The City of York and your community
York is a city with history oozing out of every
gate.
This sentence may seem a bit
strange but the information on these pages should help you learn
more about the City and understand the slightly strange spelling
and choice of words.
Please click on the link to find out
specific information or continue reading to find out more about
this fascinating city.
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»
Leisure Activities
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Finding Your Way
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Often described as the UK’s favourite
city, York is renowned for its heritage, including the iconic York
Minster. Just two hours from London by train, with two universities
it is home to 20,000 students. The city has a strong cultural and
economic community, with a flourishing cutting edge scene.
Not just a popular tourist
destination, York has an increasingly modern and dynamic economy,
as well as long established industries. There has been an expansion
in the fields of digital arts and technology, strongly supported by
York St John University.
Eating and drinking
York is said to boast 365 pubs - one
for every day of the year! Real ale lovers are in for a treat, as
are those who like the more modern café bars. There’s something for
every taste and pocket, and there are always special rates and
student discounts to be found. The city is also brimming with
restaurants and cafes - just choose to suit your mood and your
price range.
Nightlife
Pubs and bars in York range from the
laid-back and quirky to the modern and ultra trendy. Real ale
lovers are especially in for a treat with ale being brewed inside
the city walls. Most of the bars are located within the city walls
and within walking distance of each other and York St John.
York has many late night bars and
clubs catering for every music taste from rock to cheesy pop. They
are open every day and often have themed nights with student
friendly prices. There are a variety of different clubs in the
city; Tru and Gallery are two of the most popular with students.
Both host a York St John dedicated student night once a week which
are especially popular with the sports and societies teams. Our
Students Union bar, Archies, organises the perfect pre-club warm
ups with different entertainment every night so there is always
something to suit every taste. York also has a thriving alternative
music scene with two music venues Fibbers and The Duchess playing
live music from bands across the country and hosting regular club
and student nights.
Shopping
York is paradise for shopaholics.
Everything from large department stores to tiny specialist
shops is available within easy walking distance of the campus. York
offers a mixture of famous high-street names and a whole host of
intriguing specialist, designer and curiosity shops.
The outdoor Newgate Market, in the
centre of the city, offers a more traditional shopping experience,
with stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to
antiques and clothes, all at brilliant student friendly prices.
York also is the host to a variety of specialist markets which
arrive each month and offer a taste of local and international
produce. In September the York Food Festival takes over the city
for 10 days and offers market stalls, demonstrations and
workshops.
There are three out-of-town shopping
centres, all within easy reach of the city centre, by car, bus or
bike. At Clifton Moor there are shops galore including Argos,
B&Q, Comet, JJB Sports, Toys ‘R’ Us and McDonalds. The shopping
centre is also home to the Vue cinema complex and Tenpin
bowling.
Monk’s Cross Shopping Centre has a
layout like a classic American shopping mall. Shops include
TopShop, HMV, Boots, Topman, WHSmith, Monsoon, New Look, Miss
Selfridge and more.
The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
features over 100 designer name stores full of best buys! Dolce
& Gabbana, Cerruti 1881, Paul Smith, Body Shop, Adidas, Reebok,
Armani are just some of the brands you may find here.
The city is constantly ranked as one
of the best tourist places to visit and was voted the Best UK City
2008 in the Telegraph Travel Awards.
Let’s get cultural
Shopping and socialising aside, you
can’t fail to notice York’s history and culture. It’s hard not to
find history fascinating when it lives and breathes around you.
York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in northern
Europe, is world renowned and well worth a visit. The city’s
Viking heritage comes to life every year in a rowdy, fun-packed
festival with hoards of Vikings taking occupation of the streets.
You can also step aboard a time car in the world-famous Jorvik
Viking Centre to travel back to 948AD.
The condemned cell - where the
infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin, spent his last night in 1739 -
lies within the walls of York Castle Museum. The National Railway
Museum is not just for train spotters (so we’re told!) and you can
even catch the plague at the York Dungeon.
The arts feature strongly in York’s
cultural life. The York Mystery Plays continue a tradition of
community performances dating back to the 14th century.
Contemporary drama, and much more besides, is on offer at the
Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House. Film buffs will appreciate
City Screen - an arts cinema housed in a refurbished printing
works. Music, in all its guises, finds an
audience in a variety of venues across the city.
Further afield...
York is also a fantastic starting
point from which you can explore more of what Yorkshire has to
offer. The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are both National
Parks, accessible by public transport, where you will find
incredible scenery and bracing, fresh air. The seaside resorts of
Scarborough and Whitby also make the perfect destination for a day
out (and do great fish and chips). If you fancy a trip further
afield, London is only two hours away by train and a train journey
to Edinburgh will only take you two and a half hours.
So Much More...
York is a fantastic place to live and
many students decide to stay here after they have graduated and on
the pages below you will find all you need to know about
living in York and also some of the attractions York has to offer
so you are never stuck for something to do when you have
visitors.