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York, climb Minster tower’ s 275 steps. The Minster is the second most important church in Great Britain, with Canterbury Cathedral being the first.
York’ s medieval city walls, three miles long, are well preserved. One gate, the Monk Bar( at Goodramgate), is worth a visit. Britain’ s august and ancient monarchy is omnipresent: The Clifford Tower, dating from the 13th century and built by Henry III, resides upon a mound built by WIlliam the Conqueror. Constantine the Great was made emperor in York in 306. [ Joan Rosskamp and Chick McDowell, in photo, stand before Constantine’ s statue in front of York Minster.]
The museums of York comprise displays of Roman mosaics, Viking artifacts, Anglo-Saxon metalwork, Victorian objects, and Industrial Age exhibits. Noteworthy are the
York Castle Museum, the Jorvik Viking Settlement archaeological site, and the
National Railway Museum. There are 18 medieval churches to visit, and numerous speciality collections.
No visit to York is complete without a visit to Betty’ s, where tea is served on tables with linen cloths. A fruit scone, the Yorkshire Fat Rascal, is a must. Tea mugs from iconic Betty’ s are popular souvenirs.
York, 210 miles north of London, is accessible via a two-hour train( about $ 41.00 USD), or by car( four to five hours). There are some half dozen Park & Ride
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