Adelaide's Travel Notes - England, UK

England
York

York is certainly my favourite British city. I was delighted with its old medieval buildings. This is Lendal Bridge, over the River Ouse, one of my favourite images of the city where I spent only one - but unforgettable - day.
	Many gates provide access to the medieval walls that surround the old city. Though mostly from the 14th century, part of the walls are even older, from the Roman period.
The ruins of St Mary's Abbey are found in the Museum Gardens. The original abbey was from the 11th century, but the gothic structure is from the 13th century.
	The York Minster is the largest cathedral in northern Europe and certainly one of the most beautiful in the world. It is very well illuminated through its many windows. The present building was started in the 13th century and completed only 250 years after. It has recently undergone a long restoration.
On top of a hill, Clifford's Tower, built in the 13th century by William the Conqueror. In 1190, when a wood tower existed on this site, a tragedy took place there: the Jewish population committed a mass suicide, as a response to the attempts of forcing them to be baptized.
	The Shambles is one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. Once housing butchers' shops, today it's a touristic street with restaurants, clothing and souvenir shops. The oldest houses date back to the 14th century.
The vikings also inhabited the city, which they called Jorvik. Visitors can learn about them at Jorvik Viking Centre, by visiting an archeological museum with objects from the 10th century and taking a cart ride that shows how life was back then. The York Castle Museum houses a collection of objects of daily life, showing their evolution along time - there is even an ancient toilet!

Links
City of York
This is York, by the Evening Press
Tourist information for York, by Where Can I Find .com.