Things to Do on a Wet and Windy Weekend in York, York, England

So it was inevitable that eventually we would run out of weather luck on our late November anniversary weekend jaunt and instead of blazing sunshine (wedding day in 2008, Tenby in 2014) or beautiful snow (Edinburgh, 2010) we would be rained on once more (memories of London, 2009). We made the best of what was quite grim weather at times, in and out of coffee shops, cosy pubs. museums and churches (and shops to purchase additional warm clothing. Ponchos seem to be in vogue in York this season. Just so you know.) So here is my guide to spending a wet and windy weekend in York. Ponchos are optional.

Ok, if you’re going to be wandering around the streets of York on a cold, dark and wet evening, you might as well learn something educational at the same time. York has a history of questionable characters, many of whom met sticky ends at the hands of the executioner or hangman, so if you like your history with a smattering of blood, guts and gore then look no further than Mad Alice’s “Bloody Tour of York”. This was fab. For a fiver, you get a (fake) candle, a wonderfully charismatic guide who relishes the opportunity to tell tales to make you squirm and a 90 minute whistlestop tour around some of York’s iconic sights. Despite the inclement weather, there were about a dozen of us on the tour, and “Mad Alice” took the time to get to know each of us, engage us in conversation and (in my case) demonstrate methods of viking torture on us. Highly recommended. The tour, not the torture. Unless you’re into that kind of thing. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).