Visiting York/area for 4 or 5 days, any tips and advice for me?

[panomara]

Planning on flying in to Leeds Bradford from Dublin late September and can't wait to see York! I am bringing an elderly relative as he wants to do the "Heartbeat" Location day tour and I am his minder 😊Such fun and frolics!

Anyway, I won't be going on the bus tour with him, he will be ok on that, so I have time to float around.

Where would you recommend we stay? Want/need to be close to everything in the city, and we are prepared to pay for a very convenient location near to the action. I was thinking of going to Harrogate for the day, is that doable from York? Any other suggestions, am prepared to do an organised day trip but would prefer to DIY it if feasible. The rest of the time we will be exploring the city, so any tips for things not to be missed would be great. Also if there is anything within reach that you recommend, let me know.

Won't have a car, so will be relying on bus, taxi, train where relevant.

Thanks all. Looking forward to seeing a bit of Yorkshire!

There’s a fantastic scheme in York called ‘For Your Convenience’ which is where shops or businesses display a sticker in their window if they have a seat/rest area available for elderly, disabled or frail people and there’s absolutely no obligation to make a purchase. There’s more info about what the stickers look like and the locations here https://www.livewellyork.co.uk/information-and-advice/getting-out-and-about/for-your-convenience/

The Jorvik museum is excellent and doesn’t require much walking. There’s step free access to the entrance and all through the building, plus a lift between floors and an accessible toilet.

Go to Betty's, get the BLT with chips and then whatever takes your fancy for pudding 😋

There's plenty to enjoy in the city centre but if you fancy a day trip you can take a bus to Castle Howard which is gorgeous

I love York. I second Jorvik (that would be my number one choice if I had limited time). I would also add: York City Museum, York Minster and the Railway Museum. We had a 5 day holiday in York and there was still plenty left to do when we come back.

The shambles with its quaint shops

The chocolate museum in the middle of the city is excellent

Thanks for this information, it's great!

@Forgottenmyphone that's a brilliant initiative, and it's one the elder boy (!) will be making use of. @SausageRoll2020 I wouldn't have thought of Castle Howard, it wasn't on my radar! It brings me back to the days of watching Brideshead Revisited, and I will definitely be checking that out. @Princessdebthe1st I know, and I thought 4/5 days would be ample! I might extend it a bit...

I would love to wander around a typical Yorkshire town/village but without a car I know my options are limited especially with an elderly person coming along. However if you can think of anywhere let me know.

I can get the train (I think) from York to Harrogate, so that might fill the gap. Is Knaresborough worth a stop do you think?

And yes, the Jorvik is on the list along with the Minster and the Shambles etc. Gosh I can't wait!

Harrogate is worth a visit but it's busy. If you can get to Helmsley on public transport you'll have a more village-y experience (although I think it's technically a town). Ripon and Pickering are also well worth a visit if you have the time.

The riverboat cruises are nice for an alternative view of the city away from the hustle and bustle.

Betty’s is massively overrated!

Castle Howard was the jewel in the crown on our last visit to York.
Train to Malton taxi to castle Howard.

Castle museum York was also brilliant.
Jorkvic museum attraction..meh.

There are some nice gardens to walk round in Harrogate. Does the elderly person walk well, you can walk by the river in Knaresborough.

Definitely Bettys, there is one in York and Harrogate
Walk round the wall at York if able.

There is a bus to Castle Howard from near the station.

I live in York. So much to do and great public transport. There is a train to Harrogate via Knaresborough. Both are good but knaresborough is a steep hill down to the river.

so many places to go!

happy for you to dm me and I can probably recommend some places. my parents are in their seventies so am used to more genteel places too!

Jorvik is hugely overrated imo and only really exciting for small children.
Ditto Betty's.
The York Cold War bunker is fascinating and might appeal to someone older although my DC loved it as teenagers.

I'm not keen on York Betty's food but it does look lovely.

English Heritage cold war bunker is fantastic.

And over-priced!

What a lovely gesture from a local.
Can't beat insider knowledge.

The milner hotel in York is probably most convenient for the train. You can get train to Harrogate very easily - the Turkish baths there are excellent.

Railway museum is excellent but the walk there is a bit of a trek at the moment, so get a taxi if you're taking your relative. I wouldn't personally bother with the jorvik.

York art gallery has an excellent exhibition 'the wave' on, see if it'll still be there when you go.

The York Art Gallery: https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/

Walls walk, Whitby, shambles. We did a very good ghost walk many years ago and a self guided walk finding cats. Treasurers house is nice and doesn't take long. There are some nice pubs particularly near the river. The national railway museum is good.

We did the cat walk. DH was also getting obsessed with spotting the places where Patience was filmed

I live in Harrogate and highly recommend RHS Harlow Carr Gardens which as it happens, has a branch of Bettys in it! There’s also the Pump Room Museums and Valley Gardens (free local park with beautiful gardens and a cafe with lovely ice cream).

As for York, you must do Jorvik Viking centre (it’s a sit-down super-slow ride around the exhibits, so it’s great for elderly/disabled.
The Chocolate Story is also really good.

Railway museum is excellent said by a real sceptic.

Thanks folks, you are amazing! Elder boy can walk but tires easily, so will pace it a bit for him. He's happy enough to go on his location tour and then do some easy things, like sit at a pub by the river and read the paper/people watch/chat, he's very easy going. That means I can go off on my own to do more strenuous things, some of which he would probably be able for if there are no hills or long walks!

Some great suggestions so far, and I am very grateful to you all for taking the time to share.

@Sharpkat Thanks for the offer of more detailed local/insider info, PM sent!

be able for if there are no hills or long walks!
Don't bother with Whitby. It's not that near York, unspeakably crowded and very, very hilly.

I visited Castle Howard on a day trip from London.
I had seen it on tv as it was the location for the original Brideshead Revisited series and thought it looked magical.
And it was.
So worth the journey.