American Reacts to the BEST Things to do in York, England 

When a tourist in York said it looked like Harry Potter the tour guide's eyes rolled. "Madam, York Has had a historical past of many centuries before that novel of fiction was published. This is the real history"

As a Londoner studying at the University of York, I can safely say that while it’s fairly small, it is one of the most beautiful, historic cities in the country. Friendly people, great food, and wonderful architecture dating from anywhere between 200 to 2000 years ago. One of my favourite things about York is that you can just be walking down an ordinary road and suddenly come upon one of the medieval gatehouses - the way that all of York’s history is integrated seamlessly into the modern day life of the city is astounding. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially around Christmas time when the Christmas markets are in full swing. It can get a bit chilly, but there’s such a lovely atmosphere and so many things to see.

York was the Viking capital of England. The Viking ships would cross from scandanavia to the river Humber close to where I live, sail up the river Humber to get to York. It was the main city of the area of england known as the Danelaw and many places names nearby are derived from Norse language.

In British history York was one of the most important places for religious reasons and English royalty. And many event in York shaped and changed the course of history. London is the capital city of England but York was far more important. But in a side note Museum's are there to preserve and show the next generations history and facts from the past. They are not just tourism industry attractions.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but York is packed with tourists, It's very popular.The whole of Yorkshire has SO much to see and do!

Shambles is an archaic word for a butcher's slaughterhouse. Old towns often have an area or street called "The Shambles", where the butchers were historically concentrated in the past. "Shambles" was later used to describe anything that is in a total mess.

York 's history truly begins with the Romans. The city was founded in about AD 71 when the 5,000 men of the Ninth Legion marched from Lincoln and set up camp. Eboracum, as the Romans called York , was born.

I reckon the best ghosts are a troop of Roman mercenary soldiers who have been seen a good few times marching through a cellar in the Treasurers House hard by the Minster AND they walk on one of the main Roman arterial roads radiating from the Roman City. One such story is related by a guy the name of Harry Martindale who as a youngster was working in that cellar, on the plumbing or some such, when a trumpet sounded and as it grew nearer it got louder when suddenly a mounted Legionary on his horse burst through the wall followed by a soldier, again mounted, blowing his trumpet, followed by maybe 14 or 20 mercenaries marching 2 by 2. Then they exited thought the opposing wall. Interestingly he couldn't see below their knees, it wasn't known then that the Roman road actually ran exactly across the cellar and the modern floor being some three feet above the road surface their feet and lower legs would be below the floor, as were the horses legs. This young guy was able to describe their green tunics and round shields and how tired they looked. Only 25 years later with greater knowledge archaeologists found that mercenary soldiers did not have the rectangular shields that the Roman Army used but their own circular native type, and they did indeed have leather tunics in green, not Roman armour! They would look tired, they were defending what was left behind when the main Roman armies had retreated to Rome in 410AD. Oh, and while this cohort was marching through the cellar the young chap had fallen off his ladder and was cowering in fear in a corner hoping to goodness they didn't see him and would perhaps attack him, they looked as solid and as real as any other living person. He then rushed upstairs as white as a sheet and blurted out to a chap upstairs what he had seen and the fellow who lived there said, "Ah, sounds as though you've seen the Romans my boy!" They were seen from time to time but it was not a usual occurrence. However in this case the young mans clear description of them would in later years be borne out by increased knowledge of the Roman Army thanks to excavations and finds especially on Hadrian's Wall to the north. I found this youngsters account, on You tube, related by him as a gent of some 65 years old, by then a retired policeman, a good solid level headed gentleman, and how very interesting it was too. You can Google - The Most Famous Ghosts of York, The Roman Soldiers (Harry Martindale) - and I'm sure you will find it of interest where you will find Harry telling his very own story of those marching soldiers of some 1,620 years ago.

York is my Favourite place in the UK. There is so much history in one place, I never tire of it. A lot of people are unaware of its connection with the notorious Highway man Dick Turpin (A great subject for a future video). It was the birth place of Guy Fawkes and it has a great viking experience too (The Jorvik centre). York Is great for its old buildings but sadly it also lot a lot in the second world war.

I'm a Londoner but I love York and Yorkshire. It's my favourite city (after London). There's so much to see and do you'd need at least a week to do it justice. It's beautiful and has a fantastic history. Of course the US doesn't have anything similar because as a country it hasn't been around long enough. In terms of being a country, the US is barely out of babyhood.

