60-Second Geography

York, UK

York with Back Roads Touring

• York was founded by the Romans in 71 AD. They immediately began the construction of the York City Walls to fortify their position. York sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Ouse and Foss. The medieval-style buildings and streets are well cared for, and the city remains a popular destination for those seeking to view Northern Europe’s past. It has grown beyond the original walls built to keep out invaders yet treats its past with reverence, preserving the now city center. Modern York still retains a good portion of these walls, lending an aesthetic of traveling back to ancient times. Along these walls are gates once used to defend the city. Of these, there are four main gates (commonly referred to as a ‘Bar’): Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. Though there are other gates, these four gates have had some manner of and entry point since the Romans. The traveler will find these walls fascinating, particularly having a stroll along them while taking in the city.

• York also has the York Minster, also known as the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York. The York Minster is world-renowned for its pristine Gothic architecture and is the seat of the second-highest office in the Church of England, and remains one of the largest medieval cathedrals in northern Europe. The original church was built in 627 AD and has been destroyed or severely damaged many times in its history. Additions and further construction through the Medieval Period created the look it has now. The traveler will be amazed simply by the entrance to the cathedral. Some of the towers that rise from the structure below can be climbed as well, giving the traveler a view of the city below. Pointed arches reach toward the heavens in search of meaning, a grandeur feeling of history will give them memories to last lifetime. And that’s just the exterior.

• Clifford’s Tower, in York, is the most intact part of what used to be York Castle. It was the keep of the York Castle, and used to help seize York (then called Jorvik) from the Vikings. It sits atop a hill of emerald green in the walled center of the city. The tower was used as a jail for felons and political prisoners until 1929. Now, it is a popular spot for the traveler to climb onto and gaze over beautiful York.

• For the traveler interested in the Viking culture that existed before the English, the Jorvik Viking Centre is for them. Jorvik, later dubbed York, was the name of the capital of the Viking world. Here, the traveler will find authentic re-creations of Viking culture. Houses, shops, and yards from around the 10^th century are showcased. The centre was made possible by a massive archaeological dig that unearthed artifacts that the Vikings used. It is also one of the most visited museums in northern Europe. This is a must-stop for the traveler while in York.

The city of York is a great example of well-preserved history in our modern world. That’s why Back–Roads Touring has made it a stop on one of their many tours around the world. They take the traveler off the beaten path, showcasing the culture and history of a location – not just the more popular sites.

To travel Britain is to travel through a land with rich history and tradition, metropolitan cities and quaint villages, rolling green hills and jagged coastlines, just to name a few. Explore this diverse land on this tour which has been specially designed to include Royal connections from the historic streets of Edinburgh to the excitement of London, one breath-taking step at a time.

World-famous university cities meet hideaway villages on this tour of Eastern England. We’ll travel by river and road, across the stunning North York Moors and the Peak District National Park, following in the footsteps of Vikings, Romans and royalty.

This adventure delves deep into Britain’s history and culture. In England, we’ll trace the footsteps of writers and poets, while in North Wales and Scotland, our journey takes in spectacular scenery and dramatic castles.