spending a day in York

A 6:25 train will get you to York before 9am. Your suppertime may be different to mine. An hourly service from York takes 3:06 so if you leave at 15:34 you will arrive at 18:40. We have tea at Betty's tea rooms.

We ate a very nice lunch right across from Cliffords Tower at a Mediterranean restaurant whose name I can't remember offhand, sorry!

There are left luggage facilities at the train station.

Nigel & Tim, Thanks for the information, I live in Kansas and this is my first trip to England & Scotland. From what I've read the Church in York is worth the effort to visit, I'll have to wait and see about the Viking museum.

Our favorite restaurant in York is Gert & Henery's. It is near the edge of the market and the Shambles, in a half-timber house. Great traditional British food (hubby loves the fish and chips- I've gotten the sauted chicken and the roast beef with Yorkshire pudding- both great).

I see you referring to "the Church". If you mean the big church with all the yummy bells and fantastic Gothic architecture and wonderful interior you will be referring to the York Minster. It is well worth plenty of time and if you are lucky like we have been a few times you may get the experience while somebody is playing the organ or a choir is singing. York Minster is absolutely magical at Evensong.

In addition to the Minster, the Shambles area nearby is a great place to stroll through. Try to get into a shop or two and up to the second floor. I'd also try to see some of the wall, York has a great wall and gates. I skipped Jorvik because I'd heard it was cheesy. Next time I'll plan to see it; I've lowered my standards for choosing sights some because you've come a long way and aren't likely able to stop by whenever the mood strikes.

Definitely try to take advantage of one of the free tours of the Minster, it is so beautiful to see and experience. Our tour guide was very informative and we learned a lot about the history of the Minster. We attended evensong but you may not have that opportunity. We spent 3 nights there and had plenty to see and do. I would recommend at least an overnight stay in York.

Ditto everyone re the Minster, one of the best in Britain. Very good guided tour too. My second favorite York sight is the Yorkshire Museum near the Minster and old St. Mary's Abbey ruins. It has very good historical exhibits, much better IMHO than the York Castle Museum. Haven't seen Jorvik but have heard it doesn't do much for adults.

In addition to the cathedral and the Shambles, you should walk the walls. Start at the gate near the Minster and the Station. Wonderful viewpoints of the cathedral

Since this is your first trip, let me put in a good word for Steak and Kidney Pie as my personal favorite pub grub. The fish and chips is usually served with way too much grease for my taste but the pies are wonderful. I don't have a favorite place. I just ask a local for a place to get some pub grub and always add "nothing fancy" so they don't send me to a nice, and expensive, restaurant.

I'm also on the side of spending time at York Minster. I loved the Undercroft, but see it is currently being redone and will open Late Spring 13. One of the biggest travel disappointments ever was the Jorvik Viking Center. It taught me to savor travel by the moment and not count on something to wow you. Life lesson learned!

I'll have to second Nigel's recommendation of Betty's. Tea there is fantastic. If you are looking for another place to eat, I have always enjoyed the Guy Fawkes Inn. You won't go awry spending time in and around the Minster (as you can tell from the posts here). Having a ramble in the Shambles is also lots of fun, as is a stroll around the walls. Oh, and lest I forget - if you like trains, the National Railway Museum is in York - and its free!

Choo Choo dont miss the National train museum

Hello Donald. If you will be in a railroad train departing from Edinburg in the morning, I think the amount of time you will be at York can be sufficient. In York, my favorite places were the York minster (church) and the Castle museum.

It's a do-able schedule. I've taken daytrips up and back from London that worked out just fine. If it was me, I'd put the Minster and an amble around the center of York ahead of the Viking Museum. As others have said, you can leave luggage at the York Station. From there, it is a vey short walk into the city center.Just leave the station and turn left. Be sure you know the last departure for Oxford and the next-to-last departure. I'm not sure if you can go direct from York to Oxford without changing in London. A London change will probably involve getting across town from Kings Cross station (where you arrive from York) to Paddington Station (where you depart for the hour or-so-trip to Oxford). Allow about 30 minutes and 15 pounds or so for a Kings Cross-Paddington cab. It's cheaper but longer and considerably more hassle with luggage on the Tube. It wouldn't hurt to reserve seats when you book, either.