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England > Yorkshire

Yorkshire, Britain's largest county, is one of the most attractive regions in England, known for its friendliness, moors, dales and open countryside as well as York with its 2000 years of history.

Yorkshire, along with Northumberland and Durham, was once part of the great Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. Yorkshire was a farming region until railways, mining, and the wool industry arrived in the 19th century. The county was originally divided into three "ridings", a word which comes from the Danish treding and means "third". The East Riding is limestone country, known for its rolling, attractive wolds and wildflower meadows. North Yorkshire was relatively untouched by the industrial revolution. Lined with dry-stone walls and dotted with grand country houses, it has been largely left to sheep and retains a quiet and bucolic air.

Yorkshire's western ramparts are the rugged Pennines, running from the Peak District to the Yorkshire Dales. The South Pennines, Britain's first heritage area, links them all. The brooding moors, which inspired the Bronte's and the heather-clad heights of the North York Moors, each have their own charm. And in the heart of it all lies the City of York, colonised by Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans, second only to London in its popularity with visitors to Britain.

Yorkshire people are approachable, friendly and down-to-earth, speaking with a very distinctive regional accent.

York, a four-hour drive north of London, has been the capital of the north for some 2000 years. The Romans chose this site by the River Ouse to build their fortress of Eboracum, mainly because it was safe and dry. The Vikings and the Romans have laid claim to York and it's one of England's most historic places. As England's most northern city, York was also constantly under threat from the Scots and it gave its name to the Royal York's who fought for the English crown in the Wars of the Roses. The city has retained a real medieval feel and cars are banned from the centre. York's many historical ruins are surrounded by city walls, which date back to the 14th century, and the reign of Edward III. There are over 30 museums and galleries to choose from.


The Shambles is a narrow, medieval street in the centre of York, which takes its name from the Saxon word "shamel", meaning slaughterhouse - which is what a butcher's shop was in those days. Original meat hooks still hang in some of the Shambles buildings. York Minster, the biggest Gothic cathedral in north Europe, is England's largest Gothic building. Its stained glass ranks among the art treasures of the world. The Minster boasts the world's most enormous medieval stained glass window and an estimated half of all the medieval stained glass in England. In 1984, a fire destroyed much of York Minster's South Transept, but it has been restored so skilfully (at a cost of £2.25 million) that no trace of damage remains. During the restoration, a decision was made to replace the great central roof beam with real oak, rather than steel disguised as oak. The reason for this was that the architects demanded the beam should be able to last at least 1000 years. An oak beam can last that long but the architects weren't sure about steel. Steel hasn't been around long enough to find out.


The National Railway Museum is Britain's most visited museum outside London. Breathtaking stories, amazing facts, Royal Carriages and record-breaking exhibits - you'll find them all here. The museum houses the very first train and the world's fastest train as well as Thomas the Tank Engine.


The Castle Museum is also worth a visit. It was founded 80 years ago by a Doctor Kirk who accepted bric-a-brac instead of money from his patients for payment of fees. In his eccentric collection you'll find copper kettles, candles, clocks, military items and even two entirely reconstructed streets.


Or, try the Museum of Automata in Tower Street - it presents a history of mechanically moving objects, with all sorts of mechanically operated clowns and ancient figurines. There are parts of York where you can wander and easily forget what century you're in - Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate, for instance. It's York's tiniest street. It's name dates from Saxon times and means "neither one thing nor the other". If you ever find yourself in conversation with an ancient Saxon, whip-ma-whop-ma is a useful phrase to have up your sleeve.


York's Jorvik Viking Centre is the closest thing to Viking York you'll ever experience short of hopping into a time machine. Archaeologists uncovered Jorvik, a 9th century Viking settlement that preceded York, about 25 years ago. This is the tourist version - a sort of "Jorvik, The Ride" - but fun and well worth a try. You travel in a little "time car" on a trip back to the time of the Vikings, recapturing the sights, sounds and smells of the era. If you want to catch the delicate aroma of a Viking piggery (phew!) or examine the workings of a Viking toilet (yuk!), now's your chance. Predictably, Jorvik Viking Centre is very popular with children. Be warned - at peak times you can spend longer waiting in line than you do on the ride.


York is considered one of the most haunted cities in Europe, which makes it a fine place to meet a ghost or two. To get into the right mood, consider The Original Ghost Walk of York, which departs nightly at 8pm. The walk claims the distinction of being the world's original ghost walk. A "history and mystery" theatrical performance along with the walk inspires those with active imaginations. The walk departs from the King's Arms Pub at Ouse Bridge.

On the subject of ghosts, perhaps check out St George's Church in George Street for the grave of Dick Turpin, one of Britain's most notorious highwaymen. The son of an Essex innkeeper, Turpin became an outlaw after being caught stealing cattle as a young butcher's apprentice. After accidentally shooting his partner in crime while firing at a constable, Turpin fled to Yorkshire under an assumed name. He was finally convicted at York assizes of horse stealing and hanged in 1739.

Holy Trinity Church in Goodramgate, York, is said to be haunted by the headless ghost of Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland. Percy was captured and executed (and his head displayed on a pole) in 1572 after plotting against Elizabeth I. According to local legend, he has been looking for his head ever since.
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