I’ve decided to impose a new rule when I plan a trip ~ if at all possible, two days minimum at one locale. I left both Glasgow and York feeling rushed. But even though we were limited on time, I still did one of my favorite things which is to wander the streets to get a feel for the area. Here’s what caught my interest, both the silly and the serious, as I meandered through York:
Micklegate Bar (meaning Great Street) was the most important of York’s four main medieval gateways. At least six reigning monarchs have passed through this gate and the tradition is for them to stop at the entrance to ask York’s Lord Mayor’s permission to enter the city.
The lower section dates from the 12th century while the upper two stories are from the 14th. The building was originally inhabited in 1196 and, for centuries, the decapitated heads of traitors were posted above the gate. The last severed heads were removed in 1754. Thank Goodness…
Thanks to the forethought of the citizens of York in the early 1800s, the medieval city walls of York are the most complete still standing in England today. The Roman walls survived well into the 9th century but then in 866, the Danish Vikings invaded York and went all Taliban (as when they destroyed the Buddha statues) on the wall and buried the existing Roman wall under the earth.
There are lots of restaurants ~ we had a hard time deciding where to have dinner.
Pub in York
The symbol of Yorkshire is the White Rose but in 2014, in honor of The Tour de France, York went YELLOW with painted yellow bikes showing up all over the city.
What a beautiful location for a beautiful home
Hat Shop
York is considered the most haunted city in Europe but we didn’t have time for the ghost tour. Probably just as well ~ not Logan’s favorite subject matter.
A church converted into a pub. Looks like a Bro hangout as evidenced by all the men hanging outside smoking.
Constantine arrived in Britain with his father, the emperor Constantius, in 305. His father died the following year in York and, according to the succession rules, another Caesar should have become emperor. But the soldiers in York immediately proclaimed Constantine as their leader. He later became known as Constantine the Great because he managed to unite the whole of the Roman Empire under his rule.
The following photos are of the single, engaged and married in York:
I definitely don’t have the shoes to join these ladies who were heading out for a night of clubbing.
We saw no less than 15 Hen Parties in progress ~ good fun!
Just Married!
York is a wonderfully historic city and also a lot of fun (especially on a Saturday night). Thrilled I finally got a chance to explore it.
Displaced Beachbums 