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
dearmummyblog.com 
This is a really lovely post!We went to York a lot when I was younger as we have family there and I always felt there was something really magical about the Shambles and was always in awe of the Minster.The Dungeon scared the living daylights out of me though.This has got me planning a little trip now it’s been too long x
My mummy screamed her way through the Dungeons!! Especially when the fake blood/water squirted her!! Hehe!
Gorgeous photos! This is just such a fantastic post – I love the idea of reviewing both ‘kid friendly’ and ‘grown up’ highlights. I love a visit to York but for some reason we’ve never taken the kids when we’ve gone. Thanks you for linking up with #YorkshireFamily I’ve added this post to our Pinterest board.
Thanks for hosting Erin 🙂 #YorkshireFamily
She looks so cute in her sunglasses! Never been to York but after seeing the chocolate shop and van and then the tea rooms I’m very tempted. Not too bothered about the scary stuff though 😉 #pointshoot
It was great! A lovely city 🙂
I’ve never been to York but I’d like to visit and do all the ghost walks! We did some in Edinburgh and they were scarily fun! Great post and lovely pics, love the purple coat 🙂 xx
Wow, what a fab time you had. Love these pictures! Betty’s how amazing! Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot x
Gorgeous photos, I love York but it’s been so long since we’ve been. I’m pretty sure it may have been pre Z! So nice to just wander about down the winding streets.
Wow, York looks fantastic! With our without toddlers in tow. I’d love to go on the ghost walk and the whole place is just beautiful, I adore historic places, so much nicer than the boring old buildings we build nowadays! #TheList
I love that first photo – very happy girl 🙂 We’ve yet to take the kids to York… it’s just a bit too far for a day trip at the mo. But you’ve inspired me!! #YorkshireFamily
My sister lives in York so we get to use their residents card for free entrance to the Minster etc. I grew up in Harrogate so am a big fan of Betty’s! such a gorgeous city! #thelist
I went to university in York and I absolutely love it. There is so much to do there and it’s so pretty. Lovely photos x #PoCoLo
I suddenly wants to go there after reading this! Amazing and stunning place. #PoCoLo
I LOVE York and have been there a few times now. We are lucky enough to have a friend on the outskirts which means we can stay there when we go. Great photos. Thanks for linking to PoCoLo x
Lucas says – Isabella, you have been a busy bee and it looks like you’ve had an awesome time. I loved the first photo – you look sooooooo cheeky and you know how much kidGLloves loves cheeky!!! #pocolo
Very thorough lists and fantastic pictures!! Love York. A visit to Betty’s is a must..I had no idea what a ‘fat rascal’ was until my Yorkshire hubby took me there! #pocolo
Aww! I love York and Yorkshire and yo definitely have all my favourites there. Betty’s tea room is the best xx #TheList
I love York such a pretty place , i visit every year and i adore the shambles such an amazing street. I have also visited the golden fleece pub and even though i seen no ghosts i was a bit spooked out being there xx
It was kinda creepy in the Golden Fleece! The staff seemed like zombies 😉 hehe
Stunning photos! Visiting from Point and Shoot.