Trip to York (accommodation, things to do & food)

[gray1404]

A friend of mine has suggested an overnight trip to York between now and Christmas. It's a place I've not really spent much time.

I'd be grateful on any recommendations for accommodation, things to do and places to eat.

Ideally we don't want the accommodation to break the bank but for it to be reasonably nice.

 

[Egg Centric]

The Sidings Hotel has some very enthusiast friendly accommodation if your friend is also that way inclined. Still plenty of dates available (not in the Flying Scotsman suite sadly!) so long as you don't have to be there on a Saturday. I'm not sure how easy to get to as I've not actually been myself yet - just recommending from what others have said.

 

[Iskra]

York is likely to be very expensive in December. It may be worth looking at hotels in Leeds and then getting the train into York. Leeds being a business city will see hotel demand calm significantly once the schools finish apart from Saturdays, which will equate to low hotel prices.

Things to do in York: Railway Museum, Minster, Christmas markets, walk the Shambles and nearby historic streets, visit many fine pubs.

In terms of restaurants I recommend Enoteca by L’uva for Italian, Akbars for Indian or otherwise there are many pubs serving traditional British food.

 

[Leyland Bus]

York is likely to be very expensive in December. It may be worth looking at hotels in Leeds and then getting the train into York. Leeds being a business city will see hotel demand calm significantly once the schools finish apart from Saturdays, which will equate to low hotel prices.

Things to do in York: Railway Museum, Minster, Christmas markets, walk the Shambles and nearby historic streets, visit many fine pubs.

In terms of restaurants I recommend Enoteca by L’uva for Italian, Akbars for Indian or otherwise there are many pubs serving traditional British food.

Never mind likely, it will be expensive this time of year... When I lived there, my ex's parents ran a B&B on Monkgate so was privvy to the goings on of the trade. You can basically name your price around Christmas time as its so busy with the Christmas Markets...

I'd agree with @Iskra that you'd be far better looking at the periphery and use transport into York.

The Sidings are very very good but I'd say you'd need a car as its a fair way out of York and from memory (deteriorating daily ) transport links were few and far between...

As for things to do, you can easily spend a couple of days there and not be bored. Same for food and drink, you will be tripping over places to go!

 

[mike57]

Also bear in mind in mind York will be very busy at weekends in the run up to Christmas. We went to the York Christmas market two years ago on a Saturday and to be honest it was too busy, the impenetrable crowds spoilt it. Also forget taking a car in to centre during the run up to Christmas.

If you are travelling in by train then there are plenty of City centre hotels, but at this time of year the chain hotels cash in with eyewatering room prices. For the coming weekend the Premier Inn have a few rooms, but £299... At quieter times these would be £50-60.

I have passed the Sidings a few times, and it certainly looks interesting to anyone with an interest in railways, but you do need a car, as its quite a way out of York and if there is a bus service, there used to be, its infrequent (a few journeys per day).

If you are using the train and considering staying out of town and dont want a city centre (Leeds is also very busy in the run up to Christmas at weekends) then Knaresborough is another possibility, there are 2 tph during the day and its just under 30 minutes.

I would add a visit to Bettys tea rooms, high quality baked items and cakes, expensive but well worth it. Go and look at the mirrors with various graffiti scratched by WW2 airmen serving at RAF Linton on Ouse, many of whom never returned.

 

[delayedby7mins]

I live in York and I avoid the city centre entirety at the weekends when the Christmas market is on. It will be quieter during the week

 

[D6130]

My advice would be to wait until January!

 

[Leyland Bus]

My advice would be to wait until January!

Quite and wait for the ice trail to start, usually runs for afew days towards the end of January, early February IIRC...

 

[ash39]

I live in York. Don't come in December or you probably won't ever want to come back. Also don't come on a weekend when the races are on. Any other time, it's lovely

 

[DBTrainFan]

Went to York by train last month and stayed one night in The Lawrance apartment £108 - which was excellent. Had a delicious Italian meal booked at the 'La Vecchia Scuola'.
Visited the Railway Museum but slightly disappointed - not much has changed for the better since the last time I visited 10 years ago. Prepare for a long walk from the station.
Looked around the Minster but didn't go inside because of the cost.
I don't enjoy shopping but did the 'cat' tour - spotting cat statues across the City.
In hindsight I would have stayed at York station watching the trains.
Our trains to York were delayed so I did get a 50% refund....