Visit York Christmas Guide 2020

visityork.org/christmas

visityork.org/christmas It’s the most wonderful and magical time of the year. The city’s cobbled streets and historic buildings are awash with festive decorations and colour and we look forward to welcoming you when lockdown restrictions allow.

A city packed full of unique festive experiences, sweet treats and delicious food to be devoured and shops filled with gift inspiration. It's time to unwrap the York Christmas experiences that await you.

Traditional warm York welcome

Plan ahead

Whilst some things may be a little different this year, you’ll still experience the warm York welcome that you’ve become accustomed to. Measures are in place across the city to enable you and others to enjoy your trip. Please wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering when required, and maintain a safe distance from others.

We look forward to welcoming you to the city, we recommend where possible planning your visit in advance. Please plan ahead to avoid disappointment as some attractions, restaurants and experiences require prebooking. You can still experience the UK’s most festive city in all its Christmassy glory.

Look out for the 'We’re Good To Go', Visit England industry standard which many York businesses are adopting, showing they adhere to Government and public health guidance, allowing you to enjoy days out with confidence.

All information in this guide is subject to change and dependent on government guidelines.

Go online for the most up-to-date information.

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Contents Christmas in York Festive experiences 'Tis the season of shopping Virtual market Eat, drink and be merry Twixmas Getting to York

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York Castle Museum PRESENTS

ON SELECT DATES FROM

2 December 2020 – 3 January 2021 PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! York Museums Trust

yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

27357 YMT 'Christmas Spectacular' Visit York E-Booklet Ad 2 Dec.indd 1

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27/11/2020 11:51

Barley Hall Take the snickleway from Stonegate to reveal magic and mystery in York’s medieval townhouse.

This winter, the hall will be decked with boughs of holly, as Barley Hall is dressed for a medieval Christmas!

Hidden in a snickleway between Stonegate and Grape Lane, Barley Hall truly is a hidden gem of a building – indeed, it was hidden behind a modern façade for many years until it was lovingly restored by York Archaeological Trust using traditional materials and techniques.

Now visitors to the building can explore how it would have looked in the time of Richard III,

barleyhall.co.uk

when William Snawsell used Barley Hall as his city residence. The specially-extended Magic & Mystery exhibition also gives visitors an enchanting insight into the mysterious medieval world of religion, science and magic - from turning lead into gold, to superstitions and rituals.

Book your visit online at barleyhall.co.uk

Promotional

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LET THE GRAND HOST YOU THIS FESTIVE SEASON...

Make your Christmas a time for relaxation and indulgent celebrations at The Grand where decorations lace the elegant Edwardian architecture, lights illuminate the grand marble corridors and live music floats through the building.

Alternatively, opt for one of our Grand gift voucher experiences, including afternoon tea, spa breaks, cookery classes and staycation packages, providing the perfect opportunity for visits in the new year.

WWW.THEGRANDYORK.CO.UK | 01904 380038 | YOURSTAY@THEGRANDYORK.CO.UK 06

thegrandyork.co.uk

JORVIK Viking Centre Take a trip through time and pick up a trinket or two for your Christmas stocking.

Bring Viking Age York to life in your living room with a Christmas gift of fun swords, shields and drinking horns!

Images by Charlotte Graham

Whatever the weather outside, visitors from around the world know that they will get a warm welcome at the world famous JORVIK Viking Centre.

This festive season, escape the Christmas preparations with a trip back in time. Starting with the archaeology that revealed incredible secrets about life in the 10th century, hear stories from our Viking interpreters about the discoveries that captured the world’s attention in the early 1980s, before climbing aboard a

jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

time capsule to see, hear and even smell what the city would have looked like 1000 years ago.

And if you are looking for an unusual Christmas present, don’t forget that you can visit JORVIK’s gift shop even if you haven’t been to JORVIK. From beautiful, Norse-inspired goblets and amber jewellery to helmets, swords, shields and axes, you can not only fill your stockings, but Santa’s sack with unforgettable gifts!

For more information, or to book a trip, visit jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

Promotional

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Experience the magic of Christmas

Discover exclusive handcrafted Christmas decorations, unique gifts and traditional treasures over two floors.

