WHY WE LOVE YORK, ENGLAND: Things to Do and Places to Visit! 4K

Is York really the most beautiful city in England? Join us as we explore York to see its charm, history, and beauty, and we’ll share all the amazing things to do in this beautiful city. See why we love the medieval city of York, and ended up thinking that it may actually be the most beautiful little city in England.

Join us as we visited amazing places such as the York Minster, The Shambles, Clifford’s Tower, the York Museum Gardens, the Roman Walls, York City Walls, Jorvik Viking Center, Guy Fawkes Inn, and more.

After viewing this video, we guarantee that you will want to visit York and see how stunning this city is!

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00:00 – Intro
00:49 Traveling to York
01:27 Exploring the City
01:36 Minster Gates
01:40 Hebden Tea
01:52 John Bull Candies
01:58 York Minster
02:25 York Minster
03:12 The Crypt
03:57 The Undercroft Museum
04:54 Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate
05:13 King’s Square
05:28 York’s Chocolate Story
05:30 The Shambles
06:48 Cats in York
07:04 The Shambles Market
07:53 Coney Street
08:22 York City Walls
08:29 Roman Walls
09:29 Micklegate Bar
09:32 Monk Bar and Bootham Bar
09:39 Jorvik Viking Centre
10:40 Clifford’s Tower
11:55 York Castle Museum
12:07 Dick Turpin’s Grave
12:30 York Museum Gardens
14:13 Dame Judi Dench Walk
14:19 River Ouse
14:55 Guy Fawkes Inn
16:08 Yorkshire Pudding
16:48 Travel Tips
17:34 Outro

