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When you think of the most quintessentially British city, you probably think of London.
But as a proud Brit, I promise there are other equally fascinating cities to explore.
York is a city that was also founded by the Romans and boasts fascinating historical sights, but without the stress of navigating London.
A study by All Accor discovered that York is the most relaxed and stress-free city in Britain.
The city scores highly for its abundance of green spaces, number of quaint coffee shops and libraries, and overall cleanliness.
Here’s why York is currently one of the best cities to visit in Britain:
Rich history that is easy to discover
Unlike sprawling London, York is a wonderfully compact city, making it incredibly easy to explore.
You can visit almost all historical sights on foot.
One of the best historical sights in the city is The Shambles. This is a narrow and winding medieval street where you can walk along cobbled stone footpaths.
Many of the buildings here date from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Today this is a great place to shop in local, independent stores.
Rumor has it that JK Rowling used the street as inspiration for Diagon Alley in her Harry Potter stories, and as a result you will find 3 different Harry Potter shops on the street.
You’ll also see Potter fans on the streets wearing robes and wands, which is fun to see even if you’re not a fan.
You can’t visit York without entering York Minster. It is considered one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world.
This beautiful 13th-century Gothic cathedral is enormous and dominates the city skyline. It features incredible medieval stained glass and 2 functioning bell towers.
Admission to the Minster costs £18 ($23.50) or you can visit the Minster and Central Tower for £24 ($31.50).
One of my favorite historic sites in York is Jorvik.
This is a reconstruction of a Viking village and reflects York’s rich Viking history. You can fully immerse yourself in the experience here.
If you have even a passing interest in Viking culture or history, this is the place to be. Entrance costs £16.50 ($21.50) per adult.
Epic city landscape
York is one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, and there are plenty of places where you can enjoy fantastic views not only of the city but also of the surrounding countryside.
One of these is the city walls of York.
These extend for about 3 km around the town and were built during the 13th centurye century, passing through both the Museum Gardens and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey.
It takes about 2 hours to complete the walk, but the views are truly breathtaking at some points.
To see the city from a more unique perspective, take a river cruise along the River Ouse.
Float down the river on a comfortable boat as the captain shares stories and anecdotes about the city. With City Cruises York a cruise takes approximately 45 minutes cost £14 ($18) per person.
For something special, enjoy a fish and chip cruise in York, eating award-winning fish and chips from your lap as you float through the Yorkshire countryside.
This cruise will cost £25 ($32) per person.
It’s also worth mentioning that York is located in the heart of Yorkshire: a region often referred to as God’s Own Country due to its outstanding natural beauty.
You can easily travel from York to walk the Yorkshire Dales or take a day trip to one of the county’s lively seaside towns such as Whitby, Scarborough or Filey.
Incredible Christmas markets
I know it’s probably a bit early to talk about Christmas, but I’m going to do it anyway because Christmas is my favorite time of year to visit York.
The atmosphere, decorations and the Christmas market in the heart of the city give York a winter wonderland feel.
This year the York Christmas Market takes place from November 14 to December 22. The town has a medieval atmosphere and you can enjoy locally made Christmas products and buy traditional handmade gifts.
If you’re interested in some retail therapy, head to Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, where you’ll find 75 alpine-themed chalets. 80% of traders are from Yorkshire, so this is a great way to support local businesses and find something you won’t find anywhere else.
Warm up with a glass of mulled wine and enjoy the fun. You can even play Christmas-themed mini golf in the heart of the city!
How do you get there?
York does not have its own airport, so most international travelers to the city fly into Manchester or London.
While Manchester may be slightly more convenient, it is usually significantly cheaper to fly direct to London.
The best way to get to York from London is to take the train. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and departs directly from Kings Cross Station.
Train prices in Britain are notoriously fickle, and the sooner you book the cheaper your tickets will be.
But expect to pay around £22 ($29) for a one-way ticket between the two stations.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
