York's Old Town (Self Guided), York

A vibrant city with Roman roots and a Viking past, York has played a central role throughout much of England‘s history. Despite its small size, Old Town York boasts a wealth of colorful heritage that draws tourists in droves from all over the world.

The maze of historic streets – too narrow for vehicles, and therefore solely pedestrian – are packed with attractions fairly close to one another, which makes it a great place to explore on foot. With an array of quirky little details around and the ancient traditions hung in the air, it surely feels like walking back in time. Just make sure to wear some comfortable shoes!

To make a trip through the old capital of England’s north a little easier, here some of the essential stops to make along the way:

The Shambles – a medieval street, one of York’s oldest; formerly a meat market lined with butcher shops, hence the name. The buildings have a typical overhang of that period.

York Minster – the second-largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and one of the tallest buildings in the city, as prescribed by the ancient local law.

Stonegate – among the most visited streets in downtown York, with most buildings listed as architecturally or historically important.

Parliament Street – a focal point and major shopping hub; mostly pedestrianized since the 1980s.

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate – one of, if not the, smallest street in York; the name means "What a street!" or, the latest version, "Neither one thing nor the other".

If you're keen to have an unparalleled and pristine glimpse into the UK of a bygone era and to explore the attractions York’s Old Town so proudly displays, take this self-guided tour.