Is York the most beautiful city in England? I’ve heard many people ask 
this question before and Adrian and I just had to find out 
to answer the question ourselves. Wandering the city felt 
like traveling back in time, while discovering York’s fascinating history. York was entertaining and 
definitely a place for good food. And after spending nearly two 
days in this ancient city, Adrian and I found ourselves agreeing with 
those who seem to think that this quaint city in Northern England could well possibly be the most beautiful city in the country. Adrian and I would love for you to 
join us on our countless adventures. Subscribe now to get notified 
of our upcoming videos! York is located in the North East of England, 
a little over 200 miles north of London. From San Francisco, we flew to London 
Heathrow and drove north, but not without stopping at a service station where Adrian 
satisfied his craving for British snacks. Adrian: That was successful! (Denise laughing)
Adrian: Chicken Tikka Slice! Adrian: And most importantly… Adrian: A WISPA GOLD! Adrian: Where are we? Denise: York Denise: Or should I say YAAAWK? From the moment we started exploring the city, we noticed how quaint and well 
preserved its buildings were. Every street was full of charm And at Minster Gates, we found 
some artisan shops including the Hebden Tea Shop with its plethora of 
unique and interesting tea flavors. Adrian decided to go traditional with Earl while I tried something more 
adventurous: orange ice cream. Another fun shop was John Bull candies 
with its colorful bonbons and funny mugs. Our first stop was the historic York Minster, where there were many signs detailing the stories 
behind the historic structures around the church. These signs can be found all over the city 
and they are all worth a thorough read. ‘
Before we went in, we made it a point to enjoy the church’s beautiful surroundings and 
admired the historic buildings on College Street. No trip to York would be complete 
without visiting York Minster. York Minster is an architectural masterpiece 
in the heart of the historic city of York. Once called the cathedral and metropolitical 
church of St. Peter in York, this place of Anglican worship dates all the way back to 
the year 627, making it over 1,300 years old. Its soaring Gothic spires 
dominate the city’s skyline The Minster’s intricate stonework, 
magnificent stained glass windows, and awe-inspiring interior offer a glimpse into 
the rich tapestry of England’s medieval past. An important part of the minster is the 
Crypt, which we think no one should miss. York Minster’s crypt isn’t just a burial site, 
it’s a window into the city’s deep history. The crypt holds a legendary 
figure – folklore says the tomb of York’s patron saint, 
Saint William,resides there. Here, you’ll find remnants of a Roman fortress 
that predates the Minster itself. Explore carved Norman capitals and a fascinating 
Doomstone, a sculpture depicting hell. Beneath York Minster’s grandeur 
lies the Undercroft Museum, a treasure trove of the city’s past. Here, history comes alive with 
Roman soldier footsteps etched in stone and archaeological finds 
whispering tales of Viking York. Interactive displays bring the Minster’s story 
to life, while artifacts like the ancient York Gospels, still used in services, offer tangible 
connections to the Minster’s rich heritage. I recommend that you book your 
tickets online prior to visiting as it gets busy in the minster, 
especially during peak season. And if you do, make sure to include 
the crypt and the undercroft. And during our entire stay in York, Adrian and I enjoyed the songs that the 
church bells played throughout the day. Aside from being historic, 
York is also full of fun! Just check out the name of the 
shortest street: Whip Ma Whop Ma Gate! Known in 1505 as Whitnourwhatnour gate, it was changed eventually to its present 
name, which is somehow similar sounding. Close by is King’s Square, 
with its old, yet historic, crooked buildings that house famous 
establishments such as the Duke of York pub. It’s also the perfect gathering place to watch street performers…these 
guys were so fun by the way! KIng’s Court is also where we found the Mecca 
for Chocolate lovers: York’s Chocolate Story. York’s Chocolate Story is a 
must-visit for any chocolate lover. This interactive museum takes you on 
a delicious journey through York’s rich chocolate history, from the 
origins of cocoa to the secrets behind famous brands like KitKat 
and the Terry’s Chocolate Orange. You’ll even get to learn how to taste chocolate 
like a pro and create your own chocolate treat! Tickets can be purchased at the museum 
or you can also book them online. But perhaps the most famous of all 
attractions in York is The Shambles. The Shambles has a dark past. Butcher shops and 
slaughter houses once housed this charming street, dating back all the way to the past 
before it was rebuilt in the 14th century. By the way, just look at those 
sausage rolls and pies. Mmmm… The name Shambles actually refers to the meat 
shelves that once hung in these buildings. I swear, walking through this street made 
me feel like I was in a Harry Potter book or something with its historic leaning 
timber buildings and wonky cobblestones. Even the shops at the Shambles are 
adorable and authentic. Kids love the Potions Cauldron and the many 
stores that sell items of wizardry. As with many other British cities, 
The Shambles is what is thought to have inspired Diagon Alley 
in the Harry Potter books. Here on this street you will also find the shrine 
for the Pearl of York, Saint Margaret Clitherow. Wait…we just missed something! A cat! There are statues of cats all 
over York which were placed, some say, to frighten away mice 
that carry diseases and plagues. But some also say they were installed because 
they are a fun addition to the buildings. A few steps away from the Shambles 
is the amazing Shambles Market. Here we found a few stalls that sold 
anything from clothes to phone cases. But the best part of the market is the food court! Who needs to go to a restaurant when this market 
has so many different types of food to offer? But what really drew our attention was Crumbles: a small stall that sold crumble 
and custard in many flavors. Crumble is a delicious British dessert where fruit compote like apple or rhubarb is topped 
with a shortbread like layer of crumbs. Then it is smothered with hot custard. Yummy! And that custard ice cream is to die for too! But one thing to remember about the 
Shambles is that it gets VERY busy! On Coney Street you will find St. Martin’s Clock, which was erected in 1668 and has 
been redesigned many times ever since. Not far from the Shambles on The 
Pavement is the Golden Fleece Pub and Inn which is said to be 
England’s most haunted inn. Our friends have told us that Betty’s 
on Saint Helen’s Square is a must visit. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get in due to the 
long lines. I guess it’s a very popular spot! Walking around the stunning city of York gave 
us amazing views but some of the best views, I believe, were seen while 
