Maria's guidebook
Food scene
This place is our favourite French restaurant. You can stroll to Rustique in just one minute. Pete's favourite is the duck, and I love the jarret the porc, followed by Crème Brûlée.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Rustique
28 CastlegateThis place is our favourite French restaurant. You can stroll to Rustique in just one minute. Pete's favourite is the duck, and I love the jarret the porc, followed by Crème Brûlée.
This is a local spot for artisanal beer. If you walk up the windy staircase, you can find a spot upstairs. You will be surrounded by antlers, and stuffed animals – this place feels like a step into the past. Try the extra strong 40 % alcohol beer, or the honey mead, and nibble on cured meats and cheese.
52 abantu bendawo batusa
House Of The Trembling Madness
48 StonegateThis is a local spot for artisanal beer. If you walk up the windy staircase, you can find a spot upstairs. You will be surrounded by antlers, and stuffed animals – this place feels like a step into the past. Try the extra strong 40 % alcohol beer, or the honey mead, and nibble on cured meats and cheese.
This place holds a special place in out hearts. I celebrated my PhD graduation here. And Pete and I spent the night before our wedding here, and also held a pre-wedding dinner here. Their food is elaborate and delicious.
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Grays Court Hotel and The Bow Room Restaurant
Chapter House StreetThis place holds a special place in out hearts. I celebrated my PhD graduation here. And Pete and I spent the night before our wedding here, and also held a pre-wedding dinner here. Their food is elaborate and delicious.
Skosh is a gentle 10-minute stroll away from our house. Try their tasting menu for a flavour sensation! Skosh received a Michelin star, and is nice and casual. Book ahead!
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Skosh
98 MicklegateSkosh is a gentle 10-minute stroll away from our house. Try their tasting menu for a flavour sensation! Skosh received a Michelin star, and is nice and casual. Book ahead!
Come here for a delicious brunch, with eggs on excellent sourdough bread and fresh pastries! We celebrated my birthday here! You can't book, but there tends to be a space available after a short wait.
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Robinsons Cafe
7 Bishopthorpe RdCome here for a delicious brunch, with eggs on excellent sourdough bread and fresh pastries! We celebrated my birthday here! You can't book, but there tends to be a space available after a short wait.
Monk bar have the best chocolate! They also used to make hot chocolate, which came with a praline you could select from the display. This is the perfect place for gifts for friends and family! If you ask they can add a personalised message onto your chocolate. They are closed on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, which I always found odd.
Monk Bar Chocolatiers of York
7 ShamblesMonk bar have the best chocolate! They also used to make hot chocolate, which came with a praline you could select from the display. This is the perfect place for gifts for friends and family! If you ask they can add a personalised message onto your chocolate. They are closed on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, which I always found odd.
This tiny restaurant is like stepping into Italy. From the Serie A on the TV to the loud bustling waiters and excellent food (at brilliant prices). It is a small place so you will need to book.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Il Paradiso Del Cibo
40 WalmgateThis tiny restaurant is like stepping into Italy. From the Serie A on the TV to the loud bustling waiters and excellent food (at brilliant prices). It is a small place so you will need to book.
Sightseeing
This is a gorgeous walled garden in the shadow of the Minster. You can come here for free, and enjoy an ice cream or coffee next to the flowers. The opening hours are restricted – we always check on google first.
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National Trust - Indlu yase-Treasurer, York
Minster YardThis is a gorgeous walled garden in the shadow of the Minster. You can come here for free, and enjoy an ice cream or coffee next to the flowers. The opening hours are restricted – we always check on google first.
This huge antique shop has many quirky things – from coins from Roman times, to peridot necklaces and beautiful jewellery, to weapons such as ancient swords to WW2 RPG's, there are unique treasures hidden in the many display cabinets. Just ask a member of staff and they will open it up so you can see the object up close.
The Antiques Centre York
41 StonegateThis huge antique shop has many quirky things – from coins from Roman times, to peridot necklaces and beautiful jewellery, to weapons such as ancient swords to WW2 RPG's, there are unique treasures hidden in the many display cabinets. Just ask a member of staff and they will open it up so you can see the object up close.
This house used to belong to a Viscount. Its richly decorated interior was designed by York’s most distinguished eighteenth-century architect, John Carr. They sometimes put on events!
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Fairfax House
CastlegateThis house used to belong to a Viscount. Its richly decorated interior was designed by York’s most distinguished eighteenth-century architect, John Carr. They sometimes put on events!
So it is here that I saw a Viking sock, which survived in the mud over centuries! This centre is surprisingly engaging for young and old people.
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Jorvik Viking Centre
19 CoppergateSo it is here that I saw a Viking sock, which survived in the mud over centuries! This centre is surprisingly engaging for young and old people.
This riding centre is about one hour by car from our house. It is in Helmsley, a village that is the picturebook perfect English place, with bunting and cake shops. If you book a ride in advance, you will experience the phenomenal landscape on horseback. Don't do what my friend and I did, which was to inflate our skills on the booking form! Suddenly, we were cantering along a giant mountain cliff and were happy to be alive at the end of the ride!
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Bilsdale Riding Centre
This riding centre is about one hour by car from our house. It is in Helmsley, a village that is the picturebook perfect English place, with bunting and cake shops. If you book a ride in advance, you will experience the phenomenal landscape on horseback. Don't do what my friend and I did, which was to inflate our skills on the booking form! Suddenly, we were cantering along a giant mountain cliff and were happy to be alive at the end of the ride!
No need to even leave the house to see this one. The view from the rear windows looks right at it. I find it particularly nice near sunset, or when I am occasionally up early enough sunrise.
For a different view of York you can climb up the outer steps and sit on the bank at the base of the tower.
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Clifford's Tower, York
Tower StNo need to even leave the house to see this one. The view from the rear windows looks right at it. I find it particularly nice near sunset, or when I am occasionally up early enough sunrise.
For a different view of York you can climb up the outer steps and sit on the bank at the base of the tower.
This is an excellent walk. The nearest entry to the walls from the house is at the end of Skeldergate and the walk takes around one hour to do the full loop but it is well worth it. For a shorter walk the parts from Skeldergate clockwise past the station via Micklegate Bar and Booth Bar on High Petergate clockwise past the Minster to Goodramgate are the two best sections.
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York City Walls
This is an excellent walk. The nearest entry to the walls from the house is at the end of Skeldergate and the walk takes around one hour to do the full loop but it is well worth it. For a shorter walk the parts from Skeldergate clockwise past the station via Micklegate Bar and Booth Bar on High Petergate clockwise past the Minster to Goodramgate are the two best sections.
For a different view of York you can go for a trip through the city by Boat! The boats leave from right in front of the house and they have excellent guides who can tell you a little about York you may not have heard before.
For those groups more focussed on the nightlife of the city you can also join the party boat in the evening! Please note that you would have to book and you cannot just turn up.
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City Cruises York King's Staith Landing
King's StaithFor a different view of York you can go for a trip through the city by Boat! The boats leave from right in front of the house and they have excellent guides who can tell you a little about York you may not have heard before.
For those groups more focussed on the nightlife of the city you can also join the party boat in the evening! Please note that you would have to book and you cannot just turn up.
For a snug, cozy, proper old man pub it is tough to beat the Blue Bell. Packed with interesting things on the wall, and really friendly staff. Just don't order a Carling!
20 abantu bendawo batusa
The Blue Bell
53 FossgateFor a snug, cozy, proper old man pub it is tough to beat the Blue Bell. Packed with interesting things on the wall, and really friendly staff. Just don't order a Carling!