Having lived there for about 20 years, York is a beautiful city, steeped in history, it gets probably over a 1million visitors or did, when I lived there every year. It was a very Royalist city, heavily linked to the UK royal family, it doesn't get any where near the visitors that it deserves , however the city does get absoloutely packed with people

I've visited York on three occasions. It would be my number one choice in the U.K.

Finally a video about england that doesn't include London

The National Railway Museum alone is worth the trip to York. As a national museum, entrance is free. It contains the oldest steam engine, Stephenson's rocket, The fasted The Mallard and the legendary Flying Scotsman. Plus hundreds of others.

York is indeed known for chocolate. Birthplace of the KitKat, among many, many other things. And the big York chocolate-making families (Terry, Rowntree) were very influential. And no, KitKat's obviously not the most obvious chocolate from York (Yorkie, anyone?!), but I mention it because, to an American audience, a KitKat is probably a more famous name.

We visited York a few years ago and spent two days wondering around the city, the museum is brilliant and the viking centre is also great, what a joy it was visiting and making chocolate we could take home.

I was given my grandads 1st world war medals 🏅 but sadly the ribbons were missing but there’s a shop in The Shambles that sold them and the man in there was ever so helpful he told me which ribbons went with the medals I sooo enjoyed my time in the beautiful city in York 🥰

I live in the UK..there is SO much history .. and many cities preserve the historical aspects as a tourist attraction...York is a stunning place ...my sister studied there, and I highly recommend Betty's Tearooms!...beautifully designed and with scrummy tea and scones!..and I could easily spend a day waking around the Minster!

I’m glad you enjoyed this short video of York. I live in one of the many surrounding villages and my parents live and work in York. The video fails to mention the nightlife in York. There are many bars and restaurants open til late and also 4 theatres and a cinema all in the city centre. It is such a beautiful place.❤

My family are from Yorkshire & its a lovely part of England. York itself is full of history more than london. York minster alone is lovely, a lot of Roman roads ect so much its a wonderful place to visit & learn.

You should take a look at 'Beamish' which is a huge open air museum in the north of England.

York is a beautiful city and very compact so easy to get around. The city walls almost surround the entire city with just a few short breaks. The Minster is incredible and has some of the finest stained glass in Europe, with the Great East Window being about the size of a tennis court. There’s a section in the minster’s web site detailing it that’s really worth checking out.

The city is a fantastic place and takes you back to how the country was like and how we used to live and work. Opens your eyes with the architecture and the scenery.

When Yorkshire gains independence York will be our capital city 😂

As someone from a York family going back generations I can attest to the loveliness of the city. Re the chocolate - York is not just known for artisnal chocolate but for sweets and chocolate in general - think Rowntree, Terry (of chocolate orange fame) and Cravens. I used to live in central York and the chocolate smell from the Rowntree's factory was fabulous!

Not only the UK and Ireland but the whole of Europe is full of old towns that have been populated for hundreds or thousands of years and are well preserved. From Roman era to Medieval to the Renaissance period. From Southern Italy or Spain all the way up to the countries around the Baltic sea and Eastern Europe there are literally thousands of well preserved historical towns. It is because people have lived in stone built towns and cities for thousands of years in Europe. And even longer in the Middle East and Iran and parts of Asia. North America (and Australia) are the exceptions rather than the normal situation.

I live in York and still love it after 66 years. It is only a small city but it has many things including the shambles on which Diagon Alley is based . Chocolate is still at the centre of our history..don't know if the Romans had it though! Vikings,Civil Wars Ted held into the amazing history we have. But please don't stay in York all the time,the whole county has so much to offer...We call it Gods own county!!

And let me tell you, the smell of the Jorvik Viking centre is something that will never leave you. Approximately 30 years on and I can still smell it whenever I hear the name. It’s an incredible place to visit

Lovely to see your appreciation of the history of York. But not sure why you're so anti touristy things. Nothing wrong with being a tourist, it just means you're a temporary visitor to a place rather than living there. I love doing touristy things, cos it means you're finding out about the place you're visiting. Yay for tourists 😍

I well remember Michael Palin making a documentary around 1979 when he travelled by train from London Euston to the Kyle of Lochalsh in northern Scotland. On the way he stopped at historic locations such as the National Railway Museum in York at which they filmed a visiting American family looking at Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’. The father read the accompanying information with respectful reverence but then after a couple of seconds said ‘I wonder who Stephenson was?’ A little like visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace and then wondering who Shakespeare was, I think. He also spoke to a rather lovely young American lady as they were proceeding through the stunning Scottish Highland scenery. He asked her how the train compared with those in the USA. She confessed that she couldn’t say. She’d never been on one!

