York, Castle Howard, Chipping-Camden wonderful

Glad you had a good time but I certainly wouldn't say York is the 'real England'. It's a pretty tourist town.

I'm curious how you filled 5 days in York. I could fill 5 days in that general area, but I don't think I'd use York as a base unless you got a great deal on accommodations.

I certainly wouldn't say York is the 'real England'. It's a pretty tourist town.

It is for those of us living there! That’s an interesting point though .... where is ‘real England’? Probably nowhere that you would want to go as a tourist. I’m not sure I’d be too interested as a tourist in ‘real America’ ‘real Spain’ or ‘real Anywhere else’

At the danger of sounding like the York tourist board!!!
5 days in York
Day 1-2 York - Minster, museums, walls, Yorvik, boat trip, snickleways etc
Day 3 Bus trip to Hull. Bus goes through Hockney’s wolds (great for walking and cycling) Stop off in Pocklington to see Burnby Hall Gardens, stop in Beverley to see Minster. In Hull art galleries, museums, fish walk, aquarium.
Day 4 Harrogate. Original Betty’s, Stray, nice buildings, shops, restaurants, fantastic Spa Bath.
Day 5 Whitby via steam train from Pickering

Could also do Leeds, Lincoln, Chatsworth, Castle Howard, Dales, Gateshead 😊 and all points in between!

Day 1-2 York - Minster, museums, walls, Yorvik, boat trip, snickleways etc

I wouldn't recommend the Yorvik Centre if you're not with young children as it's mainly a twee, dated ride amongst animatronics. The interesting part, the museum, is woefully small and really doesn't offer enough to justify the entrance fee.

Jorvik has been expanded and updated a few times over the years, although it is still a bit 'Disney'. Smells developed originally by the Chemistry Department of the University of York, which apparently have been toned down a lot in its latest 2017 incarnation (not been myself since then).

I wouldn't recommend the Yorvik Centre if you're not with young children as it's mainly a twee, dated ride amongst animatronics. The interesting part, the museum, is woefully small and really doesn't offer enough to justify the entrance fee

It’s not really my cup of tea either but plenty of other people seem to like it. Somehow I forgot to make special mention of the National Railway Museum on the list which I personally think is much better, but again others may find boring, but at least it only costs a donation- the level of which you determine yourself. There’s also a quilting museum in York which sounds deadly dull to me, so I’ve never been in it, but could be the highlight of someone else’s trip!

I really enjoyed the York Castle Museum; the WW I exhibit really brought to life the lives of those on the homefront. There's also the fun cat statue trail. The free tour by locals is also a must do.