Okay, so picture this: cobblestone streets barely wide enough for a car, medieval buildings that lean so far inward they nearly touch, and the distant chime of a cathedral bell that’s been ringing for centuries. Welcome to York, United Kingdom – possibly the most magical city in England that isn’t actually hiding wizards (or is… The post Guide to York, UK: Where Medieval Magic Meets Harry Potter Charm appeared first on Helene in Between. Okay, so picture this: cobblestone streets barely wide enough for a car, medieval buildings that lean so far inward they nearly touch, and the distant chime of a cathedral bell that’s been ringing for centuries. Welcome to York, United Kingdom – possibly the most magical city in England that isn’t actually hiding wizards (or is it?). This is your complete guide to York, UK! Having spent countless weekends exploring Englands bustling streets, I finally decided it was time to venture northward and discover what makes York so special. Spoiler alert: it’s everything. This ancient walled city is like stepping into a time machine with WiFi. As a massive Harry Potter fan, I was absolutely giddy discovering all the spots that seem like they were plucked straight from the pages of J.K. Rowling’s imagination (and some actually were!). Table of contentsGetting There: Easier Than Flying a BroomstickWhere Medieval History Comes AliveDay 1: Getting My Medieval OnYork MinsterWalking the City Walls: Feeling Like I’m Guarding HogwartsThe Shambles: OMG IT’S ACTUALLY DIAGON ALLEYDay 2: Museums and MysteriesYorkshire MuseumNational Railway Museum: Not Hogwarts Express, But CloseClifford’s Tower: A Tragic History With Epic ViewsGhost Tour: Ghostly Fun That Would Impress Nearly Headless NickThe Harry Potter Trail: A Potterhead’s Dream Come TrueThe Shambles: The Real-Life Diagon AlleyYork’s Own Gringotts and Other Magical BuildingsWizard WeekendFood That Would Make Hogwarts’ House Elves JealousBetty’s Café Tea RoomsHouse of Trembling MadnessThe Star Inn the CityYorkshire PuddingWhere to Rest Your Weary HeadLuxury: The Grand Hotel & SpaMid-range: The Principal YorkBudget-Friendly: Safestay York HostelGetting Around YorkBest Time to Visit: Seasonal MagicYork’s Seasonal Celebrations: Festival FunA Day Trip to the Yorkshire Dales: Magic Beyond the CityYork, England ItineraryFinal Thoughts: The Magic Lingers Getting There: Easier Than Flying a Broomstick If you’re coming from London (like I was), you’ll be pleased to know getting to York is ridiculously easy. Direct trains from King’s Cross (yes, THAT King’s Cross – more on Potter connections later!) take just two hours. I found myself gazing out at the English countryside, watching sheep graze on impossibly green hills while sipping tea from the dining car. Much more civilized than dealing with Floo powder, I promise. Pro tip: Book your train tickets in advance. Like, seriously. I waited until the last minute and ended up paying nearly double what my more organized friends did. Don’t be like me. See all my guides to the UK here! Where Medieval History Comes Alive York isn’t just old – it’s ancient old. Founded by the Romans when they called it Eboracum (try saying that three times fast), this place has seen everything from Viking invasions to medieval prosperity. As I wandered through the city, I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking through a living history book. Emperor Constantine the Great was crowned here in AD 306 – casual, right? The city later thrived as a medieval trading hub thanks to its profitable wool trade. This wealth explains all the jaw-dropping architecture you’ll see around every corner. Medieval merchants weren’t exactly subtle about showing off their money, and thank goodness for that! Day 1: Getting My Medieval On York Minster My first morning in York, I made a beeline for York Minster, and oh. my. god. This Gothic cathedral is MASSIVE. I’m talking soaring ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and stained glass windows that will make your jaw hit the floor. The Great East Window is literally the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world – it’s like a giant, ancient comic book telling biblical stories. I paid the extra few pounds to climb the central tower, and despite being slightly winded (okay, I was completely out of breath – there are 275 steps!), the panoramic views of the city were absolutely worth it. You can see the entire city, the walls circling it, and the countryside beyond. I felt like I was on a Hogwarts tower, surveying the grounds. Walking the City Walls: Feeling Like I’m Guarding Hogwarts After lunch (more on the food later because YUM), I took a leisurely stroll