Exploring the UK’s City of Festivals
I’m pretty sure that if you’re heading over to York to get your dose of what the UK’s City of Festivals is perhaps best known for, you know exactly which of these events you’re attending. So I won’t get into detail about the festivals themselves, but I reckon they should at least get a mention.
What you’ll probably want to know however is what the City of Festivals has to offer beyond what it’s most famously known for, like where to stay perhaps and how much money you’d have to spend on that accommodation, where to eat, and you might perhaps even want to know about some of the other fun activities and attractions the city of York has to offer beyond its festivals.
Upcoming/Ongoing 2017 Festivals
- The Great Yorkshire Fringe (July)
- Early Music Festival (July/December)
- JORVIK Group’s Medieval Summer (August)
- York Food and Drink Festival (September)
- Illuminating York (October)
- Aesthetica Short Film Festival (September)
- Nicholas Christmas Festival (November/December)
Where to stay
As with any destination you travel to, your options are limited mostly by your budget and truth be told, York is on average a little more expensive compared to other UK cities of its size, but by no means does that mean you have to break the bank. If you’re travelling solo or even with a group of friends for example, perhaps some budget accommodation in a four-star rated hostel will do just fine, in which case about £30 per night will get you a bed in a dormitory at the Safestay York. You can get breakfast on-site for an additional £4 per day, otherwise, most of your time will probably be spent either catching up on some sleep or out and about enjoying all which the city has to offer.
Otherwise, a family room which can accommodate up to two adults and one child at the Park Inn Radisson Blue will set you back around £209 and comes with a very good full English/Irish breakfast. The Holiday Inn Express York which is similarly rated 3-stars (3-star hotel) is similarly priced as well, so that’s the price bracket you’d be looking at if you have quite a bit more to spend on accommodation than a budget traveller.
Take a look at iknow-UK for some great choices of where to stay in York.
Where to Eat
If you’re not going to be eating at your hotel then there are plenty of options, from the likes of the Pizza Express and Miller’s (fish and chips) to the likes of the Judge’s Lodging and Betty’s Tea Rooms. Let your nose lead you and if you’re in town during the month of September, get a true taste of York’s authentic food at the Food and Drink Festival.
What to do
Visit the many sights deeply steeped in York’s history, such as York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum, amongst many, many other historical sites. Go on one of many walking tours including the ghost tours, visit the theatre or catch some rugby and/or football – there’s just plenty waiting for you to discover for yourself.
