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Published: June 28th 2017
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Geo: 53.9577, -1.08229
Guy Fawkes was born in York. We strolled past his birthplace as we explored the magnificent old city of York. Cobblestone streets, a grand cathedral, viking influence, a standing medieval wall, this was a great place to behold. Entrance into the grand Cathedral, St Peters was delayed, as a prayer service was underway, with Prince Andrew 'hogging' the church. I mean really, using a cathedral for prayer with tourists afoot! With the new entry would be restricted to the public until the afternoon, we headed to the famous Bettys restaurant for morning tea. Each of us chose a delicious coffee from around the world, along with a snack. Pikelets for Natalie, a berry cheesecake for Joe and cinnamon toast for me. Best ive had!
Next, a walk through a street known as the shambles. Just so, for the nature of the slanty shanties, Tudor buildings dating back to the 16th century. Very impressive. Our eventual destination was the York Castle museum. This was a great place, detailing the history of York (or Jorvik) dating back to Viking settlement. There was an excellent re-creation of a Tudor society, it felt like a walk back in time, through homes, shops and streets.
After that a tribute to the 60s, dungeons and world war history.
Onwards, past many wild geese and goslings, a pastry to go, and return to the cathedral for a guided tour. An amazing building, as grand as Westminister Abbey, Durham Cathedral or St Pauls but very different from all of these. A welcome difference was the allowance of photography within. Comparable to Westministers exterior, York cathedral had grand Gothic architecture, and towers. Inside, less grand, but more spacious and white. A point of interest from our tour guide was York Cathedral contains 80% of the remaining medieval glass left in the UK. Whilst, like other cathedrals it has been subject to distruction, conquest and damage, the particular captain at the time of conquest had a passion for the craftsmanship of the great windows and ordered them to be left intact. Like many cathedrals, the current version is not the first. This was renovated on the current main structure being built around the 11th century. It was built after a Norman church stood here, which was predated by a Roman temple. Remains of the roman building can be seen in the crypts beneath. Within the cathedral there was an exhibition
on the craft that went into restoring and maintaining the amazing medieval stained glass windows.
Time for a drink, and into a beer shop, with an awesome bar in the Tudor attic; House of the Trembling Madness. Great lounge, decor, music and most importantly, great beer.
What better way then to walk that beer off, than a few miles around the city walls. Incredible really, three quarters of the original walls still stand, near 1000 years later.
Three and a half miles around, in lovely sunshine, and we were back where we started. A great day. Nat and I loved York.
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