Chillingham Castle, Northumberland

Why we love … York

Here Michael Stammers, Manager at Cover4Caravans, tells us why he and his family love the city of York – and shares some ideas of the best places to visit.

My 10-year-old son Jacob loves trains. I mean loves them, whether it be the history of trains, his books on the subject, his collection of old tube maps, you name it. His expertise is so great that he was invited into the cab of the new Azuma train to discuss train technology.

This love stems from his (prelockdown) travel his grandparents in the beautiful city of York on most of his school holidays. When we can we also travel up too when work allows.

Where to start? Here are our family’s top places to visit in York

Rowntree Park - our family loves walking, so this park is a perfect destination. Very relaxing place next to a Caravan and Motorhome club site, great for the children. I may or may not have been on the zip wire! One of our first trips was in a freezing February when the lake was frozen.

The York Walls - great history, great exercise, a great way to see the city. The Railway Museum - hours of fun, including my partner Fliss’s favourite mini railway ride. You can get on the railbus that takes you into the centre of the City. It also gives you the opportunity to sit on some old trains including the Japanese bullet train. Monks Cross and York Designer outlet - both out of town shopping centres are easily accessible via bus routes (Jacob reminds me it’s the number 12 to Monks Cross and number 7 to the Designer Outlet. He knows all the bus routes off by heart). Lots of great stores and food courts to grab a drink and a bite.

Clifford's Tower - as keen as I am on heights (erm...not!) this complex was a former prison, courts etc and reeks of history. Fantastic views if you have the stomach for it. Which I didn’t, though

Jacob did!

The Jorvik Centre. Best advised to book in advance as the queues can get very long (though this will inevitably change due to the pandemic) but it’s a fascinating insight into Viking history and the gift shop, whilst small, has some interesting stuff.

Betty’s Tea Rooms. The queues tell you how good it is.

York Minster - the cathedral in York still retains an aura about it and has that wow factor. Amazing architecture.

The Museum Gardens - next to the

River Ouse are the fantastic gardens and ruins. Amazing sights and really makes you think of the history.

York regimental museum - more recent history now and a regular for me and

Jacob and next to Clifford’s Tower. Here’s hoping that this brief guide to a wonderful city might be useful when the country emerges from its current plight. We are looking forward to going back