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Original poster

York honeymoon ideas

51 replies

HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 21:39

Hello all!,

The DH and I soon to be are looking at York as a mini moon for later this year, as I don’t think our 2 week Bali / Maldives / other posh dreamy sunshine filled location is going to happen thanks to that pesky little pandemic that’s happening…!

We like the idea of York as neither of us explored it much as a city, close to lovely countryside, but hoping the city itself has lots of things to do and honeymoon type boutique hotels and excellent restaurants (obvs a trip to Bettys will be on the agenda during the day!)

Looking really for recommendations for intimate luxurious places to stay and eat please from anyone who knows the area! Prepared to splurge a bit!

Many thanks in advance

OP posts:
Sharpkat · 22/07/2021 21:47

Hotel wise: The Grand or Grays Court.

You could see if you could get a table at the new rooftop bar at the Malmaison for drinks.

Restaurants: Roots, Melton's, Delrios. I can come up with more!

Happy to provide more suggestions if it would help.

MySecretHistory · 22/07/2021 22:03

Dont go on a race weekend! There is only so much urinating in the street one can see in a lifetime.

We love Del Rios

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 22:03

Thanks sharpkat, a good start to my evening of Googling! Smile

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WhipMaWhopMa · 22/07/2021 22:05

OP, agree with the Grand and Grays Court. Or the Dean Court Hotel, which is next to the Minster, is also very nice.

Agree with @Sharpkat's restaurant suggestions.

Pairings Wine Bar is also nice. Mannions and/or the Larder Club for lunch.

York is fantastic!

CeeCeeDeeBee · 22/07/2021 22:10

Eat at Skosh, for sure! It’s my favourite restaurant ever. Drinks at Evil Eye.

CeeCeeDeeBee · 22/07/2021 22:10

Ooh also agree with Pairings Wine Bar!

WhipMaWhopMa · 22/07/2021 22:11

Yes, to Skosh. It's fabulous!

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 22:15

Oooh thank you lovely vipers, lots to choose from! Any suggestions for romantic things to do other than wandering round the shambles (on the list!) and the odd walk on the moors? (Also on the list so I can embrace my inner Mary Lennnox and pretend DH is Dillon….)

OP posts:
Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 22:19

Stupid fat fingers…. Dickon! Grin

OP posts:
WhipMaWhopMa · 22/07/2021 22:28

The Museum Gardens are nice. The Star Inn the City overlooks them - it has a big outdoor area which is great for a drink (though I have found the food disappointing, other than the chips).

Don't do the tour bus thing, as it's just like being on an ordinary bus in York traffic!

The garden of the Treasurer's House is lovely - you can just sit there without having to go in the house (unless you want to, of course). The Dean's Park, next to the Minster, is also very nice.

I haven't been, but I'd be tempted to try the Sky Bar at Malmaison, as a PP said.

MinnieAnonyMouse · 22/07/2021 22:29

La Vecchia Scuola is really nice as well! Particularly on a weekend when they have a pianist playing.

Stay at the Parsonage at Escrick - short bus ride to York, beautiful hotel and gorgeous spa

user1471462428 · 22/07/2021 22:33

IMO Bettys is rather overrated and I love afternoon at the Grand then the spa after. Their pastry chef is amazing and everything tastes fresh whereas Bettys make it in Starbeck then transport it in.

RampantIvy · 22/07/2021 22:33

Things to do:
York Minster
The Castle Museum
Jorvik
The National Railway Museum
Walk round the walls
A boat trip on the river
Drive up to Pickering and take a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway
Drive out to Burnby Hall Gardens

I love York

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 22:35

Oh thank you very much everyone!, lots of fab suggestions - and I never knew that about Bettys buying it in Shock

Will start making a list with DH to be, Wine

OP posts:
MySecretHistory · 22/07/2021 22:36

@user1471462428

IMO Bettys is rather overrated and I love afternoon at the Grand then the spa after. Their pastry chef is amazing and everything tastes fresh whereas Bettys make it in Starbeck then transport it in.
Hookstone not Starbeck.

If you are going to be snobby about Starbeck then at least get your geography right.

All about the railway line.

MySecretHistory · 22/07/2021 22:38

@HotToddyColdSauvignon

Oh thank you very much everyone!, lots of fab suggestions - and I never knew that about Bettys buying it in Shock

Will start making a list with DH to be, Wine

They dont buy it in!

They make it in their own factory in Harrogate (in Hookstone not Starbeck)

It is pretty good- we get to sample quite often.
The last poster was being a snob.

WhipMaWhopMa · 22/07/2021 22:38

@user1471462428

IMO Bettys is rather overrated and I love afternoon at the Grand then the spa after. Their pastry chef is amazing and everything tastes fresh whereas Bettys make it in Starbeck then transport it in.
I think the the thing with Betty's is the experience as a whole, though I have been a bit underwhelmed by the tea and scones there. I was also very pissed off with them during lockdown, as they took it to such extremes that you'd feel like a criminal for trying to buy a loaf of bread.
DaisyWaldron · 22/07/2021 22:41

You can go to Castle Howard and pretend to be in Bridgerton.

Afternoon tea at the Grand is nice, and I've always liked the look of tea in the gardens at Grey's Court.

Definitely walk around the walls.

For a wandering around the city lunch, the street food stalls in the market, right next to the Shambles, are good, and follow it up with ice cream from Roberto's on Goodramgate.

soontobeamama · 22/07/2021 22:44

@MinnieAnonyMouse

La Vecchia Scuola is really nice as well! Particularly on a weekend when they have a pianist playing.

Stay at the Parsonage at Escrick - short bus ride to York, beautiful hotel and gorgeous spa

We are booked to go to the Parsonage later on in the year - it looks fab! We are also going to Betty's in Harrogate and Gino D'acampo's restaurant x
Mammyloveswine · 22/07/2021 22:57

Oh we stayed at marmadukes when we got married! Our suite had a roll top bath, sauna.. it was gorgeous!!

Mammyloveswine · 22/07/2021 23:00

Also there is The Ivy for food! But we enjoy Rustique! A lovely french restaurant!

Danniotley · 22/07/2021 23:01

If you really want luxury in North Yorkshire then go to grantley hall. Nothing in York compares with it.

SchrodingersMat · 22/07/2021 23:06

The Principal York is a lovely hotel. I second the advice not to go on the weekend, full of ghastly hen and stag groups.

GuiltyPleasure · 22/07/2021 23:07

Just posting in agreement with many of the recommendations. The Grand does a lovely afternoon tea & is a good central place to stay & has a spa. Not boutique at all but it's a lovely characterful Edwardian building.
Delrio's is excellent. Has a lovely, intimate, but homely feeling. Food is gorgeous.
If you do want to stay outside the city, yes the Parsonage is lovely, but Middlethorpe Hall is also a good option & closer to the city.
Definitely avoid race weekends though. They're not pretty 😂

Original poster
HotToddyColdSauvignon · 22/07/2021 23:12

Thank you so much everyone :)

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