's, 1 Little Stonegate, YO1 8AX

A stylish and modern bar and restaurant set over three floors, including a rooftop sun terrace and basement music bar. A diverse weekly events programme puts particular focus on local musicians and DJs.

Micklegate Bar Museum, Micklegate, YO1 6JX

Situated within the massive gateway that has stood sentinel to the city for over 800 years, the museum explores the pageantry and barbaric history that has unfolded in York through the centuries. (Open from 28 January, 2012.)

York Castle Museum, Eye of York, YO1 9RY

One of the country's leading museums of everyday life, it is best known for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, groovy gallery The Sixties, and new exhibition York Castle Prison, where visitors come face to face with notorious highwayman Dick Turpin. Image courtesy of VisitYork

Clifford's Tower, Tower Street, YO1 9SA

Stunning panoramic views from the top of the imposing tower, set on a tall mound in the heart of old York, are a definite highlight of a visit to the city. The tower is all that remains of York Castle, which was originally built by William the Conqueror. Image courtesy of VisitYork