The family and I spent some time touring the northern environs of England several years ago. There were lots of interesting and memorable things to see. One of our favorite cities was York, a charming town of winding cobbled streets, a magnificent cathedral, classic shop fronts, and dramatic stone walls surrounding the city. (I’ve read that it is the best-preserved walled city in the country.)

Originally established as a military settlement by the Romans in the first century, York had walls erected around the fort and surrounding village in order to keep out intruders. These fortifications formed the basic footprint of the walls that still stand today, most of which were built between the 12th and 14th centuries.

What We Liked About York  

* Walking the city walls

* Visiting the Castle Museum

* Climbing Clifford’s Tower

* Being awed by York Minster cathedral

* Learning about the Viking life at Jorvik Viking Centre

* Checking out the National Railway Museum

* Window shopping along the Shambles