Things to see and do in York

[cookiescrumble]

I've wanted to visit the National Railway Museum for a while so have decided to take advantage of East Coasts £25 First Class offer and spend a long weekend off work in May up in York.

I plan to visit the museum in York when I arrive at midday on Friday and then take a trip to see the NRM's collection in Shildon on the Saturday. I will have the whole day free in York on the Sunday, so want to explore the city and learn a bit about it's history. I was wondering if there was anything/anywhere in particular that people would recommend visiting. I'll also have most of the Monday free as I don't leave York till 5pm.

I've had a look at the touristy websites but wanted to get some personal experiences of the city.

[OwL]

You could always visit the Viking Museum if that's your cup of tea. Hope you enjoy

[scotsoft]

You must go to Betty's for tea and cakes 

[MikeDunn]

Prepare for a wait  Betty's though - very popular !  SWMBO always goes there when we're in town & picks up some cakes 

Apart from the NRM & Yorvik, there's the York Dungeon ... a Roman museum ... the County Museum ... the Minster ... the Shambles of course ... etc etc.  Oh & don't forget (assuming the weather is good) to walk the walls !

Mike

[Donkey]

You must go to Betty's for tea and cakes 

Great little trainspotting balcony in the NRM so make sure your camera is fully charged! Definately tea and cakes at Betty's! Walking the city walls is good, the castle museum is worth a visit and you really should see the Minster and the oldest parts of the city. Locomotion at Shildon is also very good and the short steam ride is inexpensive (if you pick the right day you can ride on the footplate for a tenner). Hope you have a great time 

Marty

[porkie]

Their was a good model railway display next to york station.   

[MikeDunn]

Long gone to some strange place well outa town ...

[oscar]

Monk Bar model shop. 

[port perran]

The Brewery tour was well worth a visit when I was up there along with the Viking museum and a whirl on the Ferris wheel which is just outside the NRM.

[jonclox]

Do they still have the good old Viking rape and pillage evenings or weekends to entertain the tourists  ?
They used to be good fun to join in with at £25 an evening or £150 the whole weekend. Very tiring tho. 

edit..I bet this post soon gets removed

[Jerry Howlett]

Anywhere that sells Sam Smiths. Alas I have heard that the "De Grey rooms" no longer exists/ or if does sells that lovely beverage....

[MikeDunn]

You may be happy to hear this :
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8886935.Ballroom_dances_set_to_return_to_De_Grey_rooms/

[SymonC]

Their was a good model railway display next to york station.

Not there anymore I'm afraid, it's moved to Lincolnshire!

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8777183.York_Model_Railway_relocating_to_Lincolnshire/

[PLD]

If you are willing to venture out of the city a little, I thoroughly recommend the Air Muesum at Elvington.

[cookiescrumble]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far  .

I've had a think and moved a few things around, the train times for Shildon work out better on the Sunday and I want to allow myself more time for the NRM.

The rough plan so far is:

Arrive in York at 12:30pm on Friday, then head to bettys (or other suitable establishment) for afternoon tea. After tea, take a walk along The Shambles before going for a walk around York Minster.

On Saturday I plan to spend most (if not all) of the day at the NRM. I want to have a good look around and make sure I don't miss anything as this is the main purpose of the trip after all .

Sunday will involve a train ride up to Shildon to see the NRM's collection there, again spending most of the day out and about.

Monday will involve a trip round the Castle Museum and a walk along the city walls. I leave york on the 5pm train back to london.

I have all the evenings free, so might do a bit of trainspotting whilst I'm up there. It would be nice to see something different on the rails  .