York

It's the medieval Minster, alleyway and ancient stone walls that draw tourist to York, a city at Northern England.

One of the best way to explore York is a stroll along the city walls, a three mile circuit that takes in the medieval Bars or gates. Bootham Bar (above photo), is a good place as any to start and progressing northeastwards from here.

This is part of the city wall

At Micklegate and Monk bar, one can purchased this certificate to prove that one had walk the full distance of the city wall

Somewhere along the walls, one will be rewarded with a good view of York city and the Minster.

York Minster had been the centre of spiritual authority for the north of England ever since Edwin of Northumbria adopted Christianity and built a wooden chapel on the site in preparation for his baptism into the faith

A taste of the Viking period in the history of York can be found at the Jorvik Viking Centre (the Danes invade York at one time and half of the Viking army settled here)

Originally the keep of York Castle, Clifford's Tower was the site of one of the most bizarre episodes of medieval Semitism. After a city fire, for which the Jewish community was blamed by the mob, the Jews took refuge here, then committed mass suicide in order to avoid being massacred.

There's little to see in the tower itself other than the commanding view from the top

Lendal Bridge and River Ouse

St. Mary's Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey which sit on the now Yorkshire Museum Gardens, near the York Minster

The Museum Gardens are simply peaceful and beautiful. The garden is a perfect place to rest and relax after a day exploring York city.