along York’s medieval city walls. These are the most complete city walls in England, and walking along them gives you a fantastic perspective of both old and new York. As I walked, I imagined what it must have been like to be a guard patrolling these walls hundreds of years ago. Were they bored? Cold? Constantly worried about invaders? Meanwhile, I was just trying not to trip while taking Instagram-worthy photos. The struggle is real, friends. The Shambles: OMG IT’S ACTUALLY DIAGON ALLEY The absolute highlight of my first day was wandering down The Shambles. Guys. GUYS. This street is literally Diagon Alley come to life. The medieval timber-framed buildings lean inward so much that they almost touch at the top, creating this magical tunnel-like feeling as you walk through. It’s widely believed J.K. Rowling took inspiration from The Shambles when creating Diagon Alley, and walking through, it’s impossible not to see why. The street dates back to the 14th century and was originally filled with butcher shops (the name “Shambles” actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for slaughterhouse – the more you know!). Today, it’s home to the most adorable shops, many of which have fully embraced the Harry Potter connection. I spent WAY too much money at “The Shop That Must Not Be Named,” buying chocolate frogs and a wand that I absolutely did not need but definitely couldn’t live without. There’s also “The Potions Cauldron” where you can mix your own magical concoctions (okay, they’re fancy sodas, but they bubble and change color!). I literally spent hours just wandering up and down this street, ducking into shops and taking photos of every angle. The way the sunlight filters through the narrow opening between buildings creates this ethereal glow that my iPhone camera did not do justice to. Day 2: Museums and Mysteries Yorkshire Museum After stuffing my face with a full English breakfast at my B&B (when in Rome…or York), I headed to the Museum Gardens to see the beautiful ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey before diving into the Yorkshire Museum. The abbey ruins are hauntingly beautiful – massive stone arches standing alone against the sky, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. It gives major Hogwarts-after-the-Battle-of-Hogwarts vibes. I half expected to see Neville wandering around with the Sword of Gryffindor. The Yorkshire Museum itself is packed with archaeological treasures spanning Roman, Viking, and medieval periods. There’s something so mind-bending about standing inches away from objects that people used thousands of years ago. Like, an actual Viking held this comb! A Roman woman wore this jewelry! My inner history nerd was absolutely thriving. National Railway Museum: Not Hogwarts Express, But Close The National Railway Museum wasn’t initially on my must-see list (I’m not usually a train person), but several locals insisted I check it out. I’m so glad I did! This place is HUGE and houses some of Britain’s most iconic trains, including royal carriages used by Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. While the Hogwarts Express wasn’t there (sadly), seeing these beautifully restored vintage trains gave me serious Platform 9¾ vibes. I even found a red steam locomotive that looked pretty similar to the one used in the films! The museum is completely free (yes, FREE) and you could easily spend half a day here. I especially loved seeing the luxurious royal carriages – they’re basically palaces on wheels. Clifford’s Tower: A Tragic History With Epic Views I almost missed Clifford’s Tower, which would have been a major oversight! This stone tower sits atop a grassy mound and is pretty much all that remains of York Castle. The history here is intense – in 1190, it was the site of one of the worst anti-Jewish massacres of medieval England when about 150 Jewish people took refuge in the tower and many chose suicide over being captured by the mob below. Pretty sobering. Despite its tragic past, climbing to the top offers some of the best panoramic views of York. The recent renovation has added a roof deck and interior walkways that make exploring much easier. I spent about an hour here, reading all the historical information and taking approximately 500 photos of the cityscape. The £7.90 entry fee was totally worth it for those views alone. If you’re trying to get your bearings in York, start here – you can literally see everything from this vantage point. Ghost Tour: Ghostly Fun That Would Impress Nearly Headless Nick York is apparently one of Britain’s most haunted cities, which obviously meant I HAD
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