Exploring York’s Rich History: A Journey Through Time

The following day in York was one of the quickest I’ve ever prepped for (or at least very close). For starters, the breakfast at the Gray’s Court hotel is worth arriving early and allowing ample time to enjoy. (I didn’t take any pictures today but I promise to pack my camera tomorrow to provide you with a visual treat!).

The exciting part was that we were going to drive a boat through York—on our own! 😀 Our journey was about immersing in new experiences while appreciating England’s rich history, making it a perfect moment to try something completely new!

After a delicious breakfast (carefully eaten and fully enjoyed), we made our way to the river to collect our boat from Red Cruise boats.

I’ve never considered York as a ‘water city’— unlike Venice or Amsterdam— so the idea of hiring a boat came as a delightful surprise and I’m incredibly glad we chose to do it.

The introduction to using the boats was straightforward and within moments, we were navigating the waters! Therefore, after a splendid orientation, we were off!

We took turns as ‘Captain’ of the boat and savored our time at the back, taking in all the beautiful sights around us. An hour quickly passed as we explored the waterway and before we knew it, it was time to return the boat to its rightful owners.

This was the first time I felt entirely in charge of a boat, and it sparked a desire within me to one day own a boat of my own. Therefore, this experience allowed me to discover a new passion!

After handing in the boat, Lloyd proposed we take a different route into town. He had spotted what appeared to be an old part of the city wall and was eager to explore. What he saw turned out to be Clifford’s Tower which is part of York Castle.

Being a castle keep, it presents one of the best views over the city, including how it appeared back in the day. Climbing a few steps (which were absolutely manageable) takes you to the entrance of the tower, followed by several more steps to reach the top of the actual tower.

The views from the top are completely breathtaking and definitely worth the climb when visiting the city.

Afterward, we ventured into the castle museum which took no more than 30 seconds to reach from the tower. Entering the museum, I was slightly perplexed yet intrigued by what to expect. The first few exhibits showcased how homes looked in York some time ago.

Then, we found ourselves in the toy section. Here, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me as some toys and games from my childhood made an appearance, which made our museum visit a bit longer than anticipated.

We ultimately encountered the highlight of our museum experience, which was a recreation of York’s historic streets (not officially named), showcasing how the city used to appear back in the day.

The setup successfully transported us through time in York, making it an incredibly immersive experience. It felt like stepping into a time machine, complete with playful sounds that added to the authenticity, such as laughing children and barking dogs from alleys that seemed empty.

Ultimately, we pried ourselves away from the old streets of York within the museum and made our way to lunch. We had a reservation at a highly recommended restaurant, Mr P’s Curious Tavern, which had been suggested by many including friends and Instagrammers alike!

Upon arrival, we quickly immersed ourselves in the menu, ordering a couple of glasses of wine before sharing a starter of Whitby Crab with grapefruit sorbet. Those were surprisingly complementary flavors that prepared our appetite for the main dishes!

For my main course, I selected Halibut served with Risotto made from squid ink and crispy squid. It was absolutely divine! My plate was spotless; not one grain of rice remained.

Lloyd opted for a delicious Chicken breast wrapped and stuffed with bacon, which also received my approval after I asked to sample it (all in the name of research, of course 😉).

Eventually, we surrendered to our cravings and decided to indulge in dessert. Both of us couldn’t resist the temptation of the ‘Two Chefs’ Ale Cake, an exquisite treat served with toffee sauce, ginger caramel ice cream, and honeycomb.

This dessert reminded me of my favorite sticky toffee pudding, and it was absolutely scrumptious (and perhaps even better in some ways— as I have a sweet place for sticky toffee pudding).

Having replenished our energy, we set off to enjoy one of York’s finest views. More on that in the next post! 😀