From the remains of a Viking settlement discovered
deep beneath Coppergate Street, to the medieval wall surrounding
the old city and the splendour of Castle Howard (the setting for
TV's
), York is a city richly steeped in
history. It is one of the most interesting and popular cities in
the UK, attracting a steady flood of local and international
tourists.
Founded in the year 71 AD, York is located at the
convergence of the Ouse and Foss Rivers, and was thus a strategic
northern hub, passing through the hands of the Romans, Saxons,
Vikings, and Normans respectively.
The varied history of the city is evident in its
magnificent architecture - from Viking ruins to the spectacular
York Minster cathedral. Northern Europe's largest Gothic Cathedral,
the Minster took more than 250 years to complete, and is an
impressive and photogenic structure surrounded by beautiful
gardens.
This is not just a city of history, however, and the
presence of York University makes for a lively mix of the old and
the new. There are plenty of shops, bars, clubs, and restaurants,
and weary travellers in York can spend their afternoon in one of
the city's excellent tea rooms or coffee shops, while the evenings
offer West End-style shows at reasonable prices, and plenty of
places to find some solid English pub grub.