York Attractions, England

York Minster
The imposing York Minster - the name means a monastic church - commemorates the monks who converted those living in the surrounding countryside to Christianity. York Minster is dedicated to St Peter and is worthy of its important diocese, whose bishops sat on the council at Arles in 314. After this its history became shrouded in silence. It was not until the turmoil of the period of migration of the peoples that the oldest documented (wooden) church was built here for the baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria in 627. Succeeding Saxon and Norman constructions were destroyed, and the present cathedral was built in the Gothic style after the 13th century.

Yorkshire Wolds Route
A route leads from York through the delightful scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds, which rise to heights of up to 800ft/244m, to the North East Coast. Formerly this was a vast sheep-grazing region, with only a thin covering of poor soil over the underlying limestone. Recently, however, the soil has been improved and broad swaths of land have become fertile cornfields, variegated by white crags of rock, attractive clumps of woodland and avenues of tall trees.

York Castle
York Castle' is part of the city of York. The Castle itself was later dismantled, but the site contains Clifford's Tower (photo), a quatrefoil keep built on top of a Norman motte, the courts, Castle Museum and former prisons. It was the site of a massacre of Jews in 1190.
The tower was rebuilt in stone between 1245 and 1265. The castle's bailey walls, towers, gates, bridges, two halls, a chapel, a kitchen and a prison were all built at this time. The name Clifford’s Tower was first recorded in 1596 and derives its name from Roger de Clifford, who was hanged there in 1322. Before then it was called the Great Tower. Very few examples of this multilobed type of castle tower exist. One is the keep of Pontefract Castle (now badly damaged). An identical example to York can be found at Étampes, France.
In recent times, the surrounding area of Clifford's Tower has been considered for retail development. Some citizens, visitors, academics, environmentalists, local businesspeople and Jewish groups have opposed the development with some success, winning a lengthy and bitter Public Inquiry in 2003. English Heritage owns the castle.
The motte of Clifford's Tower is believed to be the "hill" that the Grand Old Duke of York marched 10,000 men up and down in the nursery rhyme, although there are several other theories.

Coast Road
From the seaside resort of Bridlington a beautiful coast road leads north and can be followed all the way to Whitby and beyond over the North York Moors, with occasional glimpses of the coast.

Cleveland Way
The Moors are popular with walkers, many of whom follow the Cleveland Way, opened in 1969. This 100mi/160km-long path and bridleway encircles the whole of the national park.

Town Walls
A walk along the York town walls will leave a lasting impression of the townscape. Built mainly in the 14th century, they follow the line of the Roman walls for much of the way, and incorporate some Roman work. The walls have a total extent of some 3mi/4.8km, with six gates or "bars". Four of the old gates have been preserved - Walmgate Bar, Monk Bar and Bootham Bar, all with the original portcullis, and Micklegate Bar, with three figures of knights. Micklegate and Monk Bar can be entered. The stretch of wall between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar offers the finest view of the Minster.

Old Town
The Old Town of York includes York Castle with its Museum, the town walls and Merchant Taylor's Hall.

Stonegate (photo - right)
From Blake Street, the area between Coney Street and King's Square is a pedestrianized shopping quarter. Nearby St Helen's Church, named in honor of the mother of Emperor Constantine and with 15th century stained glass windows, and attractive medieval Stonegate are further architectural highlights, as is the Mansion House, designed by Lord Burlington and built in 1725, now the official residence of the Lord Mayor.

Chapterhouse
The vestibule of the Chapterhouse is reached from the north transept. On entering this part of the cathedral visitors will immediately notice to their left a window (about 1300) depicting kings and queens, and the richly decorated capitals. The flaying of St Bartholomew can be seen on a capital to the right of the 13th century door with interlaced decoration leading to the octagonal Chapterhouse (1260-1285). The painted wooden vaulted roof (65.6ft/20m in diameter) is self-supporting and was renewed first in 1798 and again in 1976. The fine stall-canopies are impressive, as are the tracery windows, whose glass dates partly from the 13th/14th century and through which much light pours.
 

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