Interesting Facts

When it comes to historic and medieval treasures, all other cities pale in comparison to York. It is the northern England's most compelling city. Even George VI said that its history "is the history of England."
If you're lucky, you'll be in York during the performance of the York Mystery Plays. This fourteenth century cycle of 48 plays covers the fall and redemption of man. The performances only occur every four years. The next scheduled performance is 2004.
York Minster ranks as one of England's most important sites. This cathedral is Britain's largest gothic building and boasts the world's largest medieval stained glass window. An estimated one half of all the medieval stained glass in England is said to be adorning York Minster.
York is still surrounded by thirteenth and fourteenth century city walls. The 2.5-mile long barrier encompasses four gates. One of these, Micklegate Bar, marked the start of the road to London and had the grotesque job of displaying the heads of traitors!
The Shambles dates back to times before the Norman Conquest. Once the area was the meat butchering area of York but today the stench is long gone, and the ancient streets are crammed with jewelry stores and cafés. At #35, there's a private shrine devoted to Margaret Clitherow, a Catholic wife of a butcher. She was martyred in 1586 for allegedly sheltering priests.
Whoever said "nothing in life is free" has never been to York. A free two-hour guided walking tour is the best way to see the city!
York's National Railway Museum was the first National Museum to be built outside London. The museum houses more than forty locomotives and several royal coaches. "Queen Victoria's Royal Saloon" is one of the most interesting in the collection.
Spooky! After London, York has seen more beheadings, medieval tortures, and human despair than any other English city and is allegedly England's most haunted city! Those who claim to communicate with the dead insist that some lost souls meander through the city streets reliving the horrible acts of their lives.
Clifford's Tower was originally built in 1068 by William I and was destroyed just one year later in revolt against King William I. It was immediately reconstructed and was eventually destroyed again by a group of Anti-Semites as they tried to massacre a group of Jewish refugees inside. Unfortunately, the Jews chose their own fate and orchestrated a mass suicide. A plaque at the foot of the tower recounts the tragic story.
Dick Turpin, a highwayman, was York's most infamous resident. By the time Turpin turned 30 in 1735, he had already committed murder and highway robbery. Eventually, Turpin was hung on the York Tyburn, which now forms part of the York Racecourse.