Our week in York

Dear Mummy, we recently visited York and found some great spots to hangout. Here’s a series of lists we complied of things to do, place to eat and must-sees. We hope you like our snapshot!

There are many great things to do in York but some attractions can be a bit ‘grown-up’ for youngsters my age, like the gruesome York Dungeons and the scary ghost walks. So here’s what we found for little people.

Five things to do in York with a toddler in tow.

1) York Minister. A beautiful medieval gothic cathedral. It’s massive and is the largest in Northern Europe! We just peeked inside (saved ourselves the £10 adult entrance fee) and found it more fun and less stuffy outside playing in the park next to it. It’s stunning and we enjoyed the backdrop and spotting the gargoyles.

2) York Castle Museum. A living history museum all about York. We enjoyed the Victorian Street, costumes and the military artefacts. It kept me amused and daddy enjoyed the First World War exhibition.

3) Walking around The Shambles and York City Centre, full of quirky streets which look like something out of Hogwarts! There’s a great selection of shops and tea rooms around.

4) National Railway Museum. It was free and I loved looking at all the choo-choo trains.

5) Yorks Chocolate Story. A guided tour to find out all about chocolate!

…and five things to do without toddlers….

1) York Dungeon & Ghost Walks. Anything scary and spooky my mummy loves. As soon as we knew we were going to York my mummy just had to go on a Ghost Walk, having been on one in Winchester and really enjoying it. Daddy wasn’t so sure, but then he is a big scaredy cat!

2) Jorvik Viking Centre, I was a bit young to fully enjoy this exhibition. But Mummy and Daddy enjoyed walking around and learning about the Vikings.

3) Walk the city walls. It’s a bit steep and hairy with a toddler in tow. Best to enjoy the views without worrying about the little ones getting into mischief.

4) Clifford’s Tower. A fort constructed by William the Conqueror. There are a lot of steps. It can take some time with a toddler. Little legs get tired and it’s hard to lift them to the top. The views are amazing though.

5) York Designer Outlet. Shopping can be quite difficult with a toddler in tow, and even though York Designer Outlet provides cute little tikes cars to travel around it, other shoppers can get in the way at this large centre. Elbows out for the best bargains! Beep Beep!

Five quirky shops we found!

1) Ancestral Name, another great shop to find out the origins of our family name. The shop front looks great and entices us in. We spend ages find out family crest and looking though all the records.

2) Molly Browns, a beautiful boutique shop with another stunning window display! Lovely dresses and accessories to buy. Very glam!

3) Cuffs & Co, at The Shambles. My daddy was really taken with this shop and spent ages hunting for the right Cufflinks to go with his business suit.

4) Stonegate Teddy Bears, filed with beautiful teddies. It has a quaint tea shop upstairs too. I picked up a super soft Panda to take home with me!

5) The Cat Gallery. A shop devoted to cat lovers, selling arts and crafts and gifts…all cat related! Scary cat ladies only 😉

Five awesome food places we found

1) Bills. For a relaxed family environment. We had speedy service, great food and a lovely time eating here. The decor is great with booths, comfy chairs and chandeliers.

2) The Vanilla Cafe. A small tea shop. We had a quick coffee and slice of cake here, behind the Cathedral. A beautiful setting with the blossom tree outside.

3) Betty’s. The best afternoon tea shop. EVER. My mummy enjoyed a fabulous raspberry macaroon with fresh cream and berries. She also sipped on rose tea and watched the world go past.

4) Evil Eye Bar. For amazing cocktails and an interesting decor, it feels really studenty and my folks visited here on their night out.

5) The Golden Fleece. Yorks oldest and most hunted pub. Well it was featured on ‘Most Haunted’ 😉 my mummy and daddy took in the spooky atmosphere when they visited

Five things to do outside York

1) Room on the Broom Trail at Anglers Country Park (about 40 minutes from where we were based)

2) Sea Life Centre in Scarborough. I’m a big fan of aquariums especially on a rainy day. We went and enjoyed the seaside as well.

3) Fountains Abbey, a National trust Estate with old Abbey ruins.

4) Castle Howard. The most impress entrance we’ve seen!

5) Web Adventure Park. A farm, an adventure play area.

We hope you like our round-up of York and surrounding areas!

Love Bella x