We arrived in York for a late dinner and then decided to walk into the old town before bed. First thing next morning we had tickets to tour the interior of the York Minster (one of the more impressive churches so far). Then on to the Shambles — The Shambles is a historic street in York, featuring preserved medieval buildings, some dating back as far as the 14th century. The street is narrow, with many timber-framed buildings with jettied floors that overhang the street by several feet.
For a little more exercise, we climbed the stairs to Clifford Tower. Clifford’s Tower is one of the best-loved landmarks in York. It is the largest remaining part of York Castle, once the center of government for the north of England. The 11th-century timber tower on top of the earth mound was burned down in 1190, after York’s Jewish community, some 150 strong, was besieged here by a mob and committed mass suicide. The present 13th-century stone tower was probably used as a treasury and later as a prison. Exceptional views of the city from the top.
Still in the walking mode we navigated the city wall. York has, since Roman times, been defended by walls of one form or another. To this day, substantial portions of the walls remain, and York has more miles of intact wall than any other city in England. They are known variously as the York City Walls, the Bar Walls and the Roman walls.
In the afternoon we continued our drive through the Yorkshire Dales to Otley for our stay at a guest house next to a dairy farm with the loudest cows I have ever heard.
York Minister
The Shambles
Clifford Tower
York City Wall
The Farm
Travelling Photographer 