York Minster, York Castle Museum York Historic Houses Castle Howard nr York UK

York Minster Gothic Cathedral

York Minster is the largest gothic styled cathedral in Northern Europe and easily one of the world's most impressive. From the intricate gothic carvings of the Chapter House to one of the world's best feasts of stained glass, any visit to York Minster demands several hours. An excellent Minster Shop and cafe is on-site, with guided tours available and ever changing exhibitions. A climb up York Minster's tower steps (all 275 of them) is not to be missed. Along the way you'll note the medieval pinnacles and gargoyles, then on the Minster rooftops be amazed by the spectacular views of the city of York and beyond to Kilburn and the Yorkshire Wolds. Comprehensive information on York Minster, including history, opening times and what to see is available via the website.

The construction of the York Minster you see today began in 1220, and continued for around 250 years. The Minster website is well worth a look before your visit - offering a detailed history of the building, plus maps and descriptions of the different sections of the Minster.

York Minster Visitors Dept, St Williams College, College St, York YO1 7JF. Tel. (00 44) (0)1904 557216.
www.yorkminster.org

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York Castle Museum & Clifford's Tower

York Castle Museum started life as a prison, and indeed some of the building's prison history is given due attention in exhibits. This includes exhibits on the museum's most famous prisoner Dick Turpin who was eventually hanged in 1739. Named after the former York Castle built by William the Conqueror which once stood here, York Castle Museum is a superb family attraction, with numerous recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms and a huge display of historic every day items derived from the collection of North Yorkshire country doctor John Kirk.

The museum has an extensive collection of British household items displayed in mock-up parlours, dining rooms and other re-created rooms.

Clifford's Tower situated on a high mound adjacent to the Castle Museum dates from the 11th century. During the anti-semitic riots of 1190, 150 Jews committed suicide by setting fire to a wooden structure that previously stood on the Clifford's Tower site. There are plaques at the site detailing this dark event in York's history.

York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY. Tel. 01904 687687.
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk Clifford's Tower (opposite the Castle Museum), Tel: 01904 646940 www.english-heritage.org.uk

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The Yorkshire Museum & Gardens, York Historic Buildings

Some of the best of England's Roman and Viking archaeological finds are on show at the Yorkshire Museum in the heart of York. (see the Yorkshire Museum's weblink right for details). Exhibits are split thematically into galleris including a Roman and Viking Gallery. Most of the items were found within the city and include Roman mosaics, Anglo Saxon treasures and more. The museum sits on top of the remains of medieval St Mary's Abbey and if you move to the lower floor some of the abbey's remains are on show. Special exhibitions run throughout the year pulling on the vast collections held by the museum. Highlights in the collection include the medieval Middleham Jewel and Ring and York Helmet and the Roman statue of Mars and head of Constantine.

Look out for the preserved head of Roman human hair found in York dating from the late 3rd/early 4th century! Around the museum sit the 10 acre botanical museum gardens. The gardens date from the 1830s, but within the gardens the historic remains of St Mary's Abbey date from 1088 whilst the remains of a Roman Fort's tower date from the erd or 4th centuries. Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York YO1 7FR, Tel: 01904 687687. (see the Yorkshire Museum's webguide right for details).

York boasts an outstanding collection of historic houses and buildings from medieval guild halls to spectacular Georgian townhouses. Fairfax House on Castlegate contains Georgian architectural detail by some of the finest designers of the day whilst Merchant Adventurers' Hall is one of the finest medieval guild halls in existance. (see webguide right for Merchant Adventurers). York's great city gates, alias Micklegate Bar has seen numerous royals pass under its arch through the centuries and served as family home as well as gateway from 1196 to 1918.

Barley Hall off Stonegate is York's finest medieval townhouse. Checkout the webguide links to the right for all these spectacular York historic homes and buildings.

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Castle Howard Stately Home nr York

Stately homes have evolved these days into modern, in many cases family oriented, attractions. Castle Howard near York stands as one of the UK's finest stately homes built in 1699. Its colossal size - the overwhelming magnificence of the house and the extensive grounds containing temples, lake, stables, courtyard, fountains and rose garden and Ray Wood which offers a seasonal display of Rhododendrons won't fail to impress.

The Castle Howard estate, as well as stately home and gardens, is a modern family attraction with numerous shops around the Stable Courtyard including on-site farm shop, plant centre, book shop, chocolate shop, gift shop and Courtyard Cafe. Visitors can gain free access to the Stable Courtyard shopping area with no obligation to enter the house and gardens.

Increasingly Castle Howard is playing host to some prestigious events and concerts. Event listings include Farmers Markets and Craft Markets, Children's Weekends and Jazz in the Afternoon. For kids there's a wide selection of attractions including adventure playground, serpentine pathways within the enchanted woodland, lawn space for ball games, boat trips on the Great Lake and quizzes.

Castle Howard has been used as a location for many films and TV productions. The Castle Howard film credits include: Lady L (1965), The Spy With a Cold Nose (1966), Barry Lyndon (1975), Twelfth Night (1978), probably the most famous Brideshead Revisited (1981) and The Buccaneers (1994). More details on this and all aspects of the house can be found on their website:
www.castlehoward.co.uk

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