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| An ecard by Smilebox |
Friday, December 23, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
To the North - A weekend in York
Last weekend S and I ventured north to York. We happened to choose the exact weekend that the real Winter finally decided to show its face and let me tell you the closer you get to Scotland, the more unforgiving the weather. It was positively freezing but the mulled wine kept me warm (drunk even, a rather strange feeling when you are sightseeing in the middle of the day. S found it amusing. I was just warm and tingling!).
York is a gorgeous town with a fascinating history. At various points in history it was dominated by the Romans, the Normans and the Vikings! Constantine was even declared Roman Emperor in York. Historically, York has always played an important role in England. It was once the second largest city in England and has always been the heart of religion in this country (until of course Henry VIII arrived on the scene). Even now, the second born son of the sovereign is titled the Duke of York.
The town had a lovely old world feel about it. It was full of narrow winding streets (called Snickleways), tea houses and antique shops. We loved walking down The Shambles (one of the oldest market streets in England dating back to medieval days and even noted in the Domesday Book). We also loved having lunch and afternoon tea at Betty's, a Victorian tea house which was very cultured indeed. Real tea leaves, silverware and freshly baked scones = heaven.
The star of the town is clearly its Minster - a massive Gothic cathedral with the largest stain glass window in the world. It is the headquarters for the second highest archbishop in England. We were lucky enough to attend a carol service inside the Minster along with the town's entire grey haired population. It was lovely and the organ was impressive.
On Sunday, we ventured even further north to the magnificent Castle Howard. The castle is set on 100,000 acres of land and was used in one of our favourite films/book - Brideshead Revisited. It is still lived in to this day by Lady Howard, her husband and children (Octavia and Merlin - what cool names). Each of the rooms were decorated for Christmas, were lit by candlelight and had real wood fires!
Some family on my dad's side originally come from Whitby in Yorkshire so it was really lovely to see that part of the country. We had yet another lovely, relaxing weekend away.
E&S
xoxox
The dining room set for Christmas lunch at Castle Howard.
York is a gorgeous town with a fascinating history. At various points in history it was dominated by the Romans, the Normans and the Vikings! Constantine was even declared Roman Emperor in York. Historically, York has always played an important role in England. It was once the second largest city in England and has always been the heart of religion in this country (until of course Henry VIII arrived on the scene). Even now, the second born son of the sovereign is titled the Duke of York.
The town had a lovely old world feel about it. It was full of narrow winding streets (called Snickleways), tea houses and antique shops. We loved walking down The Shambles (one of the oldest market streets in England dating back to medieval days and even noted in the Domesday Book). We also loved having lunch and afternoon tea at Betty's, a Victorian tea house which was very cultured indeed. Real tea leaves, silverware and freshly baked scones = heaven.
The star of the town is clearly its Minster - a massive Gothic cathedral with the largest stain glass window in the world. It is the headquarters for the second highest archbishop in England. We were lucky enough to attend a carol service inside the Minster along with the town's entire grey haired population. It was lovely and the organ was impressive.
On Sunday, we ventured even further north to the magnificent Castle Howard. The castle is set on 100,000 acres of land and was used in one of our favourite films/book - Brideshead Revisited. It is still lived in to this day by Lady Howard, her husband and children (Octavia and Merlin - what cool names). Each of the rooms were decorated for Christmas, were lit by candlelight and had real wood fires!
Some family on my dad's side originally come from Whitby in Yorkshire so it was really lovely to see that part of the country. We had yet another lovely, relaxing weekend away.
E&S
xoxox
Clifton Tower - Part of the old York Castle
Hot mulled wine - yum!
York Minster
Ice sculputres doted through the tiny streets which were part of the Angels Festival at Christmas which also had snow machine spit snow off the roofs.
The foyer at Castle Howard
Soooo cold!
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