The Museums of York

Yup, definitely raining this morning. Showered and went down for another lovely breakfast. Chatted with the other guests, exchanging travel stories.

The object of the day was to stay as dry as possible. The first stop was just outside Bootham Bar which is our closest gate to the city. Here I will explain what our host Darren told us: "A street is a gate, a gate is a bar, and a bar is a pub!" Go figure. Ducked into the King's Manor to get some cover and a peek around. It is now part of York University. Later on we learned some more of it's history.

From there, a short walk over to York Minster. We were only allowed in the very front entry hall without paying. Not being big on the cathedral thing, we stretched our necks to see as much as possible. This is a major attraction in this town so it was getting fairly crowded. A very nice young man at the entry gave us a bit of history. The church was embellished every time there was a new regime starting with a wooden structure in 627 to provide a place to baptise King Edwin.

Down through the twisted streets to the York Castle Museum. Facing the museum is Clifford's Tower one of the two castles

built by William the Conqueror. Climbed up the stairs and back down again. The York Castle Museum housed York Prison - mainly a debtors prison but they didn't hesitate to throw anyone in there. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 to control the North of England. It continued to be a site of justice and incarceration for over 1000 years.The museum also features period rooms and re-enactment shops and streets. The prison section was especially well done, with multimedia presentations. Another attraction is a big 60's exhibit. Found it a bit unsettling to find your generation is now a museum attraction. None the less, we enjoyed the nostalgia and the music.

After the Castle Museum, we were going to go to the Viking attraction but the line was very long - also it is a bit expensive for something that sounds like a Disney ride. So we moved on to tea. Tea time is usually after 2pm but we were hungry for lunch. The couple we talked with at breakfast had recommended Grays Court for a quiet place for tea. Off we went in search of Grays Court, where you can enjoy tea in several public rooms.

Grays Court York is a boutique hotel and historic heritage property in York's city centre that boasts over 900 years of colourful history. Once owned by the Duke of Somerset, Queen Jane Seymour's brother, and visited by King James 1st, James 2nd and the Duke of Cumberland. Sir Thomas Fairfax, Archbishop Robert Holgate and Archbishop Thomas Young have also owned and lived here in Grays Court. 

Finally had the salmon we have been waiting for. Yum. The hotel and grounds surrounded by the city wall are absolutely beautiful.

We had about a half hour before a free walking tour began, so we climbed up on the wall and walked a bit of it before turning around and meeting the tour.

 It is a two hour tour of which we lasted only an hour due to the cold and drizzle. There was a lot of history, some of which we had already digesting in other venues, plus some quirky facts like the hybrid tree in the gardens - two beech trees spliced on top of each other. Another interesting fact was the King's Manor built in 1270 was originally the Abbott's house until Henry VIII took it over and was retained by the crown. Through the years it has been a girls finishing school, a school for the blind, and most recently the archaeological department of York University. Above the entrance way is the crest of Charles I (newly restored). Our guide also pointed out two catch basins on the top of the wall for rain runoff. One was dated 1667 and the other one came along over 200 years later in 1890. Don't think we would have noticed these on our own. We might try and meet up with the second half of tour tomorrow.

Leaving the tour for the shelter of the Yorkshire Museum in the gardens to get dry and warm up. The Yorkshire Museum houses a collection of natural history and archaeological findings. Another fine museum done very well and has many interactive exhibits for kids throughout the whole museum. 

Moving on, we were on our way to the National Railway Museum when we decided to call it a day and save it for tomorrow. Back in the room to rest our puppies so we can head out again tonight. 

Just back from dinner. Tonight is a bit colder and rainier than last night so

we didn't stay out too late. On our way to El Piano, a very popular veggie restaurant, we passed Betty's Tea Room.  Since I was curious about what the lines in front were when we passed by yesterday, I Googled it and found that it was opened in 1936 and fashioned after the Queen Mary.

A few years after Bettys opened its doors in York war broke out, and Bettys – in particular the basement ‘Bettys Bar’ – became a favourite haunt of thousands of airmen stationed around York. ‘Bettys Mirror’, on which many of them engraved their signatures with a diamond pen, remains on display today as a fitting tribute to their bravery.

It was late and it was still open, so we walked right in, went downstairs and admired the mirror with the signatures. Taking the picture was a bit tricky.

On to El Piano. Got seated in a quiet room upstairs and we picked up their monthly publication. Who should be in this magazine than none other than our old pal Abe Lincoln!! What are the odds? Now we are wondering where he will pop up in London. Food was excellent and got the recipe for some very yummy vegan mayo.

Weather report is a bit better for tomorrow. Might actually see the sunset.

Next time... Walking the Wall