York honeymoon ideas

[HotToddyColdSauvignon]

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

Don’t go to Betty’s, it is years since it is far from being as good as it used to be, much nicer other places to go to these days, but make bookings in advance (a day before), otherwise you won’t find any nice places available.

And yes, spend the weekdays in York and disappear to the Dales, the Moors or the coast during the weekend, it is horribly crowded.

Yes, also avoid the races. Never seen so many middle aged women totally drunk in my life… from the ones rolling down the grass slopes by the walls like little kids to those who possibly don’t remember urinating on the street.

Another vote for Skosh. We did lunch there as we couldn’t get in at night but it was spot on.
Follow the cat trail from the shop on the shambles. Takes you on a lovely little wander around the city.
The Chocolate Story is interesting and you start and finish in a cafe with all things chocolate.
The railway museum is worth going to as well.

Hotel wise it has to be The Grand, followed by The Principal.
Loads of great restaurants to try as suggested above.
Just avoid York centre on a Saturday afternoon and definitely avoid it when the races are on.
The Parsonage is not in York centre and certainly not walking into town distance. It’s on a bus route in, but probably 20 minutes at least on the bus. It does have a good Thai restaurant nearby, but certainly not worth you looking at if you’re coming to York to walk around etc.
I never really warmed to York when I was younger, but now having lived here for nearly 13 years, think it’s a great place to be in (but I just don’t go out on a Saturday afternoon or on race days )

@Mammyloveswine

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

The Ivy is pants-microwave ready meals and hen dos.

Rustique is indeed lovely.

Another vote for the NYM railway. All the way up to Whitby, where I'd set aside time to spend as it's a beautiful little place.

The Castle Museum is great.

Ate o' Clock is a lovely restaurant and it's definitely worth grabbing a burger in Oscar's. (They don't only do burgers but they're a speciality, with lovely Mexican and/or veggie options available).

I love a day at the races in the County Stand but for sure would avoid the city centre on a race day.

Roots is amazing. You will need to book a long time in advance.

The Ivy is pants, just another chain with pretensions.

We did go on a race weekend, yes you can avoid the drunk people but dodging the piles of vomit the following day will not be romantic. We also stayed in a vair naice Air BnB and our hosts were not impressed by one of the other groups turning up steaming drunk late at night and screaming the place down - they were promptly evicted the following morning.

Having been to both on several occasions, I would lean towards Roots over Skosh. They have just received their first Michelin Star and make great cocktails too.

Thanks everyone!

Some good advice on here. I've done every afternoon tea in York and the Principal and the Grand are much nicer than Bettys. I also find it overrated. Some lovely places to eat. Just try to avoid the weekends and the races.

I know someone who lives in a 5 star world and they could not rave enough about Grantley Hall. There was talk of being given a stool at dinner for their handbag such was the attention to detail. The grounds and spa look incredible. If you want a pretty walk try Thornton le Dale near Pickering. Thatched cottages and salmon streams. Congratulations and enjoy x

@AnnaMagnani I just need to say I love your username

Agree that the aftermath of the Races isn't romantic. I have had to send inebriated racegoers on their way, when they think my front door is a urinal. It really isn't.

I have never stayed at the Parsonage, but I definitely wouldn't if I only had limited time in York, as it's not in York. I once had coffee there, and it was memorably bad. It was something brown in a cup (and I am not fussy about coffee, will happily drink Tesco's own instant coffee etc).

OP, York is a wonderful, wonderful place to spend a few days. It's not perfect, especially at the weekends - but it's still pretty good. If you want a complete 'romantic getaway', I'd say the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey was a dreamily romantic place - but you can't do all the things you can do in York. So it's a bit of a toss-up. Either you go to somewhere that is completely 'wow' (Grantley Hall, which I'd never heard of, sounds like it's that kind of place; the Devonshire Arms would be similar - it is the most drop-dead wonderful place), or you go somewhere that gives you a lot of luxury (hotel suggestions above are all sound) but with the city centre feel.

Whatever you do, if it's in Yorkshire, it will be better than Bali or the Maldives.

Yes! Evil Eye, Trembling Madness, Stone Roses and The Botanist for drinks

They sometimes do dinner on the steam train. Id take that to whitby/robin hoods bay. Harrogate is good as well if you basically enjoy pretending you're in a Agatha Christie novel (which I do)

I can confidently speak from experience and confirm that the Devonshire Arms is lovely and the Parsonage is not.

@GellerYeller

I can confidently speak from experience and confirm that the Devonshire Arms is lovely and the Parsonage is not.

You said what I was trying to say, but a bit more succinctly.

If you like tapas then I recommend Ambiente Tapas on Goodramgate. There is one on fossgate too but I've not been.

Really lovely food and staff and quite a romantic atmosphere.

I spent my student days in York so don't really know it too well recently but really enjoyed the above restaurant last year and the whole area near the minster and grape Lane. The golden fleece is a wonderful old pub too not glamorous but steeped in history

Ambiente Tapas is fantastic.

@WhipMaWhopMa 😂 and another great user name!

I love ambiente tapas in york, the hull one isnt anywhere near as good. Love the pigeon tapas with white sangria. If you want amazing food go to pipe and glass near beverley

@WhipMaWhopMa your username also!

Not necessarily romantic, but DH and I really enjoyed the tour of York by York Archaeological Trust - bookable on the Jorvik website. The week we were there it was Roman York but they are doing different topics each month.

Lots of fun finding out how the Roman city worked, what was found where and the incongruity of what is now built there - for example there was a temple of Mithras under Popworld nightclub

DH to be says thank you all for your suggestions also!

Love York my dh proposed to me in York Gardens. I always get a fat rascal from bettys. Consider taking a ghost walk. I love walking the walls.
We ate in Gutso which was lovely.
Enjoy you’ve made a good choice.

@IggyAce ahh! We had our wedding reception at the hospitium in the museum gardens and our photos in the grounds!