Spend a weekend in…York

York has many top-quality restaurants and you’re rather spoilt for choice.  Tonight you should visit The Whippet Inn (The Whippet Inn, 15 North Street, York).  Although the speciality is steak and ales, the food on offer is delicious and where else would you want to eat British food than in one of the oldest cities!  We recommend the pan-fried king scallops or fermented Kohlrabi carpaccio to start, fillet steak or tandoori marinated cauliflower steak for the main (try a side sriracha mac ‘n’ cheese if you’re feeling naughty) then finish with dark beer doughnuts or toffee apple cheesecake.  The restaurant also has a fabulous selection of British sparkling wines.

When you’ve finished your dinner, head to The Fossgate Social (The Fossgate Social, 25 Fossgate, York), little sister to The Micklegate Social (The Micklegate Social, 148 Micklegate, York).  The bar is cosy and serves tasty cocktails and beers.  It has outdoor seating on the street so you can enjoy your evening watching revellers pass.

Once you’ve refuelled yourself and enjoyed the riverside views take a short walk to the York Museum and Gardens (York Museum, Museum Street, York).  The gardens are set in the beautiful ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and home to 40 species of birds.  York is a city with an extensive history that goes back to the Romans and Vikings; the museum has a deep collection of artefacts that covers York’s thoroughly interesting history.  When you’ve finished taking in the artefacts head over to the imposing York Minster (York Minster, Deangate, York).  The minster can trace its history back to the 7^thCentury but the minster we see now is from around the 15^thCentury.  Head inside and stand in awe at the sheer size of the building and interior.

Continue your history lesson and next head to York’s Chocolate Story (York’s Chocolate Story, 3-4 Kings Square, York).  York is home to the Nestle factory and was once the home to Rowntree’s (of Fruit Pastilles fame) and Terry’s (and his chocolate oranges).  Chocolate has a lot of history in York and you’d be mad not to take advantage of that and have some chocolate!

As you’ll have done quite a bit of walking today, head back to the River Ouse and stop for an early evening drink at Dyls (Dyls, Skeldergate Bridge, York).  The bar is family-run and situated in the Motor House on Skeldergate Bridge.  Enjoy your drinks while you sit on the river bank. 

Sunday

This morning head over to Café No8 Bistro (Café No8 Bistro, 8 Gillygate, York) and treat yourself to a hearty Full Yorkshire breakfast.  As you’ll have come to expect, all the ingredients are locally sourced in this award-winning café. If you don’t fancy something quite as big we recommend the baked egg and soldiers.

Take some time to peruse the artwork in the York Art Gallery (York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York) and jump onto the York City Walls at Bootham Bar, following the wall around to Walmgate Bar.  This is a great opportunity to see York in all it’s splendour whilst taking in the views. 

At Walmgate Bar step down and visit Spark York (Spark, 17-21 Piccadilly, York). Spark York is a community project where you can shop for vintage clothes, homewares and other items or eat tasty street food or taste locally brewed beers.  We recommend visiting Clucking Oinks and tasting some of their delicious buttermilk chicken!  Once you’re fed again, get back on the wall walk and go through Micklegate Bar and then onto Bootham Bar.  If you get thirsty at any point you can always visit one of the many pubs situated below the walls.

Time to head home, fed, watered and content!