Months ago, after years of anticipation, we finally had the opportunity to visit Yorkshire in the North of England, and it was undeniably worth the wait! It exceeded my expectations in every way.

My sole regret—though I use that term loosely—was that we barely scratched the surface of what the city of York has to offer.

Our only exposure to York was during the car rides, once to pick up our vehicle and another to return it, both of which showcased the area’s quintessential charm. Thus, I concluded we must return to thoroughly explore this remarkable city.

And so we did! I realized it was time to delve into our island’s intriguing history.

Why Visit York?

What better place to understand this legacy than in a city steeped in history, once home to Romans and Vikings, with its ancient past prominently evident wherever you go?

With that, we departed from Kings Cross station in London, and two hours later, we arrived in York, eager to initiate our exploration.

Our Journey to York

The stroll from the station to our hotel was invigorating; the sun shone brightly, making it too delightful to opt for a taxi for what would have been a brief 10-minute walk. I was eager to stow my luggage, retrieve my camera, and embark on our adventure!

Accommodations

The hotel, The Gray’s Court Hotel, is quite astonishing.

Rich in captivating history, it is described as a place that “has seen knighthoods awarded, hosted kings, and is honored to be the only privately owned structure in York with direct access to the city walls.”

It certainly is remarkable.

Exploring York’s Heritage

Allow me to guide you through our accommodations, starting with the room…

… then the bar and the communal areas designed for relaxation.

After our exploration of the hotel, it was finally time for lunch!

We made our way to Cafe no. 8 Bistro, a charming eatery in town.

We immediately dove into our meals—Lloyd chose a beef sandwich while I opted for the Kedgeree.

I am not ordinarily one to gravitate towards sandwiches, despite my undeniable love for carbs; thus, the beef sandwich had not initially crossed my mind. However, upon its arrival, my decision resulted in severe food envy!

What I initially anticipated to be an average beef sandwich turned out to possess an incredible aroma that did nothing to diminish my cravings!

My choice of Kedgeree was a culinary revelation. This delightful concoction of herbs, fish, and vegetables blended beautifully into the rice dish, topped off with a poached egg. I had taken a chance on something different for lunch and was amply rewarded with this unexpected gastronomic delight.

Our satisfying meal aligned with the positive reviews we had encountered before arriving at the bistro! (For the sake of research, I sampled Lloyd’s beef sandwich, and I can affirm it was as delectable as it appeared and smelled).

With our taste buds still exhilarated from the main course, we decided to indulge ourselves with dessert!

I opted for the posset, while Lloyd went for the scones, both of which were as delightful as our main courses!

Content and thoroughly pleased with our lunch, we spilled out into the sun-filled streets of York with eagerness to engage in further exploration of the city’s rich historical offerings!

York is undeniably a picturesque city, particularly when bathed in sunlight!

There is an abundance to discover here, both in interior spaces and outdoors. Aware that the sunny weather was set to fade the following day, we chose to maximize our time outdoors.

We began with a visit to the cathedral—a stunning Gothic masterpiece, recognized as the largest of its kind in Northern Europe!

Intrigued by its resplendent architectural beauty, I decided we ought to appreciate it from multiple angles!

After leaving the cathedral, we leisurely wandered towards the River…

… followed by a brief excursion along the city walls!

The following hours involved soaking up the captivating beauty of York in the warmth of the sun before concluding with a tea break at Guy Fawkes Inn!

The Guy Fawkes Inn is particularly historic, marking the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, who was baptized in the adjacent church long before his infamous plot against the Houses of Parliament!

As the day transitioned towards evening, the vibrant and historic streets began to exude a warm glow, enriching the charm of York.

With the sun setting more slowly than usual—an expected delight amidst this extraordinary winter day—we proceeded towards a notable destination in York: The Shambles.

Typically, the quaint and winding streets of York are collectively known as The Shambles, yet there exists a specific lane by that name, renowned as one of the best-preserved medieval streets globally and indeed, one of the most aesthetically pleasing!

This street is adorned with timber-framed houses, making one feel as if they have stepped into the enchanting realm of Ye Olde England!

This charming area attracts crowds for its array of predominantly independent shops.

We spent an extended amount of time here, entranced by the ambiance—the delightful aroma of freshly made fudge wafted through the air, appealing enough that I knew I would board my train back to London with bags full of it, alongside charming tea shops and even a so-called “Shop which must not be named.”

As the sun set, The Shambles transformed into a picturesque scene adorned with twinkling lights, becoming even more enchanting than before.

Recognizing that it was near dinner time, we made our way to Roots, our dinner reservation made even before arriving in York—an evident choice given the evening’s delightful prospects.

As we passed by the cathedral again, although now devoid of its daytime visitors, it looked stunning in the dim, dusky light.

The establishment, Roots, is led by chef Tommy Banks, who, at one point, became the youngest chef to earn a Michelin star—making it a must-visit for anyone traveling to York!

Without further ado, I must highlight that the meal was an absolute culinary delight, every dish and every bite absolutely exceptional!

The cocktails were equally delightful!

Even dishes I wouldn’t normally select from a menu, like Kale, were presented deliciously enough to leave me contemplating ways to replicate this at home!

It was the perfect conclusion to a sunlit day in York!

We opted for the chef’s tasting menu, which changes with the seasons. Given it was winter and traditional crops were scarce, it was aptly titled “The Hunger Gap” feast menu— an intriguing juxtaposition!

Kale dressed in sheep’s yogurt, pickled walnuts, and cured egg yolk; I refer to this as the Kale surprise, for it was the first time I truly relished kale.

Seabass accompanied by rhubarb and beans showcased the chef’s skills perfectly; I had tasted it before the kale and instantly realized we were in for a lavish meal!

Venison Tartare completed with Oldstead pepper, fermented mushroom, and buckwheat; it vanished in moments!

Next was the Crapaudine beetroot, prepared slowly in beef fat.

Sour Crown Prince falafel accompanied by sprouts and chestnuts followed. Each dish revealed the chef’s creativity and skill.

Halibut with broccoli and a smoked bacon and mussel sauce was the next to arrive.

Salt beef served with mustard, gherkins, and Old Winchester followed, rounding out the savory portion of the meal.

Glazed Savoy cabbage accompanied by fennel pollen and crispy onions concluded the savory selections.

An intriguing Carrot and Chicory Root tiramisu arrived next—a delightful surprise!

Constructed from unique ingredients distinct from the traditional recipe while maintaining the delicious essence of tiramisu.

Meadowsweet toast with rhubarb and honey rounded off the meal, proving both unique and indulgent.

To emphasize once more, you must dine here during your stay in York! The food was simply enchanting!

As we concluded our culinary experience, we were eager to retire for the night, ready to delve deeper into the beauty of York on the following day!