York Trip

[hby9628]

Hello

My sil and I are planning a trip to York for 2 nights. We are driving up from Manchester & are thinking of doing a spa day on the first day but I'm not finding much online. Does anybody have any recommendations?

Also looking for recommendations for nice restaurants. We like a drink but aren't young enough to be out dancing until 2am but like a lively atmosphere. I've found the Botanist which looks nice & it says they have live music so a potential option

Anyway I'm looking for recommendations for fun but chilled places to go please. I expect we will be in bed by midnight making the most of a lovely long sleep without the kids!

TBH York has so much to see and do it would be a shame to waste a day by going to a spa.

I am biased as I only live an hour away from York and love visiting it.

Food :
Il Paradiso (cash only but do it)
Judges Lodgings
Drink :
Pivney
House of trembling madness
Wellness :
Walk the walls and the river and the stray
Culture :
climb the minster
Madness :
Walk the shambles mid afternoon

@RampantIvy thank you. I've never properly explored York so if you've got any recommendations of nice things to explore let me know

@Talkinpeace perfect thank you!

Rise for brunch

Pop in the Bettys shop and get fat rascals and Yorkshire gingerbread to enjoy at home.

Tomahawk is usually decent food and drink, I’ve not eaten at the York one but have been to one local to me.

Wheldrakes is fab for coffee and cake, they usually have a good selection of gluten free.

Love a wander along the city walls, you get some amazing views.

Take a ghost walk, I’ve done the one that leaves from the Golden Fleece.

"pop into Betty's"
ha ha
I spent six years visiting and never bothered as the queues were always mad

The queue goes down pretty quickly in my experience! Well worth a visit!

These what came to mind off the top of my head:

Explore The Shambles
York Castle Museum
York Minster
National Railway Museum
Clifford’s Tower
Afternoon tea at Betty’s
Cruise on the Ouse
York Dungeon
Jorvik
Ghost walk
Barley Hall
Walk the walls
Fairfax House

https://visityork.org/business-directory/category/things-to-do/attractions

There are numerous places to eat and drink. DD loves visiting Fudge Kitchen on Low Petergate, and I think York is a nice place to browse the shops.

Parking in York is very expensive, and if it has been raining a lot don't park in the big car park next to the river.

Just jumping in to agree with a visit to Betty's tea rooms. They also serve hot lunches if this would suit you better than cake or afternoon tea. You will likely need to book in advance.

I also enjoyed York Minster.

Get yourself some chocolates from Monk Bar Chocolatiers in the Shambles.

The queue at Bettys is usually to sit down in the cafe. Buying to take away from the bakery is much easier.
I recommend Partisan for coffee and cake, or its sister restaurant Brancusi, both on Micklegate. They both do lovely breakfasts but I think at the weekend Brancusi takes over as the breakfast one. Booking recommended.

My favourite place to eat in York is Eight o clock. Never had a bad meal and I just love the setting - all the clocks are set to 8. I also like Rustique.

York is a lovely city to walk around. I get all my hair stuff from the Yorkshire soap company. The shop is great for gifts. They own the imaginarium shop next door as well and there's some really interesting (if a bit pricey) stuff to see there too.

Thanks everyone this is great info
I'll spend some time looking at all the places you've suggested

We've luckily managed to get parking with our accommodation so that's not an issue

I think we will forego the spa!

Highjacking thread to ask for cheap and cheerful recommendations of where to stay. Accommodation in York seems so expensive. We'd be getting the train so city centre preferred.

Il Paradiso is my favourite York restaurant - I used to live there, and every time I go back I still head down there. The lobster pasta is amazing!

They do bank transfer as well as cash these days.

I love the soap shop as well @BakingQueen14

If you like gin @hby9628 I recommend the York Gin shop opposite M and S.

@JobMatch3000 have you checked booking.com
We've found a reasonably priced apartment close to the minster

I went with some girlfriends back end of last year and we had tapas at Sotano - was really good and right next to the Botanist/Turtle Bay etc for drinks.

Another recommendation would be the sandwiches from the Shambles Kitchen - went down a treat before driving home the next day. And right next to the Harry Potter shop if that's your thing at all!

Re accommodation - I recommend the YHA hostel. They do private en-suite rooms. It’s a nice stroll along the river into York.

If you want a spa... and you're heading over from Manchester... you could try the Turkish Baths in Harrogate on your way to York.

Also is there time to to see York Ghosts Merchants. I haven't been but have heard it's worth a visit www.yorkghostmerchants.com/archive1

Re accommodation I recommend The Bar Convent... lovely people great location and something a bit different

Accommodation and parking is very expensive

I recommend it on every York thread that comes up on here but Sora Skybar on top of malmaison really is worth a visit even if just for a drink as the view is so good right over the minster. They do nice food as well
I would book in advance as is does get busy especially this time of year

@teddybearsbear thanks i looked at that but didn't fancy the food. A drink is a nice idea though. I'll get booked.
So grateful for all these recommendations. Going to struggle to choose where to eat!