walking the York City Walls. The first one we walked on are the Roman 
Walls, which were built originally around 71 AD when the Romans erected a 
fort by the banks of the River Ouse. York, since the Roman times, has always been protected and defended 
by walls of one form or another. The majority of the remaining walls, which encircle the whole of the medieval 
city, date from the 13th – 14th century. The walls have fallen into disrepair many 
times but they were restored in the Victorian period providing many vantage points for the 
stunning scenery at the foot of each wall. These walls have been modified multiple times 
but still provide amazing views of the city, Especially with the Minster’s spires towering above the trees At the walls you will find 
Bars, which were gate houses. These bars were once gatehouses which were 
designed to restrict traffic in medieval times. The most prominent ones to date are the 
Micklegate Bar, Monk Bar, and the Bootham Bar. A lot of the streets in York are named gates. 
Well, this is because of its Nordic origins: gata in Old Norse means a 
path, way, street or road. York has a lot of historic ties with 
the Vikings and the best way to learn about this is to visit the Jorvik Viking Centre Here we saw underneath these glass 
floors what was once Nordic buildings and we were taken through an interactive 
storytelling ride about York’s Viking past. Jorvik was the viking name for York, where 
the Vikings invaded and settled for centuries. Life back then in Jorvik were showcased as 
we were taken through the interactive ride. Adrian and I really found this 
small museum to be very fascinating. They even had the remains of a 
woman dating back to the viking age. There were also plenty of well-preserved relics. We then visited the last remaining 
part of York Castle, Clifford’s Tower. Clifford’s Tower was once the center 
of government for the north of England. The original timber tower was burned 
down in 1190, after a mob attacked about 150 members of the Jewish community 
where they all committed mass suicide. Many believe that the present tower built in the 13th century was used as a 
treasury and later as a prison. Many of these stories are detailed 
on the plaques in the tower. But one of the reasons to come here is 
to enjoy the spectacular views of York. It’s a shame that not much remains 
of the original York castle, which was built by Wiliam the Conqueror in 1068. However, If you wish to learn 
more about the castle itself, At the base of the castle 
is the York Castle Museum Also, it was a must for me to have an ice cream 
cone! Yorkshire ice cream is one of the best! The next place we went to was a bit odd but 
Adrian wanted to see it. It’s Dick Turpin’s grave. For those of you who don’t 
know who Dick Turpin is, he was a a highwayman or a robber whose 
story was romanticized over the centuries. After moving to Yorkshire where he 
assumed the name of John Palmer, he was executed for the many crimes he 
committed after finding out who he really was. One of our favorite parts 
of the city are the Museum Gardens where the Yorkshire Museum can be found. This botanical garden is an Oasis in the city, especially in the spring with its 
abundant flowers and singing birds. There are several historic 
buildings in the gardens. They contain the remains of the west 
corner of the Roman fort of Eboracum including the Multangular Tower, St. Mary’s Abbey, founded in 1055 
and was once the largest and richest Benedictine establishment in the North of England, the Hospitium which once housed guests, mostly merchants who were not allowed 
to stay with the monks in the abbey. York Museum Gardens offer a delightful 
escape in the heart of York. Founded in the 1830s, these botanical 
gardens boast a vibrant collection of plants and trees with winding 
paths and sprawling lawns. It is also a perfect place to observe 
wildlife such as squirrels jumping across trees and different types of beautiful 
birds, each with melodic songs to sing. Free to enter, the gardens are a perfect place 
to unwind and soak in York’s rich heritage. And past the gates of the Museum 
Gardens is the Dame Judi Dench Walk, where we strolled along the scenic River Ouse. And speaking of the River Ouse, this vital 
waterway that flows through the city of York is popular for rowing, kayaking, and 
cruises. Take a cruise on the river on a beautiful sunny day. We wanted to get on one 
but unfortunately, we were running out of time. But strolling along the river on a beautiful sunny day in York was a perfect 
way to end our afternoon. After all that walking Adrian and I had 
to rest our weary feet and eat dinner. So we decided to do it in another iconic 
and historic place: the Guy Fawkes Inn. This historic building is where 
Guy Fawkes was born in 1570. And for those of you who don’t know who Guy Fawkes 
is: well, let me tell you. Guy Fawkes, along with his fellow Catholic conspirators, tried to blow 
up Parliament on the 5th of November, 1605. Well, let’s say it didn’t go to plan and they got caught and Guy Fawkes died 
a miserable death in 1606. Since then, the Brits have been celebrating 
Guy Fawkes night on November 5th. And do you recognize that sinister mask? Yes, that 
was patterned after good ol Mr. Fawkes. I loved the pub in this inn! It literally 
was stepping into a Time Machine. The food and the drinks were absolutely 
delicious especially their pie (which they claim to be the best in York) and my favorite 
British dessert: sticky toffee pudding! When in York, don’t forget 
to have Yorkshire Pudding! Which is a baked savory pudding made with 
a batter of eggs, salt, milk, and flour! It’s perfect with roasts and 
is a common British side dish. But lately, there have been many variations, including those that use oversized 
puddings as the dish itself! I highly recommend that visitors of York try one! York is a pretty small city, which 
is common for most cities in England. However, everywhere we went 
was so charming and historic. I wish we had spent more time in York and these are the 2 places that we 
would have visited if we did: First is the National Railway Museum 
with its impressive collection of trains from all over the world, 
including the Flying Scotsman. Next is the medieval townhouse Barley Hall which 
was restored to its original state in the 1980s. Walking all over the city was very enjoyable! Getting around is easy. The 
entire city is very walkable. However, you can also use the Hop on 
Hop Off bus which could take you to some other places outside of the city. You 
can combine this with the city cruise too! Also, like most of England, most establishments 
are cashless and accept card and phone payments. We hope you liked this video and we 
also hope we showed you why York is arguably the most beautiful city 
in England that is worth a visit. We have so many more adventures coming up such 
as our trip to the Lake District and Guatemala. Subscribe now to get notifications 
of our upcoming videos. Thank you again for watching and we 
can’t wait to see you again soon. Stay curious and keep exploring!