It only takes a couple of hours to get to the historic city by rail
If you’re looking for a classy weekend break for some Christmas shopping and a bit of sightseeing, the city of York is a wonderful place to visit. York is a beautiful and historic city, with a top-class shopping area, plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from, and loads of attractions for people of all ages and interests.
It looks particularly stunning at Christmas, when the lights twinkle and traditional decorations adorn the city streets. Earlier this year, York was declared the world’s second most beautiful place to visit in winter by Premier Inn.
The company said: “York Minster cathedral looks even more majestic, while the city’s famous Christmas market, St Nicholas Fair, comes alive on Parliament Street.” York’s Christmas market opened on November 14 and will run until December 22, offering an array of local crafts, artisan products, and seasonal treats.
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What are the best attractions in York?
There are so many things to do in a weekend in York, it’s difficult to know where to start. The city reportedly has more attractions per square mile than anywhere else in the UK. Top of the list has to be York Minster cathedral. The minster, which dates from the seventh century, is a stunning building inside and out, with beautiful medieval stained glass windows a particular highlight. In 1984, the cathedral suffered a serious fire which caused its roof to collapse, but was subsequently restored.
The Shambles shopping street in the city centre is another highlight. It is one of the best preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and supposedly inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. When you’re in need of a cup of tea and a cake, you can pop into the iconic Betty’s Tearoom in St Helen’s Square. The café serves up a legendary afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings, but you must reserve afternoon tea in advance.
History buffs will have a field day in York. There is a wonderful Railway Museum not far from the city centre, and my little nieces loved the Jorvic Viking Centre, which gives you an immersive experience, simulating Viking life in the city. Visitors are taken through dioramas in carriages depicting Viking life, with all the sights, smells and sounds you’d expect.
York is said to be a haunted city, and there are plenty of ghost tours on offer. You can hear blood-curdling tales from the city’s past, and discover alleyways, streets and buildings where phantoms and apparitions have appeared over the years.
How do I get to York from Merseyside?
If you want to drive to York from Liverpool, it will take you around two and a half hours in the car, travelling on the motorway. On public transport, the journey time is slightly shorter. You can hop on a train at Liverpool Lime Street and be in York in just over two hours.
