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The city of York is one of the most historic cities in Europe and is one of the highlights of a trip to the UK. In this article, we will talk about some of York’s most historic sights and the history behind them and list some of its most popular attractions. To begin with, did you know that York is one of the most haunted cities in the world, with over 500 recorded sightings? It was in fact named the most haunted city in Europe by the Ghost Research Foundation International (GRFI.)

The Minster, one of the finest and largest examples of Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe is also one of the oldest. The first church on the site was of wooden construction and was built in 627 to provide a place of baptism for Edwin, King of Northumbria. The minster has an amazing history – for example, the church was damaged in 1069 and repaired by the first Norman archbishop in 1070. Danish invaders destroyed much of the church in 1075, but it was rebuilt again around 1080, in the Norman style, the church now measuring 365 feet long.

Some essential sights for a visit to York:

York Minster The Minster provides the seat for the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office held in the Church of England. In the 11th century there was a series of Benedictine archbishops, including Ealdred, who travelled to Westminster to crown king William in 1066. Ealdred died in 1069 and is buried in the minster where his tomb can be seen by visitors today.

The Shambles Walking down the shambles, you can notice the raised pavement each side of the main cobbled road which form a channel through which the blood and offal from the butchers who used to ply their trade here would wash away. This street really is medieval Britain in its finest preserved form. Don’t miss a visit here if you come to the city.

Clifford’s Tower The remains of York Castle built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to control the North of England. It is named after Roger de Clifford who was hung by chains here after the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.

Jorvik Viking Museum York gets its current day name from the viking invaders that once conquered this city, calling it Yorvik. The Viking Centre is a popular visitor attraction in the UK where you can travel back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of what was formerly a great Viking city.

The Guy Fawkes Inn is a York townhouse and is famous for being the birth place of Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes was born in 1570 and is famous in English history as ringleader of the ‘Gunpowder Plot’, the failed terrorist plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, on 5th November 1605. This is the source of the British ‘bonfire night’ celebrations which take place on the 5th on November.

If you are looking for a place to stay in York full of character then you can do alot worse than a stay at The Guy Fawkes Inn. Located adjacent to the Minster it provides a very convenient base with which to explore the city. Some room seven have 4 poster beds, and the GastroPub restaurant offers a menu with old English dishes and serves a variety of ales brewed specially for the inn, make sure you try the the Guy Fawkes Ale.

Karen writes articles about her home town of York at the york england hotels guide where you can find more articles about York, England. It is also a good place to research a york hotel.