Local Knowledge

York and the surrounding countryside has so much to offer that it is impossible to try and fit it into a short break - or even a week-long holiday! So here are a few ideas.

IT'S HODGSON'S CHOICE

York Restaurants - Melton's, Scarcroft Road. Our "local" has had a "Good Food Guide" alcolade for 10 years+ (need we say more?!), cozy and unassuming, there is a "homey-ness" about the place. If you're in town then - Nineteen, Grape Lane - tucked away in the snickelways of York, the building alone is worth a visit - watch your head! And then there is Michelin accolade for the foodies - JBaker's located on Fossgate ("Restaurant Row"!)

Afternoon tea - You cannot come to York and not visit Betty's Tea Rooms. In the winter, visit Little Betty's, Stonegate and warm up next to a real coal fire - sshh!! Don't tell anyone!

Cuppa coffee and cake - Mulberry Hall, Stonegate - the coffee shop is a hidden gem upstairs. You'll get a treat served on the finest of china - after all that is what Mulberry Hall is famous for! The building (1434) is pretty special too.

Takeaway treats - on a sunny day, there is nothing nicer than going off to the park for a picnic. de'Clare on Lendal (near Museum Gardens) is the place you want to grab a sandwich and a delicious piece of cake.

Lunch - Mannion & Co - is open on Blake Street. A special find. Artisan foods, deli with coffee, teas and cakes. Get tucked in to the back room for a delicious cuppa and cake and take in the aroma of baking breads!

Breakfast, coffee, lunch, afternoon tea - Pig and Pastry has transformed our little neighbourhood of shops on Bishopthorpe Road. The place is always buzzy, busy and very local. And the food, well, you will make a pig of yourself!

Chocolate Shop -With famous chocolate names like Rowntree's and Terry's it's sacriligious not to try some boutique'y sweets! Monk Bar Chocolatier - a nice gift for family and friends too- IF you don't eat them before you get home!

Italian Deli and Restaurant- Le Langhe, Peaseholme Green- where the local Italians get their ingredients! They now offer dinner on Fri and Sat Eve's - booking essential!!

Beer - York Brewery, a micro-brewery located just inside the city walls, has a couple of pubs around the city centre - we like 3 Legged Mare on High Petergate best!

Wine tasting - and it's Yorkshire wine! Taste some award-winning wine created in North Yorkshire at Ryedale Vineyards near Malton.

Special Gifts and Antiques - I like to take something home that was made in the place that I'm visiting - Wild Hart will give you just that. From unqiue little somethings made in Yorkshire or Britain, to some real unusual antiquities - they have a real "eye" for special treats!

Bike it - York is flat so it is easy to take a cycle tour of the city! Scoot down and tell Cai I sent you!!

For Car Lovers Only - tour the North Yorkshire countryside in a classic car from classic car hire - bliss....!

Shop Locally - well you can get just about anything on "Bishy Road" - our little row of special shops - from a butcher, a baker to a bicycle maker!

Let's "Do" York in a Day (....or 2 or 3 or 6!) - Purchase a YORK PASS and see as much as you can in either 1,2,3 or 6 days! BTW - it includes sights outside of York as well!

EVENTS

11-19 February - Jorvik Viking Festival - 27th Annual....includes burning a boat on the River Ouse!

23-25 M arch & 31-1April - York Open Studios - Locoal artists open their doors to the world!

6-9 April -York's Chocolate Festival - Ymmmmmm!!!