The list of places I want to visit is as long as my arm, so why oh why do I insist on spending my days off popping into town (Manchester City centre), food shopping, staying in to clean and then suddenly feel unfulfilled?
Don’t get me wrong, I love this city more than words can say, there’s a reason I moved here and proudly call is home, and of course I need to clean the flat, but getting out and seeing the world is something I always want to do but always back out of at the last minute (like the one million and one ideas I had for my annual leave next week that is now leading to me staying home for the week - go figure).
At the back end of January, when Trainline had a big rail sale on, I had a little look into train tickets for York and found them for £14 return which is the steal of the century. I booked a day off work so I could spend a nice, cosy Friday there, booked my tickets and set off on my little day trip adventure.
The moment I arrived there I thought ‘Why on earth do I not do this more often?’.
The first time I visited York was for a concert that got cancelled at the last minute, we spent a couple of hours there that I barely remember and came home. I’ve wanted to re-visit it for years, the history and architecture being the real selling points for me, it’s so old England. This time I had a plan, albeit loose, but I had a tick list for what I wanted to do. I cannot stress this enough, but wherever you’re visiting, please do a little bit of research and make a list. You don’t have to stick to it, but if you’re an aimless wanderer like me, you’ll find yourself walking in circles with no idea what you’re doing.
I set off for brunch, the big treat I wanted that day after being all health conscious since the start of the year, but unfortunately the 2 places I’d intended to eat at were both rammed so I had to quickly find an alternative. Across the road from Rise (my most eagerly anticipated food spot that I sadly didn’t get to visit) is a Cosy Club which fit my solo brunch idea enough, popping in I was asked if I wanted to sit in the cosy sofa area as you walk in, or take a seat in the restaurant. Being on my own, and being very conscious that I’d not actually had a sit down meal on my own before in public, I panicked a tad and said restaurant. The moment I sat down I thought ‘I guess I f***ed up here’. After a bit of dithering, I grabbed my coat and bag and asked if I could instead be seated by the sofa. Sometimes my own nerves and anxiety embarrass the heck out of me.
The 3 American pancake stack with syrup, bacon and blueberries really hit the spot to start my day and showed me it wasn’t that awkward sitting on your own eating. I even took my headphones off and only used my phone briefly. Am I an….adult?
For my first trip I wasn’t too interested in museums, or paid activities, I just wanted to wander the streets, nosey in shop windows and stop for coffee. I’m lucky to have York only 1.5 hours away so I know I can return for tours and visits to the big attractions whenever I fancy.
I headed out to explore, my first stop being The Shambles (which I think I walked down about 5/6 times in the end without even meaning to) which is sort of magical to wander down but as the day progresses, it became heaving (see contrast below - one photo shot at 1:30pm and the other at 2pm) with lots of guided tours making their way down there. Any Harry Potter lover would be in their element down there with the themed shops (The Shop That Must Not Be Named had so much HP merchandise in it that I genuinely don’t know how I left without buying a thing - I was trying to stay extra disciplined) and quirky Potter-esque vibe, I can certainly see why it’s so popular for fans.
The more you wander, the more charming spots you find that are perfect for both feasting your eyes on and for taking exciting photos, my camera reel is full from that day alone. Every street you glance down has you opting to walk down it just to see what you can find.
Leading out of The Shambles you can take a turn in Shambles Market, it’s a lot smaller than I expected and I’d navigated around it in 2 minutes and back onto the high street. I did really love the little walk down Coffee Yard though, it’s a cute little back street with restaurants, little arcades and comes to a stop at Low Petergate where the most picture-squeeze restaurant greets you looking like a cover of a Pretty City book.
The whole of York is pretty picturesque, you can take photos of pretty much anything and it’ll make a perfect coffee table book cover, but my favourite has to be College Street, a small road with cafe’s and cupcakeries bookended by a National Trust store and a side view of York Minster which, is stunning and mesmerising. Crumbs Cupcakery is 100% on my list for my next trip (I was still too full to stop by there before I left).
After stopping to take way too many photos of this street, I headed round to walk some of the city walls. I fully intended to walk far more than I did but firstly I think I joined it too far around and proceeded to walk the wrong way, so I totalled about 5 minutes, but the opposite way looked like the gate was closed so I’m thinking they were largely closed the day I was there (I believe it depends on weather/seasons etc when they close them and what time).
Coming back off the wall, my wandering became a lot more aimless and I was half ticking things off my list, half not.
I naturally found my way back onto Low Petergate (although for someone with truly stellar navigation and sense of direction, York is a place that really defied that for me) and took a right at Shared Earth (Minster Gates) which brought me faced with York Minster, and let me tell you, she’s a beaut. Architecture is like catnip to me, but the feeling I get from historic buildings is like no other, this is absolutely no exception. You can walk the whole perimeters (without paying to go in) and truly marvel as how incredible it looks. And like a true tourist, I popped into the York Minster Gifts shop across the road (okay, the Jellycats in the window drew me in) and treated myself to an adorable fridge magnet with an illustrated map of York on it.
To finish the day off, I took multiple turns and pivots down side streets to see what I could find until my feet hurt and the urge for coffee hit me (and I was too nervous to tackle another solo meal). Popping into Caffè Nero for my be lowered pistachio latte massively worked in my favour when the lovely lady behind the counter gave me the last two almond croissants for free as I was leaving because the store was closing. Winner!
All in all, I had the loveliest day exploring and I can’t wait for another day trip, to tackle my awkwardness a bit more and to keeping pushing the barriers of my comfort zone.
Some of these are based on recommendations I’ve found through my own research that I didn’t get to try but absolutely must on my next visits!
All in all, I had the loveliest day exploring and I can’t wait for another day trip, to tackle my awkwardness a bit more and to keeping pushing the barriers of my comfort zone.
Some of these are based on recommendations I’ve found through my own research that I didn’t get to try but absolutely must on my next visits!
Where to eat
- Crumbs Cupcakery
- Rise
- Brew & Brownie
- Cosy Club
Where to visit
- The Shambles
- College Street
- York Minster (if not doing tour)
- Coffee Yard
What to do
- York Minster tour
- Walk the city walls
- Clifford’s Tower (panoramic views)
Where should I visit on my next day trip?
S xo
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