Käthe Wohlfahrt 17-19 Stonegate ¡ York

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Charlotte Graham

Festive experiences Christmas is all about magical moments and across York there are a number of enchanting experiences taking place to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Don’t miss York Castle Museum’s ‘A Christmas Spectacular on Kirkgate’. The iconic Victorian street scene has been transformed into a magic snow-covered wonderland, where oversized Christmas decorations and large-scale projections dance across the walls, bringing to life famous characters from the Nutcracker.

Barley Hall, York’s medieval townhouse in the heart of the city has been beautifully decorated visityork.org/christmas

and you can explore the Magic and Mystery exhibition, discovering how magic and science played its part in the middle ages.

Experiences beyond York Go beyond the city walls where you can take a magical ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and be totally mesmerized as their locomotives carry you through the wonderful wintery wilderness outside.

A short drive from York is Northwood Trail Fairy Sanctuary, where St Nicholas and Lady Winter invite you to their Yuletide grotto to share festive stories that’ll take you on a journey of imagination in atmospheric surroundings.

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JOIN US THIS WINTER

AT THE NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY Hop on board a steam train this December with your family to help Santa and his elves save Christmas with our Santa Reimagined event. Or celebrate the festive season in style on board our Pullman Dining train for a delicious Christmas Moorlander Lunch.

To find out more visit nymr.co.uk 10

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Fancy a shaped diamond?

A diamond with a shape other than a round, brilliant-cut is deemed as a fancy shaped diamond. At Bradley’s we LOVE fancy shapes – these are a few of our favourites and the reasons why…

F

ancy shaped diamonds include oval, pear, cushion, princess, emerald, marquise, Asscher, radiant and heart-shaped.

The most expensive shape of a diamond is still a round, brilliant-cut because they are most in demand and they require more facets than any other shape which requires more precision work so therefore diamond cutters must discard more of the rough diamond, so you essentially pay for a larger stone than you end up with which is why fancy shaped diamonds are a great option and a fabulous show for your money!

Why we love the fancy shape...

Tear-drop – Pear-cut or Tear-drop is a particularly flattering shape as it will follow the natural curve of the finger and can be worn either way pointing downwards or upwards on the finger. The pear-cut takes gem-cutters many years to master the precision of cutting the perfect pear!

Emerald-cut – Homage to the ArtDeco era, rectangular in shape and usually very expensive as a high cut, colour and clarity is needed to show an impressive stone in an engagement ring as the emerald-cut possesses fewer facets and natural imperfections are visible to the naked eye. A truly beautiful shape and sign of opulence!

Marquise – Navette (boat-shaped), stunning and elegant with an elliptical shape and delicately, elegant pointed ends. A traditional, long, narrow stone which looks excellent on a ring finger and slenderises the look of the entire hand. One of our personal favourites!

bradleysjewellersyork.com

Now available to buy online £1,695

Princess – A contemporary, squarecut diamond featuring a bigger table at the top of the stone than a round, which means the stone may appear larger than those round diamonds of the same carat weight. A big show for the money!

Oval – Currently Bradley’s top favourite as this shape shows an impressive, elongated look with no sharp corners. A truly mighty stone with a rounded design but more character than a classic round.

A stunning choice and perfect in a trilogy with round, brilliants to enhance the overall look or as a simple solitaire with enhanced, diamond shoulders! We love, love, love!

£8,950

67 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HY T: 01904 655235 Visit our new website: www.bradleysjewellersyork.com 11

Take the York Christmas Market experience into your own home

visityork.org/christmas Browse through the assortment of unique and local festive gifts that await you. From food and drink, lifestyle to homeware, we have it all. Now is the time to tick off that Christmas list and treat yourself to some retail therapy.

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'Tis the season of Shopping Finding the perfect Christmas present can be hard work. The great news is York is the one stop destination that offers something for everyone, helping you tick off that Christmas shopping list. From independent retailers to your high street favourites, you can get down to some serious retail therapy.

For traditional festive crafts stop by Käthe Wohlfahrt, where every day is Christmas Day. Stocked with two floors of traditional European themed festive decorations there’s no doubt you’ll find the perfect gift and the chance to dress up your own home. Family owned, Yorkshire based Bradley’s Jewellers is the place to visit for that extra special gift, selling must visityork.org/christmas

have watches and jewellery from some of the finest brands and bespoke services.

The historic Shambles Market is home to the largest group of independent retailers in York, here you’ll find everything ranging from vintage clothing, craft and art from local creatives, flowers and much more. It’s the perfect place to buy a unique gift for that special someone.

