Into the city
Micklegate Bar
With a long weekend approaching Mrs Wessyman (Mrs W) booked us an overnight stay in York; practical girl that she is, I let her do all the arranging, and I just do what I am told (it leads to a Quiet Life -and you can please yourself when she’s not looking:-) ). ” Shall I put us some sandwiches up?” She asked ” No” I replied “We will go for a Pub Lunch” – Well why not , as you know I don’t mind the occasional beer now and then. So off we went, and here comes my travel tip . – I am no great traveller, but I have stopped in cities in the Uk and Europe and although it may cost you more, try to stay as central as you can , You might save a few bob on accommodation but spend something similar on bus/train/taxi fares into the city – and that’s just hassle. Here endeth the first lesson. Right off we go then – monster kittens (so named by Mrs W) taken to local feline detention centre at Sowood (very good cattery actually) We set off.
Arriving before midday we walked down Micklegate, over the bridge , and looked at the pubs on the banks of the Ouse – pub lunch beckoning.
As you can see , not too busy (quite early) so lets go down and pick a pub.
Spoiled for choice really, we walked passed the Kings Arms and went to The Lowther (Mrs W attracted by the “Live Sports Shown” sign , looking for somewhere to watch the Rugby league that evening -[ anorak that she is] )
Looking at the pumps I went for Theakstons Best Bitter and we went up market choosing the 2 for £12 range – it filled a hole – but you only get what you pay for .
Lets have a look around.
Stairs to the upstairs restaurant (not open at this point). So there I was supping my beer and taking pictures when an interested customer ( nosy old bugger) asked “Are you trying a new camera out ?”. Had it been a member of staff I would have given them some bull about “good pub /food/beer guide” and seen what the food was like then, but it was definitely a customer, so I politely explained that I occasionally wrote a blog etc, etc, etc ( I hope she doesn’t read it).
Wessyman When you’re in a hole STOP DIGGING!!! – that’s my beer – and this was my bill –
Certainly not the best pub around – but not the worst Wessyman score -food 5/10 beer 7/10 – lets move on.
Up to the city centre , Mrs W went “Lets find Lakeland – you can leave me there, and go and walk on the city walls or something ” – In other words “take me to the shops then go away and amuse yourself for three hours”. so we found Lakeland and mrs W said ” Right turn your phone on and we will meet there at Whittards at quarter past three”. So doing what I was told I did have a walk on the city walls ( it’s better than shopping for sure). Started at Micklegate Bar .
Up the steps and turned Left Through the Tunnel – Enjoy the walk
On the wall
You can get a good view of some of the streets from here
Not many people walking on the wall – but obviously someone had been partying.
Now I don’t mind you having a few bevvies – but tidy up after yourself you idle person(s). I decided to walk up into the city – so got off the wall and walked up on the river bank, heading towards the city centre , passing Clifford’s Tower on my right and a mother taking her babies for a walk in front.
Now into the city we go –
Lets go up The Shambles with all the rest of the tourists.
At the bottom of the Shambles there is a church with little stalls selling second hand books and bric a brac, etc for various charities and a small cafe inside (for charity ). I bypassed it on this occasion and carried on up The Shambles.
I took the occasion to go into Margaret Citherows house (Free you see) – Google her if you don’t know her- here are a couple of shots inside ( no flash – it kills the atmos)
Looking the other way
Almost time to meet mrs W so lets head towards Whittard’s
Through the small market and turn left at the bottom – ah there is a street entertainer –
Closer look
Now I didn’t ask you to stand up there and perform – so don’t ask me for money ! ( Yes I’m a true Yorkshireman 🙂 ). Then came the phone call from Mrs W ” where are you?” she asked ” Heading back to whittard’s like we said ” I answered ” Right” she said “I’ll meet you there”. So off I went. Ten minutes later near Whittards my phone rang – Mrs W again ” I can’t find Whittard’s !” She wailed. “well what can you see?” I asked . ” I can see Lakelands ” she replied ” Right walk onto the end of that street – there is a church there – I’ll see you there”. The church is All Saints Church – Pavement – lets go in.
It was quite busy outside – but I was all alone inside the church – very tranquil.
look at the ceiling
One last look – then outside to meet Mrs W
On meeting Mrs W she told me she needed to sit down and rest her feet; – good excuse to go to the pub – so off we went to the Golden Fleece, just across the road from the bottom of The Shambles.
lets go in.
When you go in there is a (small ) bar facing you, four people propping the bar up could stop easy access , fortunately this is not the only bar, there is also bar in another room through a passageway going towards the back of the pub, you can just see the passageway to the right of this bar. Usual choice of guest beers , I went for Timothy Taylors Landlords, Mrs W went for diet coke ( it was a warm day). Apparently Living TV did a “Most Haunted ” show in this pub – wow I’m really underwhelmed; lets see if we can capture any orbs.
Any orbs?
No orbs here. lets go into the back room.
In the back Mrs W found a regular to sit with ( Mrs W is on the right with face edited for anonymity)
Right lets sup up, and call it a day – back to the hotel.
Went down well
Time for R and R – see you tomorrow 🙂
The next day was our second, and last day in York, it was a grey day and soon started to rain , at times it came down like stair rods. Mrs W found her way into a large department store- you know the one , it begins with a D and ends with HAMS and has got EBEN inbetween, – Yes that’s the one; and sent me on my way ( born to shop that girl). When I finally extracted Mrs W from the D shop, we passed the ” Mansion House” with a sign up saying ” Free entry today” (that magic word – FREE) . It got us out of the rain. no pictures I’m afraid – camera tucked away from the rain, and I wasn’t in the mood. To cheer me up Mrs W suggested we visit a pub SO WE DID:-). We went to The Three Tuns ( See spot the pub 2). Nominated driver Mrs W had a cup of tea ( which Wessyman spilled all over the floor – the girl behind the bar replaced it free – and cleaned up the mess – good staff are hard to find), fortunately I didn’t spill my beer(s). Lets look around the pub.
looking towards the front door.
looking towards the back of the pub. – lets look at the bar.
tried Fullers Chiswick – not bad actually.
Now this is a proper pub – well recommended by Wessyman, proper beer , traditional pub, nice staff.
lets try another beer Purity Pure gold – brewery in warwickshire (?)
Perhaps another one jumping on the blonde beer bandwagon – not a great fan – preferred the fullers Chiswick, one last look then the drive home.
That’s about it really, 24 hours or so in York, a quick look – no history lessons , just my observations and opinions, feel free to express your own. It appears there are nearly as many churches inside the city walls as pubs , and there are more pubs than you can shake a stick at -some cracking ones too ! Here is a link to a sight I sometimes refer to – if you are going to York have a look : -) Within the Walls – A York Pub Guide
Looks like you had good weather on the first day.