York: City Highlights Small Group Walking Tour – East Midlands, United Kingdom

EXPERIENCE:

Contained within a ring of medieval stone walls, York concentrates 2000 years of history into a remarkably small area. This ninety-minute tour begins at Bootham Bar, the city’s northern entrance, from which every period of York’s development is visible, from Roman times to the present day.

You’ll then enter the tranquil, green oasis of the Museum Gardens – a Victorian botanic garden which contains an 18th Century observatory, the remains of a Roman fortress and the spectacular ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. From here it is a short walk to the Minster – the largest medieval gothic cathedral in the country – which has dominated the city’s skyline for over 900 years.

The Minster lies at the heart of a warren of ancient streets whose layout is Viking in origin. You’ll hear tales of Viking invasion while delving deep into the maze of secret passages known as ‘Snickelways’; passing an unhappy mermaid and a little red devil as well as catching a glimpse of a 15th Century banqueting hall. Finally you’ll emerge into the Shambles,York’s best-known cobbled street – once a row of butchers, now instantly recognisable to Harry Potter fans as the inspiration for Diagon Alley.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore the labyrinth of medieval streets and snickelways in a small group
Discover a Roman fortress and ruined abbey within a Victorian botanic garden
Wander through the Shambles – the original Diagon Alley
Find out how the Minster grew to become the country’s largest gothic cathedral
Locate the point where it is possible to see two thousand years of history – while turning on the spot

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