‘Old’ York Posted by gentlementakepictures on November 9, 2012 · 2 Comments

A grey cold and damp day greeted us, as we stepped out of the warmth of Laura’s lovely mum’s car and into the chill of York. This place was so steeped in history, it’s almost like you can picture the old lords of the House of York in their finery walking the lanes of the city.

After a sneaky breakfast, Laura Adrian and I set off to explore this auspicious city; which the best way to describe it would be London’s more cheerfully earnest and honest to earth cousin. Whereas London and Londoners know that the city is an epicentre of energy, here in York the pervading feeling is that for a real and proper respect for the past, and having tradition in high esteem. The weather wasn’t the best, but this didn’t dampen our spirits as we walked the lanes, visited the shops, and took in the sounds and sights of this city.

It’s so different from London or any big city here, almost like a large village. The people are sweeter and more inclined to laugh, smile and amble along as opposed to the darkly grim determination which strikes the average Londoner’s visage and gait. Here, it’s almost a pleasure to people watch, as the pace of the place is so much more relaxed.

York is the picture of a Middle Ages city; a great stone wall encircles it, a large cathedral dominates the centre, with tight lane ways packed with Tudor houses radiating away like a spider web. And a large motte and bailey castle stalwartly guards the city atop a hill. It was such a great feeling to be walking around a place with such a history and so many stories, but the highlight of the day had to be feeding the adorably gorgeous squirrels in the impeccable Museum Gardens, where the aforementioned squirrels take residence, and will gladly climb a leg for a well earned peanut.

As the day continued, we met up with Laura’s friends who took us to a seniors only cafe in a converted church, where we enjoyed lunch and were regaled with stories from the big house by Laura’s friend who served Her Majesty’s Prison Service with pride.

After a quick purchase (nice wool trousers for Adrian), as well as witnessing Laura proclaim with an almost regal authority that the Yorkshire Soap Company was the best shop she had ever been in, we had a hearty and sumptuous meal in a local restaurant which all the locals frequent as the locals will say, we sadly headed back on the train, and finished what was a memorable day.

Having just read a novel set in the Elizabethan city, it was such a privilege to see the town so well preserved; this place is what encapsulates the real England is to me; however cliche. This place represents all the rich history of this country, as well as its tone. It is the scene of The Hundred Years War, the Norman Conquest and Viking Invasion; in essence, York is England and England is York.