WE walked down a flight of stairs – and back a thousand years.
At street level, Coppergate shows little sign of York’s remarkable medieval past.
George and Sadie meet the Vikings[/caption]
But as we toured the Jorvik Viking Centre we time travelled among the ruins of the Scandi settlement – a fascinating glimpse of attractions the historic city boasts.
Earlier that day, my wife Joanne, kids George and Sadie, and I had driven south to stay at the family-friendly Novotel York Centre hotel.
After leaving our car, we wandered into the centre to begin exploring. And it’s not just the marauding Norsemen’s legacy to thrill tourists.
There’s quaint narrow streets, Harry Potter copycats, a castle, trains, river walks, street tours and Britain’s largest medieval cathedral.
And as the proud home of the Kit-Kat, it’s an appropriate place to have a break!
First stop was Jorvik – the name conquering Danes gave the place in 866. A glass floor over old foundations lets you imagine the place and features artefacts found in a 1970s dig.
The star attraction is a theme park-style ride through a recreated Coppergate street in 960AD. We moved past animatronic figures dressed in furs given a realistic view of the era’s harsh life and work.
A mild stench is also piped in at points such as passing an outdoor loo or fish stall. Clever touch.
One figure of ‘Leoba the woman with a crutch’ – possibly from northern Scotland – is poignant when you later view her actual skeleton clearly showing hip, leg and spine defects.
From Viking clubs to golf clubs, we headed across the street to the fantastically-named Hole in Wand.
It’s a unique indoor mini golf featuring nine holes built around magical and wizard-themed, potions, goblins and spooky rooms.
All of this was within easy reach as York is compact and walkable – especially from the Novotel.
It’s a stylish hotel overlooking the rivers Ouse and Foss. The staff were lovely and welcoming through our two night stay in a huge room.
Novotel is perfectly placed to enjoy all York has to offer[/caption]
Hotel has stylish bedrooms[/caption]
Restaurant served fabulous fayre[/caption]
The hotel’s pool was very welcoming[/caption]
Before dinner we took a swim in the newly-renovated pool and sauna.
Their Gourmet Bar restaurant is the perfect place to relax after cramming in the sights. We opted for Tom’s Award-Winning chicken, ham hock and leek pie, Thai green chicken curry, bacon and cheese burger and a Margherita pizza.
For dessert, Sadie twisted my arm and we shared a towering Trio sundae while George and Joanne wolfed down a gooey chocolate brownie and sticky toffee pudding.
Next morning after a tremendous breakfast of cereals and a cooked buffet, we sauntered along the river to the brilliant York Castle Museum.
Here we walked along cobbles on a recreated Victorian street featuring dressing up boxes, an old classroom and traditional sweetie shop.
GO:YORK
STAYING THERE: A Superior room at Novotel York Centre with queen size bed from £76 per night. See all.accor.com.
Novotel offers a ‘Family 50% off a 2nd room’ deal when booking as a family. Kids aged up to 16 stay and eat breakfast for free when sharing a family room with their parents. Selected hotels only.
The site was once a harsh prison and you get to wander through the cells of rogues, thieves and murderers – including the lock up where highwayman Dirk Turpin was kept before being hanged. It’s haunting but fascinating.
No trip to York is complete without a wander around the old walls and little streets. The best known is the Shambles – a tourist trap best enjoyed in evenings.
Nearby, the majestic 13th century York Minister dominates the skyline and features the world’s largest stained glass window. Challenge your kids to find a cute Paddington Bear statue on a nearby bench.
Paul, Sadie and George loved the The Shambles area of the city[/caption]
Stunning York Minster is home to the world’s largest stained glass window[/caption]
Sadie does time[/caption]
George loved the Mallard steam engine at the National Railway Museum[/caption]
Light show on the walls of the city’s cathedral thrilled Sadie and George[/caption]
We were lucky enough to visit during a festival which lit up the cathedral’s exterior with a spectacular light show as bells sounded.
The city centre also has dozens of independent shops as well as bus tours and ghost walks but being fans of the rails, our last stop was the renowned National Railway Museum – home to iconic trains such as the Mallard stream engine, a Japanese bullet train and a Flying Scotsman VR experience.
York is the perfect family destination and we won’t be waiting a thousand years until we return again.
