Travels this week: York

Quick visit to York, seemed a shame not to incorporate a walk round the town…

The Minster dominates the whole town and visible from just about everywhere. They want £9 to get in these days, but apparently it costs £20,000 a day to keep the place running.

York Minster

York Minster

Apart from the Minster, York is famous for its old streets; in particular The Shambles, where the houses on opposite sides of the street almost touch. Most of the shops are tourist aimed these days.

York street

York street: The Shambles

York: Merchant Adventurers’ Hall

What is commonly referred to as York Castle is the only remaining part – Clifford’s Tower.

York Castle, Clifford’s Tower

York Castle, Clifford’s Tower

York Castle, Clifford’s Tower – 800 years of footsteps

York Wheel

The one advantage of insomnia…

York dawn

In the UK we are often spectacularly bad at city planning, and whilst the worst excesses of the post war developments have been removed some remain.

At the side of York Castle, Clifford’s Tower – an 800 year old world class attraction – is this charming car park.

York: car park

And… at one end of the Shambles is this hideous concrete block. Imagine: somewhere, some time ago, someone was presented with the plans for this – and said ‘oh yes, that will be nice’.

York: town planning