I have done a couple of the ghost walks. They are are very good. Much recommended.

That was fun, York is special, but we have so many towns/cities steeped in history. I once saw a cartoon postcard of 2 tourists saying to a guide, "yeah, yeah, this is all very nice, but haven't you got anything new to show us?" Tyler, the best part of the video was seeing your inner child bursting out, wanting to play with everything! I loved the enthusiasm 🤗 🇬🇧🇺🇲🙋‍♀️

Diagon Alley was actually modelled from the street! Fact!

York is so pretty. So you could just walk the wall or walk by the river and you feel happy. Works for me. Definitely recomend the Railway Museum.

York is very well known as a tourist destination. It's also a very popular place to live. Average house prices are well above the national average, despite being in the North of England which is generally cheaper.

I don't know if the folk tale refers specifically to York but heard that it did. It is supposed to be the origin of the term "loo" for bathroom. The overhanging upper floors of buildings like in the Shambles were convenient for people to dump their chamber pops into the streets hence "Look out be loo" (below).

Chester has the most complete medieval wall.

The Shambles, the street they showed, is a fantastic example of how to shop for fun.

The UK has millions of years of history

I live just outside York. I visit at least once month. Absolutely love it.

Inside the Viking museum, your kids will pass a viking toilet where the door suddenly opens and you are presented with a Viking sat on the toilet and farting. You get the smell as well!

York is an amazing city in the amazing county of Yorkshire, which has two National Parks within its Boundary "North Yorkshire Moors" and "Yorkshire Dales". Within the North Yorkshire Moors is the Town of Whitby, famous for its connection to the Dracula Legend, its older streets have a similar old world charm to York, with the added benefit of been by the sea

Great video. Love York, nice to see you looking at the north of England 🇬🇧

Believe me, there are lots of American and Japanese tourists in York! Its a beautiful city.

There's a street in York called 'whip-ma whop-ma gate', imagine living on that road lol. Cool name imo. I love doing the city walk in York. You should check out some footage of how the river ouse swells and floods the surrounding area. It looks mad when you see parts of the city centre submerged and the pubs which have to use sand bags to hold the water back

I'm astonished there was no mention of Bettys Tea Rooms.

TYler, the walls do actually go all around the City, the breaks she said are only for the several large gates for traffic to enter, is a gorgeous city, well worth a visit.

“They actually created an entire Victorian street?!” Beamish Open-air Museum: “Hold my Ye Olde Beer…”

York is well worth a visit. It's easy to get there on the inter-city trains that run out of London Kings Cross station to York - journey time under 2 hours. York Minster is amazing. About 30 years ago it was found that the whole building was sinking as the cathedral ended up much larger than the original foundations were intended to bear. A massive project saw huge and very long stainless steel rods placed under York Minster to shore it up. You can go down into the crypts below the Minster and see how the whole project saved this wonderful building.

York has lots of Roman history, Viking history, Mediaeval history, and possibly future history as Parliament may move there while it is being refurbished.

The Roman Baths pub in York is built over old Roman Baths, hence the name, and part of the floor is glass so you can see straight into the baths, it's amazing, I love that pub 🌹🇬🇧🇬🇧

I was lucky enough to live in York for 3 years while studying there. I studied History and it was wonderful to do so in such timeless surroundings. I was even granted permission to use the archives in the minster for my research, which was a wonderful experience. It’s probably my favourite city in the UK and I’ll always be a bit sad that I wasn’t able to settle there.

York sher... Say it with me now. We are not hobbits!

Less go! Loving these vids

We arguably have far more history in the county than is portrayed. Differing ages of buildings and countryside. You can often tell the difference between the American tourists and those working at couple of military bases we have. Best way to explore is on foot and not worry about getting lost as you can either see the Minster or the city wall and then find where you want to be from there.

