Day Trip from London: Brussels or York?

York, even though I've never been. With all that traveling, even though train time may be similarz, boarding and checking in for Eurostar is more involved and includes immigration controls in both ends, requiring way more time at the station on each end. York should be interesting and beautiful at Chtistmastime.

Brussels is OK, but not really the knock your socks off European capital. No way would I send five hours traveling to go there from London.

We are going to York on our four week drive tour of England and Wales this October. We have three nights in York and will not see it all. On a day trip like you are suggesting, you would at best get half a day in York.

I suggest going somewhere closer like Cambridge, Canterbury, Salisbury, Bath/Stonehenge, or Oxford.

I've been to both cities, and neither is worth 5 hours travel for a 10 hour visit. Neither is noted for their stupendous Christmas Markets or fine food. Are there any other options, like Bath, that's not so far? You are doing a tremendous amount of travel already. Can they get you from Strasbourg to Germany, where you might find an authentic Christmas Market, one not filled with Polish and Chinese merchandise?

The train to Brussels stops at Midi station, where you get a free transfer to many trains to Centraal, where the tourism starts. You have to reverse that on departure. York is quite different, perhaps even more touristy. Consider the rail museum and the nearby 1190 Massacre monument if you have time.

Overall, Brussels is quite uninspiring. They do have the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (my sister-in-law had always wanted to see some specific pieces there, so this was a must for her). And I loved my Art Nouveau tour with ARAU - see if they have anything on your dates: http://www.arau.org/en

Otherwise, go anywhere else! York has a lot to fill a day (look at Rick's England or Great Britain book for some ideas, or Tripadvisor's list of sights: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186346-Activities-York_North_Yorkshire_England.html#ATTRACTION_SORT_WRAPPER)

If you have to choose between Brussels and York, then I'd say York, for all the reasons given above. Does your Costco deal limit you to a day trip, or are you choosing not to spend a night there? I think York is worth an overnight if your schedule allows.

If your Costco deal is more flexible about where you can go, and you have only one day, then I'd suggest a closer destination like Oxford or Cambridge or Canterbury or Salisbury. Four hours is a long time to be on a train for a day's visit.

First, I have to say Brussels is unfairly getting dissed here. It is a very lovely city and worth spending a few days in. I would rank it ahead of some other cities in Europe, but that is personal taste.

However, there are two very good reasons not to choose it per your options. The first has been noted - that the time there and back, plus the extra security and passport control review would mean a lot of wasted time just to go for a few hours. The second, and almost as important, is that Brussel's charms are best during good weather. The Grand Place and the lovely neighborhoods are best explored when the weather is nice and the days are long - not in the middle of winter. Brussels lacks the big name museums some other cities have (perhaps the reason why all the negative reviews). So there isn't as much to do in winter.

York would make for a better option, although I agree that a closer city to London would be better in winter when days are short. But a few hours walking around town, seeing the main sites and having some good pub grub would be a nice day. I would check to see what types of Christmas events might be going on that you might partake while there. Plan on staying late if there is an evening Christmas concert or event and just take a late train (it'll be dark anyway).

Lindsay,
Since you have that credit, here are my thoughts.
Lots to see there, I especially love the York Minster Cathedral.

It was fun getting lots in the little lanes. Enjoyed having tea there too.
I don't know if they have a specific Christmas Market, but I think it could be
fun to look around.
I went to a few in London (Christmas markets/faire). Found some fun
food to snack on and a couple of small items to take home as gifts.

Brussels is nice too.

You said your interests are history, museums, and food.
Then, maybe Brussels is for you then. Many museums, great food too.

They do have a Christmas Market there.

Personally, I would pick Brussels because of the many types of museums.

Whatever you decide will be fun for the two of you.
Enjoy!