YORK, UK advise please.

I don't have personal experience but I've heard the Mason Arms recommended for Sunday Roast.

York Minster and The National Railway Museum.

If the weather cooperates, walk the wall.

In addition to what's been mentioned (the National Railway Museum and York Minister) I recommend the Jorvik Viking Centre, which has exhibitions about York during Viking times.

We really liked The Chopping Block, which does Sunday roasts (and is haunted): https://www.thechoppingblock.co.uk/

For beer, there's The House of Trembling Madness and of course Brew York brewery.

York is fantastic. We stayed at The Minster Hotel, walking distance from the north gate.
York Minster and The National Railway Museum for sure.
Also, walk the ancient walls and there are some great museums in the city, forgotten their names.
Do walk through the narrow streets of the old city, forgot the name, we were last there in 2017.

Be aware that in Yorkshire, a Yorkshire pudding can be as large as the plate and all the other ingredients sit inside it. As a Lancastrian, I find that a bit weird and just too much. I am used to my Yorkshire Pudding being a small size alongside the veg and meat.

When we were in York, we really enjoyed the free tour given by a local person. There are also cat statues on numerous buildings.

I was in York last April, my second visit to the charming town. As others have mentioned, the York Minster and the National Railway Museum are must see's. I also loved walking through the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, where you can see the remains of some of the church and the stone walls. It is about a ten minute walk from York Minster.

My friend and I were in York for about eight hours, on a day trip from London. We ate at "Forest" restaurant, which is attached to Galtres Lodge. Their menu is online. We didn't have roast with Yorkshire pudding (looks like they serve it on Sundays for lunch or just Yorkshire pudding itself on the daily lunch and dinner menu), but I remember that my soup of the day and hot chocolate were so delicious.

Hope you have a fantastic time visiting York!

In anticipation of your visit , this travelogue from 1979 will give you a background of British railways and their history .. Written and presented by the inimitable Michael Palin . Entertaining as well as educational , the section on The National Railway Museum starts at 18.00 https://youtu.be/n6AdjimfTto?si=0ilx-7tEOiAldYNm

IF you decide you want Afternoon Tea then I recommend Betty's. OMG good. I think the last time I was there (Spring 2023) I just walked in without a reservation but if you are there around Easter it might be busy and you might need reservations. I love their Fat Rascal scones.

https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-york?srsltid=AfmBOop0A_1ImfV9ItY75NmhMRmOhbDVjjQbgHdy2BiPE-otB1LlwIl5

I also really enjoy the crypt area of Yorkminster, well, all of the Minster but be sure to go down into the crypt. Did you know there is an old police station in the Minster? I also enjoy the Castle Museum, especially the recreated Victorian street scenes. Fun!

York Minster still has it's own police force, with 13 officers, as do Canterbury and Liverpool Cathedrals.

They do actually have the power of arrest (and have handcuffs and batons) and also have stab vests in case of serious disorder, although actual crime is normally investigated by North Yorkshire Police. Normally they are more of a security force for the building.

Interestingly Washington National Cathedral in the US also have their own dedicated police force.

Rick Steves has the following recommendations:

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england/york

▲▲▲ York Minster York's pride and joy, and one of England's finest churches, with stunning stained-glass windows, textbook Decorated Gothic design, and glorious evensong services.

▲▲▲ Walking Tours Variety of guided town walks and evening ghost walks covering York's history.

▲▲ York Castle Museum Far-ranging collection displaying everyday objects from Victorian times to the present.

▲▲ National Railway Museum Train buff's paradise, tracing the history of all manner of rail-bound transport.

▲ Yorkshire Museum Archaeology and natural history museum with York's best Viking exhibit, plus Roman, Saxon, Norman, and Gothic artifacts.

▲ Merchant Adventurers' Hall Vast medieval guildhall with displays recounting life and commerce in the Middle Ages.

▲ Jorvik Viking Centre Entertaining and informative Disney-style exhibit/ride exploring Viking lifestyles and artifacts.

▲ Fairfax House Glimpse into an 18th-century Georgian family house, with enjoyably chatty docents.

▲ The Shambles Atmospheric old butchers' quarter, with colorful, tipsy medieval buildings.

▲ Ouse Riverside Walk Bucolic path along river to a mod pedestrian bridge.

Grays Court for a meal. Pricey, but I guarantee you will not eat in such surroundings in the US (mainly because the building dates from the 12th century).

Have a drink in the Eagle and Child and ask to see the signatures on the wall on the 2nd floor (not always open). It was a party place in the 60's and after a gig in about 1963 the Rolling Stones wrote their names in lipstick on the wallpaper. They are still there (protected by a glass sheet now).

We were in York a couple of years ago and on a Sunday evening were looking for Sunday dinner with Yorkshire pudding. I had such fond memories of the Yorkshire pudding my grandmother made! We tried the York Roast Co on Low Petergate. This might be the only time I've disagreed with a Rick Steves recommendation, but that place was awful. Avoid! It's more fast-food-ish, the staff were surly, the food overdone and poorly made, and the upstairs "dining room" truly filthy. There was liquid draining from the large trash can all over the floor. Granted, Sunday evenings are not the best time to eat out - most people have had their Sunday roast dinner at another of the wonderful pubs and restaurants in the city during the earlier part of the day and are home with their feet up for the evening. Since you're going all that way, and York is a wonderful city to visit in so many ways, I didn't want you to find this place and be disappointed.

Hi Nancy -

For dining in York I like the Guy Fawkes Hotel and Rustique and I particularly enjoyed a recent lunch at The Refectory adjacent to The Minster. (Booking advised for all). If you really want to push the boat out, book (well in advance) and try the tasting menu (nine courses I think!) at Roots Restaurant. It’s very expensive but a real gourmet experience. How expensive? When presented with the wine list the cheapest bottle I could see was £74.00. Silly me, I thought, I’m looking at the wrong side! I flipped it over and to my shock, discovered it was blank! Do check prices before booking - it’s a while since we ‘invested’ there and I’m sure the prices will have only gone up! The other dining suggestions are less bank breaking!

As for the sights, York Minster is the big draw - if I recall correctly, while expensive, the admission ticket lasts a full year so if you can’t cover it all in one day, you can always go back the following day and do a bit extra! Or you could attend a service - Evensong being the one I’d go to. The sound of a choir in that vast space verges on the otherworldly. I also like the Treasurers House, the Merchant Adventurers Hall and the walk round the walls. If you get a fine day the views from the top of the fairly recently roofed Cliffords Tower are exceptional, but there’s only steps onto the roof. Fairfax House is an interesting glimpse into the more recent past and the Victorian streets in the York Castle Museum are fun. I realise railways aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but the locomotives in the Railway Museum are particularly impressive. And I’m happy to wander through the streets of York endlessly, it’s a really walkable city.

I’m sure you’ll find more than enough to occupy you over two days! Have a great trip.

Ian