The UK has some amazing cities but unlike Manchester it retains some of the old building's and doesn't build on top of them or surrounds them with new build archetypes. It's why York is so unique in many aspects and you can't get lost.

Roman engineering is still important in York. If I recall correctly, in the 70s there were people doing renovations in Yorkminster and they found some Roman flag stones. When they were lifted, they found water underneth. Still flowing. When they traced it, they realised that they had a found a Roman drain that had been a functional part of the citys drainage system for 2000 years

York is very popular with tourists all year round. When walking around the old areas, I would be very surprised if you didn't hear plenty of your fellow Americans? Pretty much everything is also easily accessible on foot so visiting by train could be a good idea? The train station itself is also worth a look as it has a pub within that has some superb Victorian and Art Deco architecture ......................and beer!

York is beautiful. I havnt been for years but need to go back soon.

York is always very busy, but it's beautiful and there's far too much to do in one day. I love it. The railway museaum is an absolute pleasure.

I'm 20 minutes away from York on a train Me and my friends went there at Christmas time for an all day drinking session. I've been to and stayed in York many times York is a great place

There's so much old stuff in the UK that we get used to it and tend to take it for granted. Seeing it through fresh eyes reminds us how lucky we are to be surrounded by old stuff. So, thank you for that! :)

Whoo Hoo Its my City a real life Yorkie here!! I used to sing xmas carols on that recreated victorian street in the school choir!!! And yes the ghost walks are irresistable I have been on many lol.

York is prone to floods. Sitting in a pub near the river with your feet on a crate to keep them out of the water is fun. Watching Viking longboat race down the river helps.

I went to the University of York. It's a very nice campus, but full of geese. I also rang the bells at the Minster once.

As someone who now lives a quick bus trip from York, it really is nice. The Golden Fleece next to a major British "institute" Greggs Side note. The Jorvik centre smells and the River Oouse is known for Drunk people falling into and drowning.

My nephew is off to York in Sept as he's going University there , it's a beautiful place full of history and stunning architecture. 😊

I've watched your stuff for a few years now and you are deffo getting very good at it now, fair play to you. Add to that your ridiculously comedic surname as well as you have a cocktail of talents that are very viewable. Hence after a long time I'm subbing. I've given you plenty of likes in the past, time to step it up. Amigo, go see it for real tho. Travel is a degree in humanities imho. I haven't looked if you are on Patreon but I would happily sub you a few quid to see you reacting and learning from UK live. I wish you continued success, you've earned the next level mate. 👍

I was there last Friday for my birthday 😊 It's an amazing place ! I saw those very gardens from the wall when we walked along it for a while. J.K.Rowling took inspiration from the Shambles for Diagon Alley so that's why it looks so familiar. York has definitely cashed in on the Harry Potter and wizarding world theme over the last few years but there is still more than enough of its original history left , which is the real draw for the city.

I had a mate who took his degree at the Univercity of York. Went out on the lash with him a few times and I can very much confirm that York has a boat load of good pubs!

York in England - New York in America! Laughed out loud at your comment about York already being a time capsule and 'they actually recreated an entire Victorian Street ...............' Had never thought of it that way before! You've done a few reactions 'Best Towns to Live In' - how about reacting to 'Ten Most Beautiful Towns to Visit In the South of England'. If you like that there's also one for the North of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Just an idea.

I recommend taking a look at Wells which is another old, small city near bath. It has some incredible old architecture (not as much as York by the looks of it) and even more in the surrounding area in places like Glastonbury

i live about 35miles from york.. it's a lovely place, been there many many times.. great railway museum too

The entire Roman Empire was ruled from York (or Eboracum, its Roman name) by Emperor Septimius Severus who lived there from 208 to 211 AD. He died there and was given a lavish funeral by his two sons who then returned to Rome. Constantine the Great also briefly stayed in York when accompanying his father Emperor Constantius Chlorus. When he also died there in 306 AD, the Roman Army declared Constantine Emperor who ultimately became known in history as Constantine the Great.

Nice my home town. York is historical city with Viking, Roman,Anglo Saxon and Tudor history. We prid our self on being a Viking town. Also at one point it was the capital of England 😊.

York is very popular actually, mate lol. It's gorgeous, I love popping over for a day out or for the weekend to see some shows and such

Chester is another great Roman city to find a video

Shambles or Shembles as they were called at one time was the name of the stalls and shelves outside of the butcher shops. The array of dismembered animals on display led to the words ‘Shambles or Shambolic’ to be used for something that was chaotic or disorganised.

