York is a beautiful historic walled city, with a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the Roman period.
York was founded by the Romans in 71 AD and was known as Eboracum. It became an important military stronghold and a key administrative center in Roman Britain. After the fall of the Roman Empire, York was taken over by the Anglo-Saxons, and later became a Viking settlement in the 9th century.
Today, York is a thriving city with a vibrant cultural scene, a bustling shopping district, and a range of attractions for visitors, including museums, galleries, theaters, and restaurants. The city is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to explore its history, architecture, and culture.
We are ideally located for a York adventure. The journey is just a couple of hours away.
We recommend you stay at the Joseph Rowntree site. It is a 10 minute walk along the river into the city and is just off the A19, making it ideal as a base for excursions.
Below is our recommended itinerary:
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive in York and check into Rowntree Park Caravan and Motorhome Club site. Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s historic streets and landmarks, including the City Walls, York Minster and The Shambles. You can get a free map and other advice from the Visit York.
For dinner, head to Skosh on Micklegate, a restaurant that serves modern British cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. After dinner, grab a drink at House of Trembling Madness, a quirky beer and wine bar housed in a medieval building.
Day 2 (Sunday): Start the day with a visit to York Castle, also known as Clifford’s Tower, which offers stunning views of the city. Then, head to the Jorvik Centre to learn about York’s Viking history and take a ride through a reconstructed Viking village.
For dinner, try The Whippet Inn, a cozy steakhouse with a great selection of wines or Ambiente, a wonderful tapas restaurant (there are two branches, so choose the one that looks most enticing). Afterwards, grab a drink at The Blue Bell, a traditional pub with a great atmosphere and a wide range of real ales.
Day 3 (Monday): Spend the day at the York Dungeon, a spooky attraction that takes you through 2000 years of York’s dark history. For lunch, grab a bite at The Hairy Fig, a Mediterranean deli and cafe.
For dinner, head to Le Cochon Aveugle, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves creative tasting menus. After dinner, grab a drink at The Evil Eye Lounge, a funky cocktail bar with a global vibe.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Take a day trip to Knaresborough, a charming town situated on the River Nidd. Explore the town’s medieval castle ruins and the picturesque market square, and have lunch at the traditional tea room, Betty’s.
For dinner, try The Rattle Owl, a restaurant housed in a 17th-century building that serves contemporary British cuisine with a twist. Afterwards, grab a drink at The Hop, a craft beer bar with a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Spend the day at Bempton Cliffs, a nature reserve that’s home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins. Take a walk along the cliffs and enjoy the stunning views.
For dinner, head to The Star Inn the City, a riverside restaurant that serves modern British cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. After dinner, grab a drink at The Duke of York, a cozy pub with a great selection of real ales.
Day 6 (Thursday): Spend the day exploring more of York’s historic sites, such as the York City Walls and the York Museum Gardens. For lunch, grab a bite at Brew & Brownie, a cozy cafe that serves brunch and homemade cakes.
For dinner, try The Wine Chapter, a restaurant that specializes in fine wines and serves a range of European-inspired dishes. Afterwards, grab a drink at The House of the Trembling Madness – Lendal, a sister bar to the first bar, with an equally unique atmosphere.
Day 7 (Friday): Spend the day exploring more of York’s independent shops and galleries. For lunch, try Source, a restaurant that serves seasonal dishes made from local ingredients.
For dinner, head to Skosh on Micklegate once again, to try their small plates with global influences. After dinner, grab a drink at The Habit, a stylish bar that serves craft cocktails and has a rooftop terrace with great views of the city.
Day 8 (Saturday): Check out of Rowntree Park and head back to South Normanton.
This itinerary should give you a great taste of York’s history, culture, and cuisine, while also allowing for some relaxation and nature trips in the surrounding areas.
Relevant websites:
- Skosh: https://www.skoshyork.co.uk/
- House of Trembling Madness: https://www.tremblingmadness.co/
- York Castle: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/
- Jorvik Centre: https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/
- Ambiente Tapas: https://www.ambiente-tapas.co.uk/
- The Blue Bell: https://www.thebluebellyork.co.uk/
- York Dungeon: https://www.thedungeons.com/york/en/
- The Hairy Fig: https://www.thehairyfig.co.uk/
- Le Cochon Aveugle: https://www.lecochonaveugle.uk/
- The Evil Eye Lounge: https://evileyelounge.com/
- Knaresborough Castle: https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20105/knaresborough_castle_and_museum/105/knaresborough_castle_and_museum
- Betty’s: https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/locations/knaresborough
- The Rattle Owl: https://www.rattleowl.co.uk/
- The Hop: https://www.thehopyork.co.uk/
- Bempton Cliffs: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/bempton-cliffs/
- The Star Inn the City: https://www.starinnthecity.co.uk/york/
- The Duke of York: https://dukeofyorkpub.com/
- York City Walls: https://www.york.gov.uk/info/20032/parks_and_open_spaces/80/york_city_walls
- York Museum Gardens: https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/ymt-museums/york-museum-gardens/
- Brew & Brownie: https://www.brewandbrownie.co.uk/
- The Wine Chapter: https://www.thewinechapter.com/
- The House of the Trembling Madness – Lendal: https://www.tremblingmadness.co.uk/the-house-of-trembling-madness-lendal/
- Source: https://www.source.york/
- The Habit: https://www.thehabityork.co.uk/