If you want tasty treats delivered direct to your door, then Moody Mare Patisserie offer a scrumptious array of baked delights.

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York Virtual Christmas Market We’ve decided to take the York Christmas Market experience into your own home. Online you can browse and buy from some of the market’s classic shops and discover a new hidden gem or two.

The Virtual Market stocks everything to suit all tastes to help you source those much-needed Christmas gifts. From food and drink, homeware to lifestyle items the virtual market has it covered. Award-winning brands including York Gin and Sawley Kitchen, Yorkshire's Biscuit Bakehouse are showcasing their finest gifts to help you tick off that Christmas shopping list and inspire you to create your own Christmas wish list.

Before you delve into the online market, we recommend that you grab your Christmas shopping list, pour a warm cup of hot chocolate, then get lost in the assortment of unique and local

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Eat, drink and be merry

It’s the season to indulge and enjoy sweet treats and a mince pie or two. Fortunately for you, York has an eclectic mix of fine dining, independent restaurants and global flavours to suit all tastes, offering you the perfect chance to put your feet up and rest those legs.

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The Shambles Food Court offers an alfresco setting with a wide range of street food outlets to whet your appetite, from smoked meats at The Shambles Kitchen, freshly cooked crêpes and galettes by KREP and The Taylor Made Kitchen serving up American inspired restaurant quality food.

The Grand, York, is home to five-star hospitality and you’ll have the chance to enjoy a luxury festive dinner experience. Try your hand at fun festive inspired cookery classes at the Cookery School or treat yourself to an early Christmas present and stay overnight, giving you more time to make the most of your trip to York.

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Twixmas Are you looking to unwind following the hectic Christmas break or just looking for inspiration on things to do between Christmas and the New Year?

Well fortunately for you York offers many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy green open spaces, including the city’s iconic city walls. If you really want to stretch your legs

and burn off the mince pies, head to the North York Moors, where stunning landscapes provide some of the finest views in England.

Alternatively, you can visit one of the many attractions that line York's streets. Go back in time and visit the JORVIK Viking Centre, where you can experience life in Viking York and learn more about the stories and tales of the people of Jorvik.

Ebor Images NYM NPA

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For food on the go, the Shambles Food Court is the hottest spot in the city and a flavoursome side dish to the historic Shambles Market.

The wide range of international street food on offer allows you to travel all around the globe with your feet firmly planted in York city centre.

Silver Street York YO1 8RY shamblesmarket.com

Getting to York

By Bus

Park & Ride

Regular bus services run to York from many towns and cities in the area, including Leeds, Selby and Scarborough. Call Bus Info on 01904 551400 or visit itravelyork.info/buses.

Visitors travelling by car are encouraged to use York’s Park & Ride service for ease. Find out more about services at the five sites over the festive period by visiting itravelyork.info/parkand-ride.

By Train

Parking in York There are a number of convenient and secure car parks in York city centre. For details, visit itravelyork.info/driving/parking.

York Train Station is a short 10-minute walk from the city centre. For more information on services please visit nationalrail.co.uk.

By Taxi Check the travel section on visityork.org for reputable taxi services.

For further information about visiting York, call the Visit York Information Centre on 01904 555670.

Access All Areas

Left Luggage Store your luggage on Queen Street, adjacent to the long stay car park at York Railway Station, you will see the left luggage office on the right next to Europcar, YO24 1AD. Alternatively you can use Yorbag Left Luggage located at 20 High Petergate, only 90 metres from York Minster.

During your Christmas break we want to make sure you are able to get around safely. Visit disabledgo.com to check for easily accessible venues.

Shopmobility Call 01904 679222 to hire a scooter or wheelchair from the second floor of Piccadilly car park (YO1 9NX). Visit yorkshopmobility. wixsite.com/mysite to find out more.

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Expert advice on what to see & do The Visit York Information Centre provides everything you need to get the most out of your visit to York.

Visit York Information Centre 1 Museum Street YO1 7DT

visityork.org

New eShop Top quality products that celebrate York.

Books, clothes, mugs and much more!

Perfect for Christmas gifts.

shop.visityork.org

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Happy New Year!

All of us at Visit York wish you and your families the very best this Christmas, and a very happy new year too.

We look forward to giving you a warm welcome once again in 2021.

Start planning future breaks in York now visityork.org/sleep

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@VisitYork @VisitYork @VisitYork

#YorkChristmas

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