I lived in a small village called Stamford Bridge which is 10 miles from York, nothing is allowed to be built higher than York Minster for 30 miles in a circle, so the public can judge how important York is. The Romans made it the capital city then called Eboracum, there is an annual race meeting for horses called The Ebor meeting. Guy Fawkes was born within the city walls in 1579, his body in at rest in the ground of the Minster. The Vikings also made it their capital city, calling it Jorvik, which was shortened to York after William the Conqueror became the last man to head a successful invasion of England in 1066. Each of the city gates, known as Bars have a working portcullis, which are closed once a year, but never on the Same day or traffic jams would be inevitable..

I live not too far from York and it is a lovely city though it can get packed on summer Saturdays. One thing to do is definitely have a meal at Betty’s Tearooms very much a Yorkshire tradition

York is a wonderful place to visit, lots to do and see.

You need to check out videos on beamish museum, it is an outdoor theme park like place recreating different time periods on England

I live in a small town of about 2000 people and we have over 20 pubs. All still open and thriving including the Ye Olde Amchor which was built in 1385 - nearly 700 years ago.

I remember visiting the street in the Castle Museum about 70 years ago, its been around a long time. Railway heritage is very popular in the UK, there are three or four heritage railways with live steam locos within about 30 miles of York

Some people think Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books is based on The Shambles in York hence all the wizarding shops but JK Rowling denies it and says she has never been there

We have a memory aid Roundtrees of York give Best in Value for the colours of the rainbow. Roundtrees and Terry's were two traditional british Chocolate makers taken over now by US multi national companys.

Went to York for a day trip a couple of years ago, just before Christmas, primarily to visit the railway museum with family. The York Christmas Market is quite spectacular, and walking down The Shambles at that time of year is definitely something to experience as well.

York & Durham are both amazing & my favourite 2 places

Thanks for checking out my home town. Yes lots of history in York. Chocolate home of the kitkat bar!

Hello Tyler. If your interested in railways then just outside the walls near to the station is the National Railway Museum. This is one of the UK’s national group of science museums, so it’s free to enter and a donation would be pleasingly accepted. All the history of the world’s railways are here. Obviously, it concentrates on UK railway history, there is even a Japanese Bullet Train there. In 1984 York Minster was badly damaged by fire. The roof collapsed and the church has been totally returned to normal. The roof bosses are modern and were designed by children viewers of the BBC Blue Peter TV programme, so you can see new bosses with spacemen depicted there. The Clifford Tower has recently had extensive restoration and is much better and safer to walk around and climb to the top. The tower is just outside the walls at one of the main gates. Having it inside the walls would render it useless, it’s there for city protection.

It’s a beautiful city. It’s packed in tourist season. But it is just wonderful, so much to enjoy. And The Minster is stunning

I love York. There's this one street called Whipmawhopmagate, which I take an obligatory picture of every time I visit 😂

St Mary's Abbey was built a year before the castle in my hometown of Totnes, in Devon, England.

Great video, love your enthusiasm for our country.

I only live an hour away from York on the train and visit often. There's always something new to see. Well worth a visit.

A place I have visited many a time. Last time I was in the region, I visited Knaresborough and Harrogate, a couple of towns nearby. Top experience. And then on in to Middleham, with an old castle, where you can re-enact a Shakespeare scene, or simply sit in the town square, watching professional thorough bred horses trotting along to their training grounds.Then just outside a visit to the Forbidden Corner, if you have kids they will love you for taking them there. Excellent region of England to visit, highly recommended.

York is gorgeous. I haven't been for 20 years but cant wait to visit again. There is so much to do. Viking fans must visit Asgard for amazing replica viking jewellery and more. It's great to see you review a city that isnt London, hopefully you can find a video about my hometown Chester, also a Roman walled city with medieval Rows (two tiered shops)

The shambles was part of the inspiration behind Diagon Alley as well as somewhere in Edinburgh.

Spent 3 nights In York last year principally to visit NRM. Did a ghost tour, Great. The only problem was American tourists (which were everywhere) did't know when to keep their mouths closed!. I could spend a whole week within 1 square mile finding new delights, having the energy to do so is another problem.

Love your stuff Tyler❤