York

York is an ancient walled city with both Viking and Roman roots. It's historical aspects make it one of the more popular tourist destinations in the UK. It has many museums, historical places and of course, the York city Walls which were built in Roman times. York has the most intact walls of any British city. There are approximately 3 miles of walls, and many tourists walk them. The most noticeable and intact Roman structure is the Multangular Tower. It was built on the orders of the Emperor Septimius Severus, who lived in York from 209 to 211 AD and constructed as part of a series of defensive towers. It is nearly 30 feet tall with 10 sides.

You'll also want to see the gatehouses -- known as bars. The most notable is the Monk Bar. It is a four story gatehouse built in the 14th century which now contains the Richard III Museum. Micklegate bar is also a four story gatehouse and was the traditional gates for monarchs entering the city. The structure itself looks like part of a castle.

At York's centre is York Minster, the largest Medieval church in the UK. It has been built and rebuilt since the 300's, and is now a huge three tiered structure. It is difficult to describe the sheer size of this place: you almost feel like an ant upon entering it. Everything is enormous from the high vaulted ceilings to the stained glass windows. The Great East Window, for example is 76 feet tall and is the largest example of medieval stained glass in the world. Just slightly smaller is the the fifty foot tall "five sisters" window. The church is worth visiting just to experience its sheer vastness. See a video of York Minster

If you really want to experience ancient history, you'll want to stop by the Jorvik Viking Centre. The center features remains of a 10th century Viking buildings that were surrounded by a moist peat bog. The bog actually preserved everyday Viking items from the period and gave scientists a clear view into Viking life. Among things they found were cloth, leather clothing, and even a Viking toilet with its contents. The museum features all 40,000 objects that were found in the dig along with interactive displays for adults and kids. During the summer months, you can even create and equip a Viking Peg doll, a favorite toy during Viking times.

Since York was a town associated with the industrial revolution, you may also want to stop by the York Railway Museum. Here, you can see the largest static collection of railway locomotives in the world. Step into the Royal Train coaches used during Queen Victoria's time and see the fastest steam locomotive. Admission is free, but you will have to pay for parking if you arrive by car.

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See a Map of York