The Walls of York

The Walls of York, Clifford's Tower and the Parisi Hotel

York
And so, to the first of two minibreaks with Sally, presents for her 2019 birthday – both in or near York and both culminating, I have to confess, in the partaking of wine. The first, in early June, found us in a beautiful boutique hotel in central York, the Parisi, with a book-lined library and a room with a roll-top bath. We’ve been many times to York, so some events were reenactments of previous activities: for example, the National Trust’s Treasurer’s House and Garden (one of our top spots in York.)

The Parisi Hotel and sites in York

Spring Light
York is particularly lovely in the Spring and the light was stunning as it fell on The Minster and the Walls of York as we circumnavigated the astonishing remaining sections of the medieval defences punctuated by evocative landmarks: Robin Hood Tower, Monk Bar, Harlot Hill Tower, Fishergate Bar, Micklegate Bar, Barker Tower, Multangular Tower, St Mary’s Tower, Bootham Bar…. Clifford’s Tower is the remains of a 13th century tower built to replace an earlier wooden Norman keep which was firebombed in horrific Anti-Jewish riots in 1190, resulting in the deaths of at least 150 Jews. The existing quatrefoil tower was damaged twice more in the 17th Century during the Civil War and later in an accidental explosion. It’s a miracle there’s anything left.

The Minster, the Walls of York, Clifford's Tower

My Life in a Museum
Jorvik is worth a return visit if you haven’t been for a while. It was revamped recently, and its time capsule tour of “Viking York” is famous for good reason. Aside from the headline-grabbing poo smells, there’s plenty of intriguing information about the nature of archaeology and its astonishing and intricate methods. Like much of York, the Castle Museum is a building that has had multiple uses throughout history and there are original signs of the Debtor’s Prison from the early 18th century as you meander through the presentation of rooms from different periods of history. What I like about the York Castle Museum is that the focus is on social history and the lives of ordinary people. It’s a sobering experience to see objects from your childhood and teenage years being displayed in a museum attraction!

York Castle Museum and the Jorvik Viking Centre